Long-time Grundy customer Ron Fletcher Stephensen says that what he most vividly remembers from his childhood visits to the races at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway is a moment when a tire came off one of the race cars and flew straight over the heads of the crowd, landing in the lake behind the stands. He says he just couldn’t believe his eyes, and that the memory has stuck with him, ever since.

He adds that he also has other memories from the short while that he lived in Speedway City, like the smell of the cars in Gasoline Alley, the roaring of the engines and a very special victory lap around the track at the Indianapolis 500, when he was just 5-years-old.  He adds that he still has photographs from that day when he was able to ride in the winning vehicle, while waving the checkered flag.

Ron wasn’t just any lucky kid from the stands, that day. He was the son of the man who designed the engine of the winning vehicle.  He says that his father designed the engines for both Mauri Rose and Wilbur Shaw- both of whom won Indy 500 races in the late 1930s and early 1940s, while driving the cars for which his dad built the engines.  And, with that said, Ron got some special treatment from the drivers.

Decades later, Ron is still a “car guy.” Like many car collectors, he says that he inherited a love for vehicles from his father… and, of course, from all of those visits to the track as a youngster!

“I can’t get it out of my blood!” he exclaims.

By the time he was 17-years-old, and living in Lindhurst, N.J., Ron had found his own niche in the automotive hobby: drag racing. 

After a run-in with the police, Ron and his buddies moved “off the street and onto the strips.” He says that the police actually opted to sponsor the young men, while overseeing that they didn’t break any laws.

The boys called themselves the “Dual Pipes,” and Ron says that they became the first club in the state of New Jersey to be sanctioned by the National Hot Rod Association, in 1953.

He goes on to say that it was around the time that he got married, in the early 60’s, that he turned more towards the collector car hobby.  He says that the first car in his collection was a 1925 Hupmobile that he bought for $25.00. Since then, Ron has owned over 40 collector cars.

He says that one of his favorite of his collection was a 1952 Ford Pick-Up Truck that he named “Beach Bum.” Ron says that people still recognize him as the “Beach Bum,” and he adds that he has carried the theme through to other vehicles.

And, according to Ron, one of the most “unique” cars that he has owned is at his home, right now. His 1949 Dodge Meadowbrook, with only 6900 miles on it, was owned by country-crooner Willie Nelson.

But, one car, in particular, that is very dear to him is his 1927 Bugatti replica, which sits on a 1972 VW Super Beetle (see photo). The car was professionally built in New York, made “street legal” in California, and was then relocated to New Jersey.  Ron bought the car from a friend about three years ago, he says.

He continues to explain that this car bears a very strong resemblance to the cars for which his father designed engines, years ago, making it all the more special to him.

But, Ron’s Bugatti replica is a little different than the original ancestor, which he mentions won 186 races around the world. This car is unique in that it has a chromed out 1600 engine, new exhaust and new tires. It has one outside spare tire with leather straps, and the front suspension has also been chromed. He adds that this gem of a vehicle also gets more than 30 miles to the gallon!

“And, I cannot drive one block without getting a thumbs up or have someone honk,” says Ron. He also says that the car draws quite the crowd at shows, as well.

“There are a lot of kit cars out there,” he explains. “But not like this one!”

Ron says that he attends around three local cruise-ins, each week, and often brings the Bugatti.  This week, he will be attending four different shows within the next four days.

“I got involved,” says Ron. “And, I just keep going.”

He is a member of the Vintage Car Club, Time Capsules, Sentimental Cruisers and the Ocean County Cruisers- all clubs based in New Jersey; Ron started the Ocean County Cruisers.

He adds that he started the club with hopes of bringing back some of the spirit from the car clubs of the 1950s, before there were dues or fees, or any meetings being “called to order.”  This club resembles his old “jacket club,” he says; however the members wear shirts —not jackets— today.

“We’re a shirt club,” he says while chuckling.  He says the crew gathers for good food and car talk. And, he encourages the younger crowd to join by not setting any age limitations on the vehicles, when holding shows.

“You can bring a 1910 or a 2009 vehicle if you want,” he says.

While some of the older crowd might look down upon customized Toyotas or Hondas, Ron encourages creativity and sees many similarities between today’s younger generation of customizers and himself, as a teen.

“That was us,” he says. “They need a chance. And, they can learn from us.”

“But, the boom box deal kills me!”

The Ocean County Cruisers' next car show, benefiting handicapped children and the local Boy Scouts, will be held Sept. 13, 2008 at the Lacey Elks Club, located on Beach Boulevard in Lacey, NJ 08731. For more information, contact Ron: RFSTEPH@AOL.COM.

Story by: Becky McLaughlin