Register now to get rid of these ads!

History A Letter From Howard Hughes

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by Ryan, Apr 6, 2022.

  1. 67BigBlock
    Joined: Mar 21, 2012
    Posts: 3

    67BigBlock
    Member

    Another great contribution from Ryan. I gotta think the simplest explanation is usually the right one and Alex Sturges, the mechanic is certainly as much a sentimental favorite as Alex Xydias, who was my first thought, is probably the one he was writing. Always interesting history on this site!
     
    41 GMC K-18 likes this.
  2. 41 GMC K-18
    Joined: Jun 27, 2019
    Posts: 3,563

    41 GMC K-18
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    There is still a ton of great history/facts/undiscovered elements about Howard Hughes, that continue to amaze!
    Thanks @Ryan for posting and sharing!
     
    lothiandon1940 and tractorguy like this.
  3. WalkerMD
    Joined: Apr 24, 2020
    Posts: 77

    WalkerMD
    Member

    If it is confirmed to be Alex Xydias, then perhaps he could now interest Elon Musk to take over the challenge.
     
    41 GMC K-18 and '28phonebooth like this.
  4. Squablow
    Joined: Apr 26, 2005
    Posts: 17,388

    Squablow
    Member

    Outback, WalkerMD and Dedsoto like this.
  5. Paging Steve @gyronaut Tremulis …
     
  6. Fordors
    Joined: Sep 22, 2016
    Posts: 5,372

    Fordors
    Member

    BC694F0F-9DA4-4819-851E-14CC1703A6FC.jpeg

    Unfortunately he’s moved on long ago.
     
  7. AG F/C
    Joined: Oct 20, 2009
    Posts: 364

    AG F/C
    Member

    Last night Alex was asked by a dear friend of his about this letter. His reply was basically that the time and place are right and the activity at Hughes was hopping, however he has no memory of this letter or anything else regarding this project. Alex also reminded his friend that he remembers everything, very impressive at 100. Sorry for the news but it would be a great story to hear from Alex if he was the Alex here.
    I don't know if the "friend" is a member on HAMB, but if so he may elaborate further.
     
  8. Ryan
    Joined: Jan 2, 1995
    Posts: 21,633

    Ryan
    ADMINISTRATOR
    Staff Member

    That's what I hear as well... So, that leaves us with two options:

    1. It's another Alex all together. This, obviously, is most likely.

    Or

    2. It was Alex Xydias and the letter was never sent... Keep in mind that this letter was written right on the verge of Hughes going full recluse. In fact, I don't know that he ever left his room at The Beverly Hills Hotel for more than a year starting sometime around 1952.

    Still, highly unlikely... But so much fun to think about.
     
    Last edited: Apr 7, 2022
    Outback, 41 GMC K-18, Dan Hay and 2 others like this.
  9. AG F/C
    Joined: Oct 20, 2009
    Posts: 364

    AG F/C
    Member

    As you probably know, Alex is great at story telling his life experiences from the beginning, and this would have likely been one of them. Would be great if it could have been an undelivered letter meant for Alex Xydias.
     
  10. Ryan
    Joined: Jan 2, 1995
    Posts: 21,633

    Ryan
    ADMINISTRATOR
    Staff Member

    The guy that found this letter is a researcher by profession. He promised me he'd spend some time on Alex Sturges in an effort to connect the dots.

    I kind of hope he doesn't find anything. I enjoy the mystery of it...
     
  11. AG F/C
    Joined: Oct 20, 2009
    Posts: 364

    AG F/C
    Member

    Agree 100%
     
    41 GMC K-18 likes this.
  12. The only experience I ever had with Hughes was when in high school I lived within walking distance of Hughes Aircraft plant. We were able to sneak in and pilfer magnesium shavings which were real fun to light on fire then spray with water.
     
    Budget36, Tim_with_a_T and tractorguy like this.
  13. aircap
    Joined: Mar 10, 2011
    Posts: 1,748

    aircap
    Member

    Maybe it's my imagination, but I seem to remember reading some story back in the 80's about Mr. Hughes wanting to go into drag racing to explore the engineering problems that were consuming drag racers in the 50's as horsepower and technology were accelerating.
     
