Steven S Hendrickson [Steve]
 

Steve passed away un-expectedly Sunday at his winter home in Ft Myers FL
His summer home was Wayzata MN.

We have known Steve for a long time
He was a major player in Corvettes, Chevelles, 32- 34 Fords and many exotics as well.

He has quite a few NICE Chevelles with a preference for SS 4spd converts.
He was halfway through restoration on a rust- free LS6 hardtop and he was excited about finally finding one good enough.

Talked to him Friday and he was at the Mecum auction in Kissimmee FL.
There was a 1940 Ford woodie he wanted on the Sat sale.
It was bid to $80K + juice and that was above his interest level.

Steve was a Good Man and a good friend.
Much knowledge lost now.

God Bless and R.I.P. my friend.
Dave

So Sorry for the loss of a friend.
Correct me if I'm wrong, but wasn't Steve a player on the 12.0 mile '67 L88 decades ago??

Not sure on that one but he has- had some L88 cars.


R.I.P. bud.

I am sorry to hear of Steves passing. I didn't know Steve, but he had a strong influence in the Corvette world, especialy relating to the L88's.

----Steve had a very short (time wise) connection to the 12 mile L88 during it's path thru putting it back together correctly, thanks to Jim K and Dave B. I had many interactions with Steve and he was a stand up guy. He got a bunch of attention out of the 61 "Mazmanian" Corvette drag car. Hadn't even heard his name in a long time, but am sad. Another good guy. RIP, Steve!....Bill S

Thanks all

Talked to him Friday afternoon and he was at the Mecum auction.
He said he was after a 1940 Ford woody that was being sold on Saturday.

Got a call Monday from his cell phone and answered with my standard [with him] "I'm not worthy" assuming it was about the woodie.
It was his wife asking me if I had heard the terrible news.
Rough moment there.

Steve sometimes referred to me as a "cotter pin nut" and any that knew him should be familiar with that reference to fanatics.
He would tolerate my obsession with the minutia and at times let me examine really original cars.

Any that knew him would also be familiar with this " flesh tone with red benches" description of a car.
This of course meant black car with red interior.
The man definitely liked black cars.


Met Steve over a 1934 Ford grille- hood.
Was driving from Minneapolis to Montana with my dad to deer- antelope hunt fall of 1975.
Just west of Faith SD I noticed what looked like a 1932 Ford on o hill south of Hwy 212.
Being an early V8 Ford nut already we checked it out on the return trip.
Car turned out to be a 1931 Chev 2d sedan.
Zero rust but the wood was bad, so the body was collapsing.
The real gem was behind it. A 1934 Ford deluxe 2d sed.
Car had the body cutoff behind the doors, fenders trimmed to expose the tires and a Willys jeep bet on it.
Bought it for $20 and after cleaning points, putting a battery in and adding gas- coolant it ran well.
I was getting a 1933 coupe going and needed the drivetrain stuff.
Grille and hood were very nice and rust free.
33 and 34 hoods- grilles do not interchange so I put an ad in the Mpls Star- Tribune on Sunday for the 34 grille- hood.
Steve called Sat Nite and came right over and picked the stuff up.
The Sat Nite thing on a Sunday paper was a first for me.
The grille- hood are on his favorite 34 Cabriolet he keeps in Ft Myers FL and he always calls the grille- hood "ours".
Very straight forward guy and we have kept in touch since.

Steve never flaunted his success and that was a strong point to me.
Who doesn't know a successful person that makes sure you know it.


He was still very active and was at Mecum to buy another toy.

Will miss ya Bud and God Bless you and yours.

Dave

Steve and I have been good friends since he moved into my Florida neighborhood over 20 years ago. I saw him building his garage and right away I knew we would be friends. I nicknamed that garage "The Garage Mahal" because it was big and beautiful.

What a wealth of Corvette knowledge he had. Also, what a collection he had. Actually, my current 67 L71 came out of his collection, and I also had a 66 427/390 beautiful coupe I also purchased from him.

Last week I stopped by the Garage Mahal and had what would be my last beer with him. I am so glad I did. Rest in peace Steve.. I have learned much from you "Old Man"