A little weird, but thought this e-mail exchange would interest you guys

On Jan 26, 2017, at 5:15 AM, Dean XXXXX wrote:

January 25, 2017

Tim Suddard Publisher Classic Motorsports Magazine 915 Ridgewood Ave. Holly Hill, FL. 32177

Greetings from Fresno, CA.

My name is Dean XXXXXX. I briefly met with you and Jay Leno this past Sunday at the Comedy and Magic Club.

I wanted to thank you and Mr. Leno for your time and ideas.

I had left Mr. Leno a note for advice on my 1971 Volkswagen. I was shocked that he invited me in to see him. Something like this has never happened to me before. I was totally speechless. I really didn't think I would meet him, but was hoping he could give me a couple of names of somebody I could contact who could help me with the restoration of the bus.

I am not a shy person so it surprised me when no words were coming out.

I was there with two big time car guys and I came in to talk about a Volkswagen Transporter. You guys were so nice and restrained from laughing at me.

When I purchased the bus it was for something to do when I retired. It was cheap and most parts are too. I hadn't planned on a full off the frame restoration. My idea was to turn it into a surfer style bus. I surfed in my younger days and had planned on taking it up again. But life got in the way.

Through the course of my career I have been run over while directing traffic, thrown through a wall, stabbed (bullet proof vest slowed the knife blade down), shot at numerous times and a lot of fights. I was trying to make it 40 years before I retired but injuries caught up to me and I retired at 38 years. I had injured my neck and back several times during the 38 years, including going down on a police motorcycle and rupturing a disc in my lower back.

A couple of years ago I stepped down from a curb into a pedestrian cross walk . I came down hard on uneven asphalt and the jolt caused some damaged discs in my back and neck to collapse. I had injured my neck and back several times during the 38 years. including going down on a police motorcycle and rupturing a disc in my lower back. I had a MRI on my neck they found spinal cord compression which needed to be fused. I also I had my lower back fused and 6 weeks ago I had additional fusion to my neck.

Surgeon said surfing was out and doubted I could paddle board. He told me I should find somebody to restore the bus or sale it because of the damage to my neck and back.

I still plan on turning the bus into a 1960's Southern California look bus with the Cragar Wheels and the rack on top.

I wanted to thank you for your advise which I will be using.

Sunday was the coolest thing that has happen to me and I have pictures for anybody to see as proof that it actually happen.

Wishing you the best,

Dean

Dean,

That is just the way Jay rolls. I have seen these random acts of kindness many times from him.

I remember and incident once, while traveling to Las Vegas with him, just after we became friends.

When entering the back entrance at the Mirage he stopped and talked to the door man. I don’t mean he nodded and smiled. I mean he stopped and talked to this guy for a few minutes as if he was the president of NBC.

As we walked away, I thought to myself, if Jay Leno has time to talk to guys that open doors or pump gas, serve food or dream of restoring VW buses, than so do I. He has been a heck of a role model for me and I am honored that he has allowed me to hang out with him, and at his shop.

Tim Suddard Publisher: Grassroots Motorsports magazine Classic Motorsports magazine

Phone: (386) 239-0523 • Fax: (386) 239 0573 www. GrassrootsMotorsports.com www.ClassicMotorsports.com

915 Ridgewood Avenue Holly Hill, FL 32117

Jay truly seems like one of the good people in the world.

Awesome on all counts. I learned a long time ago that some people are more successful than myself, some are less, but all are people and deserve respect. If we all acted like Jay, the world would be a nicer place.

I totally agree. Thanks for the input guys.

This makes me happy because that's how I always pictured ther real Jay Leno was.

I've been disappointed (from what I've read, not personally) in what famous people when they're not in front of a camera.

To your point... Ask me in person some day about my encounters with Carroll Shelby and a few others.

Hey Tim, I think you are following your role model pretty well. When I met you and Marge on the 2016 Orange Blossom Tour I was quite struck how friendly and personable you both were especially as I kept learning all that you keep on your plate. You juggle it all and still seem to stay down to earth. Congratulations for continuing to stay balanced (probably with a little help from the 'thinking time with scotch') while bringing us ordinary folks the best connection to the vintage and motor sports world.

Tim Suddard wrote: To your point... Ask me in person some day about my encounters with Carroll Shelby and a few others.

From my previous racing team experience I got to meet several named racing drivers. Most were nice, several not so much. Of course you never know if they were having an off day or not. One Indycar driver was a total tool however, I always hoped his was an off day.

Uh, Tim, the thank you note was to YOU, too.

And was spot on.

Just want to point that out, too.