Turn the page !

The Speedwagen Team is regouping after the loss of our Fearless leader and head dreamer, Jim Warthan (aka J.W.---on the right in photo) As we turn the page to the next Chapter in the saga of the Speedwagen, I thought it would be good to continue the story with a fresh Blog title.--- "SPEEDWAGEN " http://speedwagen.blogspot.com/ Enjoy our past, and come on along for the FUTURE

Go Fasteeeeeeeeeeer

See what happens if you let your kid read Hot Rod magazines!

http://www.motorsportsinnovations.com/bonneville.htm

Love is in the AIR !

The Funny Car has taken a shine towards the S10, and has dazzled the lil' truck with wild tales of the quarter mile. Just like every old racer "THE OLDER HE GETs ---THE FASTER HE WAS"

http://www2.cal-look.com/nostalgia/racers.html

The towns people react funny when they see them driving down the street together.---I hope they become more tolerant of these Bug/Truck relationships.

Whale of a TALE

Porsche got nuttin' on the SPEEDWAGEN styling department

Hey!--somebody copied us..............

Speedwagen Art Car

Von Chop got busted last night for "taggin'" the "Ziebart Flyer"

The local police were doing patrols and thought sure they had uncovered a cult of rust worshipers.--but is was just Von Chop trying to pretty things up a little. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder!

Wrenchette Patty has a crib sheet on the refrigerator door now to help her better monitor my behaviour. Please feel free to down load this info sheet if you have any old cats at home who are acting suspicious.

Check out some more Art Cars

http://artcar.blogspot.com/2007/12/glass-quilt-mosaic-vw-art-car.html

No Moe Roundy Cars

Dirts for racin'---asphalts for gettin' there http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kMYycbiX4xE&feature=related http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qvNDpXZioxw&feature=related

The Speedwagen Roundy Round division has liquidated all the Oval Car StuFFFF

It has found new life with Greg Warthan. He hauled off a double boat load of parts and the trusty ole #23. J.W. and Greg terrorised the track back in the day. It will now get a shot at the dirt in Iowa (once it dries out). Check out the bare block strapped to the back wheel---heheheheh, we had 4 blocks strapped to the back of the trailer to get the tongue weight lightened up. .......you don't have to be deranged to be a Wageneer, but it does makes things easier.

Not The END !!!!!!!!

My friend and partner of 30 years,Jim Warthan aka J.W (on the left of the photo) has went home to be with his best friend Jesus. Jim was the leader of the pack at the Speedwagen, and will be missed more than words can convey. The guy on the right is me aka Von Chop, and I will get my lip up off the floor soon--so have no fear the Speedwagen will continue to forge ahead towards Bonneville, and Jim has a real good seat to watch from.

The story below just scratches the list of life accomplishments that are Jim's to claim. But the thing he was the happiest about was his relationship with Jesus Christ. If you know how that feels---say amen If you don't know, please find a honest cat to fill you in on the details--it's real important! (not all Christians are weird chumps)

Jimmie WarthanFebruary 3, 1938 - June 6, 2008 Visitations: Friday, June 13, 11:00 AM - 1:00 PMFellowship in Christ Church Services: Friday, June 13, 1:00 PMFellowship in Christ Church Cemetery Location: Carmel Cemetery Jimmie Earl Warthan , 70 of Carmel, a dedicated follower of the Lord Jesus Christ, passed on to be with his Lord on June 6. Born on February 3, 1938, Jim was the eldest son of James Yelverton Warthan and Rose Studer Warthan. His is survived by his brothers, John Warthan and Gary Warthan, as well as his three children, Diana Shoemaker, Connie Felton, and Greg Warthan, six grandchildren, and his fiancée, Virginia Berry.Jim enjoyed a varied career in multiple specialties. He was a tool and die maker, inventor, mechanical engineer, model maker, and business owner/operator. Along with his groundbreaking work on silicon semiconductor devices, Jim held numerous US patents as inventor and co-inventor of automotive and medical equipment as well as electromechanical devices which allowed precision television tuning at ultra high frequencies, facilitating the advent of educational and Christian television. He was a pioneer in developing techniques to implement engineering thermoplastics as structural materials for electronic and precision mechanical applications.A Veteran, Jim was a pilot, exhibition skydiver, and had a life-long interest in auto racing. He was an owner/driver of stock cars, with special expertise in dirt-track racing.Jim was a generous and loyal friend who touched many lives with his insightful understanding of others’ needs and situations. His life on earth was a quietly powerful Christian witness whose ripple effects will continue into eternity. Not the END !