The Cal-look Lounge

Cal-look/High Performance => Cal-look => Topic started by: deano on January 29, 2010, 21:49:24 pm



Title: A piece of Dean Lowry History....
Post by: deano on January 29, 2010, 21:49:24 pm
As I work on the history of Deano Dyno-Soars, record Dean and Ken Lowry's collections, and Dean's daughter Marla's keep-sakes, this is an example of what I am finding....


Title: Re: A piece of Dean Lowry History....
Post by: Nico86 on January 29, 2010, 23:29:50 pm
Nice !


Title: Re: A piece of Dean Lowry History....
Post by: Fritter on January 30, 2010, 01:38:02 am
Can't wait for the full article. Will it fill an entire issue Deano?  Maybe a Hot VWs special edition?


Title: Re: A piece of Dean Lowry History....
Post by: deano on January 30, 2010, 03:30:34 am
I have found sooooo much information and photos, that I will have a difficult time condensing it down to 4 pages? You gotta be kidding.

Phase One: Deano Dyno-Soars
Phase Two: DDS
Phase Three: A-RPM
Phase Four: Deano de Tucson
Phase Five: Compacts/To#¤ta
Phase Six: Deano's Dynosoar Parts
Phase Seven: D&D?


Title: Re: A piece of Dean Lowry History....
Post by: OgCalLook on January 30, 2010, 04:09:16 am
A 6-part series - Cool!!!
That will tide us over until you get the book published!!


Title: Re: A piece of Dean Lowry History....
Post by: Frenchy Dehoux on January 30, 2010, 06:08:16 am


    Deano

    I am trying to get a hold of Peggy's mother as we talked.

    Frenchy


Title: Re: A piece of Dean Lowry History....
Post by: Fastbrit on January 30, 2010, 11:05:22 am
Awesome Deano, as always... 8) 8) 8) 8)


Title: Re: A piece of Dean Lowry History....
Post by: IP359 on January 30, 2010, 11:12:37 am
Nice score Deano !
Is it possible to say more about your project : a book ? a special issue ?
And don't hesitate to share with us.
Thxs
IP


Title: Re: A piece of Dean Lowry History....
Post by: Matt H on January 31, 2010, 01:48:10 am
I was surprised to learn that Deans daughter has moved to Missouri. Here daughter was posting on the HAMB board awhile back and said they moved to Missouri a couple years ago ( talk about culture shock) . She said the family has had many things stolen out in So-Cal. I guess many of the parts, memorabilla, etc are long gone.


Title: Re: A piece of Dean Lowry History....
Post by: deano on January 31, 2010, 04:16:50 am
She said the family has had many things stolen out in So-Cal.

I have not gotten the whole story on this part..... But I am working on it.


Title: Re: A piece of Dean Lowry History....
Post by: bugnut68 on February 01, 2010, 01:20:29 am
I was surprised to learn that Deans daughter has moved to Missouri. Here daughter was posting on the HAMB board awhile back and said they moved to Missouri a couple years ago ( talk about culture shock) . She said the family has had many things stolen out in So-Cal. I guess many of the parts, memorabilla, etc are long gone.

I wonder if Don Cossey had any role in that, based on conversations I've had with folks I wouldn't be surprised.   >:( >:(  I hate to hear of anybody getting ripped off, especially irreplaceable things.


Title: Re: A piece of Dean Lowry History....
Post by: Ivan on February 01, 2010, 01:28:41 am
I have found sooooo much information and photos, that I will have a difficult time condensing it down to 4 pages? You gotta be kidding.

Phase One: Deano Dyno-Soars
Phase Two: DDS
Phase Three: A-RPM
Phase Four: Deano de Tucson
Phase Five: Compacts/To#¤ta
Phase Six: Deano's Dynosoar Parts


Stop messin' - Write a book!

Happy 2010 Dean!


