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R.I.P Courtney Halowell ….Drag On Brother


R.I.P Courtney Halowell                  ….Drag On Brother

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. 

Courtney Halowell

Courtney Halowell being Courtney


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10 thoughts on “R.I.P Courtney Halowell ….Drag On Brother

  1. acarr260

    RIP, brother. He truly loved the automotive world, especially the fringes. I hope he gets to hack up all of the forbidden fruit that was too rare to customize while he was with us here on earth.

  2. Anonymous

    He will be missed more than most will realize. He was a rare bird.

    First Todd Gartshore from Baer and now Courtney. Not a good month.

    Chad

  3. CharlesW

    We were in the same truck club he started for a number of years, he even put me on the cover of Mini Truckin magazine once upon a time.

    We had our differences as of late and didnt talk to one another because of them but right now i kinda wanna remember the better times we shared

  4. Buddy Houston

    I had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Halowell several times. A few of them were at mini truck shows in Cali and the others believe it or not was up here at our shows in Oregon. He treated us for what we were. True mini truckers! Didn’t matter that at that time we were the forgotten ones up here in the NW. He saw what we built and saw the blood and sweat we but into our rides. Always making us smile, laugh and get crazy. He will be missed. RIP Courtney, drag frame!

  5. Jimbacca

    Great summary of who he was. Once you met him he was like a long time friend. Great story teller. Great advice. Always willing to help get vehicles in ink. I’ve known him since 95 and no matter how long in between chats it was like nothing was missed. And him and his nicknames…

  6. Darren N.

    Very sad to hear about the loss of your buddy who obviously meant a lot to many folks. You guys on the writing end of rodding mags/media have been a big part of my life growing up and continue to be. I’m sure he will be sorely missed among his close friends and family but also his many fans.

  7. Rick Jordan

    We knew Courtney for many years when he was with McMullen/Yee, as we wrote for several of their publications. the big fella will be missed. RIP Bro.

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