Derek Brand who invented the vibrator, t-jet & Tyco chassis including US-1 Trucking.

Derek A. Brand (1926 - 2012)
Derek A. Brand was born in England in 1926 and died May 12, 2012, after complications due to Alzheimer's.

He spent three years in the English Army during WWII and had many stories about his riding adventures as a motorcycle dispatch rider. He immigrated to the USA in 1949 where he lived in Santa Barbara and met his future wife, Cartha. She preceded him in death in 1996 after 43 married years. He came here to work for Tucker Candy Factory in Santa Barbara which fell through. Gowland & Gowland asked him if he could make toy models and, being Derek, he said "sure."

Derek A. Brand was born in England in 1926 and died May 12, 2012, after complications due to Alzheimer's.

He spent three years in the English Army during WWII and had many stories about his riding adventures as a motorcycle dispatch rider. He immigrated to the USA in 1949 where he lived in Santa Barbara and met his future wife, Cartha. She preceded him in death in 1996 after 43 married years. He came here to work for Tucker Candy Factory in Santa Barbara which fell through. Gowland & Gowland asked him if he could make toy models and, being Derek, he said "sure." Read more about RIP: Derek Brand

My wife and I moved back to our home in Rougemont last Monday. Three pick-up truck loads, and we still have yet to finish the job. Unfortunately the computer will be one of the last things to return, as reflooring the house following our hot water heater dumping it's guts and destroying a quarter of the house last February still has our belongings jumbled up a bit. Because it is home, camping out is no burden, and a once immaculate homestead will eventually be carved out of the overgrowth. Mowing three acres that is knee high is no small chore in and of itself. Read more about We have Moved Back Home But No Computer

Another Racing Great, Finishes the great race.  I will let Tony fill in his story, suffice to say He was, is and always will be a legend. Read more about RIP Carroll Shelby January 11, 1923 – May 10, 2012

Hey There!

Well, I can't disagree that Fray cars look "silly". When you drive one, however, the silly factor quickly goes away. In my opinion they are the best running car, bar none. I noticed on HOWL that some of the clubs in the South East (NASCAR country) came up with a reasonable solution.

It's a shame the world we now live in brings with it so much mistrust and dishonesty, so the story I need to tell illustrates just that.

On a recent walk to the local harbour, I chanced upon a Mustang car show at the Lighthouse car park. Some stunningly restored Ford Mustangs from every era were on show but a particular Red, White 1968 GT500 Pony with left hand drive grabbed my attention. Read more about Sign O' the Times

Well Guys… what is the data telling us? I thought I would do a little experimenting to find out just how much bang for the buck I could get out of making incremental changes to a stock T-Jet.