For those of you that contacted me at my work email . I will not reply after March 31st as I am leaving to concentrate on "personal interests" AKA retiring from the day job. So please use the PM for any questions / concerns here as I will be here "as usual" and now on weekends TOO. Mod note , If this needs to be moved please do , I just wanted to make it "visible " in the mainstream.
Randy
I think that you will like addressing your "personal interests" better than the day job. I know that it was the best career move that I made.
Best of luck!
Frank
Congrats on retiring (at least from the day job) Randy!
- Phillip
We'll see how this retirement thing works out. I too have a 4-1-22 date.
I've never missed working for even a minute! Hope others transition that easily.
Congrats on this point in life and thanks for your knowledge, here.
Congratulations on the retirement!
I pulled the trigger a bit over two years ago. Loving the new chapter.
Thx again for your help at SAAC-46. I wish you'd brought your car. Would have loved to see it!
Enjoy your days of sleeping late and doing nothing. I hope that your retired life is the best part of your life.
All the best to you and yours !
Congrats!
So far, I've not missed one day of Sorting TPS reports in the last 4 years (retired)
QuoteEnjoy your days of sleeping late and doing nothing.
???
How does that work??? I've been retired for 9 years and still wake up around 6:15-6:30 and put in a full days work around my property. The upside is there are 6 Saturdays and 1 Sunday a week. the downside is there is no quitting time... :o :)
TOB
It's not as scary as it looks from the outside. People just look at you differently. Probably because you get all shriveled up and wrinkly?
its a little unnerving to take the step to retirement but for me, its been good. I still wake up at 4:30 AM, but then I can roll over and go back to sleep. I putz around all week long doing what I want when I want and wondering how I got anything done while I was working. After a few months you will forgot what day of the week it is because everyday seems like Saturday. Also for me I have a comfortable retirement due to a pension, Social Security and a 401K that i have to start using this year and is supposed to last 27 1/2 years (I will most certainly be dead before then) The neat thing is a I get to play with my car stuff, i got things I always wanted to do and can now do them. This includes driving my Shelby, cleaning my Shelby and maintaining my Shelby. I also have a friend who retired and he has a 60 X 80 pole barn that we mess around with cars. Right now we are building 1968 Dodge Dart 426 SS/AA Tribute car, finishing up a 1965 Pontiac Tempest, original 4 speed car, just got done a 1969 Corvette and will soon start on a 1968 Pro Street Camaro. In between all this we are working on a 427 SOHC with an 8/71 blower for a street car
Like I said retirement is good, you worked hard, after you leave nobody cares about your ideas, few if any will call you, but you have worked hard, now sit back and enjoy life
Looking forward to the many tales of Randy and his drag racing adventures
I'm glad to hear all these positive retirement stories as I'm leaving real soon. I would have been gone sooner but the job I have now some think I'm nuts to leave it but the drive is what is driving me to retirement. 106 miles round trip. I'm a guy who is always in perpetual motion and cannot just sit around(except when I'm on a Florida beach) so it will be interesting when I go and my honey do list dries up. Exercising, jogging and biking will be in there for sure and hopefully I'll find another car to restore besides my friend's 68 Shelby I'm helping him on in his new 40x50 garage. Gary
Quote from: shelbymann1970 on March 25, 2022, 12:57:08 PM
I'm glad to hear all these positive retirement stories as I'm leaving real soon. I would have been gone sooner but the job I have now some think I'm nuts to leave it but the drive is what is driving me to retirement. 106 miles round trip. I'm a guy who is always in perpetual motion and cannot just sit around(except when I'm on a Florida beach) so it will be interesting when I go and my honey do list dries up. Exercising, jogging and biking will be in there for sure and hopefully I'll find another car to restore besides my friend's 68 Shelby I'm helping him on in his new 40x50 garage. Gary
Gary,
Not to worry, I retired just shy of my 55th birthday 17 years ago. I, too, wondered how to fill my time. It has been taken by travel, maintaining my two Shelbys and working part-time at a classic car restoration shop. I cannot believe how the time has flown by.
