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Folks Of Interest RIP Don Orosco

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by anthony myrick, May 29, 2020.

  1. lost another one.
    6A7E8624-E388-4226-B8D5-7DFAE0CA8DF8.jpeg
    All I had was the IG post. Maybe someone has more info.
    Never met the guy but I knew his work.
    We have a lot of hot rod history preserved because of him.
     
    Last edited: May 29, 2020
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  2. Deuce Lover
    Joined: Feb 15, 2009
    Posts: 1,047

    Deuce Lover
    Member

    Wow,What a shock.One of the greats ! I had quite a few dealings with him and all good ! RIP.
    [​IMG]
     
    Last edited: May 30, 2020
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  3. bowie
    Joined: Jul 27, 2011
    Posts: 3,098

    bowie
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    Definitely a candidate for the preservation hall of fame. Godspeed sir.
     
    Thor1, Dirty Dug, Stogy and 3 others like this.
  4. Marty Strode
    Joined: Apr 28, 2011
    Posts: 8,796

    Marty Strode
    Member

    I called him once, not long after he started the restoration of the Lloyd Bakan coupe, with an offer to sell him and inline 4 deuce manifold for a Desoto. He had already sourced one, but we had a great visit. R.I.P. Mr Orosco.
     
    Last edited: May 29, 2020
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  5. The37Kid
    Joined: Apr 30, 2004
    Posts: 30,627

    The37Kid
    Member

    Very sad news, he was a very nice guy, restored some noteworthy cars, and made a lot of parts to help Vintage Racers keep their cars running. Got to see the restored SoCal Coupe when he brought it along while racing a Lola or Lotus at Lime Rock years ago. RIP, prayers going out to his family and friends. Bob
     
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  6. Jalopy Joker
    Joined: Sep 3, 2006
    Posts: 31,174

    Jalopy Joker
    Member

    Sincere sympathy goes out to his Family, friends and fans
     
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  7. A very nice gentleman. R. I. P. Mr. Don Orosco. I met him at one of the L A roadster shows. I was walking thru the swap meet section looking at some parts when he opened the door of his coach & spoke to me. I was wearing a Tee from Seaside Or. show(03) & he said he was there so we had a nice conversation.
    He will be missed.
     
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  8. pitman
    Joined: May 14, 2006
    Posts: 5,148

    pitman

    Repro Ardun heads project was something he did also.
     
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  9. The37Kid
    Joined: Apr 30, 2004
    Posts: 30,627

    The37Kid
    Member

    Three Don Orosco cars that were class winners at Pebble Beach. So-Cal Coupe - 1st in class @ 2001 PBCd'E.jpg
    SoCal Coupe 2001
    Dick Flint Roadster - 1st in class @ 1999 PBCd'E.jpg
    Dick Flint Roadster 1999
    Lloyd Bakan Coupe - 1st in class @ 2007 PBCd'E.jpg
    Lloyd Bakan Coupe 2007
     
  10. deucemac
    Joined: Aug 31, 2008
    Posts: 1,483

    deucemac
    Member

    This is EXTREMELY sad news. I had the privilege of talking and dealing with Don several times. A true gentleman that loved our hobby and had the money and desire to correctly restore significant cars and speed equipment for our pleasure. Thank you Don and rest in peace.
     
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  11. Black Panther
    Joined: Jan 6, 2010
    Posts: 2,133

    Black Panther
    Member
    from SoCal

    I sold Don a few things over the years and he was a super nice guy. I do remember thanking him for what he had done to our hobby. The Bakan coupe is my personal favorite...he really elevated old hot rods to a space more akin to art or museums, and made other people who wouldn't ordinarily care, notice. RIP.
     
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  12. Fogger
    Joined: Aug 18, 2007
    Posts: 1,804

    Fogger
    Member

    I met Don years ago at the GNRS where he was displaying his Riley Overhead '32 Ford Roadster. A true gentleman and enthusiast, he spent over a 1/2 hour pointing out all the vintage parts and the Kinmont brakes that had been incorporated into the build. He truly loved the vintage Hot Rods and was a definite asset to the hobby. RIP Don
     
    Last edited: May 29, 2020
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  13. Joe Blow
    Joined: Oct 29, 2016
    Posts: 1,480

    Joe Blow
    Member

    Legendary car guy and just a great individual. RIP Don.

    Bio from the Monterey Speed & Sport Catalog:
    Winning vintage racer, historian, consummate auto enthusiast and owner of Monterey Speed & Sport, Don Orosco has been a serious hot rodder for over 50 years. As a teenager, he attended the Oakland Roadster Show in the 1950’s, and competed there in later years. His superb restorations of three famous Hot Rod Magazine cover cars, the ex-Alex Xydias So-Cal Speed Shop ’34 Ford coupe, the Lloyd Bakan ’32 Ford three-window coupe, and the Dick Flint ’29 Ford roadster, won first place in the highly competitive Historic Hot Rod Class at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance. His restoration of the ex-Tony LaMasa “Ricky Nelson” ’32 Ford roadster, was a third place winner.

    Don may be best known in hot rod circles for his better-than-original reproduction Ardun overhead valve cylinder heads for Ford and Mercury flatheads. He was the first to take on the challenge of reproducing these scarce, almost-legendary components. His Arduns were virtually identical to the originals. Orosco was also the first to reproduce highly desirable Eddie Meyer “Hollywood” finned high compression heads and intake manifolds for numerous flathead applications.

