Sam Memmolo
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Sam at POWERAMA MOTORING EXPO 2003 in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
On a brisk Friday morning, I started my day with a few local morning news stations and some live satellite shots as they broke into the morning programs and welcomed all of Canada to the show. There were Radio interviews, and even a print guy named Dave with an interview featured in the “Driving” section of the Friday May 2 edition of the Edmonton Journal. With a three-day show running 5 pm to 10:30 pm on Friday, and all day Saturday and Sunday, I found some of the North Country’s finest Hot Rods, Street Rods, Customs and Muscle Cars. There were wild motorcycles, Antiques and collector cars everywhere. Even a few fine examples of Custom Big Trucks. Being a truck guy, I fell in love with the big 1999 Freightliner with more lights on it than the entire City of Las Vegas. Then there was a chopped, channeled, sectioned and stretched Freightliner with a custom fabricated chassis sporting a full tilt body and cab, and a huge Electronic Cummins under the hood. Both of these trucks were something to behold. By the way, the Flamed Freightliner had just come off the road delivering its goods on a run from California. As you look through these pictures you will see some shining examples of incredible paint and body work, very unique and creative displays, and even some box stock vehicles that you would be proud to drive anytime, anywhere! Never having been to this part of the world before, and only ever seeing a few Canadian Rods in the states, I did not know what to expect. I’m familiar with Hot Rod Liz, who hails from north of the border, and drives a Total Performance T Bucket. But other than Liz, and a few Deuce Coupes that made it to some New England Shows, I really did not understand or even imagine the level of quality vehicles that this cold country harbors. I hope you enjoy looking at these pictures even half as much as I enjoyed being up close and personal with the owners and builders of these fine vehicles. As Dennis Gage would say, “ Honor the Timeless Classics”.
I want to thank Liz Oglu for having me as a guest, and the special friends that I made while spending only a few short days in Edmonton. When I return, I will plan better and stay longer. Also some special thanks to the guys who displayed the Muscle cars, Motorcycles, and Hot Rods in the display with the Camo-Netting. They gave a superlative tribute to our troops fighting in the Gulf. I was honored and delighted to see this display of support and camaraderie. Maybe next April you can attend the 20thy Anniversary of this great show. Sam
Auto Technician Turned Hobby into TV Show Former shop owner has tips
for drivers and garage owners. As television and radio show host Sam Memmolo drove home from a car show with his wife, Diana, she asked if he had seen several cars at the event. Memmolo, co-host of TWO GUYS GARAGE on SpeedChannel, replied that he had not seen the specific cars she mentioned. There were too many fans at the show who wanted to talk to him, preventing Memmolo from seeing all the displays. Diana vowed to do
something about it -- she gave her husband a rubber mask for Christmas that
year. Among the best known of the masks is one featuring the likeness of former U.S. President Ronald Reagan. However in the interests of allowing Memmolo to enjoy a car show or two, we're not going to reveal what mask he wears. Memmolo said he wears the mask for 15 - 20 minutes so he can see some of the vehicles, then takes it off. He has learned not to speak when he's wearing the mask because many car enthusiasts recognize his voice immediately. If he speaks, Memmolo said, someone will say, "Hey, I know that voice." But Memmolo is always happy to talk to car buffs. "If I don't have fans, I don't have a job." The story illustrates how well-known Memmolo has become as an automotive technician, a career hi mother initially tried to discourage him from following. But his stints as co-host of TV shows such as SHADETREE MECHANIC, CRANK and CHROME and TWO GUYS GARAGE as well as his radio show have made him instantly recognizable to automotive enthusiasts. His radio show is not aired here, however. Memmolo was in Edmonton last weekend and appeared at Powerama. Growing up in Boston as the son of Italian immigrants, Memmolo, 56, began working at an Amoco filling station at the age of 13, pumping gas and changing tires. His two older sisters had attended college and his mother wanted him to follow in their footsteps. Memmolo wanted to become an auto mechanic, but he agreed to attend a college prep school before taking his mechanic's training. His instinct was good, bringing him a successful and satisfying career. Due to his early start, he has more than 40 years experience in the auto repair business. "I'm a lucky guy," said Memmolo, who lives in Georgia. "My hobby is my work." Early in his career, Memmolo worked on imported cars, such as Jaguars and Alfa Romeos, something that's probably a surprise to his television fans who see him working on domestic cars and trucks. Serious injuries in a 1978 motorcycle accident ended up directing him to North American vehicles. While he was recuperating, Memmolo was unable to work as an automotive technician, he moved into Automotive Sales. He later took a job training with a company which manufacturers automotive test equipment, teaching technicians how to use the gear intended primarily for use on domestic vehicles. Along the way, he's also had time to own and operate two successful repair shops. His experience as a shop owner has also helped him teach other owners how to run their businesses property. A key part of running a shop is being able to communicate to customers what service or repair work a vehicle needs and shy it costs what it does. Tapes of Shadetree Mechanic shows have been used for instructional purposes, but one in particular has become a teaching aid as well as a useful communication tool for shop owners. The show follows Memmolo and hi co-host, Dave Bowman, as they change the timing belt on a four-cylinder 1980's Ford Mustang. The show explains how the repair is done and why a $30. timing belt becomes a $300 to $400 repair bill. Although timing belts are relatively inexpensive, replacing a belt requires stripping bare the front of the engine. A number of parts have to be removed to reach the belt and then replaced it once it's installed. And that adds up to a considerable labor bill. Watching Memmolo and Bowman handle repairs on modern vehicles on TV provides a good illustration of how the automotive trade has changed over the years. Computer literacy and diagnostic skills have become an important part of a technicians tool kit. The diagnostic equipment gets a workout long before wrenches are used. "Thirty years ago, guidance counselors sent people who did not have the ability to learn to auto mechanics class," Memmolo said. "That's the wrong place for them today." For example, technicians must be able to read complicated technical manuals with comprehension." They need to have a good background in electronics and science. Memmolo's educational background helped him make the transition to the modern era of automotive repair and broaden his horizons into radio and television. He's executive producer of TWO GUYS GARAGE and has written the television shows on which he has appeared. Memmolo and Bowman are closing in on 300 episodes for the three TV shows. And that's not too shabby by anyone's standards.
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