 Formulating our plans for 2024. Gurney's Eagles will fly. An Elden we hold dear will surprise.
If it snows, a Yamaha might even do something! We have some new partners for the new year as well, all of whom we are grateful to have, helping us move forward in more ways than one. You'll hear about them very soon. From all of us at KMPR, have a safe and joyous new year!  1967 Ferrari GT330 2+2 Serial No. 7901
A car that once sat next to our Eagle DGF. Anyway, I watched the movie 'Ferrari' tonight. It was a lovely piece of cinema. The CGI wasn't great. The depiction of de Portago's accident didn't need to go into such detail... but it was a lovely piece of cinema  In 2017, we borrowed our friend Don's 1959 Stanguellini Formula Junior to use as a prop on our ex-Pete Lovely 1958 Thames 800 transporter.
He felt it was safe and warm at our place, so he never asked for us to return it. Sadly, Don passed in 2022, and a new home for his Stanguellini had to be found. And so, one was. It leaves later this week. I grew accustomed to seeing it at the shop, and it'll be one of the last rolling pieces of art that we helped take care of for Don and his estate. But alas, we hope it meets a track again someday. 1100cc of grit.  At the 2022 KMPR Shindig, someone left an envelope of photos pertaining to the old Chargers Snowmobile Club, a group my Dad was heavily involved in during the late 1970s and '80s. While I don't recall who left the photos, one stuck out to me.
Somewhere, circa 1987, on the ice for a drivers meeting, is my Dad in his red, white and black Yamaha attire next to the late Jim Herzig, wearing his old number on his suit: 450. Herzig was killed in a race in Canada in February, 1998. Five years later, he was inducted into the Snowmobile Hall of Fame for his exploits on Arctic Cat machinery. He was forever known as 'Gentleman Jim.'  November 24, 1972 - Sheboygan Press
My grandfather, Del Dresang, did inventory control for Gilson Brothers from 1970 to early 1973 before he left to join Harley-Davidson. Gilson was purchased by Toro in 1988. If you ever drove to Road America northbound from Milwaukee on Highway 57, you passed the factory on the right, just before you came into Plymouth. It's still there today. As for Cornell Motors, it's now Antonio's and Antoinette's in downtown Plymouth, kitty corner from where Dad once had Riverside Service.
The magic man that is Jim Debosik thought up and gifted us a Carousel 1 1:18 scale 1972 All American Racers Eagle in a fictional KMPR livery that mirrored the 7800 Eagle, but with KMPR taking the place of Arco Graphite.
It's a stellar build; one in which he called #7231! Thanks Jim!  On Saturday, Todd Flemming gifted us a one-of-one photo of Dan Gurney with Cliff Tufte circa 1967. Tufte was the chief developer of Road America and helped it grow until his passing in 1981.
As for Gurney, he's the guy tattooed on my right arm. The man who created and throttled Eagles that were directed towards the pointy end of every race they ever entered and was the original All American Racer. Thanks Todd!  Ten years ago, Mom, Dad, and I thought it would be cool to open up the shop for a holiday bash, celebrating people, good times, and all things motorsports. What started as a small get-together has blossomed into a unique day-long event.
Two years were missed in 2020 and 2021, but yesterday, we celebrated Shindig 8, and it was a great time. Over 200 fine folks took part in the festivities. Tales were told, histories shared, pie served, and friends reunited. We may have even added a new driver to the lineup for the new year. It was a proper holiday treat. See you in 2024. [Rich Zimmermann Photography] |
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Kettle Moraine Preservation & Restoration
[email protected] Hubertus, Wisconsin 'Where History and Integrity Meet' |