The honey do list, it appears to live on indefinitely.
Greek
Quote from: gt350hr on March 24, 2022, 11:03:31 AM
For those of you that contacted me..........
Randy
Who in the heck, wants to talk to this guy! ::)
Take it easy Randy. ;D
Scott.
My Honey-Do list keeps growing no matter how hard I try...(9 years retired and it is longer now than when I started) ???
TOB
A Shelby buddy of mine chose 4/27 as his retirement date. Anyone on the fence about when to retire should consider a cool date like that. Plus, you'll always be able to remember it.
Congrats Randy! It'll take three people to replace you at work, and they won't figure that out until you're gone. (He made it look so easy...)
Inspiring!
I have an FAA mandatory retirement coming. I have been sliding into "less work" for the past year.
Many years ago a grizzly old Captain said to me: "You'll go when you have enough and you've had enough."
All the best to you Randy!
Mine is 3/31 on purpose.
Glad to see so many positive retirement experiences. I am also getting ready to make the transition. Either end of April this year or end of January next all depending on if they renew the contract that I am working under now. My better half also has a list ready for me also but it does include getting the car put back together. Had planned to be done earlier this year but my former employer of 32 and a half years screwed me over 4 years ago so had to take a cut going to this job so I needed to put in a little more time than I wanted but hopefully will be done by next January for sure (maybe sooner).
Randy,
Two days and counting! Congrats on the retirement.
All they best Randy!! Enjoy
Congrats from Westwego La. 8)
Hi Randy I want to wish you all the best for your retirement, and I think you will teach and tell us some more things in the next years. Stay active and curious. Best wishes Kent from Germany
Thank you all for the kind words. Having the time to do my projects will free up space and allot of extra parts I have accumulated over the years. I have simply never had the time to do it seriously. Shipping parts I have committed to others who have been waiting patiently will be a top priority.
One thing I have noticed for the last few years...it takes me twice as long to do half as much as it used to... ;D
TOB
100% agreement on that one!
Quote from: TOBKOB on March 29, 2022, 11:31:04 AM
One thing I have noticed for the last few years...it takes me twice as long to do half as much as it used to... ;D
I first noticed that when I got my city job 40 years ago. Today it's even worse as all their diversity training (and their ethinic/sex/trade clubs) has driven all the various groups into their own little guarded cliques rather than being a big homogenized family with a let's get it done attitude.
Then you add in being a "servant" to rude and unappreciative people . I don't need it any more.
congrats !
At the ripe old age of 62 I'm done with the Fortune 500 on 4-15-2022.
A great ride since being graduated in May 1983: Ford Division 5 yrs, Coca-Cola USA 5 yrs (like John Deloren-went from cars to Coke!) Cummins Engine 2 yrs, Visa 13 and retiring from American Express after 11 yrs. All positions were sales and marketing.
To fund my schooling I worked in a UAW (local 111) factory for a few summers and than drove an exterminator truck.
Feel sorry for kids today who don't have those kinds of 'educational opportunities' and emerge from school with house mortgage sized student loans.
The last 2 years with Covid and BLM work sanctioned 'discussion' zoom calls, there is no longer any fun in the workday.
Taking the summer off for car shows, car races and traveling (by car) across the 48 states to see my friends.
Once the weather turns in October most likely get a 'job' to defray the $1,008 a month cost of health insurance.
Saw Lowes is paying $22 an hour!? Better start studying now so I can pass my urine test.....
Quote from: ChicagoChris on April 08, 2022, 11:13:34 AM
At the ripe old age of 62 I'm done with the Fortune 500 on 4-15-2022.
A great ride since being graduated in May 1983: Ford Division 5 yrs, Coca-Cola USA 5 yrs (like John Deloren-went from cars to Coke!) Cummins Engine 2 yrs, Visa 13 and retiring from American Express after 11 yrs. All positions were sales and marketing.
To fund my schooling I worked in a UAW (local 111) factory for a few summers and than drove an exterminator truck.
