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Folks Of Interest Leroi Tex Smith.

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by HOTFR8, Jun 11, 2015.

  1. He was one of first names I remember for his stories in the magazines. Another real icon leaves us, a truly sad day.
     
  2. okiedokie
    Joined: Jul 5, 2005
    Posts: 4,778

    okiedokie
    Member
    from Ok

    Very sad news. Always wondered why he moved to Australia.
     
  3. When I was in high school, I bought and read Hot Rod Engines so many times, just to learn every shred of information I could about the things that mattered so much. I still have the book, and thanks to LeRoi "Tex" Smith, I have some of the knowledge he gave us. We all must pass along our knowledge, ensuring that his legacy continues.
     
  4. OLDSMAN
    Joined: Jul 20, 2006
    Posts: 2,422

    OLDSMAN
    BANNED

    Tex Smith's legacy will live on forever RIP Tex
     
  5. HOTFR8
    Joined: Nov 30, 2010
    Posts: 2,075

    HOTFR8
    Member

    Now that makes me laugh Wayne. I recall a similar incident or one I was told about after the salt here and a speeding ticket I think given to Ron and how Tex made fun of it later.
     
  6. CGkidd
    Joined: Mar 2, 2002
    Posts: 2,908

    CGkidd
    Member

    RIP to a great writer
     
  7. HOTFR8
    Joined: Nov 30, 2010
    Posts: 2,075

    HOTFR8
    Member

    Not to forget Trish and her family here in Australia.
     
    Last edited: Jun 11, 2015
  8. Hotrodmyk
    Joined: Jan 7, 2011
    Posts: 2,302

    Hotrodmyk
    ALLIANCE MEMBER
    1. Northwest HAMBers

    Sad news indeed. RIP
     
  9. ss34coupe
    Joined: May 13, 2007
    Posts: 4,239

    ss34coupe
    Member

    Sorry to hear this news about Tex Smith - one of the great hot rod writers, and certainly someone I read with great interest in the 60's and 70's. His pursuit and description of vintage tin finds remain classic pieces of automotive journalism. My condolences to his family.
     
  10. I always liked his writing, and his cars, and followed the changes he made to his modified to get it legal when he moved to Australia.
    I'll bet he enjoyed the last years rodding wise, in Aussy.
    Rest In Peace, Mr Smith.
     
  11. SicSpeed
    Joined: Apr 23, 2014
    Posts: 656

    SicSpeed
    Member
    from Idaho

    His books were definitely an inspiration for me. A little creativity for using what I have have Instead of doing it like everyone else . I'll have to get them out and study them again.

    RIP Tex
     
    Spoggie likes this.
  12. Mr48chev
    Joined: Dec 28, 2007
    Posts: 33,861

    Mr48chev
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    A sad day for us in the hot rod world.
    I grew up reading what he wrote and in 1973 enjoyed listening to his stories as we worked our way down the side of the building to get into the "barbecue" on Saturday night at the street rod nationals in Tulsa. I got to visit with him and Tom at Plesanton in 1998 when they had a booth set up. That was mostly the two of them regaling a small group of us with their stories.
     
  13. W Scott
    Joined: Mar 19, 2007
    Posts: 156

    W Scott
    Member

    Tex was quite a character, someone who had volumes of knowledge on hot rodding and motorsports in general. The stories he could tell on Wally Parks and the early years of the NHRA were priceless. I can always remember the day he came to shoot our Roadster Show here in Boise. Asked him if he wanted to come in early one day to shoot, he declined and attended when the place was packed to the max. One lesson he taught me was events need to depict and include people that attend them in the photography, not empty caverns of vehicles standing alone in a room or at an event. Stuck with me since that day. He will sadly be missed, but never forgotten.
     
    Spoggie likes this.
  14. HOTFR8
    Joined: Nov 30, 2010
    Posts: 2,075

    HOTFR8
    Member

    That would be this car.
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
    Photos taken at the 75th year of the Deuce event here in Castlemaine.
     
