Lil' John Butera RIP

1967 Impala · #1 03-04-2008, 07:47 PM

http://www.nhra.com/content/news/27192.htm

Lil' John Butera RIP

I had previously posted that he had passed when Boyd died and was thankfully corrected, but I just found out he passed over the weekend

**427TJ** · #2 03-04-2008, 08:16 PM

I remember seeing Buttera's T sedan in Hot Rod in 1975. Then Revell made a model kit of it and it is till a great kit over 30 years later. I also remember his billet '32 three-window in HRM in about 1979-80 and I didn't care for that look even then but it was a big leap in design and craftsmanship. His son built that silver '69 Camaro (Z, I think) and it was a multi-part feature in HRM over several months. I was impressed that he rattle-canned his suspension parts in his driveway!

**PeteLeathersac** · #3 03-04-2008, 08:17 PM

A true pioneer of rodding as we know it..
RIP John..

~ Pete

**kwhizz** · #4 03-04-2008, 09:08 PM

John started out in Kenosha where he was partners with Dennis Rollain and they founded R&B Automotive....they started the business in the mid-sixties and built Mr.Norms first Fiberglass Car as well as Don Schumacher's early Stardust cars.....John moved to California in the late sixties and the as I remember ....the first job he had when he got out there was working for and building the Mickey Thompson Funny Cars...then he went out on his own and built all of Barry Setzers cars and the rest is History..........

Ken

ORIGLS6 · #5 03-04-2008, 09:13 PM

The Lil' John car that will forever be etched in my mind is the White 33 Willys. That car made such an impression on me...................

Godspeed John. There's gonna be some special rides built up there soon.

**markjohnson** · #6 03-04-2008, 10:18 PM

I hear you loud and clear. That white '33 Willys really left an impression on me, also. When I seen it for the first time, that particular car helped me decide what I wanted to do professionally in my life. After kneeling down and admiring those wheels(incredible!) for the longest time, I pretty much made up my mind that I wanted to become a machinist and did so. Never met the man but he certainly left an impression on me. Thanks, John.

Canucklehead · #7 03-05-2008, 12:41 AM

Anybody have any pictures of his work?

Godspeed RIP

ORIGLS6 · #8 03-05-2008, 01:03 AM

Here's what I found doing a quick search. He built this for Joe Hrudka (aka Mr. Gasket)and I first saw it at the US Natls. Killer billet pieces on this car, and a VERY unique drivetrain. The tranny was mounted at the rear to keep the floor flat and the car low. (The '33 Willys is a SMALL car.) Amazing innovation and workmanship for the day.

http://www.superrod.com/ME2/Audiences/di...AF13E3929168A14

**kwhizz** · #9 03-05-2008, 01:14 AM

"And" don't forget "Lil John's" stuff.......Billet Water Pumps and Pulley's etc. that he was producing for Mr. Gasket......Maybe a "Little" bit ahead of his time.....Look at Billet Specialties Today.....Shoulda, coulda, woulda....
Talent beyond description...."But a Lousy Businessman"(By his own description)

Ken