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Archives for : History Lessons

Norm Grabowski, the Entertainer

Norm Grabowski and his unique skull shifters and other hand carved oddities have been the centerpiece of this site since it’s inception in 1995. I spent the next 17 years visiting with Norm and collecting pictures of his normskulls for fun and documentation. Norm was an entertainer, who always held court and made sure everyone had a great time. It was an honor to sit at the table and break bread, drink, and drink and drinks more. The article below comes from the archives of Hot Rod magazine. sit back and enjoy the read.

Norm Grabowski was a well known entertainer and woodcarver, but he’s best known to us as the hot rodder who created one of the most famous hot rods in history.

Source: Norm Grabowski, the Entertainer

Rumpsville:

Robert Williams, Hot Rod Artist – Hot Rod Magazine

Deep from the HOT ROD magazine vault comes an article from Dec. 1998 about my favorite artist, Robert Williams. The Godfather of the Lowbrow/Pop Surrealism art movement.

From a first glance Robert Williams looks like your everyday down to earth hot rod artist, but take a look at some of his pieces and you’ll think differently. Only at www.hotrod.com, the official website for Hot Rod Magazine.

Source: Robert Williams, Hot Rod Artist – Hot Rod Magazine

Don Garlits’ 1966 Dart 2 Ultra Stock Funny Car

Emory Cook and family prep the Don Garlits 1966 Dart 2 Ultra Stock/Funny Car

Source: Don Garlits’ 1966 Dart 2 Ultra Stock Funny Car

Tennessee Thunder: The Crowder-Livingston Racing Team’s Pro Stock Dodge Demon

This Dodge Demon belonged to the Crowder-Livingston Racing Team, of Freeman Crowder and Gerald Livingston, and was aptly named Tennessee Thunder

Source: Tennessee Thunder: The Crowder-Livingston Racing Team’s Pro Stock Dodge Demon

Field Find: Time Capsule 1957 Chevy Gasser is Window into Drag Racing’s Past


The parts alone on this 1957 Chevy Gasser are a virtual laundry list of period-correct hard-core drag racing components of the early ’60s and ’70s.

Source: Field Find: Time Capsule 1957 Chevy Gasser is Window into Drag Racing’s Past