Graffiti USA

Go Modesto

Father’s Day – June 18

There is no better time of the year to be a Daddy-O. I think that this is just about the best feeling you can get, and when it is Graffiti Summer, it’s even better. Great time to be a father and when you have great kids, it is amazing. We celebrate those moms who are also dads and send much love to those that have lost their kids. On Father’s Day, we are all there for each other

Go Modesto

Little Free Libraries Need You

Make sure you stop by your local Little Library and restock it with books. We hear that some are in need and if you have books to donate, it would be great. To find a Little Free Library – www.facebook. com/modestofreelibraries

Correction

Last month we ran a fun “Did You Know” feature about the Pecan. We listed it as “the official state nut”, but this was incorrect. It is one of FOUR official nuts along with the famous almond, walnut, and pistachio. Although not high in volume, it is the only native nut to the United States so it was included. It is also a low water nut, so maybe it will get more popular and we can make local Pecan Logs, like Stuckey’s is famous for.

Continued from Page 15 knocking and it took two years to do the repairs. At 16, I had a driver. My buddies and I would be uptown every night cruising to check to see who’s there. Cars or chicks?

In 1967, I bought myself a graduation present, a 1965 Dodge with a 426 engine, 4 speed. Now, I could finally keep up with the other street racers. After a 2-year stint with Uncle Sam, I bought a 55 Chevy to do a little drag racing at the Kingdon Drag Strip in Lodi.

Nowadays, I have a 50 Chevy convertible, restored by myself and my wife Theresa and I have travelled across the USA several times with a stop at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave, the White House. Many more memorable trips in the ’68 Camaro SS, ’29 Ford “Rusty” truck, Old Blue the ’55 truck and new to the collection, a ’30 Model A 4-door soon to be on the road creating new adventures.

Sam Autry – Downey 1967 by

Gene Hein

Sam was born in Modesto and graduated from Downey High School in 1967. When Sam was eleven, an uncle took him for a ride in a ‘31 Ford Roadster. The Roadster was bright red, had six carburetors, and made a lot of noise. That began a lifelong love of hot rods and classic cars. Sam never passed up an opportunity to work on vehicles, learning more with every project. Sam enjoys memories of working with his stepdad on restorations of a couple of older Ford pickups.

Sam started participating in cruising when he was 15 years old. He would drive his aunt, who was only 11 months older than him, and her friends on the uptown 10th and 11th street route. Sam’s grandmother would not let his aunt go “cruising” unless she took Sam as their chaperone. Sam would drive the cruise route while his aunt and her friends flirted with the other cruisers and sang to the music on K5 Radio. The only trouble they ever got into was spilling a full milkshake on his Grandmother’s car floor.

In January 1968, Sam joined the Air Force and spent four years on small military sites with hobby shops where many off-duty hours were spent working on his projects and helping fellow servicemen with theirs. Sam did a frame-off restoration of a 56’ Ford pickup in his last year of service. He did all the bodywork and used a crisp 327 engine and a Muncie four-speed transmission.

After discharge from the Air Force, Sam continued working on car projects. He completely restored a 35’ Dodge pickup that was later featured in a 1977 car magazine. Sam has built and driven five off-road cars in off-road rallies for over 20 years. In addition to car projects, he has made and raced a flat-bottom boat. Sam enjoys fabricating parts for his projects and owns the machine shop equipment required for most upgrades.

Sam joined Mid Valley Chevy Club in 1997 and is a past Club President. He has been active in helping to organize many rod runs and car shows, including the annual Park and Shine shows during Modesto’s Graffiti Week. He has hosted a monthly breakfast for car enthusiasts for 24 years.

Sam’s ‘54 Chevy Belair is a regular at most local car shows and has won many awards as an outstanding entry. Sam’s ‘62 Impala is undergoing restoration and will soon sport a 409 engine and a five-speed manual transmission. A 1931 Ford five-window coupe is next on the list to be completed. The coupe, already on wheels, has a Chrysler Hemi and will have three two-barrel carburetors behind a 1932 radiator and grill shell.

Since retiring from MID in 2010, Sam continues to enjoy his hobby and volunteers at the Graffiti Museum, all to keep the Graffiti Spirit alive in Modesto.