Bill Summers RIP

Gary Smith · 05-23-2011, 01:28 PM

Just found that Bill Summers, of Summers Brothers fame, passed away May 21st. http://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/21/sp...ies-at-75.html

Seems every stick car in S/S, Mod, Comp, and Pro Stock had their axles back in the day.

Lew Silverman · 05-23-2011, 06:28 PM

So sorry to hear that!

You're right, Summers Brothers axle's were very popular back in the day. I also remember many articles in HOT ROD about the streamliner they raced at Bonneville that I think at one time was the fastest piston-driven vehicle on the planet!

RIP Bill!

Jeff Lee · 05-23-2011, 07:46 PM

Bill and the owner of the machine shop (Bud Yancer of MACH Development) doing my engine and chassis were collaborating on a new (or refurbished) LSR car so Bill could make one more run. It was a shoestring budget and only 50% or so complete. Bud had the engine almost done and some of the chassis work. I'm not sure what is to become of the project.

DIAPERMAN · 05-23-2011, 09:47 PM

I was fortunate enough that Bill called me last year about this project .We supplied him with absorbant pads for the new car .I got to talk to him for over an hour Man what an honor .Bill sent me an original picture of the Goldenrod car and signed it What a nice guy Rest in Peace Bill

Geerhead55 · 05-24-2011, 10:55 PM

Bought a pair of axles from him back in the '70s for my '66 Nova stick car,,,and snapped one a few years later. My buddies couldn't believe I did that. It was kind of like a badge of honor at the time. I still have both pieces as souveniers,,,loved the "Summers Brothers", Ontario- Calif. tin plates on the ends,,,so cool. Rest in piece Bill.
Danny Durham

Bob Bender · 05-24-2011, 11:47 PM

Very sad to hear that he passed.....................Great Guy

05-23-2011, 01:28 PM	#1
Gary Smith Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Greensboro, NC Posts: 807 Likes: 7 Liked 76 Times in 24 Posts	Bill Summers RIP Just found that Bill Summers, of Summers Brothers fame, passed away May 21st. http://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/21/sp...ies-at-75.html Seems every stick car in S/S, Mod, Comp, and Pro Stock had their axles back in the day. __________________ Gary Smith "another broke racer spectating"

05-23-2011, 06:28 PM	#2
Lew Silverman VIP Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Newport News, VA Posts: 1,438 Likes: 372 Liked 129 Times in 59 Posts	Re: Bill Summers RIP So sorry to hear that! You're right, Summers Brothers axle's were very popular back in the day. I also remember many articles in HOT ROD about the streamliner they raced at Bonneville that I think at one time was the fastest piston-driven vehicle on the planet! RIP Bill! __________________ Lew Silverman #2070 "The Wagon Master" N/SA

05-23-2011, 07:46 PM	#3
Jeff Lee VIP Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Anthem, Arizona Posts: 2,766 Likes: 0 Liked 2 Times in 2 Posts	Re: Bill Summers RIP Bill and the owner of the machine shop (Bud Yancer of MACH Development) doing my engine and chassis were collaborating on a new (or refurbished) LSR car so Bill could make one more run. It was a shoestring budget and only 50% or so complete. Bud had the engine almost done and some of the chassis work. I'm not sure what is to become of the project. __________________ Jeff Lee 7494 D/S '70 AMX

05-23-2011, 09:47 PM	#4
DIAPERMAN Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: ILLINIOS Posts: 715 Likes: 2 Liked 21 Times in 6 Posts	Re: Bill Summers RIP I was fortunate enough that Bill called me last year about this project .We supplied him with absorbant pads for the new car .I got to talk to him for over an hour Man what an honor .Bill sent me an original picture of the Goldenrod car and signed it What a nice guy Rest in Peace Bill

05-24-2011, 10:55 PM	#5
Geerhead55 VIP Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Tacoma, Washington Posts: 1,632 Likes: 0 Liked 5 Times in 5 Posts	Re: Bill Summers RIP Bought a pair of axles from him back in the '70s for my '66 Nova stick car,,,and snapped one a few years later. My buddies couldn't believe I did that. It was kind of like a badge of honor at the time. I still have both pieces as souveniers,,,loved the "Summers Brothers", Ontario- Calif. tin plates on the ends,,,so cool. Rest in piece Bill. Danny Durham

05-24-2011, 11:47 PM	#6
Bob Bender VIP Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Maryland Posts: 1,713 Likes: 1,420 Liked 373 Times in 80 Posts	Re: Bill Summers RIP Very sad to hear that he passed.....................Great Guy __________________ Bob Bender 144 O/SA 2010-2012 National Record Holder