Dad's Day (Think Outside The Tie)
We’re almost all guilty of it at least once .... buying dad the dreaded tie for Father’s Day! Most dads have a virtual display rack of ties stuffed in their closets with the tags still attached from Father’s Days, birthdays and Christmas’s past. If you’re reading Still Runnin magazine chances are you’re a gearhead - and maybe you got that gift from your dad - as many of our reader’s stories in this issue have proven. This year Father’s Day is Sunday, June 21st, and also the first day of summer. Here’s some gift ideas to help you find a unique and personalized gift for your dad to make his day extra special this year.
Get dad a car part or accessory to dress up his ride. Or better yet, spend time with your dad doing what you both love, working on restoring the car of his dreams like some of our readers have shared with us. Be sure to document the memories with plenty of photos.
Or contact Jeff Strong of Keepsake Images (see ad in SRM this month) and have an impressive custom showboard done up with dad’s favorite hot rod or classic car.
Commision a fantastic photo-realistic painting from master artist Bob Petillo of your dad with his beloved cruiser. Check out “Daddy-O” in this issue and see Bob’s newest Reflections of America Series featured here in every issue of SRM.
White Rabbit Graphics can take an old photo of you and dad or dad and his car and restore and enhance it to make it into a personalized and frameable memory. (see ad in SRM)
Check out Big John’s book reviews in this and past issues of SRM and then go to Amazon.com for a great read that is sure to make any gearhead dad happy.
Buy dad the new DVD “Deuce of Spades” a film by Faith Granger - soon to be a car culture favorite! The movie depicts life back in the fifties and features some of the classic hot rods of dad’s youth.
If the economy has you tightening your belt and if you’re lucky enough to have your dad still with you - spend time with him, take him out for a drive, have him over for a cook-out - or if distance prevents those options - be sure to give him a call on Father’s Day and wish him a happy one.
If you want to wrap up a gift, then consider dad’s hobbies: cars, electronics, outdoor accessories, or any sports he may be into. Put some thought into his gift. No matter how big or small, a thoughtful gift will always be most appreciated ... especially over another tie!!
The Cobra in the Barn
Great Stories of Automotive Archaeology
by Tom Cotter
Forwarded by Peter Egan
Is anything more tempting or exciting than finding that certain make or year car you've lusted after for so many years? Tucked away in a shed, storage trailer, or even in the back of a shop that is still open, but has a back room nobody ever sees? After reading this book, "The Cobra in the Barn by Tom Cotter, I realized that although there are a lot of professional people researching and looking for these finds, it is still very much in the realm of possibility that you or I may find one first. I may not have their contacts and knowledge, but then they don't have mine.
It hadn't occurred to me to check on cars that I remember as a kid, that they may just still be where they were then. And I may have a certain "connection" with the owner, his widow or even his children from long ago that the professional's guys don't have. Also, perseverance pays off. I mean sometimes for years. How many times have you stopped and asked if a car that was sitting for years is for sale, only to be told "Na', I'm going to fix it up one day." Then six months or a year later you drive by and it's gone. This and many more lessons on how and where to find and buy these gems are told by guys who have accomplished getting some of the rarest cars I've seen.
By the way, I read this book a while ago, and when I started to write this review, I wanted to glance back though the book. I ended up rereading the whole book. It's just that much fun to read with great stories of automotive archaeology. The Cobra in the Barn is a great read for both guys and gals.
Big John
AMAZON.com: The Cobra in the Barn: Great Stories of Automotive Archaeology
