: You have an engine building service at Scoggin-Dickey, right?

NF: That is our passion. We recognize that some customers want “their” version of a crate engine and we can offer our years of experience in providing the ultimate performance crate engine. We know the combinations that work! We know all the little tricks, whether we start with a new GM crate engine or we build something from a bare block. It is big part of our business and custom crate engines are a defining issue of what Scoggin-Dickey is today.

: Tell us a story about Lubbock radio mogul Bill Clements

NF: Bill C? Wow! I am not sure we can really tell the stories I think you are asking about! The truth is, Billy C is misunderstood by most people but I love the man. He's interesting and he is truly a very passionate die-hard Chevrolet fanatic, but he is much more than that! Billy is a wealth of knowledge on a vast array of topics and issues--history, music, racing, science, sociology--you name it. I cannot think of any subject that would not be an interesting conversation with Bill.

Billy C tells the story that the first time he met me was in 1966. He came by my parent’s house looking for some 409 parts. My dad and I were in the garage. I was six, sitting in the engine bay, pulling the intake manifold off of our Stocker. He questioned my father about leaving me alone while they look for the parts he needed. My father told Bill, “Don’t worry about Nicky, he knows what he is doing! Let’s get your parts. We have some work to do for the next race.” Billy C says that he knew from that day I was destined for the world of automotive indulgence.
He's had some really cool and rare cars over the years and he still has a few. One thing that I really appreciated about Bill was the fact that he believed cars were meant to be driven. There are a lot of people with really rare cars that never see the street, but not Bill. I could call tell him that we were having a car show and I needed cars to display and his response was always, “Come on over and get what you need. Bring some drivers with you so you don’t have to make ten trips!” If you rode with Bill, then you could be assured you would make a least one 1320 pass somewhere during the journey. It did not matter what car it was--1961 Impala 409SS, 1966 Chevelle with a COPO 427, or a 1969 435hp/427 Corvette--he expected you to make damn sure the car still ran like a muscle car and report any mechanical problems to him.
Bill Clements was of the first guys I ever knew that actually had a stroked daily-driven 496. It was in a chopped-top early model Suburban (I think it was a 1978) with a 3,000rpm stall Switch Pitch convertor, functioning cowl induction hood, and painted Matador Red with black stripes. I cannot tell you how many lunch trips I made with him in the ‘Burban when he would flip the switch at the stop light for a 3,000rpm tire-smoking launch that was guaranteed to scare any newcomer along for their first ride. It was certain to send the newbie into a nail-gripping frenzy while praying that their life might be spared as the Suburban slowly drifted back into a straight line somewhere between 70 and 80mph. Bill C never lifted. I wish Bill was still in the car business, he made it fun.

: What's your take on out-of-control Detroit?

NF: One: I'm irked at the overwhelming anemic commitment that hot rodders have about making a statement with their elected officials concerning our rights to pursue our passion. If we do not make a stand over the next 10 years, I am concerned this could all be gone before we realize what has happened. The entire industry could be legislated right out the door. At the minimum, make yourself aware of what is going on through the SEMA network and send emails or letters to your congressman or senator. It makes a difference. I think the people who are passionate about cars and hot rodding could do more to change Detroit by letting themselves be heard more than any other single thing!

Two: I am very concerned about the Detroit people who have retired, quit, or have been fired in the last five years and the amount of knowledge and passion of our hot rod heritage that went out the door with them. This is not to say that we don't have some incredibly bright talent there right now. However, my general feel for the work force in place over the last five years is too many bean counters and not enough passion. It takes both to make it happen, but when you lose the passionate people you lose the wind that makes the ship move.

Three: Tough times right now. The effect on the Big 3 is about so much more than what is happening inside the glass walls in Detroit. It is a global economy. Somehow they are going to have to fight their way through this mess. I am in it for the long haul!