What HOT ROD LEGEND would you like to meet?

i would have to say

a) JESSE JAMES

b) ORANGE COUNTY CHOPPERS

c) ROB FORTIER

not necesarily in that order!

 

i would have loved to meet ed roth, by FAR he would have been #1. I met norm grabowski once, we was cool we, talked canadian beer. I would like to meet jimmy shine (i guess you wouldnt call him a legend yet, but a damn talented dude).

 

Did it again KirK! Very interesting!

I would like to meet Bill Campbell (Hawk Weird-ohs fame)… & Tom Kelly who was one of the "Crazy Painters" w/The Barron & Roth…

Met most of the other "Kustom Kulture" artists who've put a dent in that art form… most are still living and very interesting, approachable, people… icredible stories to tell…

Ed "Big Daddy" Roth, Ed Newton, Robert Williams, Stanely Mouse, Dean Jefferies, "The Great" Reinero, Von Franco, Jimmy C., Burt "the Shirt" Grimn, The "Pizz", "Coop", Dave Burke, Keith Weezner, Dennis "Lil' Daddy" Roth, Reino Roth, Decon, "Giant", "Gemini"… I'm not just name dropping, I've got a point, Read on…

I met them, not cause they're "Famous", but because I dig their art, and enjoy their company… course sprayin' shirts w/Reinero & Ron Carr, opened the door and gave me motive and opertunity…

In some human endeavors, you have to acheive some "recognition" inorder to make a decent living… or even just scrape by… with the aptitudes you were born with… not cryin' just stateing a fact!… Allot of you are self employed so you know what I'm talkin' about… same deal!… Bottom line is they'er all human just like you… That goes with all "Famouse" people… That doesn't mean that they're not smart, interesting people, with cool stuff to offer us… they are!…

I'm not sayin' anything you don't already know so I'll move on…

The best part about working with Roth, my childhood idol. Was that I got to take him off that rediculus pedistal I had built under him as a kid. Then experience him, as his flawd human self!… I highly recomend it!… Was it cool to hang with him… you bet! But I gained a more down to earth perspective about all that shit, and that's a good thing!… we're all in the same stew!

But hey, if their art speaks to you and you can afford it… please buy some! Most of these cats aren't rollin in dough… It's all about havin' cool stuff to look at in the end, Man!

Sorry… got carried away again… Man, I tell ya!… "Foot In Mouth Disease!"… Thinner Fumes!… Uh oh, Here come those men in White Coats again!… Gotta Run!…

 

Hmmm, This is a good post, Ironicly I have meet most of the custom car guys at the many ISCA shows, Starbird, Hines, Winfield, Blackie, Etc.-- most of the motorcycle guys as well.
But to be Honest..........

My Dream Dates would be Drinking beer and shooting at the emptys with Dutch while yelling insults at passers by in German!

Thanking Roth for advice he gave me over hot dogs and root beer at a local show on Long Island NY. "Be differant!..do yer own thing"

Spending time with (and thanking) my High School Auto Body shop teacher Mr. "Schlone" who thought i was off my rocker but suported me in my interest of 50's & 60's custom car tech and taught me how to work with pallets & led after class
FRITZ

 

I noticed that nobody has not mentioned Lee Pratt. He is actually a customer of mine and the guy is so kool that he doesn't even sweat when the meter hits 102. I still want to meet Cole Foster which is also very humble and down to earth and have met Winfield and Barris many times and they are just true legends that have put a major dent in the custom car world and will always be remembered!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! KNUX!

 

I would have loved to have been able meet Ed Roth. As far as the living legends I've always thought it would be cool to meet Ol' Norm Grabowski.

I guess the only Hot Rod 'legends' I've been fortunate enough to meet in person are Don Garlits (got him to autograph a 1962 Hot Rod magazine at the HRR last month) 'Broadway Bob' Metzler, and Vic Edelbrock, all cool guys when I met them.

 

Stone
Woods
Cook

 

So many..... Gene Winfield, Sam Barris, The Alexander Bros, Big Daddy, Cole Foster, Foose, etc etc

 

I keep hearing about this Ryan Cochran fellow. He seems like an interesting cat. I saw him from across a parking lot once, but didnt get to say Hi.

 

I spent half a day with Don Garlits everal years ago and he was a real nice guy, no attitude and very friendly . Also back in about 1980 I got a ride with the Foose family in their motorhome from San Jose to Santa Barbara and then they put me up for the night as I couldn't get in touch with the people I was supposed to meet. If you ever meet Chip's family,especially his mom you will see why he turned out to be such a nice guy. Chip was very young then, I'm guessing 12-13? and his talent was very obvious even then! I remember there was unbelievable artwork on his bedroom walls. I was surprised that he remembered me when I ran into him at a BBQ a couple of years ago. Just a real nice guy, I wish there were more people around like him. I feel honored to have met his younger sister Amy who died way too young from that premature aging disease. She had a miniature model T that she would drive on the sidewalk . I'm sure she played a big part in his character building. I really don't get into the idol worship thing but if I had to name a hot rod hero it would probably be Mickey Thompson. I read the book on his life story and I couldn't believe you could fit so much into one lifetime, and it was written in 1969!

 

I've met Foose and talked to him for a few, nice guy! Talent spewing out his ears. Sat close to him during an advisory board meeting one time, throughout the meeting he was doodling on scratch paper. Unreal what he can sketch in just minutes. Damn I should have stole that paper. Met Boyd and Art Morrison the chassis guru. Also know Dave Stuckey, original creator of the Li'l Coffin. He's got a real cool project brewing in the ol' garage. Wonder if he'd let me post any pics. Oh yeah, ran into Bones Noteboom in a Vegas Hotel. Cool dude! Would really like to meet Thom Taylor and Steve Stanford, and of course Jeff Norwell (Brush).

