HISTORY
About the Owner / Builder Driver
Bryan Thatcher
Has always been interested in cars
since he was an infant.
This is as picture of my parents "Grant & Bonnie Thatcher" after they were married prior to adopting "ME"
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.png "Protone 1")
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Bryan’s Parents supported his desire to be in Little League Baseball, the Cub Scouts, the Boy Scouts, Violin lessons, and many other activities, but they never showed much interest in his talents for building things. When he was in 6th grade, they moved to Temple City, CA. Shortly thereafter, Bryan acquired a 1915-Model-T and a 1927-Model-A panel truck. These vehicles were short-lived because his parents didn’t want him to have anything to do with cars. But after pressing forward, he acquired a 1951-Willys Station Wagon with an Oldsmobile V8 Engine. The motor and transmission were so heavy that the front leaf springs were completely bent in the wrong direction. After entering Temple City High School, he played sports, joined the school orchestra, and took auto shop and machine shop classes. He still had time to acquire more cars, including a 1937-Chevy two-door coupe, 1951-Henry "J",1937 Dodge two-door coupe, 1951 Ford two-door coupe, 1949 and 1951 Oldsmobile two-door coupes, 1955-Chevy Bel Air two-door coupe (V8 stick shift model), and 1957 Oldsmobile 98 Convertible. Prior to graduation, Bryan drove his Oldsmobile in the street in front of the school and made a very smokey burnout, smoking out his classmates as they stood there watching, little did he know that the school's vice-principle was watching as well. Immediately thereafter, Bryan was called into the principles office. These cars all seemed to be really cool, but he liked the ‘55 Chevy, which he turned into a very fast hot rod. Bryan had a different approach that he wanted to pursue with this car. He changed the chassis to a straight axle, modified the wheelbase, flipped the body, and stuck a big block chevy motor with a blower under the hood.
After Bryan Graduated, his ambitions turned to the Aeromechanical Engineering Program offered by Pasadena City College (PCC). Shortly after being accepted into the program and attending his classes for a few months, he received a letter from our government (Uncle Sam) stating that he had been drafted into the military. After reporting to the Los Angeles Military Induction Center in Los Angeles, CA., he was told to stand in line as an official walked down yelling - Army-Navy-Marines-AirForce. I was selected to go into the Army.
After Bryan Graduated, his ambitions turned to the Aeromechanical Engineering Program offered by Pasadena City College (PCC). Shortly after being accepted into the program and attending his classes for a few months, he received a letter from our government (Uncle Sam) stating that he had been drafted into the military. After reporting to the Los Angeles Military Induction Center in Los Angeles, CA., he was told to stand in line as an official walked down yelling - Army-Navy-Marines-AirForce. I was selected to go into the Army.
While Serving Overseas in the US Army’s 24th Infantry Division, Bryan modified the motor on an armored personnel carrier(APC) called “Bewitched” into a super-fast track vehicle. After finishing his tour of duty, he returned to the Aeromechanical Engineering Program at PCC and then transferred to California Polytechnic State University - Pomona. Shortly after, he acquired a 1969-Chevy Nova SS 396ci 375 hp that he transformed into a legal NHRA B/MP race car. He became friends with Daryle Buehl and Jim Bishop of "Bishop-Buehl Engineering" and started crewing on the famous "Herrera & Sons Opel GT" driven by Roger Garten and Manuel Herrera. Bryan saw the birth of the 417 Donovan as it was installed into the first Top Fuel dragster owned by "Kansas John Wiebe "(KJW). Bryan continued his education and was employed by Fleetwood Enterprises. (By the way, when he was at Fleetwood Enterprises, he developed an Automatic Passageway Door Machine.) He then built the legal NHRA A/G Vega Wagon and acquired a 1965 Jaguar (which is a whole other story)
While Working at Cherry Textron as an Industrial Engineer/ Manufacturing Engineer/ Project Manager he continued to race the A/G Vega Wagon which led him into a joint venture with Randy Haggerty that stepped them up to the ranks of NHRA Pro/ Stock built Willie Rells Camaro that they successfully campaigned in ADRA to win Multiple World Championships. In the late 80s Bryan went to work for McDonnell Douglas (MDC). While working as Project Manager on the C-17 Aircraft program at MDC, he developed the "World’s largest Robotic Laser-Gantry System" and was awarded an International Patent. Even after these amazing accomplishments, he still wanted to build his own car.
Bryan Moved into the private sector to expand his dreams of starting a very successful Engineering/ Construction Company which he headed for over 20 years. Thru his company he also acquired a Food Co-Packing / Manufacturing Plant which produced all types of pasta and BBQ sauces, and dressings for many prominent restaurants and grocery outlets. During this time Bryan also got heavily involved with the "Marconi Foundation for Kids" helping Dick and John Marconi produce the highly successful "Tustin Thunder Road Races" at Marine Corps Air Station, Tustin California in 1996-97. When the time came to produce the 1998 event, the Marconi Foundation chose to terminate this great event. Bryan went to Dick Marconi's office and acquired permission to take over the entire extravaganza and Dick bet me a Million Dollars to my Dollar I couldn't pull this event off.