Title: Re: A piece of Dean Lowry History....
Post by: DOUG BERG on February 01, 2010, 17:48:41 pm
 



 

                                                                                      "I SURE    "MISS"    THOSE GUYS"  !


                                                                                                       R.I.P. !


                                                                                                   LOVE DOUG  !







                                                                                                     


Title: Re: A piece of Dean Lowry History....
Post by: deano on February 01, 2010, 17:58:20 pm
"I wonder if Don Cossey had any role in that, based on conversations I've had with folks I wouldn't be surprised. I hate to hear of anybody getting ripped off, especially irreplaceable things."

Hmmm, the more I think about this one, the more it makes sense.


Title: Re: A piece of Dean Lowry History....
Post by: Fastbrit on February 01, 2010, 18:41:54 pm
Deano, when i was doing the original Cal Look book, Dean told me he had lent one of his photo albums to a journalist who was supposedly doing a feature for "a magazine". He couldn't remember his name and never saw the album again. That sucks. I thought that would be that, but  he still went ahead and lent me his other stuff, which was typical of Dean. It makes me sick to think of people taking advantage of him. I wonder if that 'lost' album is the one that showed up last year in New Mexico?


Title: Re: A piece of Dean Lowry History....
Post by: Fritter on February 01, 2010, 19:28:55 pm
All this talk of alleged stealing sucks...

Deano I for one would be proud to buy a book about the Lowrys if it goes in that direction.

Seems a shame to limit this to a few magazine articles, especially if you have found a trove of information just waiting to be shared.


Title: Re: A piece of Dean Lowry History....
Post by: deano on February 01, 2010, 21:46:09 pm
Deano, when i was doing the original Cal Look book, Dean told me he had lent one of his photo albums to a journalist who was supposedly doing a feature for "a magazine". He couldn't remember his name and never saw the album again. That sucks. I thought that would be that, but  he still went ahead and lent me his other stuff, which was typical of Dean. It makes me sick to think of people taking advantage of him. I wonder if that 'lost' album is the one that showed up last year in New Mexico?

Yes, I remember that happening. Now, if my old brain would recall who that was!


Title: Re: A piece of Dean Lowry History....
Post by: DOUG BERG on February 02, 2010, 04:52:37 am
DEANO,,,

IF YOU TALK TO MARLA TELL HER ....   I SAID HI !!!

TELL HER ....    TO TELL LARRY HI TOO !!!

LOVE DOUG...


Title: Re: A piece of Dean Lowry History....
Post by: deano on February 02, 2010, 05:17:56 am
Here is today's pop quiz. In the first photo, we have the newly built Deano Dyno-Soar building on Borchard Ave., in Santa Ana, circa 1969. In photo two, a close up, we have..... who? Is it Dean Lowry or Gene Berg leaning against the building?


Title: Re: A piece of Dean Lowry History....
Post by: Frenchy Dehoux on February 02, 2010, 05:21:53 am


      I say Gene

      Frenchy


Title: Re: A piece of Dean Lowry History....
Post by: Geoff P DVKK on February 02, 2010, 05:26:26 am
x2


Title: Re: A piece of Dean Lowry History....
Post by: Donny B. on February 02, 2010, 05:27:12 am
I agree.  Looks like Gene...


Title: Re: A piece of Dean Lowry History....
Post by: rick m on February 02, 2010, 07:49:31 am
Definitely the GENE pose. Hey DEANO,  I have some shots no one on this forum has ever seen and they are from FEBRUARY 1969 from a race at IRWINDALE.  A close friend of mine Bob Calkins was stationed in Long Beach and took these shots while on leave.

Hope the lounge enjoys these shots. The first one is a shot of the earliest DDS car.  I will post the second one of the engine.  They are vintage 1969 photos.

Rick M


Title: Re: A piece of Dean Lowry History....
Post by: rick m on February 02, 2010, 07:51:02 am
Picture #2 from Irwindale, DDS engine shot at an event in February of 1969.  Notice the dial-in on the rear window is 12.00.

