August 2007

Jim Gerrard

(I was asked why I didn't publish a photo of Jim Smiling, this is Jim smiling.)

If you have attended a Garage Meeting in the past year or so, you have Jim to thank for the great venue.  Each month Jim finds a hot rod related business or event for our monthly Garage Meeting.  When Jim isn't busy organizing a meeting you can find him under the hood of his '50 Cadillac or cruising in his '53 Chevy.  It seems Jim knows everyone in North County.  He is retired from teaching shop at Oceanside High School and you can't go anywhere with Jim and not run into one of his former students, most of whom are very successful now in their chosen profession.  Jim owns Gerrard Construction and is busy with remodels and all sorts of projects.  If you ever have a question about how to do something in home remodeling, Jim has the answer. 

Jim' s sleeper Chevy, there's a TurnKey LS1 under that hood.

Jim Gerrard

in a fender bender.

Jim was returning from showing his Cushman Scooter to a potential buyer and was towing it with his '53 Chevy.  Rather than get on the freeway right away, Jim decided to swing by Terry Newman's house to check on the progress on Terry's 41 Olds.  As Jim was heading up North Santa Fe (and not Highway 78), a rear leaf spring broke and caused the broken rear spring to dig into the pavement and the car to rotate.  The front end struck a sign post damaging the front bumper, headlight assembly and right front fender.  The broken rear end damaged the rear fenders.  Fortunately Jim was uninjured and there were no other vehicles involved.  Jim had taken the Chevy in for some work on the rear springs a short time ago.  I guess they got a little over zealous in their labors and may have cause the spring failure.  The car is in the shop now and will be back on the road, good as new, soon.