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February 5, 1928 - January 13, 2016 Richard Dick "Magoo" Megugorac was born in Santa Monica, California and passed away at the age of, 87. He was a husband, a father of two sons, a mentor, and was a dear friend to many more. He's survived by his wife Lois, sons David (wife Buffie) and Larry. He was known as "Dick" but those closest to him he was "Magoo". He grew up in SoCal in the beach community of Santa Monica and as a youth spent his time developing a love for hot rods. He was the youngest member of the Low Flyers Racing Club, a club known for its future hall of fame members who would shape the performance automotive landscape. His passion was interrupted with an 18-month tour in the Army as a mechanic's instructor but once he returned he was back to honing his craft. Come the 1960s he and his brother-in-law Al Riggen were involved with Riggen Slot Cars. The company was sold in the early '70s and it was during this time that Magoo devoted his full efforts and abilities to building hot rods. While Magoo handled all things mechanical it was his lifelong sweetheart and wife Lois who took stitched the upholstery in many a hot rod. Magoo's national prominence began while at his Canoga Park (1968) shop called Magoo's Street Rods where his work appeared on the covers of Hot Rod, Rod & Custom, Street Rodder, Rod Action magazines and many others. He also built the earliest giveaway cars for the Goodguys Rod & Custom Association and the National Street Rod Association. He also built cars for competition at the Grand National Roadster Show and in '79 he won the coveted America's Most Beautiful Roadster with Brian Burnett's 1932 Ford highboy roadster that was famously called the "Deucari" (because of its Ferrari V-12 engine). He was also inducted into Darryl Starbird's National Rod & Custom Car Hall of Fame. He was a longtime member of the LA Roadsters and a founder of the SoCal Roadsters and spent much of his retirement in the Phoenix, Arizona area continually gathering with other rodders. His last ride was a 1963 Chevy Impala (Magoo Red, of course) that he kept mechanically pristine, threw in some modifications along the way, and managed to keep it dusted and polished daily. We can never be prepared for the loss of someone we love but when it does happen we can be prepared to celebrate his life. There will be a Celebration of Life and if you would like to attend please contact Dean Livermore at Hot Rods by Dean: (602-358-5892) or email: [email protected]
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Published in the Los Angeles Times from Jan. 17 to Jan. 19, 2016
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