RIP andy granatelli

[Freeman Cars]

Andy granatelli died today in santa barbra ca he had been the grand marshal at the local car show for years.

[randx0]

Sorry to hear , thoughts and prayers for his family and friends .

[ChrisBcritter]

So sorry to hear that. I knew a couple guys that worked with him on the Studebaker team at Bonneville. I also had to call his company, Tune-Up Masters, once on some small business matter for my boss back in '83 or so, and the secretary put him on the line! After I got the business question out of the way, I told him I was a fan of his, and he was real nice about it.

[ToyLvr]

We've lost another great car guy.

Have been watching the movie "Herbie the Love Bug" with my grandson lately, and Andy made a cameo appearance in the film.

[lordairgtar]

Ever since I read "They call Me Mr. 500" back in high school, I've been a fan. Interesting career with Studebaker, STP, the Novi cars and the Turbine racer. I was from Milwaukee and he was from Chicago. When I lived in Santa Barbara, I did not realize he lived there. Awesome. He was always entrepreneurial since his teen years starting a moving company with friends and an old Buick sedan from the twenties I think.

[clovis]

Andy is an Indianapolis 500 legend.

Very sad to hear this news.

[hjracing]

I'm sad to hear about that! He do some awesome cars, and experimented whit unique performace metods, RIP!

[rmvw guy]

One of my Heros R.I.P. Andy.

[Daddyfink]

Just a shame not too many kids today know what he and his family did.

Gone to the Great Tune Up Masters in the sky! Vaya con dios!

[mnwildpunk]

Sad to hear.

[Miatatom]

One of my heroes as well. Sad.

[RancheroSteve]

Here's one I built a few years back:

Rest in peace, Mr. 500.

[blunc]

I worked for Tune Up Masters for six years and encountered him a couple times, he was a rather charismatic person.

[sjordan2]

Here's a tribute from STP/Ultimatecarpage.com with 35 images.

http://www.ultimatecarpage.com/car/2036/Lotus-56-Pratt-and-Whitney.html

[Shardik]

A Terrible loss. He was a truly courageous individual; He set his own standards and lived up to them despite vigorous opposition. What a marvelously active mind. He will be missed.

[jaydar]

You cannot be a Mario Andretti fan, which I am big time without having a spot in your heart for Mr. G.

God rest.

joe.

[Freeman Cars]

I worked for Tune Up Masters for six years and encountered him a couple times, he was a rather charismatic person.

He was actually a much nicer guy than most people realize. He and I both moved to the Santa Barbara area in 1991. Coming from Los Angeles, I got to meet lots of what are considered to be "famous" car people. It never really phased me at all, but when I walked into the home improvement center in dowtown Santa Barbara I was shocked to turn around and see Andy Granatelli looking at closet organizers. I mean this is like seeing the Godfather or something. I'm not sure, I think I just expected to see his pit crew doing a menial task like this for him. I didn't know what to say so I said, "You're Andy Granatelli" and he said, "Yes I know I have been my whole life." We ended up talking about cars and Indy for about 45 minutes. He was a really nice guy...a lot more approachable than people would ever guess.

Edited January 4, 2014 by Freeman Cars

[Studemax]

My favorite story about Andy.... it happened at Indy, of course.

Andy was ever the showman - you remember all the crewmen in STP "pajamas", and Andy in his STP logo'ed business suit. One of the racers was sponsored by a famous orange juice company, and some wag commented to the car owner that he should hire Andy to do his promotion. "There's not enough orange juice in the world", was the reply. They knew Andy was effective, if a more than a little bombastic.