Feel sorry for kids today who don't have those kinds of 'educational opportunities' and emerge from school with house mortgage sized student loans.
The last 2 years with Covid and BLM work sanctioned 'discussion' zoom calls, there is no longer any fun in the workday.
Taking the summer off for car shows, car races and traveling (by car) across the 48 states to see my friends.
Once the weather turns in October most likely get a 'job' to defray the $1,008 a month cost of health insurance.
Saw Lowes is paying $22 an hour!? Better start studying now so I can pass my urine test.....
Lowe's does not pay $22 an hour. Maybe a manager or district manager. I inquired about getting a part timer/second job also to help pay the bills. Lowe's and Home Depot starts at around $11 bucks. Maybe more IF your state has a higher min wage requirement.
The Lowes in Carmel, IN has a big reader board indicating $22 an hour.
You guys are overthinking the extra money in retirement gig. Go to Goodwill and get some old clothes. Then a cardboard sign where you complain about not having a job at an offramp to a good neighborhood. I'm not sure what the gig will pay but it is cash. In Santa Monica they printed and handed out cards to give the panhandlers advising them where to get a free meal and bed for the night. Seems some of them were going to the bank and changing $500-700 a day into large bills.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CynYgP8PcWc
Has anybody heard from Randy? I've texted him several times but no response. He hasn't been on this site in a while either.
Tom
So how's that retirement going ?
Retirement is a job and best taken seriously.
Wishing you all the best.
He hasn't been on the forum since April 25th or on the BOSS302 Forum since MARCH 31st. I sent him a PM and called and left a message a few weeks ago and have heard nothing.
I thought after knowing him for 47 years he would at least tell me to shut up and go away 😿🤣
Roy
Has anyone been able to contact Randy?
Hope he's OK, let us know?
Yeah anyone got a phone number? Pm me and I'll call him
Cheers
Randy is keeping busy at home for now. I stopped and chatted with him at the Long Beach Hi Performance Swapmeet last week. I told him how MISSED he is here. He said he would try to check in soon.
Randy is enjoying his retirement and cleaning up the Garage ;D same what I would do. When I´m retired the first thing I do get rid of my phone. Just a macbook and thats it.
Good to hear he's OK and doing what he wants to - thanks for the replies.
That news ithat Randy is OK s a relief.
Quote from: ChicagoChris on April 08, 2022, 11:13:34 AM
At the ripe old age of 62 I'm done with the Fortune 500 on 4-15-2022.
A great ride since being graduated in May 1983: Ford Division 5 yrs, Coca-Cola USA 5 yrs (like John Deloren-went from cars to Coke!) Cummins Engine 2 yrs, Visa 13 and retiring from American Express after 11 yrs. All positions were sales and marketing.
To fund my schooling I worked in a UAW (local 111) factory for a few summers and than drove an exterminator truck.
Feel sorry for kids today who don't have those kinds of 'educational opportunities' and emerge from school with house mortgage sized student loans.
The last 2 years with Covid and BLM work sanctioned 'discussion' zoom calls, there is no longer any fun in the workday.
Taking the summer off for car shows, car races and traveling (by car) across the 48 states to see my friends.
Once the weather turns in October most likely get a 'job' to defray the $1,008 a month cost of health insurance.
Saw Lowes is paying $22 an hour!? Better start studying now so I can pass my urine test.....
I pretty much heard the same thing about health insurance from my brother who has held CEO and CFO jobs in the credit union industry making a pretty good salary and why he won't retire yet besides liking his job(He'll be 66 in 2 weeks). I'm fortunate in my lifelong UAW skilled trades job at GM that I have VEBA healthcare trust until I turn 65 for Medicare in that it costs me little each month premium wise when I do retire(soon). Healthcare is a problem in our country but not a discussion for a car forum so I'll leave it at that. Congrats on your retirement.
