Gary, Yes, thanks for asking.
Dad was a avid Automobile enthusiast and a professional Inside Marine Machinist with a full career with the US Army (Enlisted E9) & Navy federal civilian. He was a founding member of the Olympic Area Ralley Masters in 1956 in Bremerton Wa. when all the G.I's had affordable euro import for picnic drive, competitive (SCCA) ralley's and swap meeting. I take pride in inheriting some of his garage machinery and rebuilding improving and using in a productive Hobby manner. His after hours Job Hobby was barn finding and then selling cars to members in the late 60/70's. When the kids came along the cash got tight and he switched to used, well not used but pre owned NEW piston rings since they could be had for the cost of scrap iron or less. He accumulated massive qts from sources all around the nation. Even Co's would contact him to fly him out to inventory purchases then they would buy the gold and he would get all the extras for fee, as in fee for the service (Think co like Egge machine etc). The thing with piston rings (*Secret is most engines could not care or less if the Box says F*RD on the container but the size dimensionally is the same between manufacture) It used to trip up customers non machinist or non engine builders, calling him and asking how can these f*rd piston rings possibly work in the is Plymouth, ha ha. He had a excellent mental mathematical mind and numbers were his THING! Computer like brain, He passed away in 2005 successfully NEVER, Ever using a computer! All records on paper. ( Retired in 1988 before widespread computer use in the work place)
He was advertising in Hemmings before the world wide web,! ha ha, Subscriber & advertiser 1971-2005
I miss my dad like all of our .crg community has connections to Family, Loved ones & dear Friend over the years of motoring.
Tons of Car stories, I sure bet he is smiling down on my Family in spite of me dragging a White and Orange Chebbie pace car all the while shaking his head wondering where he went wrong (Jokingly) he was a Mopar man till the end.
Here is a picture of him working the CHIPS auto parts store for a vacationing owner,,circa 1998.
The press is a 10 ton ram & pump, with sturdy channel and adjustable cross brace and adjustable ram slide. Works great.
Dad w/ one of his "Other" Fav signs
JIM
