July 1925 - December 1970 |
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Gus Wilson's Model Garage |
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Alphabetical List of Stories Monthly Illustration Galleries Index Links-All Stories |
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The Last Martin Bunn Dave Mantor Gary Ash Al Richer Richer 2 John Bellah Bellah 2 Bellah3 |
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Background |
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● Martin Bunn's Technical Resource ● Hints from "Your Car" ca. 1950 ● Dave's Corner ● Dave's Gallery |
The Creators of Gus Ruth Westphal Having been a mechanic, I was always amazed at how technically accurate the Model Garage series was. At the time I thought that Martin Bunn must've been one helluva mechanic with an amazing breadth of knowledge. When I found out that Martin Bunn was but a pen-name I began to wonder anew about the writers. Recently I had a feedback comment come into my inbox. I found it so incredibly interesting that I asked permission to post it. Here goes: I was a kid in the 70's and loved all things mechanical - reading the old PS Magazines was a natural fit. I always try to pick them up whenever I see them reasonably priced at a yard sale of flea-market. Until I looked at your site I had no idea Model Garage went back to 1925 or that they stopped in 1970. I also didn't know the author was named Martin Bunn, I don't recall seeing his by-line on any of the stories. I always assumed they were ghost-written by multiple people simply as a feature of the magazine. By the way, my grandmother's neighbor who worked at PS was Ruth Westphal, you will see her listed as an associate editor. I recall her telling me that she was an editor there for 20 years before, at some point in the 1960's, she got her name on the masthead - such was the way of the world back then. She was a pistol, well into her 80's, about 4'8" and under 100lbs. but sharp as a tack and could discuss almost any manner of technology from the 40's, 50's and 60's. I recall a dinner that we spent at least an hour discussing the virtues of the in-line 6 over V-8's! Thanks for the okay to link to your site. I really can see that you put in a ton of work, I find that I go through binges when I will add new items, (usually in the winter since it can get too cold in my shop to actually tinker with something). Keep me posted on any updates or changes - and let me know if there are any PS magazines from the 50's or 60's you need, I must have about 75-100. Very Best Regards, Art My hope is that this information does several things: 1. That it will bring out more information about the "nuts & bolts" of producing the series. 2.That it will find its way to young women so that they will have another role model (Ruth Westphal). 3. That this notation will act as a thank you to Art and Ruth for what they have given us. Mike Hammerberg |
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