  15. Babyearl
    Joined: May 23, 2008
    Posts: 610

    Babyearl
    Member

    Tex was one of a kind,, lots of hotrod knowledge. He will surely be missed. RIP
     
  16. primed34
    Joined: Feb 3, 2007
    Posts: 1,407

    primed34
    Member

    Rest In Peace Tex. A great automotive writer.
     
    dearjose likes this.
  17. We've lost another great one. My thoughts and prayers are with his family at this time of great sadness. RIP!
     
  18. Don's Hot Rods
    Joined: Oct 7, 2005
    Posts: 8,319

    Don's Hot Rods
    Member
    from florida

    Very sad to hear of his passing. :( I always looked forward to his articles and I have a couple of his books. What a down to earth, smart man he was.

    RIP, Tex.

    Don
     
  19. frank spittle
    Joined: Jan 29, 2009
    Posts: 1,672

    frank spittle
    Member

    His contributions to hot rodding can not be overestimated. One of the best of any era.
     
  20. Agreed on all points
     
  21. Blue One
    Joined: Feb 6, 2010
    Posts: 11,459

    Blue One
    ALLIANCE MEMBER
    from Alberta

    Wow, this is sad. Tex had a huge influence on me through his writings and adventures. I used to love his tech articles and his way of doing it yourself hot rodding.
    The junkyard solutions and all that was great.
    A whole lot different than some of the parts buyers and installers today.
    Hot Rod Mechanix was my favorite for quite a while.
    RIP Tex, hope to meet you one day.
     
  22. arkiehotrods
    Joined: Mar 9, 2006
    Posts: 6,803

    arkiehotrods
    Member

  23. nrgwizard
    Joined: Aug 18, 2006
    Posts: 2,513

    nrgwizard
    Member
    from Minn. uSA

    Aww... nuts... ;( . Tex was my favorite writer. Also treated me well when we talked, & he could've ripped me raw, but refused to. Then did tell me why & how things actually worked, when he had troubles at HRMx. I have at least two sets of HRMx, as the 1st set is close to being worn out. Good info, but the thought process behind it is precious. &, of course, I especially like the thought process, & antics, behind the VolksRod he & Tom did (after Tex showed Tom, Kents' VolksRod)... :D .
    Prayers of peace go to those left behind - but, know Tex won't be forgotten. On the rare occasion I could talk to him, he talked w/me like I was an old friend, although I'd be surprised if he ever remembered who I was. While I never had anything worth getting a trophy for, the only trophies I 'coveted' were the"Tex' pick & Stroker' pick".
    Rest in Peace - You deserve it.
    Sincerely, Marcus...
     
    Spoggie likes this.
  24. Sad news, always loved reading his slant on all things hot rodding, will be missed:(
     
    Spoggie likes this.
  25. Zerk
    Joined: May 26, 2005
    Posts: 1,418

    Zerk
    Member

    His books and articles were like an introduction to hot rodding for me. I've always had a deep respect for Tex Smith, and always will. A great man who could explain a complicated idea in simple terms.
     
    Spoggie likes this.
  26. verde742
    Joined: Aug 11, 2010
    Posts: 6,267

    verde742
    Member

    Dog gone it, I just posted a bitch how a bunch of us lost our subscription investment with his last publication fiasco.

    Now I read he has passed away, I always respected his writings, and was so pissed when he escaped to down under, May he rest in peace, he really was a good guy, and the publishing business would hafta be a rough road to travel.. He wrote great fun to read articles. Condolences to his people. We will all miss his rambles.. A reader since the mid 50's.
     
    Last edited: Jun 12, 2015
    Spoggie likes this.
  27. rfraze
    Joined: May 23, 2012
    Posts: 2,008

    rfraze
    Member

    Now that he is gone, it is up to all of us to take up the slack. RIP and Thanks!
     
  28. The37Kid
    Joined: Apr 30, 2004
    Posts: 30,627

    The37Kid
    Member

    I guess the XR-6 build in Hot Rod was the first Tex build I read about. Liked his '34 Tub and everything he wrote. . He was editor of Old Cars Weekly for a while and I got to meet him at the OCW booth at Hershey one year. He sure made a lasting mark on our hobby, Rest in Peace. Bob
     
  29. Gods speed Leroi Tex Smith.
     

  30. LeRoi Smith.jpg
    Clarence Le Roi "Tex" Smith
    January 4, 1934 - June 11, 2015
     
    Last edited: Jun 13, 2015

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