Open-Minded
It was great to see the article "Four Play" in R&C. These motors are long overdue for attention by us old rodders. I have an '04 Cavalier Ecotec engine I'm putting into a Model T lakes modified. I have a bellhousing from www.mantapart.com to turn it around. They make bellhousings and parts for Quad 4s and Ecotec engines and have for some time.
Many of my generation (50s and 60s) don't like the tuner cars, but these young folks are just doing what we did in our day, hopping up what's available for better performance. The two schools can coexist I think. One cannot be interested in high performance and ignore what is being done with these engines. The Ecotecs have made over 1,200hp and that is "high" performance in any man's book.
Keep up the good work with modern engines and EFI. It has a future in "traditional" rodding.
Nathan Pitts
Jackson, NH
Relief
"I can't believe we made it, Dad." That's what my son said the first time we drove onto the salt. Kevin, I want to thank you for all the hard work and planning that was put into the Bonneville cruise. Everyone from R&C and all the hot rodders made us feel welcome from the time we pulled into the hotel in Tahoe. It was an adventure we will never forget. From almost getting stuck on that hill when Kev's truck wouldn't shift into Low gear to watching everyone's car get smaller and smaller as we rolled across the desert. We made new friends and met up with some old ones, and of course there were all the awesome hot rods. Thanks again.
Dennis & Kris Kelso
Cloverdale, CA
More Doors to Love
I was very impressed by the beautiful '55 Buick four-door owned by Andy Forget in the November issue. You have validated the last 43 years that I have owned and driven a '56 Buick four-door Special. When I bought it I did take a lot of razzing by my buddies who didn't think you should be caught dead in a four-door. I especially liked Andy's comment, "It chose him, he didn't choose it." That's what I've been telling people for years. And yes, there was 'A sale on doors.' It probably took some guts to feature a four-door that's not a station wagon, but you sure made my day. Cool does come in four doors sometimes, though the only thing high-tech about my car is its CD player for the Fifties tunes. Thank you again and keep up the good work.
Dan Bailey
Las Vegas, NV
Get it While You Can
The mailman brought the latest R&C today (December 2008) and I was giving it the usual quick preread thumb-through when I came upon the article on Bud Bryan. I stopped in my tracks and read the complete article. What a cool story. For me, like so many others, Bud was very inspiring. When he, Jake, Tom, and the others headed out across the country in their hot rods I felt like I was riding along taking in the scenery, surviving the elements, and overcoming the breakdowns.
I was fortunate enough to be on a road trip of my own in 2006, attending the River City Reliability Run. When I pulled into Harris Ranch on Saturday afternoon and parked my car I was approached by a tall man with graying hair. He asked me a few questions about my roadster and complimented me on the style. We visited for a few minutes and then he moved on. The next morning, as I was loading up the car and preparing to head to LA with Dennis and Debbie Kyle, the same guy who I had talked with on Saturday afternoon walked toward us. We all began to talk. He asked Dennis about his roadster. Then he asked me a couple more questions about mine. The conversation seemed to wind down and as we were saying our good-byes, Dennis extended his hand to the stranger and introduced himself. The guy said that his name was Bud Bryan. Dennis said, "The Bud Bryan?" He modestly answered, "Yes." (Why hadn't I been smart enough to introduce myself and ask his name?) I'm sure that my jaw dropped open. Dennis and I looked at each other in shock.
Others heard the name and a small crowd of eight or ten assembled. When he says, "Some of the guys remembered me and embraced me warmly," that is an understatement. Bud was gracious and humble but willing to share stories about the early days. The rest of us stood silently, asking the odd question here and there. Before we knew it an hour and a half had passed. I thanked him for the wonderful stories that he had written. I told him that I always felt that I was riding along. And that, in some way, he was responsible for lighting the road trip fire in me. He said that this trip, seeing all these hot rods, had rekindled his interest in owning a hot rod. I'm glad to hear that he is building another roadster.
I remember driving south on I-5 trying to absorb what had taken place. Over lunch Dennis kept saying, "Can you believe that, Bud Bryan?" What a great hobby we are involved in. I'll always count that trip as one of my favorites. I wish all the best to Bud and hope to see him again. Thanks for a great story and thanks again, Bud.See you down the road,
Steve Lemmons
Longview, WA
I received a lot letters from people telling similar stories. I can only hope to have a fraction of the influence on my readers as Bud had on his.