Don Crane

[Sarge]

Hey Jake, how about some Don Crane stories?? 

[Jim Ratto]

Hey Jake, how about some Don Crane stories?? 

and pics of his red '67...... 

[speedwell]

  take from KS bible

[louisb]

He was the one that bought the '67 off the lot and went racing with it right? Some more pics of him in HVWs from a few years ago. (Story on cal-look but I don't remember the issue.)

--louis

[jholmes]

Hey Jake, how about some Don Crane stories?? 

Yes, there are many stories back then with Don Guy. You'll have to give me sometime to come up with some of the better ones to post.
I don't have any pictures of his car.  I think you do, don't you Sarge? 

[Sarge]

Hey Fabs, that black and white is Dave Dolan 

[speedwell]

Hey Fabs, that black and white is Dave Dolan 

oups my mystake sarge ..........  

[jholmes]

take from KS bible

Good job in finding those pictures! The color shot was the way his car looked at it's best, at that point of time.
Yes, he got that car bran new and started modifying it the next day. At the time, I couldn't believe what he was doing to his new car. He got most of his money from his Mom, under the table from his Dad. He had his Mom rapped around his little finger. More stories on that to come later.

[Sarge]

Didn't Don keep all his performance stuff stashed under the bed, Jim?   

[Jim Ratto]

take from KS bible

Good job in finding those pictures! The color shot was the way his car looked at it's best, at that point of time.
Yes, he got that car bran new and started modifying it the next day. At the time, I couldn't believe what he was doing to his new car. He got most of his money from his Mom, under the table from his Dad. He had his Mom rapped around his little finger. More stories on that to come later.

Hey Jim, thanks for joining us loons here and hanging out. Cool stories on Don Crane's ride.....always been one of my favorite "early" DKP cars. I have an old copy of the DKP Reunion VHS tape, and lots of neat shots of his old car, and some cool footage of it in the 8mm filmed section too.
So, really, he got that car, brand new and started wrenching on it? What different things did he end up doing to the motor? I'm guessing, if he dumped 48 Webers on it immediately, he must've screwed Type 3 1500 heads on? Did it eventually get a bigger crank and all the other stuff?
Thanks
Jim Ratto

[jholmes]

Didn't Don keep all his performance stuff stashed under the bed, Jim?   

That's right! Also had box's of engine parts in his closet. Ron Fleming and I used to go over to his house, go into his bedroom, he'd close the door and bring out all his new parts to show us. He waited until he had them all together to complete his modify and then off to have it put together. We couldn't tell anyone what was going on even after it was built. Everything was a big secrete back then! Then the car ended up at the club house looking for some action...on our meeting night. You want to race!

[jholmes]

take from KS bible

Good job in finding those pictures! The color shot was the way his car looked at it's best, at that point of time.
Yes, he got that car bran new and started modifying it the next day. At the time, I couldn't believe what he was doing to his new car. He got most of his money from his Mom, under the table from his Dad. He had his Mom rapped around his little finger. More stories on that to come later.

Hey Jim, thanks for joining us loons here and hanging out. Cool stories on Don Crane's ride.....always been one of my favorite "early" DKP cars. I have an old copy of the DKP Reunion VHS tape, and lots of neat shots of his old car, and some cool footage of it in the 8mm filmed section too.
So, really, he got that car, brand new and started wrenching on it? What different things did he end up doing to the motor? I'm guessing, if he dumped 48 Webers on it immediately, he must've screwed Type 3 1500 heads on? Did it eventually get a bigger crank and all the other stuff?
Thanks
Jim Ratto

Yes, he was a good guy back then and still is. I receive Christmas cards from him and his family every year. He is also doing every well for himself at this point of his life. He was always a wild, crazy and a fun guy to be around.
And yes, as you mentioned he had the 48's, Type 3 heads, crank and cam, most under his bed until it was time...

[stealth67vw]

take from KS bible

Good job in finding those pictures! The color shot was the way his car looked at it's best, at that point of time.
Yes, he got that car bran new and started modifying it the next day. At the time, I couldn't believe what he was doing to his new car. He got most of his money from his Mom, under the table from his Dad. He had his Mom rapped around his little finger. More stories on that to come later.

Hey Jim, thanks for joining us loons here and hanging out. Cool stories on Don Crane's ride.....always been one of my favorite "early" DKP cars. I have an old copy of the DKP Reunion VHS tape, and lots of neat shots of his old car, and some cool footage of it in the 8mm filmed section too.
So, really, he got that car, brand new and started wrenching on it? What different things did he end up doing to the motor? I'm guessing, if he dumped 48 Webers on it immediately, he must've screwed Type 3 1500 heads on? Did it eventually get a bigger crank and all the other stuff?
Thanks
Jim Ratto

Yes, he was a good guy back then and still is. I receive Christmas cards from him and his family every year. He is also doing every well for himself at this point of his life. He was always a wild, crazy and a fun guy to be around.
And yes, as you mentioned he had the 48's, Type 3 heads, crank and cam, most under his bed until it was time...

I think Bryan Wenzel is Don Crane's illegitimate adopted half step son. Bryan just hid his parts in the sheet rock.

[WCB Hitler's Hot Rod]

Didn't Don keep all his performance stuff stashed under the bed, Jim?   

Ahhh.... doesn't everyone?

[WCB Hitler's Hot Rod]

The background of Don Cranes car looks like the Anaheim Public Library from Sarges history class. Pretty cool! I'm guessing summer time when Pickwick was too hot?

[Sarge]

I think your right on the library deal, Steve.  Don's chrome exhaust tube was just that...a tube with no muffler  !  I f I'm not mistaken, Don is still a college proffessor at Cal State Fullerton (I want to say mathmatics).  I remember him as wild, crazy guy like Jim posted...there was NEVER any alchohol or drugs;  just lots of Dr Pepper!  We were all at the beach one time for a party and were roasting marshmellows...Don was able to stuff 20 or so unroasted marshmellow in his mouth at once  .

[.]

Does anyone know where the red car is now ?
I have the BRM's that were on it, but have no idea where the rest of it ended up.
 

[speedwell]

Does anyone know where the red car is now ?
I have the BRM's that were on it, but have no idea where the rest of it ended up.
 

waouwwww the brms from that car pictures richard

[Jim Ratto]

Hoping to generate some more interest in this awesome old car, and info about it.

KS was gracious enough to kick out that early picture of the '67 in "war guise" thanks Keith

Lots of neat old pics of that car in the old movie/video, and some crazy footage of not only the car at the strip, but also some party for Don.... looked like all the early DKP guys were there, eating cake like dogs and stuffing their faces with frosting, cake, whatever....  did you guys ever NOT have fun? 

thanks to the TWO JIM'S for their stories!

[Fastbrit]

So Jim, when are you going to raise the front of your Bug and drop those bumpers in the trash?

[Jim Ratto]

So Jim, when are you going to raise the front of your Bug and drop those bumpers in the trash?

dammit I was in the middle of adding torsion leaves and I have to keep coming back here to reply.... 

[nicolas]

dont forget to get some blue window foil for the period-correctness