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

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Please be nice! Just starting to really wrap my mind around the idea of owning this car.



'52 Henry J by Kaiser. It was my Dad's, aquired in 2006 as an empty shell....



And restored/re-vamped with a friend. Dad passed away last year after a 5 month battle with pancreatic cancer, and while I think he was worried to "burden" me with it, I convinced him to keep it and leave it in the family rather than sell it. He showed it a few times, got a few awards at local shows in Northern Iowa, but didn't get to do a lot with it before he got sick.

Its been in storage and been maintained by a family friend since. I've actually not been able to bring myself to even go see it, but just bought (my first!) house with a brand new 2 1/2 car garage so I could bring it here (I'm about 100 miles from where he lived) and start to get to know it and eventually show it in his honor.

I've been looking around at places to get to know people into these kinds of cars (my appreciation is great, been going to shows for years, but never owned my own car like this) and am hoping to learn a bit here.

So hello! Any other Henry J owners around?



Ang

Originally Posted by yellowhenryj

Please be nice! Just starting to really wrap my mind around the idea of owning this car.

'52 Henry J by Kaiser. It was my Dad's, aquired in 2006 as an empty shell....
And restored/re-vamped with a friend. Dad passed away last year after a 5 month battle with pancreatic cancer, and while I think he was worried to "burden" me with it, I convinced him to keep it and leave it in the family rather than sell it. He showed it a few times, got a few awards at local shows in Northern Iowa, but didn't get to do a lot with it before he got sick.
Its been in storage and been maintained by a family friend since. I've actually not been able to bring myself to even go see it, but just bought (my first!) house with a brand new 2 1/2 car garage so I could bring it here (I'm about 100 miles from where he lived) and start to get to know it and eventually show it in his honor.
I've been looking around at places to get to know people into these kinds of cars (my appreciation is great, been going to shows for years, but never owned my own car like this) and am hoping to learn a bit here.
So hello! Any other Henry J owners around?
Ang

YellowHJ, first - so sorry to hear about your Dad! But, He left you an awesome car! Damn, she's pretty! I think you'll like it around here. A bunch of (mostly) friendly guys who love all things automotive. I think it's the best all around rod site on the web!

Oh, and good luck with the new house too!

Thanks! I just realized there is a place to post as a new member....whoops!

Yeah, losing Dad was hard. We were close. My parents divorced and my sister and Dad stopped speaking years ago so I have handled everything myself.....Mom helped, but still legally it was up to me. Surreal to say the least!

I feel like I felt back when I started my own business (selling vintage clothing). SO much to learn!!! I know it doesn't come overnight but I am really excited about getting into this realm and of course it means a lot to me to honor Dad's car by doing this right.

Ang

Appears it has a "V" motor of some kind, V6 or V8. Can you elucidate on the drivetrain?

I cannot. I can after I get w/ the guy who helped my Dad rebuild it and get a handle on driving it so I can bring it down! But for now I know not so much. I'll be a quick study but its far away right now and I haven't had a chance to learn a lot about it!

Ang

welcome. very nice car you got there.

Does this help?



Ang

OK, will be interested in learning about it when you get a chance. These cars (Henry J/Allstate, same car) were produced when I was just becoming interested in cars in my mis-spent youth.

thanks Barb!

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

Looks like your dad was quite the craftsman; beautiful job! I'm sure he'll be riding shotgun with you everytime you hit the road.

You guys are a sexist lot!! "Ang" might just be an Angela. And Barb needs a sidekick to keep you guys in line.

Ang, sad about Dad, but you're doing a neat thing to keep his memory fresh. Welcome aboard.

Welcome. I can really appreciate what you have gone through having been in a similar situation myself. You don't think you are ever going to get everything finalized. I spent a period of my misspent youth riding shotgun in a Henry J powered by a Studebaker V8 with 6 (yes 6) 2 bbl's. It wasn't very fast but it was loud and we had a ball! Great bunch of folks on this forum. You will enjoy them.