Andy Granatelli, Happy 85th!

[Guest]

On the chance, however slight, he might drop in and lurk, today (3/18) marks his 85th birthday. "Mr. 500" as in Indianapolis Motor Speedway! Do you still have that white STP 'pajama' suit?

Western Washington, USA

[Chris Pile]

Andy and his automotive antics caught my attention as a kid in the 60's, and having kept up with his career as well as I could, I'd say he'd be a great guest at a big Stude meet.
Has he ever attended a South Bend (or other) meet?

Chris Pile
StudeFolk Manager

http://tiny.cc/RYqAK

[Chris Pile]

Andy and his automotive antics caught my attention as a kid in the 60's, and having kept up with his career as well as I could, I'd say he'd be a great guest at a big Stude meet.
Has he ever attended a South Bend (or other) meet?

Chris Pile
StudeFolk Manager

http://tiny.cc/RYqAK

[alanmende]

When he wrote his book, They Call Me Mr. 500, I wrote him a letter with questions about the Novi engine. He sent a personal letter back. I still have it.

And another Granatelli story. When I started fooling with cars, I put a torque wrench on my Christmas list. My dad went to our local Sears to buy one. He told me later that as he was trying to decide between a bending beam torque wrench and a clicker type, a man who looked just like Andy Granatelli, complete down to the trench coat, came over to him and told him to buy the bending beam one. It was the only kind he used. Now, was that really Andy Granatelli in Somerville, NJ? Who knows. But my dad and I went to USAC Indy car races, so he exactly knew what Mr. 500 looked like. And he said the fellow in Sears looked just like him. And I still have that torque wrench, too.

Alan Mende
Hummelstown, PA

[alanmende]

When he wrote his book, They Call Me Mr. 500, I wrote him a letter with questions about the Novi engine. He sent a personal letter back. I still have it.

And another Granatelli story. When I started fooling with cars, I put a torque wrench on my Christmas list. My dad went to our local Sears to buy one. He told me later that as he was trying to decide between a bending beam torque wrench and a clicker type, a man who looked just like Andy Granatelli, complete down to the trench coat, came over to him and told him to buy the bending beam one. It was the only kind he used. Now, was that really Andy Granatelli in Somerville, NJ? Who knows. But my dad and I went to USAC Indy car races, so he exactly knew what Mr. 500 looked like. And he said the fellow in Sears looked just like him. And I still have that torque wrench, too.

Alan Mende
Hummelstown, PA

[JBOYLE]

Just for fun, I'd like his autograph on a model or a photo of my Avanti.

63 Avanti R1 2788
1914 Stutz Bearcat
(George Barris replica)

Washington State

[JBOYLE]

Just for fun, I'd like his autograph on a model or a photo of my Avanti.

63 Avanti R1 2788
1914 Stutz Bearcat
(George Barris replica)

Washington State

[Avantidon]

I bought the large photo of him at the Indy 500 that was auctioned at the SNM the night he was inducted into the Studebaker Hall of Fame and after the dinner and all of the festivities were over he autographed it and I got to talk to him for about 30 minutes. Lots of great insights on his days at Studebaker and his Avanti adventures. It was too bad I did not have my 63 Avanti R-2 with me as Mr. Boyle said it would have been nice to have him autograph it also.

[Avantidon]

I bought the large photo of him at the Indy 500 that was auctioned at the SNM the night he was inducted into the Studebaker Hall of Fame and after the dinner and all of the festivities were over he autographed it and I got to talk to him for about 30 minutes. Lots of great insights on his days at Studebaker and his Avanti adventures. It was too bad I did not have my 63 Avanti R-2 with me as Mr. Boyle said it would have been nice to have him autograph it also.

[Green 53]

I have a picture that I took of Andy, Vince, & Gordon Buehrig at the Barrett-Jackson auction several years ago. Andy had just purchased a Duesenburg. Gordon passed away that next year. I go visit Andy's son Vince from time to time. He tells some interesting stories and occasionaly he gets Andy on the phone.
Denny L

[Green 53]

I have a picture that I took of Andy, Vince, & Gordon Buehrig at the Barrett-Jackson auction several years ago. Andy had just purchased a Duesenburg. Gordon passed away that next year. I go visit Andy's son Vince from time to time. He tells some interesting stories and occasionaly he gets Andy on the phone.
Denny L

[Avantidon]

AOAI honored him with a lifetime membership for all of his achievements involving the Avanti

[Avantidon]

AOAI honored him with a lifetime membership for all of his achievements involving the Avanti

[jnewkirk77]

Andy Granatelli is a great man, and a true "National Treasure" if ever there was one. The stories this man can tell are truly amazing. And what an honor for those of us in the Studebaker hobby to have him as "one of us," who can appreciate the true greatness of the cars that could come only from a company that had to do everything on a shoestring!

Happy Birthday, Mr. 500!

Jacob Newkirk - Owensboro, KY

KEEP AMERICA BEAUTIFUL! Drive a Studebaker!

[jnewkirk77]

Andy Granatelli is a great man, and a true "National Treasure" if ever there was one. The stories this man can tell are truly amazing. And what an honor for those of us in the Studebaker hobby to have him as "one of us," who can appreciate the true greatness of the cars that could come only from a company that had to do everything on a shoestring!

Happy Birthday, Mr. 500!

Jacob Newkirk - Owensboro, KY

KEEP AMERICA BEAUTIFUL! Drive a Studebaker!