Yesterday I had the honor of lettering the Ray Neary-Fred Menschner 21 tribute sedan, owned and driven by John Pastuer. He was a friend of Ray, Fred, and also Dave Piscopo. In doing so, I got the opportunity to replicate (I prefer that word over duplicate), the work of the late Tom Backes, the first racecar lettering artist I ever admired. Never knew his name until I saw it on this board, but could always pick out his work. Just as I was getting done, Ray's stepson stopped by, that's him beside car, John in background. Phil Speno, who a lot of you know also was there. A great time working while sharing racing stories.

Beautiful job Rick!  Looking good!

Awesome Rick!  Good to see a car like that in an older garage. Windows like that for light and heat are usually all broken up or missing and the block walls really make for a great setting. Thanks for posting!

Outstanding job John and Rick. I know Ray would be soooo proud of what the work you did to honor his name and place in racing history. I too am honored to have my name assocated with this beautiful tribute car. Ray and myself built a few cars starting in Ray's driveway at his house in Morrisville, Pa ,moving to a dirt floor garage and then to a ten car garage in Chambersburg section of Trenton, NJ. Along the way we met a lot of wonderful people that mentored us and volunteered there time and sometimes money to help build the cars and get them to the race tracks.

Thanks,

Fred Menschner

Fantastic work, Rick! For sure Ray would be pleased. Congrats to all involved in creating this tribute car.

what a sweet hot rod !! nice work !! thanks for posting !!

The Menschner/Neary silver #21 cars were favorites of mine in the early 70's. 

It's kind of a long story, but I got to know Fred and Ray sometime in the 90's I think, (saw Fred's name on the side of his pick up truck one day at a gas station in Ewing, and got talking about racing, and got to know Ray from when he had his #1 Wally Marks vintage car parked in the lot at EWS behind the stands as part of a GSVSCC display),and later would see Ray at New Egypt and Bridgeport during other GSVSCC events.  At some point, Ray, Fred and I would meet up in Langhorne for Saturday morning breakfast get togethers to talk about racing stuff.  One Saturday morning they took me on a tour of the Morrisville/Trenton NJ area, with Fred and Ray pointing out where different race shops once were (Piscopo, Taylor, Fodor, Marks, others).  Pretty cool stuff...

When I first began 3 Wide's Picture Vault in 2002, I asked Ray to meet with me to get his ideas and suggestions on the site.  (Ended up meeting at the Washington Crossing Inn on Rt 29.)  Ray had some good ideas for me, and helped out with what I would say was "the vibe" for the site...  layed back, but informative... enjoyable for folks from many different decades, a place folks would want to keep coming back to.

In addition to Ray's ability as a driver, and Fred's ability to build motors, and both of their ability to build/set up a top running modified, I learned quickly that both Ray and Fred were "Students of the Game", having spent many years around Wally Marks, Dave Piscopo and others... and listening and learning every step of the way.  The history of the sport always was front and center with those two.

I miss being able to talk racing with Ray, but glad for the opportunity I had to learn a lot about the 60's & 70's Trenton/Morrisville racing scene from a guy that was a big part of it.  I'm glad to still talk racing with Fred when time/logistics make that possible.

Thank you to those behind the silver #21 sedan, thanks to Fred and Ray for the original silver #21 cars, and thanks Rick for getting the #'s and lettering just like I remember it.

A trunk panel from a Piscopo 39, and the Wally Marks number 1.