Hard to think it is 15 years since I worked with Harp. One of the best all
around car guys I ever met. We worked together at Charlie’s Garage, when all of
us were taking a vacation from the stresses of life, and we were quite a group.
Harp was known throughout the off road racing world, and was a header builder.
He had also been a crew chief, working for John Clark Gable, Clark’s son who was
born after his famous dad died, and knew Mike Naismith of the Monkees. And Mike
knew him. All off road buddies. He could build anything, or rebuild anything,
and truly could be described as forgetting more than most people know. I
watched in awe and wonder as he was assigned to rebuild and repair a Toyota Land
Cruiser a lesser tech had taken apart, then quit. Leaving all the parts either
scattered or in the back of the truck. But given a week, Harp had it all
together and running, fixed a few other problems the guy hadn’t known about, and
built a header system for the guy. For a guy who then had bragging rights to
what Harp had done, and his other friends then wanted the same magic performed
on their trucks. I saw Harp design headers on napkins, and could always be
counted on to help at any race, for anybody, for free. Somehow he would always
get repaid, and he was owed more than he owed others. He had also done
experimental work with Jim Fueling, and one day was talking about wind tunnel
testing he had done for GM, that really seemed far fetched, so the next day he
brought in the magazine articles about it, and there he was, in the photos and
in print, waling his talk. But as much as a great all around car guy he was, he
was also a great practical joker, and we learned many great jokes from him. But
the one thing Harp left me, that I learned more from and have been able to apply
to life, is “it’s all nuts and bolts.” While others would see the problem, this
man who used to rebuild two transmissions a day, then go fishing, looked at it
as all nuts and bolts. No emotion, just fix the problem. Which he did, and
probably still does...
So I find it funny thinking about Harp after doing some channel surfing
last night. I channel surf a lot, as nothing is on. But this show caught my
eye, for the Mercedes Benz on it. This guy who calls himself the count, does
rebuilds, restorations, and customizes cars and bikes. Strutting around
claiming to know so much, and being so great that only he can fix your car-for a
price. And this particular car, an older 380SL, a 107 in MB terms, was a
roach. But it was a famous dead person’s car, and his son wanted it restored.
And as I watched one of his techs, then himself talk about how hard it was to
find parts for this Euro spec car, as they were misidentifying the wheel well as
a round gas tank, they went on about how hard it will be to find parts, and all
the work involved-but he Super tech could do it. Just bring your
wallet....
Now some parts are harder to find than others, I wondered had this guy
heard of eBay? And having spent years with Mercedes Benz, now know they have a
vintage car section, just for older cars like this. And with all the
aftermarket garbage on this car, they would be hard to find, but not
impossible. So Cal was a hub in the 80’s for gray market cars, and many
warehouses, garages, and stock rooms still have parts they would love to sell
you. At 2014 prices of course. And then I thought of Harp, and this Count dude
was more talk than walk. It really was just nuts and bolts, this guy was making
it into a career, and anyone who doesn’t know, or is new to the business, will
think this guy is Superman. Which he isn’t, and among those who do know, is
frowned upon. Rather than nuts and bolts, to him it is all 50’s and 100’s, and
although we never worked for free, we always took pride in solving the problem.
The payoff was more than the money, it was the reputation among our peers, and
being able to go anywhere, to any race, to any pit, and be welcomed and
respected. Respect being the nuts and bolts of the business. We knew that if
you put out a good product, the money will come. harp knew that, and his work
showed it. And he was never without work, although he was known to take time
off to fish.
It ahs been said that people who live in glass houses shouldn’t throw
stones-or take showers either. True, but how often have you been led astray by
someone else’s words, only to find his reputation among those that know him is
less than advertised? Long after the price is forgotten, the sting of low
quality remains. Yet these types of people go on and on about how great they
are, it seems there is always an audience of lesser talents that they can prey
on. Ecclesiastes 7:21 tells us “to not eavesdrop on others conversations, for
the gossip may be about you, and you don’t want to hear it.” My paraphrase, but
it is true to the original. There is always someone who will rather tell you
how great they are, rather than prove it, and we all fall prey to this type of
pride. We may have done something great in our eyes for God, but when those
effected by it see it differently, we are the fool. Rather than think we can do
anything without God, we need to remember the nuts and bolts of scripture and
the gospel. Keeping the main thing the man thing, the main thing being Jesus.
He is the first and the last, alpha and omega, but we tend to live in the
middle, and forget it is Him who saved us, Him who blesses us, and without Him
we can do nothing. In the middle. Basic scripture, you cannot save yourself.
You cannot earn or give your way into heaven. And although we know the outcome,
our words can lead others astray, to follow us rather than God. And while some
were of Paul, and some Appollos, all were of Jesus. Just like we should be
today.
So beware those who give themselves the credit. Tell the “rather than brag
what a great lover you are, show me.” Fix my car, fix my motorcycle, fix my
life. I am more interested in the results. And Jesus is the result of a
changed life. Your changed life. And while others hemmed and hawed at how hard
it would be, Jesus just got it done. And does it so many times without us even
knowing, and without us even taking time to thank Him. If anyone claims to be
God, look at their hands for the nail holes. Look at their brow for the marks
left from the thorns. See the hole in His side, and the stripes on His back.
Demand to see them, and do not be deceived. Ask like Thomas did, and then
acknowledge He is Lord and God. Listen to the voice on the other side of the
wall, for it may tell you things about you you don’t wish to hear, or have
anyone else hear. Quote scripture, for it is Holy. Then the doubter can take
it up with God. Even though it is easier to just hate the messenger when you
hate the message.
Some people only like the sound of their own voices, and near no others.
Listen for the voice of God, keep it simple. Like the gospel, so that people
like me can get it. Life is really no more than nuts and bolts, the things that
hold life together. And when you come to know that the something is a someone,
Jesus, you can hear His voice, and trust. Some will forget more than they ever
know, but if you never know Jesus, you know nothing. And don’t be like another
legend, Ivan Stewart, who once asked me for a wrench while lying under a race
truck. “What size?” “I don’t care, I want to use it as a hammer.” It still
takes nuts and bolts to keep it all together. This nut chooses Jesus. Aren’t
you glad He doesn’t repeat all He knows about you?
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com