Friday, June 17, 2011

Happy Fathers Day to My Dad ~ A Racing Cupcake

This post is a tribute to my Dad, Steve Fosbinder. He has been the best Dad a girl could ask for. 



I have many many wonderful memories of my Dad but one that stands out most in my heart was when he taught me how to drive.


As a traveling salesman my Dad went all over the state of Nebraska to do his job. One summer he took me with him on one of his road trips and we had a BLAST.  He taught me how to drive in our jet black Eurosport wagon that we affectionately referred to as the "Batmobile".  

It had tinted windows and that was cool.

That summer I learned how to drive on the "Brown Lee Road" in rural western Nebraska.  It was Aaaaawwwwweeesome.  I will never forget that.

I am pretty sure I inherited my love and NEED of speed from my Dad. 

I like to drive fast but have learned over time that the little white signs with numbers (see above) are NOT JUST SUGGESTIONS.....




Aaaaheeem....moving on...

Life does not have to adhere to a speed limit and my Dad is a great example of living life by following your passions. At 66 years old he has restored two classic Nova Cars that have both won several awards.  




Not to mention the totaled Ford Mustang Convertible that he bought for me the year before I turned 16 and restored it to near mint condition. 

And you want to know what else is super cool??? My Dad RACES his cars!! 


VROOM VROOM!!!




I am so proud of him, he will never know how much. This past year he completed the restoration of the red Chevy Nova Nomad and began to enter the drag race scene.

I felt this was a story worth telling so I contacted the local newspaper in my hometown of Fremont, Nebraska and they agreed....this guy is COOL.  


Here is the story they published on MY DAD on Thanksgiving....November 25, 2010!

Fremont man enjoys rebuilding, racing cars

by Debra Jacobson (click HERE)


Racing opened doors for Steve Fosbinder.

Cars have been the Fremonter's hobby for 60 years.

Fosbinder's father, John, steered him toward car restoration.

"My dad was a mechanic during World War II. He worked at garages in Uehling and Oakland," Steve said.

"At age 4, I watched. By 7, he let me start doing stuff," he added.

Later the family moved to Fremont, where Steve graduated from high school in 1963.

He has been married to his high school sweetheart, Janet, for 45 years.

"He used to race a 1954 Ford. Racing was in his blood," Janet said. "Back in the early 1960s, we went racing every weekend."

Steve was one of the first in Fremont to own a Chevrolet Corvette.

"He didn't tell me - just drove up in a hunter green Corvette," Janet said.

He cruised through life, but took some time off to raise a family.

"Steve always had his eyes to the sky and his nose to the ground. He hung on to his dream - even after three daughters and four grandchildren," Janet said.

"Age does not have to put limits on realizing our goals," said the couple's daughter, Trisha Shamp of Minnesota. "My dad gave up a lot for his three girls - but he never gave up his love of cars."

"When a family comes, you put things on hold," said Charles Puls of Fremont.

A racer with more than 50 years experience, Puls is owner of C T Engine and Chassis Builders.

Puls has raced with Steve and helped him get back into it.

These days, Steve rebuilds Chevrolet Novas.

He has a red 1963 and a black 1967 model.

"It's a stylish clean little car with a lot of class," he said. "In 1966, the Nova held the class record. The black car took me four years to build - it was completely wrecked.

"I built it as a show car; too big of a motor to drive on the street," he joked.

Unaccustomed to showing off, he will automatically drag out a trophy at the drop of a hat.

The red car resembles a station wagon.

"They didn't make two-doors," he said. "The only way was to do it myself - I cut the doors out."

He replaced the four doors with two larger ones.

"I made it look like a nomad," he explained.

Steve was able to wander around scooping up parts while traveling for his job.

"When selling for Valmont, I stopped at junkyards," Steve said.

He discovered the 1967 Nova in Iowa about 10 years ago.

"He built two cars from nothing and they are both nice," Puls said. "He has an eye for detail and takes the time to do it right."

And both have seen a shift in racing over time.

It seems Steve's got the timing right.

Dad, I hope you like your racing cupcakes. You are my BEST IN SHOW!

Linking to:
The Tablescaper for Seasonal Sundays

17 comments:

Ivy and Elephants said...

I agree, your Dad is a really cool guy and I can see why you are so proud of him. That is the yummiest looking cupcake ever! Thanks for visiting and leaving a comment on our blog. Following you.
Best to you,
Patti

Lina - Fancy Frugal Life said...

So creative and super cute! love the speed limit sign! Have a great weekend!
Lina

Fancy Frugal Life

Yvonne @ StoneGable said...

What a wonderful tribute to your dad! He sounds like a real keeper!
Thanks for the shout out and featuring me for PS.
Happy Weekend, Trish!
Yvonne

Barbara F. said...

Trish, what a great story. I am sure he loves those cupcakes. xo,

Anonymous said...

From Mom...What a wonderful tribute to your Dad. I can't wait for him to see it...he's still sleeping. He will be so surprised. We have all been truly lucky to have had each other. I love the 55 mph sign...that's truly a joke...I don't think you have ever gone 55 mph behind the wheel or on the ground. This is so great...Love U

♥ Miss Tea said...

what a cool dad!!! i wish mine was still alive, what an awesome adventure and experience to be taught how to drive by your own dad, love the cupcakes too!lovely tribute of your dad! xx Susan

Anonymous said...

What a nice Fathers day tribute to get from my youngest daughter!!! I read her blog on Mondays from my office but My wife said I better read it this AM. THANKS TRISH. XXOOXO

Anonymous said...

These cupcakes have to be one of my favorites! I just admire you for the time you put into your cupcakes but also your blog. We have the best dad that any girl would ever want. I love you sis and I love you Dad...Happy Father's Day!
Mar Mar

Kathy said...

Oh how wonderful! How special! My brother and dad loved racing cars - they're both now in Heaven - this is a beautiful tribute to your dad - the cupcake is terrific!
Kathy

Two Minute Takes said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Two Minute Takes said...

What a sweet cupcake to make for your wonderful Dad. He is a very talented restorer of cars and I love that at 66 he is following his passion with such energy and vigor and putting the *pedal to the metal* with them :)

Unknown said...

How cute! You sounds very proud! ;)

kitty@ Kitty's Kozy Kitchen said...

What a sweet story & what happy, fun memories! Your Dad sounds like a keeper! Loved your cupcake tribute to him, too.

Anonymous said...

What a fabulous tribute to your dad, Trisha!! I'm sure he was thrilled! I'm also sure that the feelings of pride run both ways!!! ;0)

Jil~Say It With Roses said...

You do have a great and also cool Dad! Your cupcake tribute was so original! I hope he got to read this post!

Now, would you believe this? I grew up 'til my teens in Omaha, NE. MY Dad was a traveling salesman for American Optical. How about that! And....he taught me to drive on the back roads of Nebraska when I got to go with him. Look at what we have in common! He was a fabulous driver and even won awards for saving some flood victims around the Platte River as well as safe driving awards....see this is well before your time as they stopped years ago giving out such awards. We moved to Arizona when I was fifteen and I continued to learn to drive on the back roads of Arizona. I credit my excellent driving abilities, to my Dad! My Dad passed in '97. I am happy you still have yours!
Jil

Pat said...

How interesting. Your dad really made a great impression on you. Cute cupcakes!

Pat

The Tablescaper said...

What a wonderful tribute to your Dad! Thanks for being a part of Seasonal Sundays.

- The Tablescaper

 
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