If anyone knows of another way to contact Randy (email, phone, etc) I need to speak with him to complete a deal that we've been working on for a while. If you can share, that would be great (email jackm@parkcitycu.org) or if you think it would be best, contact me for my personal contact/phone so Randy can contact me. Thanks Guys!! Jack
I am in the same position. Need to get a hold of the great man to complete a swap
Cheers
He was last on the forum on 6-10. Maybe I'll send him a message via Snail Mail and see if he responds.
Roy
Any News?
Yes. He is enjoying retirement, and working on his cars. Give him some time, he did promise to return here and on the other forums also.
GREAT NEWS!!! Glad to hear that he is doing well!
Randy is alive and well
Thanks for all of the updates. I really need to contact him for delivery of a carburetor I bought from him. My project is ready. I have tried all means posted, and some not. Can someone get a message to him for me please? PM me and I'll give you my contact info. Thanks, Jack
Hi, same situation here. I need a tag mailed to me I swapped with him a year ago. Please pm me too
Cheers
Same here, has a tire I'd like to buy.
I will be talking to him next week and pass on. Randy would be the first to tell you that his strong suit is not mailing items but if he promised it to you you will get it
Thanks Tim. Even if he sends my tag to you and I figure it out from there
Cheers
He's a regular seller at the Long Beach High Performance Swapmett, so he could be found there this Sunday.
Has anyone heard anything from him yet?
Nothing to me. I have sort of given up on my parts.. sadly
Hi All,
Last ditch attempt here as it appears Randy is not coming back. I've tried emails, other forums, phone numbers, and even sent him a letter to an address I believe is correct. I want to give him every benefit of the doubt to do the right thing here. Would someone who knows his whereabouts, or is possibly close to him, or sees him at shows please get a note to him from me? I would email you the note, you can even read it to be sure it is appropriate. Thanks in advance, Jack
In 3 weeks and 3 days it will be one year since he left The boss formum and june tenth on this website.
Roy
Is he okay? Does anyone have current contact info?
Randy was so active on here, that it seems strange he'd vanish. I remember he'd posted that once he was retired, he wasn't going to be on here as much. Well, that's certainly true.
We all miss ya, Randy! You always have a ton of interesting old-time stories & insight.
Yes Randy is doing his own stuff. Just before he pulled the plug I offered to hire him for a couple jobs but he was adamant that he'd only be working on his own stuff.
I also think Randy does not have a home computer he is not into tech stuff at all.
So, would anyone be able to please help me out and get a note to Randy?
You have a Smartphone or computer so use it to find his address and send him a note. It is not very hard to do. It took me a few minutes.
Roy
Yeah Roy, thanks. If you read my previous post, you will see that I did all of that. I would not be asking if I hadn't. Just looking for some help from a member that may be in contact. Jack
Did you actually send a letter to Randy's house?
Roy.
Yes, Roy, I did. Asked him to contact me and gave him my cell, business phone, email, and physical address. No reply after a month. I am trying to give him every benefit of the doubt on this transaction. Jack
I miss Randall
After reading post # 27 looks like he is done... I dont need it anymore!
Gents... Have some extremely sad news that Randy passed this last week. Huge loss to so many folks.
God Bless him and his family.
OMG what a terrible loss . RIP
Quote from: FL SAAC on March 15, 2023, 01:47:35 PM
I miss Randall
Had a few candid conversations with him / email exchanges, a true no holding back, no hiding behind smokes and mirrors guy.
As I mentioned previously on my reply on March 15, truly going to miss him.
Our sincerest condolences to all his family and friends. May he rest in peace.
Randy has passed???
He helped many many people here and added so much substance.
A true loss. Rest in peace.
R.I.P. He gave me some good advice and great stories.
Quote from: TXBoss302 on October 03, 2023, 07:26:46 PM
Gents... Have some extremely sad news that Randy passed this last week. Huge loss to so many folks.
God Bless him and his family.
A friend of mine got a text while he was at my house earlier today telling him Randy had passed. So sad. Always willing to help. RIP Randy :( :( :(.
