Ray: Back in 1980 I bought an old 1971 Pinto. It had seen better days. I fixed the rust and repainted it black with flames. Then I went full-house on a 4-banger: Mellings cam, .060 over bore, milled head, 4 barrel, and Offy intake. Full headers. It was fast if you had the rpm up when the light turned green, but I got caught too many times idling. So, I put nitrous on the damn thing. I ordered a nitrous kit for a 2000 cc engine, took the kit home and installed it that evening. Took it out for a road test NOT GOOD. It blew a piston apart. I WAS PISSED! Went to the shop the next day, and found out they had sold me a kit jetted for a 350 engine. Got a new piston, fixed the engine, then soldered up the two squirter jets. I drilled the jets til I got to .028 thousands and that worked just fine. Fast mother, but I was spending 20 bucks every 4 days for a bottle refill. TOO MUCH FUN! I couldnt resist racing other cars (nobody wants a Pinto to beat them). But it was too much money for nitrous. So, I got a 289 Ford for 50 bucks with a 3 speed toploader. I rebuilt it to stock, it had a 2 barrel with a quiet single exhaust. I lengthened the front end 6-1/2 to make the 289 install easier. By lengthening the front end, I could use the stock hood latch (no hood pins). It would top out at 138 MPH. Had 3:40 rear end gears and 13" wheels & tires. It was fast and a lot of fun. I switched the complete roof for a hatchback and sliding sunroof. WOW! Talk about fast! I drove it for 16 years, all fun, all the time. <O</O The flamed picture was before extending front end and 289 engine. <O></O>
I has the pleasure of meeting Ray this past summer at a show. That Pinto story is great! I think Ray may be my new hero...
The "GT" part of LaJoya really piqued my interest and wonder if there wasn't some Jaguar FHC influence going on...
I engraved Both plaques- ORIGINALLY we had plaques cast in Topeka ,Kansas This guy SAID HE COULD MAKE THEM WITH A HOT ROD ----------WELL ,THE CAR LOOKED so "STUPID" ,LIKE A CARTOON CAR- soooooo THE GUYS WOULDN'T USE THEM,,,, SO THAT WAS WHEN i COPIED A 27 t ROADSTER FROM A MAGAZINE - SO TO CONTINUE --the Cranktwister plaque was needed because We [the KCTA club] gave the "incorporated KCTA name" To have the official KCTA drag strip, which the other clubs could join. There have been KCTA duplicate plagues made by John Povenmire . I gave him a silicone rubber mold for that purpose. I can tell a duplicate from a original by where I had 2 holes where I bolted my KCTA plaque on my 34 Cabriolet front bumper bar ----I made the cranktwister plaque so it could attach on top of our KTCA plaques. When casting the duplicate they filled those two bolt holes with clay for the casting impression . I DID NOT MAKE THE MISFITS PLAQUE!
Hi! Kenny -- you probably won't believe how many times I told guys about you & your skills. You have built so many cars in your career ,I am barely of an amateur compared to what you have accomplished-----What I have had going for me was a long life which gave me yrs to accomplish what shit I have done.I do not go as many places as I used too. For one thing I really can't afford the gas- There is something that keeps happening..I intend to go visit old friends. & I am too late-They have passed away! BUT ,thats life. One of my best friends in the world died 2 yrs ago ,Then about a year after that ,his wife who was a special friend also died-I am now 83 yrs old & my knee replacement was a success ,BUT, Has limited doing projects near the floor. I could stiil chop tops but, when you weld inside the car,can't really do it-- Heres wishing you the best !
Well then if I get down your way Ill come by....and I was as glad when you came up here as I could be....You my friend are the celebrity....
Oh contrare, Senor! I don't care how good Kenny is Ray, you don't need to say this to anyone! Humility is obviously one of your many virtues.
So . . . almost another year gone by . . . thought I'd bring this back up for those folks who've missed Radical Ray's hot rod and custom exploits . . . such a great story . . .
For the record, I made three copies of the KCTA plaques for John Povenmire back in 1991 from an epoxy pattern he sent me. I made 50 of the Misfits plaque for Ray Richardson in 2007. Dennis O'Brien
Today, Ray tells me he's got a cancerous tumor on one of his kidneys... They're planning on having surgery, but he seems pretty down on survival.. Pass it on. Let's get our asses movin'; he's earned it.
Hey guys-Prayer and Good thoughts for our friend Ray,let's keep the faith for a real deal Legend of hotrodding!
Only know him from this story, but he is what lots of us aspired to be, a homegrown talented hot rodder and customizer....hope he pulls through.
Send your words of encouragement here[or a PM] for our buddy Ray.......Its hard worrying about your health and every bit of good thoughts from friends surely helps the spirit......
Good news, friends... Ray Erickson: "Man, I've got to tell you, the support from so many people is really NICE & amazing. I am so grateful for all the prayers & caring friends. It gives me a big lump in my throat.---- Dr. said 92% chance of surviving this. HERES HOPING!!!"
Hi folks. Ray Erickson is my grandfather. I wanted to let everyone know that he has terminal cancer and he's resting at home. I saw him a few weeks ago when he was still up and talking and he was in good spirits. Thanks everyone for all of your support during these hard times for Ray and his family.
Could spot that Packard a mile away, hopefully I'm reading wrong but it looks like he passed this weekend :/ Rest in Peace
The Jalopy Journal
