Wednesday, November 19, 2008

Saturday was Moving Day for Full-Bore

On Saturday morning Carl and I headed south to Orange County to help dad with his final move, which was to move his race car to his new shop. We decided to go early and stop at the Donut Derelicts hot rod event first. We got there by 7:30, had a cup of coffee, and walked around a bit. I didn't imagine it was such a huge event.

After that we went over to Roy, Jr's condo to visit. It was completely empty. Roy and Lisa moved up to Ventura; Amanda and Keith will be renting the place now and Roy will stay there 3 or 4 days a week so he can build hotrods.

We headed to the shop in Santa Ana, via the Pacific Coast Highway. It was a beautiful, clear morning and so nice because the tourists were all gone and it was empty just like the good old days. We went to Newport Blvd., turned left and drove directly to dad's old shop.

The guys were already there, emptying out the big storage trailer into everyone's cars and trucks. Engine pieces and stuff. This is the side yard and the big white trailer is going to Roy Jr's place to be used for storage. It's wedged next to the wall and dad used the forklift to pull it out and after many attempts he finally did it. We haven't seen the side yard this clean in so many years.


Dad on his fork-lift moving that huge trailer.


The last time the race car will be assembled in the old Deuce Factory/Full-Bore shop.


Mike Kinne doing a fine job.


Roy and Donnie (something about a football and Monkeys)

Here is it, the empty shop. My parents bought this building 30 years ago. We had some really good times here, and some really crazy times. Shannon learned how to walk in this place. I spent over 12 years working here, everyday, with my crazy family. It's a wonder we all didn't kill each other, not that we didn't try many times.


So many good people have passed through these doors, so many friends. It was the gathering place for locals, and friends from all over the world. Roy built his beautiful race cars right there in that spot below. This is a lot harder than I thought it would be to say good-bye to an old tilt-up building. We all still have the memories in our hearts. Only the good memories.


This is the lunch area. I looks so small now. There was a refridgerator, a microwave, a table and chairs. There used to be highchairs for the grandkids when they visited. We had dad's 50th birthday party right in that spot. All of his hotrod friends came over to share cake and laughs.
OK enough of all that, it's time to move on to bigger and better times. Good-bye 424 W. Rowland building.


Another video of the last stroll throught the old building.


The challenge was going to be getting the forklift to the new shop. The new shop is only less that a mile away. And this is how it was done. Mike Kinne led the way in his car. Pat Kinne drove the forklift, and Carl and I followed him with our flashers on. Just like the Rose Parade.

He made a right turn onto Main Street, where the traffic goes 40 MPH, that was scary! Sorry about the bug splat on my windshield.

OK - this is the last video for this blog, it's the final approach to the new digs. Pat - wonderful job on the forklift driving.

Here we are - the new building. It is so nice. Dad did such good preparation before he moved in. He's really an incredible man; he's the senior citizen energizer bunny.

This is the new office, everything fits, and he put in a window so he can watch Art Chrisman come and go. He painted the entire building inside, built a new office (none existed), new floor, ceiling in the shop, etc. Actually he hired people to do all that, but still, he had it done.

Looking at the desk, then the little refridgerator and microwave on the back table, and of course, like any professional office, your typewriter lives on your microwave, Duh.

He measured everything ahead of time to make sure it would all fit, and it Just Fits!


There's a back door, the race car has the main floor.


This is a happy man! All his friends helped with this whole endeavor, he really has some dedicated friends. Now it's time to start a new era, a new chapter, in a wonderful place, right between good friends, Art Chrisman and Squeak White. I'm so happy for you dad. No more bullshit everyday, only good times. I told you that good always comes with change.

If you're ever in the Santa Ana area, stop by and visit Roy. His new address is 224 E. Alton Ave, Suite D., Santa Ana, CA 92707 714-436-0822. He'll be sitting at the door, waiting for you, with a huge smile. (also if you click on any of these pictures, you will see everything up close and personal)
Love, Kathy

1 comment:

Shannon Olson said...

Its not sad that he is leaving the old shop because the new one looks sooo nice! Also sooo funny when you said that you feel like your on jack ass and dad said he feels like he is in the rose parade! Miss you guys love you!