Hey Guys
Here a photo of me taken in my garage a few years ago with my good friend Jack Calori.
Jack held the 1947 SCTA Class "C" Roadster Record, for a short time he had the world's fastest flathead powered roadster (still street driven, a real hot rod). I idolized Jack, so one day when Jack stopped by my house and gave me a Lancers Club plaque and made me an honorary member of the "Worlds Fastest Roadster Club" it was one of the happiest days of my life.
Jack had been invited to go to pebble Beach to be reunited with his famous '36 3-Window Custom. Pebble beach is a black tie event, He said the suit and tie thing is not for me, what should I wear. I told him a lot of the people dress in period costumes, why don't you toss on a white T-shirt and some Levi’s and roll up the cuffs and you will be just fine, and he agreed. One of my last memories of Jack is a phone call I got when he returned home from the Pebble Beach Concourse. Jack's '36 won the Pebble Beach Hot Rod Class, he was so proud and excited! I was so glad he had that experience before he passed away. He was the best of the best, a real perfectionist, the Henry Ford of the of the hot Rod world. Before he passed away, I used to call him all the time for advice on building my '40s era '32 Roadster project. He was my hero and I was lucky to call him my friend, I sure do miss him.
When he gave me the Lancers plaque he gave me strict instructions on how to paint it. Here it is done, exactly as I was instructed, including the little painted goggles and exhaust tip, it is one of my most prized possessions.
I know the Ford Barn is supposed to be for original cars but I think most of the members are closest hot rodders. I appreciate the original cars along with the vintage hot rods, I honestly don't know how you can separate the two of them. I was raised by a 50s hot rodder that later became a Model A restorer so I can relate to both worlds. I would be just as happy owning a restored early Ford as I would a 40s or 50s era hot rod.
Jerry