Thread: Hi!! "New" Hot Rod Owner Here....

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Ang

Welcome.

Your dad had good taste! He was lucky to have a son who wanted to keep something he had a passion for. I'm sure wherever he is, he's smiling. Once you get some "wheeltime" in the car, you will understand why he loved it!

Since you sound like a newcomer to the hobby...

The Henry J, and the Sears "Allstate" ....which was the same car sold by sears and Roebuck ...was popular for drag racing, due to it's light weight, and it's short wheelbase, which is good for traction. The car would most often have been built to compete in "gas classes" ....and lovingly known as a "gasser".

The engine looks to be a "smallblock Chevy" with a tunnel ram intake manifold. This was a very popular combo in the '60s & '70s.

As a painter, I have occassionally been called on to add a little tribute to vehicles that are handed down. This might be a good candidate for something like that. Car names were "big" on gassers ...or maybe a cartoon would be a good way to add something like that, letting people know it's a family heirloom.

Sorry for your loss. I lost my Dad about two months back and regardless of the details it is not an easy trip. The Henry J looks great, and I am sure you will enjoy continuing the tribute by keeping it and working to finish it in your own way.

Welcome to the forum. I'm really very sorry to hear about the loss of your Dad. I can only imagine how sad this must be for you. But he lives on in the car you inherited, and I honestly believe he will be right beside you every time you work on it or drive it.

My Dad died when I was only 11, so I never really got to know him as I wish I could have. You have to look at it in the way that all those times you had with him were a gift, one that can never be taken away.

Now for the car. Those are one of my all time favorites, and yours is really great looking. Seems well done from the pictures. Honor your Pop, keep it forever, and as hard as it is for you to look at now, that will pass and become an inspiration to you to stay the kind of Son he wanted you to be. From the way you did you post, I think he did a hell of a job raising you and is smiling down on you right now.

Oh, and did I mention, DON'T EVER SELL THIS CAR!!! If my Son's ever sell any of mine I'm going to haunt them.

Don