He’ll Make Us Famous

The Jalopy Journal sits in a vacuum of sorts. We have our own internal celebrities it seems and although some of those folks are the real deal in reality, that doesn’t always transfer. I’m proud of that equal playing field…

With that in mind, I was pretty hesitant to run this interview. In a strange sort of way, it contradicts our purpose and at the same time, supports it. In the end, it’s good content… and I’m drawing a blank today. Enjoy the mystery guest!

TJJ: Why don’t you want folks to know who you are?
Mystery Guest: I’m anonymous online not because I consider myself a celebrity, but simply because I like it that way. I dunno really. I feel like I can do more good this way.

TJJ: You do realize that most folks in this “world” could give a shit though?
Mystery Guest: Yeah. I mean I saw Jesse James, James Hettfield, and a few others registered. Cab is one of my heroes… They are real celebrities and I don’t see many guys giving them shit. I’m just… This thing is all about the cars and I don’t want my professional life to get in the way of that, you know? Why don’t you allow photos of yourself online?

TJJ: Hey, I’m asking the questions here. You just stick to answering them!
Mystery Guest: Shit. Sorry.

TJJ: So you are kind of dragging your professional life into the car world though, are you not?
Mystery Guest: Yeah, I’m making a movie about the early days of salt racing and hot rodding. It’s something I’ve wanted to do ever since traditional hot rodding kind of rebirthed. It’s going to be a special flick and by special, I mean it will not be a watered down Hollywood version of a car movie. It’s more documentary style. More real. I’m making it for guys like you and me in that I’m not considering the general public in production.

TJJ: Really? So how did this come about? Have you always been a car guy and ya just decided to film em or what?
Mystery Guest: I’ve been into cars since day one, but the traditional hot rodding is new to me. It’s funny… I really owe my passion to The Jalopy Journal and the Shifters car club. I read an article in one of those “car magazines” about 7 or 8 years ago on the Shifters. From there, I found The Jalopy Journal and I have been hooked ever since. The H.A.M.B. and people that I have met through it have really taught me everything I know… And now I’m making a movie!

TJJ: And what sparked the movie?
Mystery Guest: Stacy Peralta. I don’t know him, but I saw his Dogtown movie and fell in love. I just had to make a movie like that and felt like hot rods were the perfect setting.

TJJ: Surely you have had your own cars?
Mystery Guest: Yeah. I have a ’32 roadster and I’m wanting to find a ’40 merc to do an early custom. I loved that post you did on Harry’s cars. That’s what I want.

TJJ: Did you build the ’32?
Mystery Guest: No. I wish I had the talent to do that. And I do have some talents in the garage, but this ’32 was my dream car and I couldn’t do what needed to be done. It’s a period correct car with all the early tricks. It would actually jive really well with your Tardel car… Do you have that coupe home yet?

TJJ: Questions fucker! I ask em, you answer em!
Mystery Guest: Alright! Damn…

TJJ: Speaking of, why are you answering questions now? Isn’t this going to give you away when your movie comes out?
Mystery Guest: I’m glad you asked. I am going to come out of the closet when the movie comes out. I just don’t want people to think that I am a “johnny come lately” looking to make a buck off the H.A.M.B. and traditional hot rodding. In a year or so when I finally wrap this thing, I want to be able to point back to this and show that I’ve been registered since 2001, I’m actively involved, and that this is a real passion of mine.

I’m not going to promote this movie in a marketing sense. Frankly, I know I’m not going to make money off this flick. I just want people to see it. That’s all I care about. I’m even planning a special Alliance premier.

TJJ: When it’s all said and done, what do you want the legacy to be?
Mystery Guest: Hot Rods aren’t cute and marketable and as I believe you once said, they aren’t b-side Beach Boy songs. They are risky. They are brilliant. And the folks that are into them (then and now) are good people. That’s really what I have learned in the past 6 or 7 years and really what my movie is about.

TJJ: Last chance to come clean.
Mystery Guest: I will… Promise.