David, thank you for posting this story about my friend and colleague with the Tuskegee Airmen, Inc.; Jim Barbour. We met in Florida in 2005 when our group brought the “Faithful Pursuit” Tuskegee Airmen tribute car to our national convention. I was amazed to learn of his long racing career and relationship as Ferrari’s… Read more
Kristen: I don’t really understand how anyone could lose a whole car. Read more
BEFORE it was time to take Drivers Ed in high school, my stepdad taught me to drive in my mom’s early ‘80’s Honda Civic (it was new at the time), and his Chevy Silverado stepside, both manual of course. I was 14. We lived in the middle of nowhere on a long, flat two lane highway here in CA. BLESS HIM. He was a great… Read more
No Minutemen/Firehose? The Minutemen documentary is literally called “We Jam Econo” because the Econoline van became the basis for much of their overall punk/DIY aesthetic. Mike Watt used to give out stickers at shows with his face in front of an Econoline with the legend “THE MAN IN THE VAN W/A BASS IN HIS HAND” Read more
Such an excellent story of Heroism, Honor, and eloquent humanity. The whole time I was reading this, I thought of Robin Roberts and how much she would enjoy meeting Jim! Her father too, was a Tuskegee Airman. My father is a car racing enthusiast as well, as well as a retired military man, I forwarded him your story.
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Excellent as always, David. It’s so important to secure stories from guys like Jim. What a life. Read more
Well I am Mexican reader and I love cars and good articles, and you Sir, gave me a big present in this edition, excuse my poor English but I had to tell you how much did I enjoy the reading and how much I admire Jim as the great persona he is, please continue the great job and I agreed with the cooment above this rela… Read more
Wow!
David Obuchowski-
Thank you for writing this story of a true AMERICAN HERO! Great writing, and weaving the details together!
As a white man, I’m regret & am sorry he endured the travesties he did. I’m grateful he responded and rose above the ignorant people with poise, dignity, and style we all should aspire too.… Read more
They are! They do their recording in a studio no too far from where I used to live just outside the city. Read more
This may be the single best piece I’ve ever read on Jalopnik. I hope the powers that be will do whatever it takes to keep you as a contributor. Your writing is a genuine pleasure to read. I don’t read many posts more than once, but I’ve done so with each & every one of your essays since your byline first appeared here. Read more
Sounds like a man to emulate. Read more
I had the pleasure of knowing Jim through the New England Region of the SCCA, when he stewarded our races and ran for elected office (Regional Director?). Read more
This article is amazing, thanks for posting. Love his choice in vehicles. Says a lot that the one Ferrari he got is the most underrated model. Fits his personality well, all substance. Awesome man. Read more
I believe that you mean ‘Congressional Gold Medal’ and not Congressional Medal of Honor. But I also believe that the Tuskegee Airmen deserve the Medal of Honor for serving and sacrificing their lives for a country and people that treated them so horrendously. I once had the HONOR of carrying the luggage of Lt. Col.… Read more
when people talk “The Greatest Generation”, this is who they’re talking about.
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