Rick Mortensen


Title: Re: A piece of Dean Lowry History....
Post by: deano on February 02, 2010, 14:33:51 pm
Rick, those are incredible shots from Irwindale. I know exact where those were taken too. That's the old In & Out stand near the finish line on the pits side. Great color, and super early vintage, right before the '69 Winternationals, but running #2 money bracket this Saturday (usually, the date stamped on the side of the photo frame is when they were processed by Kodak, Since the '69 Winternationals are usaually the first weekend in February, I would think these photos were taken before Pomona, perhaps at the warmups in January or earlier. Since there isn't any stickers on the car, I would date these photo prior to Dean running Pomona). That car was only 3 months old then, and looked fresh. Notice the lack of a pulley on the engine, and the use of a Bosch 010 distributor, instead of a magneto. Interesting. I would like to get hi-res scans of those for this collection. Please e-mail me at dean@angliaobsolete.com

Thanks for posted those super-rare shot of Deano's first "Deano" car!


Title: Re: A piece of Dean Lowry History....
Post by: rick m on February 02, 2010, 15:22:03 pm
Dean,

I emailed you with my friends email address attached.  He is a professional photographer and I know would love to help you out with better scans. He is a die hard VW guy and will be glad to assist you with these shots for the article.

You are most likely correct on the actual date of the shots. Tell Bob I forwarded them pix to you.  He is a great guy.

Rick Mortensen


Title: Re: A piece of Dean Lowry History....
Post by: Ole on February 02, 2010, 19:24:23 pm
Great pictures, thanks Rick for posting them!


Title: Re: A piece of Dean Lowry History....
Post by: speedwell on February 02, 2010, 20:22:36 pm
Great pictures, thanks Rick for posting them!
x2


Title: Re: A piece of Dean Lowry History....
Post by: johnl on February 02, 2010, 22:24:32 pm
I agree.  Looks like Gene...

Definately looks like Gene to me.


Title: Re: A piece of Dean Lowry History....
Post by: ugly duckling on February 02, 2010, 23:06:36 pm
thanks for sharing the shots rick. 8).UD.


Title: Re: A piece of Dean Lowry History....
Post by: 2manytoys on February 02, 2010, 23:22:22 pm
GB


Title: Re: A piece of Dean Lowry History....
Post by: rick m on February 03, 2010, 00:51:10 am
Deano,

Were you able to hook up with Bob?  I know he would help you out on this one. I thought it was an incredible shot when he sent it to me.  It was definitely when the car was fresh...minus stickers, etc.  What a find!

Rick Mortensen


Title: Re: A piece of Dean Lowry History....
Post by: deano on February 03, 2010, 01:06:19 am
Thanks Rick, Yes, it is a done-deal with Bob. I already have the scans...


Title: Re: A piece of Dean Lowry History....
Post by: Chris Andrews - The Mailman on February 09, 2010, 03:26:25 am
Dean and Rick, you are some stand up kinda guys, keepin' the ol' Man's legacy alive. I thank you very much.

Respectfully,

Chris Andrews - The (unarmed... ) Mailman

ps;

I apologize to you Frenchy and the many others whom I had failed to mention of your continuing contributions of texts and image postings of Dean Lowry.

Humbly,

Chris Andrews


Title: Re: A piece of Dean Lowry History....
Post by: rick m on February 09, 2010, 04:54:17 am
Chris,

How have you been?  I sure wish I had jumped on buying the old Ray Vallero 912 from you. Business fell on its face and I had to reel things in.  I still remember when the car was going together.  A fabricator named Dave Brackett, known for a lot of early harleys, hot rods and other cars, helped build the chassis for the car. It was right around the Bill Mitchell era. It was another car that got little ink but was truly a car at the front of the era...but got little time in So Cal or other events where Ray could get some ink and recognition.

Good to see you posting here! Where did the Vallero 912 end up?