    As a result of his broad vintage racing experience, Don maintains close contact with top craftsmen around the world who are capable of manufacturing virtually anything. He periodically taps into this tremendous talent pool to develop rare and unusual flathead speed equipment, unique hot rod accessories, and historic race car parts, always in limited quantities – many of which are products that he routinely uses in his own car.

    “We are dedicated to preserving our automotive heritage through the products we manufacture, the restoration projects we undertake, and the race events we participate in. They evoke an era when craftsmanship and innovation were admired and respected, and speed and power were the goal. Our work at Monterey Speed and Sport embodies the best of a simpler time and continues a tradition of excellence… and still manages to get our heart pounding like the sight and sound of a period Lakes racer making a pass at Bonneville!”
     
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  14. Sad news , RIP Don O. Thoughts & Prayers to his family & friends.. God speed !
     
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  15. From Ken Gross' book, Art of the Hot Rod:
    20200529_182800~2.jpg
     
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  16. Budget36
    Joined: Nov 29, 2014
    Posts: 13,173

    Budget36
    Member

    Wow, many years ago before Ryan took over the FordBarn, I sold some parts to Don...I didn't know what they were worth, but he paid the going rate-as I found out later, Never spoke with him, but was a standup guy in my book.

    RIP.
     
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  17. Atwater Mike
    Joined: May 31, 2002
    Posts: 11,625

    Atwater Mike
    Member

    Godspeed, my friend.
     
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  18. RichFox
    Joined: Dec 3, 2006
    Posts: 10,020

    RichFox
    Member Emeritus

    Sounds like everybody sold parts to him. I also found Mr. Orosco to be a fine gentleman and I am sure he will be missed by many.
     
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  19. Don Orosco .jpg
    Donald Bruce Orosco
    March 18, 1944 - May 28, 2020
     
    Last edited: Jun 3, 2020
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  20. Don's "RILEY SPECIAL" Deuce Roadster at the 2011 Palo Alto Concours d'Elegance:

    Don Orosco - Riley Special @ 2011 Palo Alto Concours d'Elegance (1).jpg
    Don Orosco - Riley Special @ 2011 Palo Alto Concours d'Elegance (2).jpg
    Don Orosco - Riley Special @ 2011 Palo Alto Concours d'Elegance (3).jpg
    Don Orosco - Riley Special @ 2011 Palo Alto Concours d'Elegance (4).jpg
    Don Orosco - Riley Special @ 2011 Palo Alto Concours d'Elegance (5).jpg
     
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  21. Don's latest Deuce Roadster at the 2017 Carmel-By-The-Sea Concours On The Avenue:

    Don Orosco '32 Roadster - Carmel-By-The-Sea Concours on the Avenue 8-15-2017 (1).jpg
    Don Orosco '32 Roadster - Carmel-By-The-Sea Concours on the Avenue 8-15-2017 (2).jpg
    Don Orosco '32 Roadster - Carmel-By-The-Sea Concours on the Avenue 8-15-2017 (3).jpg
    Don Orosco '32 Roadster - Carmel-By-The-Sea Concours on the Avenue 8-15-2017 (4).jpg
    Don Orosco '32 Roadster - Carmel-By-The-Sea Concours on the Avenue 8-15-2017 (5).jpg
    Don Orosco '32 Roadster - Carmel-By-The-Sea Concours on the Avenue 8-15-2017 (6).jpg
    Don Orosco '32 Roadster - Carmel-By-The-Sea Concours on the Avenue 8-15-2017 (7).jpg

    NOTE: The placard on the ground behind the front spreader bar read:

    Orosco Deuce Roadster - Placard.JPG
     
  22. Joe Blow
    Joined: Oct 29, 2016
    Posts: 1,480

    Joe Blow
    Member

    Don was born 03/18/44.
     
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  23. Stogy
    Joined: Feb 10, 2007
    Posts: 26,345

    Stogy
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    Condolences to the Orosco Family and Friends on the passing of Don who had such a connection to greatness in the Hobby...Thanks for sharing this unfortunate loss to the Community...

    Additional thanks to the others sharing personal connections to this Hotrodder....

    Regards,
    Stogy
     
  24. tubman
    Joined: May 16, 2007
    Posts: 6,913

    tubman
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    This is a great loss. R.I.P. Mr. Orosco.

    God, do I feel old.
     
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  25. 40Vert
    Joined: Jun 10, 2006
    Posts: 677

    40Vert
    Member

    What a great loss, a real asset to the hobby. When I called to order his Eddie Meyer heads and intake about 17 years ago, I was asked if I could hold by the admininstrative assistant and to my surprise, Don took the call. Spent and hour talking to me sharing lots of info. He was super kind to a 25 year old kid just learning about flatheads.


    Sent from my iPhone using H.A.M.B.
     
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  26. Dirty Dug
    Joined: Jan 11, 2003
    Posts: 3,712

    Dirty Dug
    Member

    Don was a great guy, rest in peace.
     
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  27. deucendude
    Joined: Oct 31, 2008
    Posts: 667

    deucendude
    Member
    from norcal

    Don always had time to say hi! RIP.
     
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  28. A true gentleman, a perfectionist, and a hot-rodder, too
     
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  29. WB69
    Joined: Dec 7, 2008
    Posts: 1,958

    WB69
    Member
    from Kansas

    R.I.P.
     
    Thor1 likes this.

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