Folks Of Interest RIP ... Pete Chapouris

Sad to see an icon and great guy pass. Sincere condolences to his family. Just goes to show, don't sit and wait for it, go out and drive it till you can't anymore. RIP

 

I grew up reading about The California Kid, Pete & Jakes, PC3g and SOCAL Speed Shop. I never ever imagined I'd have the opportunity to meet this man who inspired me down here in New Zealand. It was the utmost pleasure working with Pete on various magazine articles I did on him and I truly appreciated the time he always gave me at events or when we visited the shop. His Limefire roadster was one of a few which served as inspiration for my own roadster. A true gentleman of hot rodding - RIP Pete and our sincere condolences to the Chapouris family and friends.


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What a loss and shock - he'll be missed immensely!

 

For me what hurts is the fact he was one of us, like jay leno is one of us, a guy who has made legendary status, but still put his jeans on as does a regular guy. In the hot rod world, lots of these guys reach some fame and forget how they got there, pete was not one of them, he was active on this site, dispensing his knowledge like we do, widely respected for his ability to just be a regular hot rodder and treat the rest of us as friends enjoying the same passions. He will be missed.

 

Rest In Peace, hoisting a cold one in honor.

 

I really wish I'd met him, just to say thank you for all the cars he built and restored, but most of all for motivating people to build their cars. Rest in peace, thoughts and prayers going out to his family and friends. Bob

 

May perpetual light shine upon him.



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Sad, sad news about PC3.

P-wood, we are all counting on you to STAND for a long time to come!

Many thanks for all the sharing of innovation and fun with old cars.

Sad Al

 

I think I'll watch the movie tonight.....

 

I never met the man but he did influence my life with his kind of hot rod. In '96 I bought Stan VanAmburg's 26 chopped top coupe on 32 rails (he was P&J mechanic during the Temple City days) and Stan sent me the construction pics of the 26. In one bay of his back yard garage was THE CALIFORNIA KID. When Isaw it my hart skipped a beat. P-Wood built the frame,Jake set up the 4-bar front and rear and Pete thought it was neet. He will be missed and it will take us all a while to get over the loss. RIP PETE and prayers to the family and friends.

 

Still...so hard to take. Hard hit for all of us. Sure gunna miss him.

 

RIP.

 

God speed Mr C. Condolences and prayers to family.
Leo

 

we lost a good man R.I.P what a kick in the gut. these are the guys we look up to and gave us inspiration for our own builds. VERY VERY SAD

 

I am shocked and saddened by the news that Pete has passed. His contributions to our hobby are timeless and legendary. I hope his family and close friends will take comfort in the outpouring of love and respect from the folks here in this small corner of the hot rodding community. He will be greatly missed..... R.I.P. Pete.

 

As a kid seeing the Pete & Jakes cars at the Tulsa Street Rod Nats solidified my destiny to become a hot rodder.

Here's a pic I just came across tonight in a Rod & Custom.




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Wow we are losing the best of the Hot Rod world too soon lately. It's time to find some interested "Kids" now and get them involved before we all go the ways of the dinosaurs. RIP Pete. Condolences to the family.

 

RIP


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RIP

 

Pete's passing is truly a loss. Had the pleasure to have owned and driven the wheels off the last car built by the original Pete&Jakes. Husband, father and pioneer Pete did it with style and class. I join all of the you, rejoicing in his life and praying for his family. Gone, however never forgotten...

 

Vaya con Dios!

 

Stunned at the loss of Pete
Thank you so much for sharing this Car Crazy interview.
MrPhat40

 

The California Kid was the first rod I've seen on TV, when I was a child.
I'll never forget.
R.I.P. Pete.

 

I heard this yesterday morning. I was shocked and saddened to hear of his passing. My thoughts and prayers out to his family and friends. RIP Pete

 

A very sad day. The hot rod world lost a true friend. Our thoughts and prayers to Carol, PC4, the family and the Team at So-Cal Speed Shop. Gone but never forgotten.

 

RIP Pete, prayers to your family. Your dedication to street ridding will never be forgotten

 

Those Moments.................One will never Forget..................This is one for me.......Littleman Dave

 

'clink!'

 

The reason I got my first Hotrod , a 34 five window was the California Kid , Wish I still had it. The first Rod and Custom cover with P&J on the cover is my all time favorite. R.I.P. Pete