Rick Mortensen


Title: Re: A piece of Dean Lowry History....
Post by: Chris Andrews - The Mailman on February 09, 2010, 05:18:29 am
Rick,

PM sent to you.

Chris Andrews - The (unarmed... ) Mailman


Title: Re: A piece of Dean Lowry History....
Post by: speedwell on February 09, 2010, 13:53:34 pm
Good to see you posting here! Where did the Vallero 912 end up?

Rick Mortensen
here (http://cal-look.no/lounge/index.php/topic,9948.msg177553.html#msg177553) rick , check behind the engine  ;)


Title: Re: A piece of Dean Lowry History....
Post by: Fastbrit on February 09, 2010, 14:00:49 pm
Up until a few days ago, the 912 was advertised on www.thesamba.com by Jeff Denham.


Title: Re: A piece of Dean Lowry History....
Post by: rick m on February 10, 2010, 03:49:10 am
I heard it may have ended up in FRANCE?

Rick M


Title: Re: A piece of Dean Lowry History....
Post by: ugly duckling on February 11, 2010, 08:11:20 am
dosent matter who owns the car who has owned the car or who wants to own the car. it will ALWAYS be RAYS 912 PRIDE AND JOY (ROCKET). the end . UD . sorry about the hijack .


Title: Re: A piece of Dean Lowry History....
Post by: empicolector on February 11, 2010, 09:00:15 am
I heard it may have ended up in FRANCE?

Rick M

me too


Title: Re: A piece of Dean Lowry History....
Post by: Fastbrit on February 11, 2010, 09:19:58 am
dosent matter who owns the car who has owned the car or who wants to own the car. it will ALWAYS be RAYS 912 PRIDE AND JOY (ROCKET). the end . UD . sorry about the hijack .
I agree – we are all just custodians of famous cars, never the 'owners'.  ;)


Title: Re: A piece of Dean Lowry History....
Post by: Zach Gomulka on February 11, 2010, 18:07:05 pm
dosent matter who owns the car who has owned the car or who wants to own the car. it will ALWAYS be RAYS 912 PRIDE AND JOY (ROCKET). the end . UD . sorry about the hijack .
I agree – we are all just custodians of famous cars, never the 'owners'.  ;)

More often than not, I feel like my car owns me. Not the other way 'round! :D


Title: Re: A piece of Dean Lowry History....
Post by: madfrog on February 11, 2010, 18:33:38 pm
More often than not, I feel like my car owns me. Not the other way 'round! :D

This feeling is extremly familiar to me as well  ;D

madfrog


Title: Re: A piece of Dean Lowry History....
Post by: rick m on February 12, 2010, 14:40:21 pm
Ugly Duckling,

I have a special fondness for the car because I watched RAY build it. He used to do my machine work in the early 70's.  I purchased his first BUG-IRON drag car from him, minus motor and trans...and have always admired his work.

Rick M


Title: Re: A piece of Dean Lowry History....
Post by: madfrog on February 12, 2010, 14:51:08 pm
Ugly Duckling,

I have a special fondness for the car because I watched RAY build it. He used to do my machine work in the early 70's.  I purchased his first BUG-IRON drag car from him, minus motor and trans...and have always admired his work.

Rick M

This one?

(http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c267/rebec1/BugIron.jpg)


Title: Re: A piece of Dean Lowry History....
Post by: danny gabbard on February 12, 2010, 18:26:47 pm
dosent matter who owns the car who has owned the car or who wants to own the car. it will ALWAYS be RAYS 912 PRIDE AND JOY (ROCKET). the end . UD . sorry about the hijack .
I agree – we are all just custodians of famous cars, never the 'owners'.  ;)
Kinda like good beer! Just borrow it for a while, Till it doesnt make you feel good, Then get rid of it


Title: Re: A piece of Dean Lowry History....
Post by: rick m on February 12, 2010, 19:56:42 pm
Eric (Madfrog)

That is the car. Few people know it but Ray ran 11:40s with the car in H/Gas. He was right on the class record with the car when it was first out.  It had 17" halibrands on the front, tube axle, Deano wheels on the back, a hilbonre (1600V) injected 2180, a roller(SPG) crank, Norris cam (if I remember right, and Ray did his own heads and other miscellaneous work.  He was and still is a very talented machinist.