R I P -My Drag Racing friend... :'(
:(
Great guy, with a wealth of information to share. Which he did freely. He will be missed!
RiP
Hate it he was such a good dude. Keep his family and wife in your prayers.
So sad RIP Randy and he will be greatly missed in the ford world as he knew so much about fords and racing and working on them. He drag raced a shelby more than anubody else i know of.
Thanks for sharing and so sorry to hear this. A fountain of knowledge.
So very sorry to hear of Randy passing. I too appreciated all the times that we PM on Hertz questions and information sharing. Prayers to all!!!
OH NO!! Maybe that's why we haven't heard from him for a long time on here. I had no idea he wasn't well.
Randy was a great guy and a super-star of Ford drag racing and technical knowledge. He'll be missed.
Condolences to his family and close friends.
Van
Randy was always willing to help and he knew it all; he will be missed.
Very saddened to hear this. So many of us have benefited from Randy's knowledge, guidance, and kindness, his impact is immeasurable. The great drag race in the sky just got a lot better.
RIP Randy.
So sad. We last conversed when I was buying my hertz
So sorry to hear
https://youtu.be/v9vYDK5-AyU?si=CAmtncnoBkMoS845
Very sad news. First met Randy many years ago at Knotts Berry Farm Ford show. He had his 66 Shelby there & literally talked to me like we were old friends. But that's who he was. Such a wealth of knowledge gone.
RIP
Always helpful, a loss to our community.
Always enjoyed reading Randy's posts here and the occasional PM's we had on engine stuff. He was truly a gentleman and a scholar.
RIP Randy
That's very very sad news - big loss for our hobby.
My heart goes out to his family.
- Phillip
Quote from: Side-Oilers on October 03, 2023, 10:21:02 PM
OH NO!! Maybe that's why we haven't heard from him for a long time on here. I had no idea he wasn't well.
No this was sudden. He was absent because he was enjoying life. Prayers to Carol. I am speechless
Thoughts and prayers to his family. I learned a lot from this gentleman.
Joe
Shoes never to be filled again, such a wealth of hi performance Ford knowledge which we are all the poorer now with his passing. Randy was a great person, willing
to help anyone who asked for his thoughts. Thanks for the You Tube link, it will always be around I hope so we can go back and view it. Thoughts and prayers to his extended family members and relatives.
So very sad to hear. He helped us too with our Hertz.
We have lost a legend, his family much more than that.
Terry
Sad news indeed. He was always willing to help and a good genuine person to be around. We are going to miss Randy very much.
I have attached his Shelby American interview from the Summer 2018 issue.
Another good article on Randy and his car - http://www.myrideisme.com/Blog/shelby-350h-unrestored-and-30-years-racing/ (http://www.myrideisme.com/Blog/shelby-350h-unrestored-and-30-years-racing/)
He was also in Mustang Monthly June 2014
(https://www.saac.com/forum/gallery/44-041023123325.jpeg)
A close friend of Randy's just sent me this:
"He had a stroke two months ago that was mild and he blew it off as a heat stroke. Thursday or Friday of last week he had a big heart attack, went to the hospital, they put him into an induced coma but everything shut down and he died."
Rest in Speed, Randy.
Eric English just sent me these three photos he took, plus the one taken in 1975, from a feature story he did on Randy in the 2/11 issue of Mustang and Fords. Thank you Eric for the photos and Mark Hovander for the idea!
(https://www.saac.com/forum/gallery/236-041023131955.jpeg)
(https://www.saac.com/forum/gallery/236-041023132045.jpeg)
(https://www.saac.com/forum/gallery/236-041023132111.jpeg)
(https://www.saac.com/forum/gallery/236-041023132338.jpeg)
I heard the news yesterday and was quite upset. I first met Randy when I was into BOSS 429s and FE motors. As much as we acknowledge him as a great source of information on the Cleveland headed engine, both 351C and BOSS 302 his detailed knowledge swept the entire FoMoCo spectrum.
