 Photo by Pete Smith, Swanx CC Vallejo, CA Going on a road trip this summer? Take GEARHEAD with you! We have music, cool shirts and of course killer reading material. Send us a picture of your Gearhead item with you on your trip (make sure to tell us where you're at) and you'll be entered in a chance to win cool Gearhead stuff for a year! Thanks to Pete Smith for the killer photo of The Swanx Vallejo CC on the road!  Head over to Sudwerks in Davis, CA in your favorite ride, grab a cold frosty craft beer and kick back for a summer evening of great tunes, courtesy of Gearhead Records. DJ Mikki Riff will be spinning, and there will be vinyl and threads there for purchase! So come on down and hang with the cool kids while we celebrate how good it feels to rock!  photo by Justin Hannah Core Life Photography Saturday, June 23, 2018 catch some action at the Sacramento Raceway, and while you're there, stop by the Gearhead booth and pick up some cool merch. GrudgeFest 6-10 pm When: Saturday, Jun 23, 2018 Where: Sacramento Raceway Park, 5305 Excelsior Rd, Sacramento, CA 95827, USA (map) Description: Open to All types of vehicles that pass an NHRA safety inspection. 1/4 Mile Grudge Racing without Display boards just a timeslip. Gates Open 4:00PM, Racing 6:00PM-10:00PM. Including the "Sacramento Top 10 List Heads up, 1/8 mile Racers" La Cresenta, CA — Known world wide for its engine rebuilds for customers such as Ray Evernham and Chip Foose, H&H Flatheads has recently introduced a new supercharger assembly featuring the Detroit 6V53. There’s long been a need for a bigger blower,” said Mike Herman, owner of H&H Flatheads. “And the Detroit 6V53 fits the bill for so many applications particularly the Lincoln V12. That is such a long engine it needs a blower longer than the usual 4-71.” The Detroit 6V53 is a traditional Roots-type supercharger, however, it features 2-lobe, straight rotors compared to the 4-71’s 3-lobe, helix rotors. It pumps 209 cubic inches of displacement per revolution (c.i.d./rev) compared to the 4-71’s 280 c.i.d./rev, making it ideal for the Lincoln. And, of course, being 3 inches longer it will comfortably accommodate four Stromberg 97s mounted in-line for a really impressive look.  Besides the 6V53 assembly, H&H Flatheads offers a cast 356 aluminum intake for the V12 as well as a machined billet aluminum intake for the carbs. Also available is a twin V-belt pulley system. All of which can be purchased polished or unpolished. “H&H Flatheads is committed to developing new and exciting products.” Continued Mike. “And the 6V53 is just one of the major products we have in development. Don’t forget though, besides the Ford flathead V8 and the Lincoln flathead V12 we also rebuild other classic engines including flathead Lincoln V8s. With a full machine shop, we can pretty much tackle anything.” He concluded. Basic 4-71 - 6V53 comparison: 4-71: 280 c.i.d/rev, 3 lobe 30º helix ball/roller bearing, 10 inches long, 7.5 inches tall. 6V53: 209 c.i.d/rev, 2 lobe straight friction NON ball bearing, 13.1 inches long, 5.75 inches tall. –Thacker & Friends About H&H Flatheads: Founded in 2003 by Mike Herman, H&H Flatheads is celebrating its 15th anniversary. They specialize in building flathead Ford V8s and Lincoln V12s and the production of Navarro Racing Equipment, Sharp Speed & Power Equipment, Austin Speed Equipment and, most recently, Wilson & Woods 8BA heads and Dixon sohv heads. Besides the Ford flathead, H&H also specializes in Ardun conversions as well as rebuilding other vintage engines including Y-Block Ford, Nailhead Buicks and Chrysler Hemis. Check out the great review by San Francisco's CityBike Magazine of the newest issue of Gearhead Magazine. Now these folks get it! Check out their mag while you're at it bub.   I know what it feels like when someone close to you commits suicide. Over the years, I have had several close friends and numerous acquaintances take their lives. My uncle jumped in front of a train in NYC when I was a teenager, although I didn’t find out that was how he died until I was older. But in all of these cases, the suicides were a shock I can’t begin to fathom what drives a person to take their own life, except they felt that terminating their life was the best option open to them. The news of the suicides of fashion designer Kate Spade and celebrity chef and TV host Anthony Bourdain breaks my heart, and once again, I ask myself, why did suicide seem like the best option? We don’t know what was going on in either of their personal lives. All we know is that Kate was very wealthy, famous for creating one of the most iconic brands of the nineties. Based on the interview she gave on one of my favorite podcasts, How I Built This With Guy Raz, after selling her well-known handbag brand, she was enjoying time with her family. She and her husband of thirty-plus years had also recently launched a new business, Frances Valentine, making shoes and handbags. In the interview, she is happy and quirky and bubbly, and so open about the process of creating her brand. I remember when I bought my first (and only) Kate Spade handbag in the late nineties. I had finally started making some decent money with a stable job and one of my goals was to own one of the beautiful, vintage-inspired handbags she was becoming known for. I felt rich and decadent and so lucky to own such a beautiful piece. I had always loved wearing vintage clothing that I discovered at thrift stores, but this was different. It was new but still looked vintage. I was smitten. She was 55 when she died, just a year older than I am.  