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Folks Of Interest Ode to Gray Baskerville 20 years later

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by denis4x4, Feb 1, 2022.

  1. Marty Strode
    Joined: Apr 28, 2011
    Posts: 8,798

    Marty Strode
    Member

    Ganahl was a outdoor travel Editor for Sunset Magazine, didn't know that about Gray.
     
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  2. cfmvw
    Joined: Aug 24, 2015
    Posts: 977

    cfmvw
    Member

    I vaguely remember there was a story about that primered fender; I think he was turned away from a car show because of it, and he refused to paint it because of that incident. Hopefully somebody can fill in the details here.

    Gray had a wonderful way of writing the stories about the cars he covered; you could tell that he was having a lot of fun doing what he was doing!
     
  3. redo32
    Joined: Jul 16, 2008
    Posts: 2,137

    redo32
    Member

    Primer is a no-go at LA Fathers Day show, that's where the story originated.
     
  4. lumpy 63
    Joined: Aug 2, 2010
    Posts: 2,603

    lumpy 63
    Member

    I pulled up next to him 20+ years ago at a stop light in Mira mesa , North San Diego . I was driving my 64 Nova SS with a rowdy sbc and 4spd , he was driving some late model white convertible camaro with Hot Rod magazine decals on the doors. We both looked at each other and I thought holy shit thats Baskerville! I was too stupid to say anything , the light turned and we drove away...I recall he was smiling in approval. I wish I would have said " Hey Gray you wanna run that POS?:D
     
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  5. CAHotRodBoy
    Joined: Apr 22, 2005
    Posts: 458

    CAHotRodBoy
    Member

    In my shop in Vegas around '09. My yellow '34 in the background.

    149-4918_IMG.JPG 149-4919_IMG.JPG 149-4922_IMG.JPG
     
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  6. Bdamfino
    Joined: Jan 27, 2006
    Posts: 553

    Bdamfino
    Member
    from Hamlet, NC

    Gray's family owned " Motorcycle" magazine, though since his close friend, and the Deuces' builder, Paul Horning was killed on one, I don't think Gray was a bike fan afterwards. He was one of those folks, you just KNEW him THRU his words. I gotta add, him and Roth also were enthused in the kids in their Honda's and low riders as much as keeping traditional rodding alive. His philosophy of giving a early model a "Shave and a haircut!"Still Sooo Bitchin'!
     
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  7. Boatmark
    Joined: Jan 15, 2012
    Posts: 384

    Boatmark
    Member

    Great tribute.

    I think there are certain writers that just reach the reader differently. Not sure I can describe why, but they are the one you always read first.

    Baskerville, Pat Ganahl, and Peter Egan always seemed to get it. At least to me.
     
  8. aircap
    Joined: Mar 10, 2011
    Posts: 1,748

    aircap
    Member

    I loved meeting Yer Old Dad at the drivers meeting during the 1998 Speedweeks. I just turned around and there he was in flip-flops and a red shirt. "Hey, Baskerville - love your writing!". He flashed his crazy smile and, "Are ya having a bitchin time?"....
     
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  9. Hemi Joel
    Joined: May 4, 2007
    Posts: 1,528

    Hemi Joel
    Member
    from Minnesota

    Great tribute article. Why the hate on Diana? Back in the late 60's/early 70's when I was a kid reading Hot Rod, I appreciated his technical writing. I felt like I learned from him.
     
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  10. David Gersic
    Joined: Feb 15, 2015
    Posts: 2,730

    David Gersic
    Member
    from DeKalb, IL

    Finn Jensen and Just Gary like this.
  11. If you do a search here you may find the gory details. He passed leaving more than one HAMBer money and a lotta burned bridges.
     
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  12. Michael Ottavi
    Joined: Dec 3, 2008
    Posts: 266

    Michael Ottavi
    Member

  13. I believe a family member (Mother or Mother in law?) backed into the roadster and damaged the front fender. HRP
     
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  14. pgan
    Joined: Apr 7, 2009
    Posts: 238

    pgan
    Member Emeritus

    As is too often the case, there is a lot of misinformation included here. I'm tempted to say that in Gray's case, the myth is part of the man--and now that he's gone, the legend. But to be truly honest, in Gray's case, (and I speak from long experience), the truth is even better than the myths or the legend. Other than--no, equal to--Tom Medley and E. Rick Mann, Gray Baskerville was the best thing Petersen Publishing had going for it. Certainly for Hot Rod and Rod & Custom. Knowing and working with him and next to him certainly enriched my life. I've written facts about him on several occasions. Way too much to even begin to tell here. If you really want to know, do some digging.
    Adeeos. P.G.
     
  15. Marty Strode
    Joined: Apr 28, 2011
    Posts: 8,798

    Marty Strode
    Member

    I enjoyed Gray's writings, as the words he used, always amused. Back in '86 I was racing at the Nostalgia Nationals @ Fremont. That was the event, where P-Wood and his friends, surprised him with the copy of his old Altered Roadster, a joyful event. When the race season was over, he wrote a recap of the year in Hot Rod, and to my delight, he included a little about our team. About 10 years later, I was starting on some Track Roadsters (a class of racing he loved) and he graciously gave us some promotion in Rod and Custom. When I finally met him in person, at the 50th GNRS, he was in an unhappy mood, as he had entered his Deuce Roadster, and got turned away at the door, due to the primer spots ! He was clearly one of a kind. Baskerville 1.jpeg
     
  16. Jalopy Joker
    Joined: Sep 3, 2006
    Posts: 31,179

    Jalopy Joker
    Member

  17. Now I see where David Freiburger got his style with the flip flops. What a great article.
     
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  18. Deuce Lover
    Joined: Feb 15, 2009
    Posts: 1,047

    Deuce Lover
    Member

    I had the honor of knowing him . Great guy.
     
    Last edited: Feb 3, 2022
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  19. jim snow
    Joined: Feb 16, 2007
    Posts: 1,807

    jim snow
    Member

    pprather likes this.
  20. 40ragtopdown
    Joined: Jan 13, 2015
    Posts: 25,442

    40ragtopdown
    Member

    Great story thanks for sharing.
     
  21. indyjps
    Joined: Feb 21, 2007
    Posts: 5,377

    indyjps
    Member

    Freiburger talks a lot about his time with Gray, when he hired in, and that the flip flop habit has links to Gray. Mostly on roadkill extras, but seems to have been able to climb the ladder and still work on his own terms.
    I subscribed to hot rod and car craft in '86 as a 10 yr old with my own money. Always enjoyed what Gray wrote.
     
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  22. Pitbullgoingpostal
    Joined: Jan 2, 2009
    Posts: 450

    Pitbullgoingpostal
    Member

    Great Story! Thanks for sharing!
     

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