Like many, I woke to the news that Pat Ganahl had passed away in a racing accident of all things while driving his beloved Ike Iacono dragster. I say of all things because while he loved this dragster, and for good reason, he was most well known in the hot rodding world for hot rods, not race cars. He was knowledgeable, passionate, informative, and opinionated when it came to what mattered and he earned the right to be through years of being a voice for the hot rodding world like none other. His years as Editor at Street Rodder Magazine, Street Rodder, and Rodders Journal, along with a short stint at Hot Rod garnered him tons of respect and admiration from his fellow staffers, but it was his readers who held him in the highest regard.
I grew up reading anything car-related I could get my hands on. That meant National Dragster in the earliest years and then Hot Rod and Car Craft, along with 4-Wheel and Off-Road, Street Rodder, and Popular Hot Rodding, along with whatever else I could get away with reading at the stand or in the library. Pat’s years at Hot Rod Magazine were my first years as a subscriber and I remember tons of the work he did well. In fact, one of his most famous stories “Caddy Hack” was recreated by Freiburger and I, along with Finnegan, when we did the Vette Hack with the C4 that would become their Vette Kart.
I could bring up lots of stories I read, stories I’ve heard, and history that Pat has been a part of but what really matters is that he was a man who garnered huge respect from the people that worked with him. I met him a few times, was lucky enough to have a couple of conversations with him, and am saddened that he is gone. Our own Brian Lohnes has a specific story he remembers of working with Pat, and although it was limited it was impactful. That was Pat. He made an impact, if for no other reason that the fact that he was so tall.
But he was passionate about what he did, was a true champion of the hot rodding and custom car culture, and he loved it. He knew it. He lived it. The same can’t be said for all of those that came before or since.
On behalf of all of us here at BANGshift.com, our thoughts, prayers, compassion, and condolences go out to the entire Ganahl family, friends, and readers. He will be missed for sure.
God Speed Pat
Photo by Stephan Szantai
I grew up reading his work from the earliest issues of Street Rodder”. Rest in peace to one of the greatest hot rod scribes ever.
Sorry to hear the Sad News. Pat and I”s friendship started in the early &0’s. He came into our Car Club, Times Past.
He was one Hell of Hot Rod Guru. He will be deeply missed in our Hot Rod and Car World.
My Heart goes out to the Family and all his Friends and associates. God Bless and RIP Dear Friend
Hey Norm, We are still in shock over this. Pat was ( never thought I’d be using that word ) such a good friend. I knew him for half a century, as you did. He did so much for me with articles on my cars, and I was honored to be part of three of his books. Sure hope Anna and Bill are okay…what a sad shock for them.
Hope you remember me … it’s been a long time. Sure enjoyed your visit when you stopped by our place in NM many years ago. Sorry to reconnect under such sad circumstances.
Best wishes,
Lil’ John Harvey
I’m trying to get in touch with a member of the Times Past, Myself, Jim Hunt, and Jim Hagthrop started the Club. I’m building a Hot Rod for Jim Stetcher’s Son, Sean and would like if possible to get a copy of the patch on the orange wind breaker. Seen your post on the Pat Ganahl’s untimely death,So Sad such a Loss.
I will look for my logo I put away, somewhere?? send me your email and will get back as quick as I can. Still working.
Pat knew what he was writing about. Hot Rods and Customs were his favorite I presume. Pat’s son is also a talented craftsman. This is what he loved!
The car is amazing. The engine and interior of the car are very new and beautiful. I like it very much and want to have this car.
I feel like I’ve lost a cool older brother that I never had. I started reading car mags in the early 60s, and still refer to my collection on a regular basis, especially Ganahl’s articles. I also pored over his Ganahl’s Rod&Custom online newsletter since it’s inception, the latest landed in my InBox on Aug 8th. I’m truly sad. Condolences to his family and friends.
Thank you! He was an awesome big brother!
George, So,so sad…Pat was a true friend and a really ggod man. Sincere condolences to Anna, Bill and the whole family. Thoughts and prayers for you all.
Lil’ John Harvey.
I joined the Road Knights” hot rod club” in Sydney Australia,1964,-we could not get enough of American Hot-Rod magazines,we read everything from A to Z, I could not get enough of Pat Ganahl’s articles,on all subjects Hot-Rod or Custom,he was the “Guru”of that Automotive Type!-and had a great eye,for correct style and class,and what was truly right!–He will be missed in many countries,including Australia–he truly will be in”Hot-Rod heaven”-R.I.P.–John V.Caldwell
A big loss to all of us.
Pay & I shared the same birthday in June. Rod & Custom would always throw us a party At Youk during the “Nats” east. One year DeEtte Crow hired a belly dancer…u shoulda been there. We often hung with our hero’s Tom & Tex, to relive & learn about those early days of hot ridding. Sure will miss my friend & his informative Blog..etc. All my best to his friends & family.
Pat was the best. He knew everything!!! He always had the time…
So sorry to hear of this. Thoughts and Prayers to Pat’s friends and family.
I counted Pat among my friends. As everyone knows he was big fan of my Dad’s Wayne speed equipment. That connection led to many conversations over the years. Joanie and I pass our prayers on to Anna, Bill and the rest of the family.
God Speed “Too Tall”
I met Pat in 1995 at the start of our research for the 1997 Oakland Museum hot rod and custom exhibition. We discussed lots of cars, and he contributed an essay for the catalog. His frank opinions were legendary; when he first saw my Vern Tardel-built ’35 Ford roadster, he said: “The rear end’s too high”. Later, chasing around in Pomona, he in his green ’52 Chevy and me following the the Ford, he admitted that the chopped, dropped and louvered ’35 “looked cool in his rear view mirror.
I hold great regard for Pat, Anna and Bill, fine, decent and talented people. Pat will be greatly missed and long remembered by many.
Pat will be greatly missed. RIP Pat. Condolences to his wife and son. Never met or spoke with Pat but saw him once in Paso. But, I always got his great Blog Posts whenever he sent them out. The last one I remember was “Dandy Drive-Ins”. Sure loved that one! He was such a great writer, easy to read and with much detail which held your attention until the very last word. Totally enjoyed receiving and reading all his posts! Growing up in the San Fernado Valley and hot rodding in the 60’s & 70’s, many of the places he wrote about and went to, I had also been to so, it brought back wonderful memories. At least he checked out doing what he loved doing. Sorry for his loss to all us followers and admirers. Lance
Pat was my favorite car mag editor. I remember one of his editorials about his 48 Chevy inherited four door. Not exactly great hot rod material but he learned a lot on that car and it introduced him to six cylinder engines. I think he still owned that car at his death. A Chevy six powered his 32 Chevy coupe and I had a lot of fun reading about that car. Being able to restore the Joe Nitti roadster and purchasing and restoring the six cylinder powered Iacono dragster were personal life highlights which gave him much pride. Anything he wrote is worth saving, reading and re-reading. I have all my Rod and Custom mags going back to 68 until the day it got cancelled. Pat espoused mild customs and six cylinder engines and supported Inliners club. He was the rare combination of a writer and a rodder all rolled up in one with a mind like a steel trap. Given the choice, I think Pat would have chosen to die like he did. An incredible life well lived. My condolences to Anna and Billy for sharing their dad and husband with all of us. May God grant them peace and comfort in his memory.
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