"WHEN THERE WAS THUNDER"........... by Dick Spooner

Well, its official….Dick Spooner’s latest creation “When There Was Thunder” was officially released into print on July 26, 2011 at our “Backroom 400” dinner with 9 apostles in attendance at Boston Pizza on Memorial Ave.  The predominant building in this picture which is still there today is of course the CLE Coliseum as well as many of the homes along Northern Ave.

The "Backroom 400" was initially called the “Backyard 400” held at Ron Limbrick’s home every July 1^st weekend starting a number of years ago with some famous guests in attendance in those days such as Bud Heidrick, Glen Kettering, Louis Tocheri, Red Marsonet, Merv Dove, etc. etc., some of whom are not with us today.
Merv Dove graciously took over the event for the last few years as a dinner get together.  The whole thing has gone on for about 12 years or so.

Dick Spooner of local art fame….you can see his complete website and profile by clicking here http://my.tbaytel.net/sunrise_shores/ was commissioned or we should say encouraged to do a piece on the CLE track from the late 1950’s.  It all started in 2009 with a sketch on a McDonald’s restaurant napkin shown here.  The original sketch showed the 4th corner but the final piece shows turn 1 and 2.  This was featured on this blog page some time back.  Click here then come back http://hotrodsandjalopies.blogspot.com/2009/06/dick-spooners-napkin-art.html

After much serious thought and input from a few others, Dick finished his wonderful piece and did release it on the above noted date.  Merv Dove driving  the famed #31 stock car back then, and who has hosted the dinners for the past number of years was elected by Dick to be in first place.  You will note that many of the other race car numbers are somewhat generic, as not to offend anyone I suppose.

In attendance left to right starting at the back was Dennis Winko, Dick Spooner, Bob Walker, Dave Cano, Ron Limbrick, Jim Hamer, Merv Dove, Volker Lehmann, and Alan Yahn.  Missing from the picture and this specific dinner was Gary Jansekovich, and Tom Kusznier.

Merv himself was honoured to have print #1, Allan Yahn has print #2, and I have print #3.  If you are interested in owning one of these wonderful prints, you can contact Dick directly at his website.  They are 11" X 17" overall and a limited quantity of only 110 will be produced.

I was honoured by Dick to be told that it was me in the white jacket and cap selling cokes at the races.  That was the only way I could get in for free and still afford to go roller skating at the Fort William Gardens on Friday night…LOL.

Be sure to click on all photos to enlarge them.......and a HUGE thanks to Dick Spooner for the wonderful art piece that we have patiently been waiting for for quite awhile!!!

Vintage Magazine Cover Art (car related)....Christmas too....

Searching around the Internet for some vintage Christmas art involving hot rods and/or jalopies...duh...(like I never do this!!) I found a number of fabulous car art pieces on the covers of magazines way back when times were more simple! Sooo, I thought I would post a few of my favourites....Check them out!

The first one here is a Life Magazine cover showing some great drag racing from the Fort Worth, Texas area in 1957. The next one is of course, a jalopy on the cover of Post Magazine way back in May of 1950. The artist is Steve Dohanos...well known for this art work with Post.
Check the incredible detail in his art work. It looks to be a 1930 or 1931 Ford Roadster.

Here is another, more cartoon type print on the Colliers Magazine cover from November of 1951 by B. Tobey. It depicts the typical high school or college kids pushing their jalopy down the street. The next one here is Archie and Betty of course with Archie's famous jalopy that appeared in many Archie comics through the years. His jalopy's name was "Betsy".....did you remember? This specific art piece was from 1942....GOSH, that's before I was born, but why doesn't Archie get any older. I think I'd rather be a comic strip character!!

Here are a couple more Post Magazine covers from the late summer of 1959 showing some beach and family travel art. Love the one where everyone is sound asleep except mom. Also note some famous characters of the day noted on the top of each cover, like Fidel Castro, and Jack Webb. If you know these two people you are at least as old as me!

These two are definitely more modern pieces from one of the most incredible hot rod artists of our time, Jeff Norwell. Why are the cops chasing the hot rodder....Is he speeding or did he steal a Christmas tree? The next one here shows Santa, fine tuning the three deuces on his Motor City Flathead...how cool is that!!

Finally we have a pair of similar covers. The first one is a real Hot Rod Magazine cover from December of 1951 showing Tom Medley's famous art character Stoker McGurk and his better half heading home with their Christmas Tree and gifts. The last one is a tongue-in-cheek version of this web page's fictitious magazine called "Hot Rods and Jalopies", with some fictitious(well..a little truth to these) stories that could have appeared inside. SORRY, I couldn't resist. Hope you enjoyed these and hope you are getting prepared for the fast and furious Christmas season that is upon us.....but first and foremost - DON'T DRINK AND DRIVE - I need you to read my blog. Thanks for looking!

Be sure to click once or twice on all art work to enlarge...some will be larger than others!