Heard about this sad event Friday afternoon with a Phone call. I thought about calling Pat direct as this surely couldn’t be true…..So I did not post this news anywhere as I just felt I’d wait for some form of confirmation.
True it was… I’ve written elsewhere what he did for all of enthusiasts in print and many of his ideas.
when he brought back R&C Mag, he said that I’d be surprised what they shot for a cover and he knew I’d really like and the complete magazine content.
It is only 2nd to the Bud Bryan edited R&C “Chop Top issue, IMHO the very best issue in that titles existence.
Pat knew that I was involved in multiple car related interests.
One being our “Pasadena Roadster Club Reliability Run”, The other, Cook’s Machine Works-Cyclone Racing Equipment L.A.22,CALIF. The all important Bob’s Big Boy Broiler aka in the past as Harvey’s and later Johnie’s which he wrote about in the 70’s while still of the employ of SRM-TRM Publishing. The other placing it on the Cover of R&C Feb 93, Then lastly when it was in peril and most had doubt that it would survive. Which it has and has been a Bob’s longer than it had been Harvey’s by 3 years. He put it in TRJ #36 to call attention to my drive. we were successful in saving such an icon so I say “Thank You” for that.
Pat was a Hot Rodder who initially drove 6cyl Stovebolts, but went nuts when P-Wood turned him on to a genuine Pasadena Garage Found 32 Cad powered roadster.
He like “Yer Ol Dad” Gray Baskerville hit all of the local haunts. Blair’s & Cook’s, both being original 40’s era Hot Rod places. A more recent Hot Rod Place that both He & Gray Baskerville hit was Pete & Jake’s Hot Rod Repair, later Parts which was in Temple City and remarkably looks similar to what it once was. The company with current owners (The Slover’s) has been in MO. for 35yrs. now after spending 12 years in TC with both the originators Pete,Jake & “The California Kid 34 3 Window Coupe”.
During the initial outbreak of Covid-19, I decided to take pix of both my 32-34 roadsters which carry P&J’s parts sourced from the T.C. location.
Pat had done a great shop tour in a very early Rodders Journal. He did a follow up with the P&J’s location among 3 others for his Pat Ganahl’s Rod & Custom Blog. A very Kool read!!!!!
Lastly, Pat did an article on a Old School Body Man = Stan Beringhele of W.L.A. Culver City. Who was a very good friend of both of ours and really had been in the thick of it all during the Days @ The Clock Drive-In and Piccadilly Circus Drive-In where the west side Hot Rodders met for races.
Rest In Peace Pat and sending both Anna & Billy my condolences at this very sad time.
Sincerely,
Kevin Preciado
Cyclone Racing Equipment.
