Also serving the communities of De Luz, Rainbow, Camp Pendleton, Pala and Pauma

Bob Newkirk met his dream at Bob's; she was a Bob's Big Boy hostess

Bob Newkirk, working for Aerojet after graduating from UC Berkeley, went for lunch with a friend to the West Covina Bob’s Big Boy. Lois was the hostess.

Bob remembers the encounter: “She was so cute in her Bob’s hostess outfit with a smile more beautiful than I could have imagined. By the time we left, I had convinced her that she should see me.”

Many people have fond memories about youthful outings to Bob’s. After 40 years of marriage, two grown children and one grandchild, Bob and Lois have more fond memories of Bob’s Big Boy than most.

Ever since Bob was in high school, he wanted a 1964 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray convertible. “It took 20 years working as an engineer before we could afford to buy one,” he explained.

Bob found the right one at the Pomona <Auto> Swap Meet. It was originally black and came with factory air conditioning, which is rare for a ’64 Corvette convertible.

It features the 327-cubic-inch, 365 hp, high-performance engine, an option new for 1964. This highly reliable engine has solid lifters, a 10:1 compression ratio, and a 4-barrel carburetor which provides smooth instantaneous power on demand.

Having undergone restoration in 1984, it now sports a better-than-factory silver blue metallic exterior and Daytona Blue interior. With the exception of the new colors, it’s as factory original as when it left the assembly line.

Under the hood are the original V8 engine and 4-speed transmission with matching serial numbers. They have not been modified except for new engine valves that allow use of unleaded gas.

“Bob and I have a lot of fun taking it to car shows, including the Fallbrook Christmas Parade,” said Lois.

This wonderful nostalgic reminder of American muscle and sports cars of the ’60s will be displayed in the Fallbrook Vintage Car Club (FVCC) Memorial Day Car Show. Plan to be at Potter Junior High School to see it and the more than 400 other breathtaking fully restored cars from 1903 through the early ’70s.

The Newkirks moved to Fallbrook from Carlsbad a little over three years ago. With a little humor, Bob tells people, “We moved to Fallbrook from Carlsbad to live in a better neighborhood.”

Bob discovered Fallbrook when he took a job at the credit union on Camp Pendleton, subsequently introducing it to Lois. They both loved the open spaces and the very friendly people they met.

It is, says Bob, “land of the free and home of the brave!”

The Newkirks are very active in the FVCC, having joined in 2003. Bob is currently the board secretary.

The FVCC is always open to guests and new members. To receive more information, send an e-mail to [email protected].

Meetings are held at the Fallbrook Woman’s Club, 238 West Mission Road, at 7 p.m. on the fourth Tuesday of each month.

 

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