    41 GMC K-18 likes this.
  14. SS327
    Joined: Sep 11, 2017
    Posts: 2,463

    SS327

    It’s no secret Hughes liked hot rods. Look at who was closest to him. The simplest answer is usually the correct one. I don’t know enough about old Fords to tell one from another but he is pictured in a few roadsters that look like they could have been run on the lakes or salt. Maybe if you could figure out when or where the pictures were taken you could get your answers. I don’t know enough about punters to post pictures or I would. Sorry.
     
  15. Hot Rods Ta Hell
    Joined: Apr 20, 2008
    Posts: 4,670

    Hot Rods Ta Hell
    Member

    A fascinating letter from a very fascinating person. Hughes was a God of the air, setting air speed records so it's not far fetched that he would be drawn to land speed type pursuits. Especially when you consider his engineering and aviation background and the "challenge" factor of the whole ordeal. I imagine he'd be ultra motivated if someone told him he couldn't do it.
    I always wondered if ever considered entering the post war auto manufacturing gold rush. he certainly had the industrial engineering and manufacturing game down pat in aircraft as well as the marketing piece from producing films...
     
    41 GMC K-18 likes this.
  16. SS327
    Joined: Sep 11, 2017
    Posts: 2,463

    SS327

    I always thought Howard Hughes should have bought Preston Tucker out. He would have got a twofer then, helicopters and automobiles for one low low price. The Tucker 48 was a very advanced car for its time and I believed he would have just made it even more so.
     
    Hot Rods Ta Hell and 41 GMC K-18 like this.
  17. y'sguy
    Joined: Feb 25, 2008
    Posts: 694

    y'sguy
    Member
    from Tulsa, OK

    My dad was W. K. Bill Warrens's private pilot of Warren petroleum. As a pilot back in the day, he had a couple of brushes and passing conversations with Howard. Here is a sterling silver Hughes Tool drill bit, tie tack he gave to my father during one of their flights.
     

    Attached Files:

    lippy, Outback, '28phonebooth and 8 others like this.
  18. j hansen
    Joined: Dec 22, 2012
    Posts: 5,207

    j hansen
    Member

  19. Outback
    Joined: Mar 4, 2005
    Posts: 2,381

    Outback
    Member
    from NE Vic

    Wow.
    @Ryan any more info/connections surface?
     
  20. Outback
    Joined: Mar 4, 2005
    Posts: 2,381

    Outback
    Member
    from NE Vic

    Quite possibly the movie "The Aviator" which was released in '04 was still in the minds of the buyers...
     
  21. lippy
    Joined: Sep 27, 2006
    Posts: 6,825

    lippy
    Member
    from Ks

    Don't know anything about the Alex guy but thought I would throw in my story about HH. My Father Loren (smoky) Lippoldt moved from the farm in Ks, in the late 30's to California with my Mom. When WW2 broke out he couldn't get in the military because he was 4F. Oversize heart and flatfooted. He was 6 foot 5 and 275 and wore a 15 shoe. LOL. He went to work at Douglass aircraft during the war. After the war he worked at Whiteman's air park in Pacoima (sp) California as a line boy. When someone needed their airplane ready to go he would go out on the line and fire it up, (because he was big enough to prop a 600 P&W,) lol and bring them up and fuel them up, wash the windows and have them ready to go. One day they told him to go get an airplane and have it ready to go. He did and and the airplane was running at the pumps and a car rolled up and it was HH and some buddies, he shook Dad's hand and thanked him and away they went. My Dad told me you never knew how long an airplane of Howard Hughes would sit then all of a sudden it would leave and never return. All this talk about HH brought back fond memories of my Dad in aviation. Lippy
     
    y'sguy, Lepus, Squablow and 5 others like this.

Share This Page

Register now to get rid of these ads!

Archive

Copyright © 1995-2021 The Jalopy Journal: Steal our stuff, we'll kick your teeth in. Terms of Service. Privacy Policy.

Atomic Industry
Forum software by XenForo™ ©2010-2014 XenForo Ltd.