The question that I always remember him asking when someone came up with some bizarre new thing that didn't seem reasonable was how did that project get paid for? The accountants didn't just let someone say hey! What if we built a tripower for such and such. There had to be project approval and codes for expenses to be directed to the person in charge.
Very sad.
John
We lost a real good friend.
Godspeed Randy
Earl J Castillo
Quote from: silverton_ford on October 04, 2023, 12:25:02 PM
Sad news indeed. He was always willing to help and a good genuine person to be around. We are going to miss Randy very much.
I have attached his Shelby American interview from the Summer 2018 issue.
Another good article on Randy and his car - http://www.myrideisme.com/Blog/shelby-350h-unrestored-and-30-years-racing/ (http://www.myrideisme.com/Blog/shelby-350h-unrestored-and-30-years-racing/)
He was also in Mustang Monthly June 2014
(https://www.saac.com/forum/gallery/44-041023123325.jpeg)
Randy started me on my hunt for the BOSS 302 standard flange T/A intake manifold when he told me that it was the best BOSS 302 intake manifold ever. Then he told me he would sell it to me when he was finished with it. Yeah, right, you'll never be finished with that intake manifold. We identified 10 of them, once I called Randy and told him I found the eleventh one. Randy just pointed out it was still one of the ten that had changed hands. They almost NEVER change hands! So I put an advertisement out that said call me with your stupid price and I will pay it. Roy called gave me his price and now I am building an engine around that intake.
From the referenced article;
"This engine was first built with the Tunnel Port 302 heads but later were replaced by Edelbrock Victor Jrs. I use the Trans Am dual four barrel intake and a roller cam. The best time with this engine is 11.15@120 mph. The best ever was 10.75@125 with a stroked (351ci) Boss 302."
So long Randy Gillis, thank you for the time you shared and the insight you gave. I'll always remember the time we worked together.
John
For some reason my post got deleted.
RIP, Randy. You were always an inspiration to me and many others with your vast knowledge. You will be missed!
I hope that his time away from the forum was good for him. I had a few dealings with him and like others say he was a wealth of information and was always willing to share
He will be missed and the void he has left will be tough to fill
Thoughts and prayers go out to his family
I don't think there are 5 people put together that could fill the void he has left behind. Keep shifting Buddy and never stop.
Roy
Quote from: crossboss on October 04, 2023, 06:05:11 PM
For some reason my post got deleted.
RIP, Randy. You were always an inspiration to me and many others with your vast knowledge. You will be missed!
Your response was not removed. Like me you replied in this other thread;
https://www.saacforum.com/index.php?topic=19141.15
Quote from: JohnSlack on October 04, 2023, 09:23:02 PM
Quote from: crossboss on October 04, 2023, 06:05:11 PM
For some reason my post got deleted.
RIP, Randy. You were always an inspiration to me and many others with your vast knowledge. You will be missed!
Your response was not removed. Like me you replied in this other thread;
https://www.saacforum.com/index.php?topic=19141.15
Thanks, John. Im getting old! lol
Just got home and what terrible news.
Have lost a GREAT resource and friend but fond memories and remembrances will accompany me the rest of my like because of him.
Thoughts and prayers go out to his wife and family
Rest In Peace
A plethora of Ford knowledge and information !
It is amazing how many times someone would ask a question on the forums regarding dates codes , production plants , experimental parts , race parts or ford oddities , and Randy would reply with an accurate answer.
If theres not yet a dragstrip in heaven , there is about to be
Quote from: Bob Gaines on October 03, 2023, 07:44:19 PM
OMG what a terrible loss . RIP
For sure...and I never met him in person but enjoyed every post.
RIP Randy
Quote from: TLea on October 04, 2023, 10:45:49 AM
Quote from: Side-Oilers on October 03, 2023, 10:21:02 PM
OH NO!! Maybe that's why we haven't heard from him for a long time on here. I had no idea he wasn't well.
No this was sudden. He was absent because he was enjoying life. Prayers to Carol. I am speechless
Terrible but glad he was missing because he was enjoying life..... A message to us all.