Shortly Thereafter I acquired major sponsorships from Chrysler - Dodge - Motor Trend - Carroll Shebly and we were off and running producing both the 1998 and 1999 Chrysler- Motor Trend Thunder/Road Races. With help of over 300 volunteers, Marine Corp personnel, and many business and friends around the local area we were able to make this a huge success for all with over 300 vendors, 750 show cars, 200+ race cars,75,000 fans we had a lot of fun (Thank You All). With a great portion of the proceeds given to the "Marine Military Recreational and Welfare Fund", "City of Hope" Motor Trend Charities and others. After the racing season was completed I went back to Dick Marconi to collect my bet ($$$$$) and was told in a True Italian Hand Jester you weren't getting paid. We laughed and all was well!!
While Working at Cherry Textron as an Industrial Engineer/ Manufacturing Engineer/ Project Manager he continued to race the A/G Vega Wagon which led him into a joint venture with Randy Haggerty that stepped them up to the ranks of NHRA Pro/ Stock built Willie Rells Camaro that they successfully campaigned in ADRA to win Multiple World Championships. In the late 80s Bryan went to work for McDonnell Douglas (MDC). While working as Project Manager on the C-17 Aircraft program at MDC, he developed the "World’s largest Robotic Laser-Gantry System" and was awarded an International Patent. Even after these amazing accomplishments, he still wanted to build his own car.
Bryan Moved into the private sector to expand his dreams of starting a very successful Engineering/ Construction Company which he headed for over 20 years. Thru his company he also acquired a Food Co-Packing / Manufacturing Plant which produced all types of pasta and BBQ sauces, and dressings for many prominent restaurants and grocery outlets. During this time Bryan also got heavily involved with the "Marconi Foundation for Kids" helping Dick and John Marconi produce the highly successful "Tustin Thunder Road Races" at Marine Corps Air Station, Tustin California in 1996-97. When the time came to produce the 1998 event, the Marconi Foundation chose to terminate this great event. Bryan went to Dick Marconi's office and acquired permission to take over the entire extravaganza and Dick bet me a Million Dollars to my Dollar I couldn't pull this event off.
Shortly Thereafter I acquired major sponsorships from Chrysler - Dodge - Motor Trend - Carroll Shebly and we were off and running producing both the 1998 and 1999 Chrysler- Motor Trend Thunder/Road Races. With help of over 300 volunteers, Marine Corp personnel, and many business and friends around the local area we were able to make this a huge success for all with over 300 vendors, 750 show cars, 200+ race cars,75,000 fans we had a lot of fun (Thank You All). With a great portion of the proceeds given to the "Marine Military Recreational and Welfare Fund", "City of Hope" Motor Trend Charities and others. After the racing season was completed I went back to Dick Marconi to collect my bet ($$$$$) and was told in a True Italian Hand Jester you weren't getting paid. We laughed and all was well!!
This Was When the idea for the "Metronator" was born. The stock 1956 Nash Metropolitan took on a new life as the 1,500-hp Show Car called "The Metronator" and after a competitive custom car build we debuted the car at the SEMA Show - Prolong Booth in Las Vegas. Shortly after, it was featured on the History Channel with Bill Goldberg on "The Ridiculous Large Engine Segment", and you can see what the Metronator has accomplished since then. Attending over 3000 Car Shows & Events over the pass years, Bryan has won many awards and trophys that he proudly displays in his race shop. Attending Corporate Events for AutoZone, Pep Boys, Snap-On, Meguiars, NHRA, B&M, O-Reilly, ProLong, ProOne, AAA-Auto Club, Stater Bros, and more Bryan has acquired significant recognition within the Automotive Industry.
In 2017, Bryan Acquired the "Orion Express Nitro-Funny Car" with the 1957 Chevy-Tom McEwen / Kenny Youngblood painted body. Bryan has modified the exterior of the car to promote and support our "First Responders- All Military Branches" as well as a "Tribute to the "Infinite Heroes 13 Fallen Heroes in Afghanistan". This was very special to Bryan since he served in combat in the "US ARMY" and was also a "Los Angeles County Sherriff" and a tribute to his good friend Elton Alderman
Bryan Has Always Remembered those early days when was called: "Four eyes, you don't belong here", and has dedicated himself and his family to allowing kids, medically disabled, handicapped, veterans, and first responders to be part of all his events as well as sitting in all of his cars. Sometimes even when they are started!!! "GOD BLESS AMERICA" "You never know what the future will bring"
In 2017, Bryan Acquired the "Orion Express Nitro-Funny Car" with the 1957 Chevy-Tom McEwen / Kenny Youngblood painted body. Bryan has modified the exterior of the car to promote and support our "First Responders- All Military Branches" as well as a "Tribute to the "Infinite Heroes 13 Fallen Heroes in Afghanistan". This was very special to Bryan since he served in combat in the "US ARMY" and was also a "Los Angeles County Sherriff" and a tribute to his good friend Elton Alderman
Bryan Has Always Remembered those early days when was called: "Four eyes, you don't belong here", and has dedicated himself and his family to allowing kids, medically disabled, handicapped, veterans, and first responders to be part of all his events as well as sitting in all of his cars. Sometimes even when they are started!!! "GOD BLESS AMERICA" "You never know what the future will bring"