Lil' John Buttera Passed away this morning

I'm proud to say he was one of my HERO'S. Thank You Mr. Buttera

 

wow very sad, rip

 

DAMNIT!!!

Condolences to friends and family.

Never had the honor of meeting him.

 

His soul is with God, his body is at rest,and his spirit lives on to inspire us. God blessed the Rod world with him and his machines. R.I.P.

 

Thanks for the inspiration Li'l John...R.I.P.
Thanks guys for your personal stories about him, there will be no other like him.

 

Seems like a life I'd like to live . Peace.

 

RIP, Little John...

 

That picture is going on the shop wall - next to his last post here.

Thanks Homes.

 

"The stuff legends are made of" whoever said that?

This is the longest thread I've had the respect to read every post and from what I understand, John Buttera not only be remembered as a legend, but he made them as well.

RIP - my best goes out to family and friend

 

The man was a true artist. He will be missed! RIP.

 

Kool Kemp, that 48 looks like my old car in your header photo. Does it have an Edsel Grill, 59 Cehevy Headlights and Vette taillites by any chance? Chris Stapley. [email protected]

 

What a terrible loss this is.

What more can you say about a legend of this caliber?

Let's have a quick synapsis of how we as an online brotherhood felt about him.... The man was probably THE pioneer of the billet aluminum (high end) hot rod movement and I have never seen a single disparaging remark directed towards the man on these pages.

Not only is that rare on the board - but that's rare on a human level.

He must have been a truly great guy. I feel for his fans (myself included), his friends and his family.

We lost a good one this time. Long live Lil' John.

 

R.I.P. He will be missed.

 

What a week it has been. Rest in Peace

 

Legend doesnt even come close to describing lil john.

God speed mate,

his words from last year...

My friends are my wealth—and since reading the H.A.M.B. I realize I’m a whole lot wealthier.

My life as I knew it pretty much ended four to six weeks ago when I found out that I had brain cancer. I went from being the surly cantankerous Lil’ John to where I now find myself, in a state of recovery. Some would say that I was unlucky but the reality is I was very lucky. I am lucky to have another shot to do what I have done all my life—build cars. True, I have a different perspective on life. This was a self-inflected wound, my own stupidity. Several years ago a good friend told me to get regular MRI’s to catch something like this early before it becomes a problem. He was right and I was stubborn.

You don’t ever want your loved ones to look at you the way my son, Chris, looked at me. For a meager 15 to 20 minutes each year you and your family can have piece-of-mind. If you believe any of those words that you posted on the H.A.M.B. about me then take the time to take care of yourself.

To me hot rodding is about people, the cars are great but it has always been about the people. Each and every post on the H.A.M.B. means something special. I find it so incredible that each of you took the time to stop what you were doing and write down your thoughts. Believe me when I say that I have read each and every post, time and time again. I can’t express my thoughts sincerely enough to tell each of you how much good you have brought back into my life. Because of your thoughts on the H.A.M.B. I now realize that I am the wealthiest hot rodder alive. All of the good wishes and words expressed on each and every post became a magic pill to help me gain my strength. It’s been the best medicine.

My health is getting better and everyday I get a little stronger—best of all I no longer see four of everything! In the end the only cost to me will be time, which in turn will give me more time to enjoy all of my new found friends, build, and do what I thrive on the most—driving my hot rod. When it comes to building cars I can tell you truly that I’m not quitting any time soon.

When I come out of this it will be like Yosemite Sam—both guns a blazin’. The next project has already started, it is a Model A sedan that I am doing with my son Chris for him. The people who have jumped on board to help make this happen are some of the most talented and respected hot rodders who I find myself fortunate to call my friends; Steve Davis, Chip Foose, Cole Foster, Jesse James, and JR Robinson that’s just the start. Some would say that I was unlucky I would have to differ. See all of you on the road.

Sincerely,<!-- / message -->

 

Who would have thought as we were growing up together what road lifes journey would take us. Your journey has left us with many treasures to remember you by.

Rest in peace friend

Ps hope you took your files with you to billet heaven. You will need them there.

 

Thanks for reposting Lil's words tony18t. He was a huge inspiration to guys like me working at our home garages trying to do our best. I couldn't wait to get my hands on the new Hot Rod magazine and read Lil John's place, his monthly column.

 

Lil' John -- your lessons (lectures!) many years ago are not forgotten and a reminder everytime I still pull a vixen file out of the cabinet and use it on aluminum. Thanks again.

 

Strange. Just last night I was hanging around in my garage reading, and sorting some old magazines, and stumbled on the one that featured his model T. As I read I was wondering about 'Little', havnt heard about him for awhile? I put the mag in with my 'specials'.

Thanks John

 

Their bodies may turn to dust...But their Legacies will last forever.

RIP Mr. Buttera.God Speed

 

Coming up 3 years now.
Strange coincidence?
I was, just yesterday, flicking through an
old magazine and reading his words of wisdom.
RIP ..

 

His cars are what helped me to get into cars. RIP

 

One of only 3 remaining dragsters he built

 

A true Craftsman who left an indelable mark on this sport! He will be missed.
RIP Lil' John,
Mickm

 

Its a great loss but its life, nobody gets out alive.

 

It's been 3 years since he passed already? wow.........

 

Hotrodprimer pic;


That's the first one I saw. It's not even chopped and it's cool.

He also did an early Chevy II with Corvette C4 suspension front and rear. That may be the first time someone just cut off the stock stuff instead of trying to adapt it. First time I saw it anyway.

 

The T is currently being exhibited in the Bruce Meyer Gallery at the Petersen. It's not a real attention-grabbing car -- it actually looks quite small in person, because it's so much lower than a stock T. Buttera apparently quit driving it because he considered it was too much like an Old Man's car, but I love it. Believe it or not, it sold at BJ around '04 for $24,000. What a bargain!

 

I have the model kit of that car. I love it, $24K is a real bargain. Did Bruce Meyer buy it?

 

When I was young and first started seeing his work in the magazines,I thought that what he could do was some sort of magic. Many years later my opinion has't changed much. Time marches on