Rick M


Title: Re: A piece of Dean Lowry History....
Post by: madfrog on February 12, 2010, 20:35:09 pm
Eric (Madfrog)

That is the car. Few people know it but Ray ran 11:40s with the car in H/Gas. He was right on the class record with the car when it was first out.  Ray did his own heads and other miscellaneous work.  He was and still is a very talented machinist.

Rick M

Thanks Rick,

Does he still works on VW's  today ?

madfrog


Title: Re: A piece of Dean Lowry History....
Post by: ugly duckling on February 13, 2010, 00:12:08 am
hey rick how are ya . i to have the utmost RESPECT for ray i raced against ray in 85 at one of your events BUGRUN i think you permoted that one .   and when i worked at berg i use to see the car in front of the shop when ray would come down. so i gusse i sorta grew up around the car seeing it at sac numerose times. ray is a ultra talited indvidual.  ;)  sorry deano another hi jack. JD . 


Title: Re: A piece of Dean Lowry History....
Post by: ugly duckling on February 13, 2010, 06:06:58 am
ok back to the topic at present. our good BUDDY DINO.  UD .


Title: Re: A piece of Dean Lowry History....
Post by: rick m on February 13, 2010, 06:17:06 am
Forgot to post the shot of the BUG-IRON car at Sac Raceway. Here is is.

RM


Title: Re: A piece of Dean Lowry History....
Post by: ugly duckling on February 13, 2010, 06:22:07 am
you ever thought about starting a RAY thread?  ;)  UD .


Title: Re: A piece of Dean Lowry History....
Post by: Chris Andrews - The Mailman on February 13, 2010, 15:50:02 pm
Forgot to post the shot of the BUG-IRON car at Sac Raceway. Here is is.

RM

Rick,

It would appear that Bug Iron is very reminiscent of Gary Holtznect's (sp?) "Lil Snort. I question as to which (not witch) car inspired the others build?

Respectfully,

Chris Andrews - The (unarmed.. ) Mailman


Title: Re: A piece of Dean Lowry History....
Post by: deano on February 13, 2010, 16:09:25 pm
ok back to the topic at present. our good BUDDY DINO.  UD .

Where did this artwork this come from, or which car was this on?


Title: Re: A piece of Dean Lowry History....
Post by: Chris Andrews - The Mailman on February 28, 2010, 00:44:23 am
ok back to the topic at present. our good BUDDY DINO.  UD .

Where did this artwork this come from, or which car was this on?

Dean K. aka Deano,

You are really not going to like me for writing this but, "You have really gotta be kidding me (us)".

The image that I believe that you refer to (http://cal-look.no/lounge/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=11608.0;attach=39261;image)

is on the nose of Dean's buggy, of which Jeff Denham is now its current Caretaker. I honestly thought for certain that you would have known that as I and many of the members of the Cal Look Lounge, realize your long term commitment to our hobby (lifestyle) thus prompting my expectations. I do apologize for any brash assumptions on my part. I am just flabbergasted that it did not click for you at the time of your post.

Respectfully,

Chris Andrews - The (unarmed...) Mailman


Title: Re: A piece of Dean Lowry History....
Post by: deano on February 28, 2010, 01:32:54 am
Chris, no biggie. I just can't recall seeing Dean Lowry's buggy up close to remembering this artwork. During the mid-to-late eighties, when Dean and Marla drove this car, I was not attending that many VW events, and few in Arizona (I was covering more off-road events in Baja than shows and drags). It wasn't again until later on I once again went to a lot of VW drag event, including the PHX Bug-O-Rama. I am very fond of the Deano artwork that Richard McPeak created back in 1968.


