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NECROLOGY is a noun according to Webster's Dictionary. Necrologies is the plural and unfortunately that word applies in motor racing during September 2008. The definition of the word is 1. a list of people who have died within a certain period as that in a newspaper (obituaries); 2. a death notice, obituary. This column will be dedicated to the memory of five men who have left this world physically in recent weeks. However, their contributions, especially in the motor sports world, will live on in our memories. They will not be forgotten. Tim Kennedy
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Fast Five with Gloria Seipel,
Honoree of the California Hot Rod Reunion.
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Fast Five with Junior Thompson,
Grand Marshal of the California Hot Rod Reunion.
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"A Visit with Ken Walkey
".... Biography and photographs by Ken Walkey. Sent in by Richard Parks and Roger Rohrdanz
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"A Tribute to Dick Dean 1933-2008".... Much of the work Dick had done over his years in the business had been done in the shops of, or in collaboration with, other builders such as George Barris, Dean Jefferies, and the like. Thus, Dicks nickname "the ghost-builder". We are going to let you in on some of the projects that you may not have associated with Dick.
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The Los Angeles County Fair Association invited the families of Sarah Ludwick, Millard Sheets and Wally Parks to the Los Angeles County Fair Association's annual meeting and Hall of Fame induction to honor these three individuals for their past service to the fairgrounds. The banquet, Hall of Fame and business meeting took place on April 23, 2008, at the Sheraton Hotel, on Fairplex property.
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These are pictures from the Illinois Valley Miniature Rod & Kustom Hall of fame. These are the tribute to George Barris 2008. Pictures are By Dick "Fuzzy" Fuerholzer
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Joe Gurran died on April 3rd, 2008. Those of you who knew him will always remember him as a gentleman. He was a quiet man always ready to help a fellow hot rodder. He was the co-founder of the "Road Knights" a club that is still in existence after almost fifty years. Joe was 71 years old. Joe we will all miss your warm friendly smile. See you on the road. Ward Jones
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Everyone seems to know the name Boyd Coddington, but fewer people actually know who he really was. I visited Boyd’s old shop in Stanton once, but he wasn’t there. Since he was younger than me, I figured that there would be more opportunities to interview Coddington and so I penciled him down on my calendar for a visit in the future. I waited too long as Boyd passed away at what most of us would call a young 63. Hot rodders tend to put off important things like that. Roger and I went to Boyd’s reception on March 5, 2008, at his new shop in La Habra, California, for one last chance to do the story on one of hot rodding’s greatest car designer and builder. Story by Richard Parks, photographs by Roger Rohrdanz
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With the passing of Boyd Coddington we have posted Street Rods he built that are, or have been owned, by members of the Westchester Street Rod Association. Thomas McGinnity, WSRA
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A Celebration of Life was held for Wally Parks, who passed away on September 28, 2007 at the age of 94. His full name was Wallace Gordon Parks, but he always went by Wally, though he liked to be called Dad by his two sons. Story by Richard Parks and photographs by Roger Rohrdanz
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We are very happy to be able to bring you information and newsletters from The Society of Land Speed Racing Historians group by Richard Parks. Just Click On the link for The Newsletters You Would Like To View. Richard will be continually adding to it.
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Connie Swingle, 72, one of the true pioneers of drag Racing, passed away Saturday evening, peacefully in his home in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, the city of his birth. Connie had health problems for the last ten years and finally succumbed to Cancer. Story by Don Garlits and photographic consultant Roger Rohrdanz
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Teammates, friends, champions: that describes Mike Kuhl and Carl Olson. Together they formed the famous and formidable drag racing team of Kuhl & Olson in the '60s and '70s. The two are being honored at the Automobile Club of Southern California Hot Rod Reunion, presented by Holley, Oct. 12-14, at Auto Club Famoso Raceway near Bakersfield.
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Jack McAfee passed away recently and a Celebration of Life was held for him at the Petersen Automotive Museum on May 3, 2007. Jack was a big man with a big heart and those that had the chance to know him, whether on the dry lakes of Southern California or road racing, loved him dearly. Story by Richard Parks, consultants Rex McAfee and Roger Rohrdanz
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"Fast Five" with Pat Dakin
Half of the famous Rupp & Dakin team looks to rekindle friendships and
memories as an Honoree of the Holley NHRA National Hot Rod Reunion, June 15-17 at National Trail Raceway in Columbus, Ohio.
