It’s a good thing it’s Friday, because as of 11:30 am Pacific Time I am going to start drinking heavily. Industry icon, renowned journalist, hardcore car guy, and more importantly my friend, Courtney Halowell passed away yesterday. I’ve often remarked that I am not only a racer, hot rodder, and builder, but also a mini trucker. Courtney is directly responsible for that. He will be missed. This sucks out loud, and I can’t believe that the guy I was emailing with 48 hours ago is no longer with us. His editorials, willingness to cut things up, and infectious smile influenced me to build, cut, and most importantly drag. Frame or rockers that is.

Courtney’s resume includes editorial duties at some of the finest magazines in the business, covering all sorts of cars, trucks, and bikes. MiniTruckin’, Truckin’, Bagger, Muscle Car Power, etc, etc, etc. The list goes on. I have had the pleasure of working with, playing with, and partying with Courtney, and have always admired his spirit and fun loving attitude. 

I first met Courtney, for real anyway, at the Pomona Swap Meet with Freiburger. We were doing Car Junkie TV at the time, and Courtney flagged us down. We hung out for a while, talked about cars, minitrucks, and bikes. We were fast friends. His Mazdawg B2200 4wd fendered Mazda was inspiration for minitruckers the world around and gave me the confidence to cut a perfectly good 1985 Mitsubishi into a bunch of peices that would take reflectors off any road I wanted. He laughed when I talked to him about loving his stories, never once acting as if I was being annoying. Later Courtney asked me to write for him at Muscle Car Power and Drive Magazine, and I’ve been doing stories for him for several months now. I’ve never met an editor with a more layed back attitude. I’ve never met an editor who was more encouraging. 

In the June issue of Muscle Car Power, Courtney wrote about people’s confusion with his name, and that he was often referred to as Ms. Halowell when unknowing folks left him a voicemail. He was way to ugly to be a girl, but we loved him anyway. 

A couple of weeks ago, while talking about a Brake Swap Story I’m doing for Drive! Magazine, Courtney informed me that he was on a motorcycle ride with some friends. I told him he sucked. His passion for all things motorized was known by many and his latest project, an early ’50’s Chevy Pickup on an S10 chassis, promised to be a riot. We talked that truck to completion on many occasions, and planned to hit the Pomona Swap Meet in it soon. In fact, at a recent trip to Adams Kart Track was just one of our many fun times together. We were there for their autocross night where muscle cars, trucks, and more can be found tearing up the kart track. As always, Courtney was laughing and smiling and having a great time. He was an epic story teller, incredibly generous, an always up for a good time. Like most of us, his life revolved around anything engine powered and he could be seen at events all around the country even if he wasn’t “working”. 

Looking at the photos below will let you know the kind of guy Courtney was. People always give me crap about making faces to the camera. It was one of Courtney’s favorite things to do to. I’ll never make another funny face at a photographer or camera man again without thinking of Courtney.

We will update this blog item when we here more about Courtney’s memorial services.

Courtney, you will be missed. I know that between you and Todd Gartshore, whatever vehicles are up in heaven will be dragging rocker and stop on a dime. God Speed my friend.