Title: Re: A piece of Dean Lowry History....
Post by: rick m on February 28, 2010, 03:04:22 am
Chris,

Unless the little snort was built prior to 1972, I would have to say Ray was first.  The Bug Iron car was around in 1971. So, not sure where little snort got his inspiration from.

Rick M


Title: Re: A piece of Dean Lowry History....
Post by: ugly duckling on February 28, 2010, 07:22:20 am
dean and marla arnt the only ones that drove the buggy. i had many of fun passes down the track with that car thanks to dean and his son larry. palm dale and early RACE TILL THE SUN COME UP BIG WILLE TERMINAL ILAND. probably one of the most exciting cars ive ever driven. UD .


Title: Re: A piece of Dean Lowry History....
Post by: deano on February 28, 2010, 17:52:45 pm
Sorry about not mentioning you Jeff, but again, that was 1984ish when I was not attending that many VW drags. As much of a fan of Dean Lowry that I am, I really don't know that much about this buggy.


Title: Re: A piece of Dean Lowry History....
Post by: ugly duckling on February 28, 2010, 18:28:43 pm
no problem dean .  i was just LUCKY to be there and very THANKFUL  to the lowry family.  dean larry marla / ken don.   UNFORGETIBLE times.  UD .   


Title: Re: A piece of Dean Lowry History....
Post by: ugly duckling on March 07, 2010, 22:25:55 pm
just a tid bit of deans history 8). UD


Title: Re: A piece of Dean Lowry History....
Post by: OgCalLook on March 08, 2010, 00:33:50 am
I used to go to the San Jacinto sand drags all the time as a kid.

Buggies, Rails, Jeeps all the way to Blown funnycars - what a blast!!


Title: Re: A piece of Dean Lowry History....
Post by: deano on May 23, 2010, 19:47:24 pm
I just found this sticker inside Frankie Freeman's old single cab pickup. It is the only one I have ever seen..... A small foil Deano Dyno-Soars sticker with the Alton Street address! Frankie had stuck it up on the overhead air box and was very difficult to get a decent photo of it, since it wrapped around the edges. Remember, the Lowry Brothers were only at the Alton address for less than a year, during late '68 - early '69.


Title: Re: A piece of Dean Lowry History....
Post by: dyno don on May 23, 2010, 23:35:41 pm
  SOOOOOOOO......Its Sunday and im  getting ready to have some delicious lasagna for a wonderful sunday lunch by myself and am  forum surfing and I lock onto this awesome thread and begin reading when all of a sudden I get this wiff of burnt rubber?...Its at this time I realized that when I turned on the oven to 375 to get my lasagna ready I forgot to take out my  pots and pans which ended up melting inside the oven ...  I eventually had to evacuate my living quarters to rid of both the horrible stench of burnt plastic and the  column of smoke that permeated EVERYTHING ....  I love this stuff/keep up the good work all..!!  >> needless to say my 'new 2 week old cookware' now resides in the trashbin..!!   peace/Dyno  PS: Time to add Allzheimers to my list....LOL


Title: Re: A piece of Dean Lowry History....
Post by: deano on May 24, 2010, 01:57:43 am
  SOOOOOOOO......Its Sunday and im  getting ready to have some delicious lasagna for a wonderful sunday lunch by myself and am  forum surfing and I lock onto this awesome thread and begin reading when all of a sudden I get this wiff of burnt rubber?...Its at this time I realized that when I turned on the oven to 375 to get my lasagna ready I forgot to take out my  pots and pans which ended up melting inside the oven ...  I eventually had to evacuate my living quarters to rid of both the horrible stench of burnt plastic and the  column of smoke that permeated EVERYTHING ....  I love this stuff/keep up the good work all..!!  >> needless to say my 'new 2 week old cookware' now resides in the trashbin..!!   peace/Dyno  PS: Time to add Allzheimers to my list....LOL

Dyno, that is why they invented drive-thrus....