Anthony Bourdain photo courtesy CNN Anthony Bourdain was working, recording, and traveling, apparently leading a very busy fulfilling life. According to CNN, he was in France working on an upcoming episode of his award-winning TV show Parts Unknown. Over the years, I have watched his travel shows on The Travel Channel, and have always been struck at how real, authentic and totally honest he was. His matter of fact style of communication, his intrinsic love of the unique, off the beaten path places, foods and drinks always left me feeling inspired as a writer and creator. He made me feel fearless when communicating about things I was passionate about. He was a punk rock fan who, according to Marky Ramone, dug the Ramones and never missed a chance to see them and support them during his work and travels. He loved the same music I did, The Heartbreakers, The Stooges, and the Dolls. Being vocal about the many demons he faced over the years, drugs and alcohol abuse among them, it leaves me deeply saddened to learn of his apparent suicide, and again, the question of why. He was only 61 when he died. Over the years as I’ve struggled with running my business, I’ve often felt on the brink of disaster and isolation. After the financial crisis of 2008, when I faced losing everything I had loved and worked for, the thought of suicide floated briefly through my head gently, like a beautiful butterfly drifting on the breezes, calling to me as a way out of my troubles. But just as quickly, I swatted the thought away, feeling guilt and shame and remorse in the pit of my stomach for thinking such a thing. The thought of how my family and friends would feel has always kept me from taking such rash action. Instead, I turned to spirituality and a deep inner searching of my soul to discover how to get out of the depression and fear I had tumbled into, like falling off the edge of a deep chasm with nothing to grab onto. It’s a horrible feeling, and one I know many of you have grappled with. Running a business is not easy. If it were easy, everyone would do it. Not knowing what either Kate or Anthony was going through in their personal lives, it is hard to postulate what went through their heads as they contemplated such an act. Was it their businesses, their busy life style, their celebrity status?  The Hives photo courtesy The Hives It’s easy to think that celebrities have nothing to worry about. After all, they have money, they’re famous, and have an endless stream of opportunities laid before them. But for some people, fame can be isolating, frustrating and draining. The toll fame takes on one’s personal life is unimaginable unless you’ve been there. I briefly experienced “fame” when The Hives blew up back in 2002. People were coming out of the woodwork asking for favors, asking me to sign their bands, get them on the guest list for an upcoming show, etc. It was complete madness and I didn’t navigate it very well, wishing it was over, and before you know it, it was and Gearhead faded into the background again. My heart goes out to Kate and Anthony’s families, friends, loved ones and colleagues. Everyone is posting the Suicide Prevention Hotline number at the end of his or her blogs and news reports. I have no doubt that will help some people, but I also know, sometimes there is nothing you can do. Often, you are just blind-sided and never had a clue something was going on with the person. Try to be the best friend, lover or partner you can. Never miss the opportunity to tell those you love and admire how you feel. And if you ever suspect someone you care about is struggling, as hard as it is to bring it up, ask him or her what’s up. You might help him or her see another way out. If you are considering suicide as a way out of your troubles, please contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255), text “help” to the Crisis Text Line at 741-741 or go to suicidepreventionlifeline.org. Every once in a while, we have to celebrate the amazing catalog of GEARHEAD RECORDS. If you're not familiar with the bands on GEARHEAD, zoom on over to our eBay store and get some sweet sweet punk 'n' roll music to kick off the summer season. All CDs are 50% off until Friday at 8 pm PST, and guess what? We'll even toss in free shipping within the USA. So what are you waiting for bub? Get rockin'!   Rob Morse Edelbrock is pleased to announce the appointment of Rob Morse to the position of Account Sales Manager at Edelbrock, LLC. Rob brings 28-year of experience in the automotive industry to the Edelbrock Sales Team. He was most recently the Sales Operations Manager at AutoRep Sales Company. While with AutoRep Sales, he represented some of the most respected product lines in the performance aftermarket industry including Edelbrock. Rob’s experience is specialized in Project Management with performance OEM and private label sales. Prior to this, Rob spent 15-years in the performance aftermarket at Ford Motor Company holding various management positions such as Senior Zone Manager, Regional Marketing Manager, and Retail Development Manager culminating his career at Ford as Global Representation Planner. “I am honored to be joining the Edelbrock Team. "Not only have I spent my entire career working in the automotive industry, I also have been a performance enthusiast, race fan, and drag racer since I was a teenager. To be joining one of the most historic and founding companies of the performance aftermarket is truly a great opportunity”," states Rob Morse. About Edelbrock Founded in 1938, Torrance-based Edelbrock, LLC is recognized as one of the nation’s premier designers, manufacturers and distributor of performance replacement parts for the automotive aftermarket. Edelbrock produces their core products in the United States of America using state-of-the-art equipment in their world class manufacturing facilities. Edelbrock, LLC encompasses five locations in Southern California and one location in North Carolina totaling more than 500,000 square feet. For more information, visit www.edelbrock.com by Eric Blakely |
AuthorRock 'n' Roll/Automotive Journalist, Influencer, Editor and Publisher of Gearhead Magazine, Archives
August 2022
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