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Joe Dwight MacPherson was born on November 5, 1928 and passed away on March 30, 2007, just a week after the death of Robert E. Petersen. Both men had a huge impact on American car culture and hot rodding in general, and their passing from this mortal sphere leaves a void that is hard for us to bear. Joe MacPherson is best known for his car dealerships and his museum called simply Joe’s Garage. Story by Richard Parks, photographs by Roger Rohrdanz Click it on now
Robert E. Petersen passed away on March 23, 2007, at the age of 80. On Thursday, March 29, a Mass was held, followed by a Celebration of Life Memorial party at Petersen’s beloved Petersen Automotive Museum on Fairfax and Wilshire, in Los Angeles, California. Story by Richard Parks, photographs by Roger Rohrdanz Click it on now
A highlight of last year’s Goodguys Rod & Custom Association 6th Del Mar Nationals Show ‘N Shine event held on March 31-April 2, 2006, was the chance to meet the Meadors family. Gary and Marilyn Meadors turned out to be regular hot rodders just like the rest of us. Warm, friendly and at ease with the throngs of well-wishers who come to their events, it was an interesting interview. Richard Parks Click it on now
Local performance parts businessman and former drag racer, Jeg Coughlin, 'humbled' at being named Grand Marshal of the Holley NHRA National Hot Rod Reunion. Click it on now
The Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum, located on the grounds of the Los Angeles County Fairplex in Pomona, California held a banquet honoring Wally Parks on his 94th birthday. A second guest of honor was the legendary Carroll Shelby, inventor of the Cobra racing car. Story by Richard Parks and Photographs by Roger Rohrdanz Click it on now
Danny Oakes was born on July 18, 1911, in Santa Barbara, California, and passed away on January 13, 2007. In his 95 years of living, Danny made a lot of friends, and out lived 5 wives, and it was a much younger crowd that met to pay their respects to this wonderful man from the Golden age of oval track racing. Story by Richard Parks and Photographs by Roger RohrdanzClick it on now
Teacher, Coach, Builder, Racer, Winner, Studebaker lover. That's Ted Harbit, an Honoree at the Holley NHRA National Hot Rod Reunion, June 15-17 at National Trail Raceway near Columbus, Ohio. Click it on now
It’s hard to believe, but the 15th Annual NHRA California Hot Rod Reunion, presented by the Automobile Club of Southern California, took place on October 6-8, 2006. The event grows bigger and bigger every year. The Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum thought that one reunion, to honor those racers from the early days of drag racing, would be enough. Instead, the enthusiasm of hot rodders and drag racers throughout the country has made this an annual event. Story by Richard Parks & Photos by Roger Rohrdanz "" Click it on now
Ron Roseberry pased away Dec. 9, 2006. Richard Parks and Roger Rohrdanz did a story on him in September and we thought our readers would like to read it. Story by Richard Parks & Photos by Roger Rohrdanz "" Click it on now
On June 1, 2006, family and friends of Alvin “Mousie” Marcellus gathered at the Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum in Pomona, California, to celebrate the 75th birthday of one of drag racing’s greats. Approximately 150 people were on hand to cut the cake, sing happy birthday and hear Marcellus’ friends extol his life. Story by Richard Parks & Photos by Roger Rohrdanz "" Click it on now
Fast Five with CHRR Honoree, Hershel “Junior” Conway. Junior Conway is one of the most colorful people in hot rodding. He's the owner of Junior's House of Color and has painted some of the most spectacular cars in history. Junior's being honored at the upcoming NHRA California Hot Rod Reunion Oct. 6-8, 2006 in Bakersfield, Ca. "" Click it on now
Here is a Story by Richard Parks & Photos by Roger Rohrdanz of Ed Iskenderian, the famous 'Camfather' to generations of hot rodders and racers, who is known affectionately as just Isky to his friends. Ed is a charming and friendly man who's inquisitiveness is well known. From the day he ground his first cam to the present day, Isky has never lost that desire to learn more and to do more. "" Click it on now
"Fast Five" with Mike Spitzer. One thing you can say about Mike Spitzer: he can build almost anything. Although best known for his Competition Eliminator cars in NHRA Championship drag racing, he's built everything from land-speed record cars and top alcohol dragsters to nostalgia front-engine dragsters and beautifully engineered junior dragsters. In fact, his company Spitzer Enterprises has built more than 3,500 race cars! Building upon that success, Spitzer will be honored at the 4th annual Holley NHRA National Hot Rod Reunion, presented by DuPont Automotive Finishes, June 16-18, at Beech Bend Raceway Park in Bowling Green, Ky. "" Click it on now