 

yes!! for sure..without ryan, i would still be lookin up donkey porn all day!!
but ill meet ryan next year at the drags!!
also,,,meet ron jeremy...OUCH
one's id like to meet include:
my mom [she's been at kirks naked since i was little]
dick dean..spoke on the phone with him few years back quite a few times..super helpful..emailed about stuff several times and sent me auographed pick also..great guy!!
gartlits
kennith howard
newbomb turk[ robert wuhl] to talk about the movie
dare i say...jesse james [not an old legend but would be interesting to see what he's like in person]
sox & martin
any 50/60's qaurter mile guys/gals
and ALL YOU HAMBERS!!!

o and the little fucker that stole my push mower!!

 

Living? Well there went my plan to have a seance..... Top of my list would be Zora Arkus Duntov.

 

I grew up being a big fan of the AFX and SS stars of the mid 60s even though I was born to late to be there. I learned about them reading old SS&DI and Eastern Drag News that I've collected. My favorite driver was always Phil Bonner. Phil drove the series of Daddy Warbucks Fords. I got his autograph way back in 1987 at a car show and he was cool. Well about 3 years ago a buddy of mine, Joel Napersak (Racecar Art) gave me Phil's email. I emailed him and asked if he minded if I asked him a couple questions about his racing career. He responded right away and said sure. So to make a long story, longer.... we have stayed in touch and become good friends. Last spring he invited me to come to GA. and stay at his home during the Ford South show that was put on by Dick Brannan. I spent 4 days at his house and he treated me like he has known me for 30 years!! He still has his restored Thunderbolt race car. He asked me if I'd like to drive it!! Hell Ya!! I drove around the fairgrounds after the show was over. Phil and his wife are also coming to my home this fall to visit.

To say it was cool to hang out with him would be an understatement!! I went for years wanting to meet him, now I've become friends!!!

 

Absofkinlutely... Talk about being there from the start. In a way, we all owe EVERYTHING to this guy...

Rolla Vollstedt (Indy)
Grant King
The Surfers (sure, you can run 100%!)
I've met Leno (don't hate him for his job, the guy is gearhead to the core)
Al Teague
3W Larry

 

Bobby Langley, Vance Hunt, The Carroll Brothers. Actually Ive met them all, but haven't seen them in years.

 

Leland Kolb (gone), Marvin Schartz (gone), Ted Cyr (still with us) and all the other old time MEL engine racers.

 

heres my touch with greatness...don the snake in 78ish ...im the one in the yellow shirt next to danny in the res white striped shirt..i was 7 or 8...don was so cool sighed his auto on my ticket stub while he was tryin to check his shoot!!!never forget that ever!!!!

 

Get him to register for the HAMB.

 

Gene Winfield, has to be the father of hotrodding..........he would be my choice

 

In no particular order:
The Littleman
Clark
Cole
3w Larry
Jeff Norwell (oh wait, I know him!)
Plowboy
Denise (oh I know her too!)
Roadstar (just met him. .....very cool0

 

I've met Ryan, Marcie, Root, Denise, Kenny/Choprods.(he drove me to the drags from the motel in his roadster last year. One of the best times I ever had.) ... and a buncha you other HAMBers at the drags over the past 3 years. It was so hot at the 1st Drags that we stayed under the tent with Marcie, Ryan and Root and his wife, (sorry have slept since then so I forgot) and talked and had a ball.

Been the best every year since then.

Got a Denise hug and that was almost as good as seeing Jungle Pam in person when I was young. Funny I get tounge tied around Denise too.... Go figure... Dunno why.

As for other famous people. Hell... ALL of them. Mostly because all of them were and are just people, and they really are as cool as we believe they are.

I imagine that if we were able we could be friends with any of them and they would be glad of it.

Anyway will see many of you at the Drags, this Sat. And its the only thing I plan on year after year. I'll be the old fat guy with the santa beard wandering around with the big grin on his face.

Thanks guys and gals..
Best to all
Bill Turner
VonDad

 

Boyd in an alley to let him know he really has screwed up a good thing....wooops you said a legend....if it's in his own mind does that count?

 

Rolf!

 

Mickey Thompson, Smokey Yunick

Leo Goossen, Fred Offenhauser & Harry Miller.

 

Gene Winfeild... I called him once cause i ran into a problem with my chop...Really Awesome guy!

 

Definately Burt Monroe.

 

Im glad to say ive met ED "BIG DADDY" ROTH, signed my shirt i was young sorry to say i dont have it anymore really wish i had since im getting older.

George Barris met him at calvacade of customs along with jimmy shine.

I would like to met chip foose and jesse james, they do have talent.
also like to met john force and a couple other drag racers.

 

This very issue came up a few days ago with some friends. My thinking is industry wide. I would love to meet Billy F. Gibbons since he has always used his power to help lobby for things that make sense within our hobby. The other one is Corky Coker. He just seems like an interesting fellow who is also working to better the hobby.
I hope someday to meet Ryan too. I think Ryan is doing something for the industry that no one would be willing to help grow. He has helped making the Traditional Hot Rodding world much smaller. Plus he seems to do cool shit and has had some great experiences.

I have been fortunate to meet and talk with Chip Foose, Ed Roth and many other "names" in the industry. I still think Coddington is an asshole. He was just a good marketer.

 

I would love a "shifting lesson" from Grumpy Jenkins.

But I guess my big one would be Richard Ruth (builder of the Two Lane Blacktop '55 Chevy).



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