Don Blair
 

I hate to keep doing this, but it's time to report the passing of another So Cal racing icon and a real friend to many persons in racing, Mr.Don Blair. He founded Blair's Speed Shop in Pasadena, ran it for a long time, sold it to Phil Lukins, retired, came out of retirement,bought a machine shop here in Glendora, then a better one in Covina which he leased out. He passed away on September 29th ,one day before his 90th birthday.
He was like a dad to me and many others,in fact, I used to call him "Dad, the dad I should have had". We sat around discussing ways to make all kinds of horsepower out of ordinary things, and we sort of hit it off.He was very good to me throughout a lot of projects over the years, One Saturday about 10 years ago,the phone rang in the middle of the afternoon, and it was Don. He asked me if I had a good used piston and rod for a Chevy 409. I told him that I did, asked what number cylinder, and said I would get back to him.Sure enough,I got lucky, found the piston and rod assembly,even with the correct number on it, ran it down there and handed it to him just as he was leaving. He was so happy to get that engine project done for the customer, and I was glad that I helped him.
It seems the world is a bit emptier right now, I've lost too many friends in racing in recent years.

Re: Don Blair
 

Another great racing icon passing, always enjoyed his long list of sponsored racers, one of my firsts was Steve Bovans bad ***** early nova funny car. RIP.


SuperStocks@LionsDragStrip

Re: Don Blair
 

Kind of strange, but I realized that I am wearing a Blairs Speed Shop tee shirt right now as I read this. Got it at a swap meet last year and it's one of my favorites. Sad day for hot rodders everywhere.:(