(April 25, 2006)When it comes to the history of American motorsports, names that immediately stand out include Bill France Sr., Tony Hulman and, of course, Wally Parks. One could argue that drag racing was born in Goltry, Okla., in 1913, with the birth of Parks, a true visionary who in 1951 founded one of the most successful and influential sanctioning bodies in all of motorsports, the National Hot Rod Association. "" Click it on now
(April 4, 2006)Good ol' Bobby Langley of Everman, Texas, is one of the most colorful, popular and professional dragster racers to come out of the Lone Star state. His exploits and good nature have made him an Honoree at the 4th annual Holley NHRA National Hot Rod Reunion, held in Bowling Green, Ky., June 16-18. "" Click it on now
(Mar. 15, 2006) Barbara Hamilton was the first woman to receive a license to drive a supercharged car in NHRA Championship Drag Racing. She will be honored as Grand Marshall of the 4th annual Holley NHRA National Hot Rod Reunion, presented by DuPont Automotive Finishes. She took a few minutes to talk about her racing career and the honors she will receive over Father's Day weekend, June 16-18, at Beech Bend Raceway Park in Bowling Green, Ky. "" Click it on now
Richard Parks gives us a tribute to Donald Kenneth “Race Car Kenny” Howard who passed away on December 15, 2005. Known by his family and friends as DK, Kenny, Howard and Race Car Kenny, this likable and friendly man participated in landspeed and drag car racing in the very early days of the sport. "" Click it on now
We had heard the story before.... Dick Dean is retiring .... "HA" we thought.... fat chance... and the first time we were right..... but this time is for real ... Dick is handing over the reigns of his shop to his son Keith, who has worked by his side for many years. Once we knew it was "for real" we knew we had to go .... so on Friday we hopped a plane for L.A. and on Saturday morning made our way to Hemet, California... a small desert town near Palm Springs...... "" Click it on now
We just got in some more pictures from the Dick Dean retirement party. Dicks son Kurt was kind enough to share his pictures with us. Kurt got some great shots and we know you'll enjoy them. "" Click it on now
After the Syracuse Nationals Jack Lawford hit the road with friend Wayne Clark and took the long way to Louisville. First stop was Maine for a little scenery and then down the coast to OCala, Fl. to visit the Don Garlits Museum. It was really great to see all of the great cars and memorbilia Don has on exhibit. "" Click it on now
This is a tribute to AK Miller at the Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum. The pictures are by Roger Rohrdanz and the story and captions by Richard Parks. Ak has his share and more of auto racing honors. Yet he is more than just an award winner, elected official or quick and speedy racer. Stories and tales surround him, and grow larger and more complex with the years. Still working at his garage, this legend of a man will stop what he is doing, sit you down, and regale you with another of his amazing stories, and as I’ve said before, they are all remarkably true. "" Click it on now
Dick "Fuzzy" Fuerholzer sent us this special memorial to Roger Lick, an Icon of the car world in Des Plaines, Illinois, who passed away on March 24, 2005. Check It Out.
The 3rd Annual Racing Memorabilia Auctionat the NHRA Motorsports Museum was a great event which included the naming of the HotRod Reunion Honorees for this year. There were lots of neat items auctioned off... Take a look (Feb 2005)
We wanted to "revisit" an old friend of ours... Dick Dean... one of the early customizers who shaped our hobby. We have several articles done a few years ago that are "timeless" especially given the resurgence in the customs and resto rods these days. This is a rare look at one of the masters at work and at some of his creations.
Dick DeanThe story of the man and his work.
Dick Deans Mercs The Merc is what Dick is famous for check these out....
The Mervet Put a Mercury on a Corvette Chassis, as only Dick Dean can do. This car was built a few years ago.
Cars of the Stars built by Dick Dean.... just a few of his many !
Living Legends panel at the Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum... A great get-together covered by Bill Groak Take a look
On Dec 2, 2004 there was a special dinner celebration at the Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum to honor Vic Edelbrock and the Edelbrock family for their contribution to the industry. We had a front row seat thanks to Bill Groak. ... Come on in....
Motorsports Memorabilia Auction... You shoulda been there ! Take a look at the great stuff they auctioned off at the Wally Parks Motorsports Museum on Feb 20th... It's quite an event Feb 2004
Ford Racing Brunch What happens when six pioneers in motorsports get together to swap race stories ? Well when it includes legends such as Art Chrisman, Alex Xydias, Bobby Meeks, Jim Dilamarter, Bill Stroppe Jr. and Wally Parks........ take a look It's quite an event Dec 13 2003
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