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I first met Bozo in 2002, when I was President of the New Mexico Route 66 Association. It was easy for me to relate to Bozo as a car guy.  I have restored a 1955 Ford truck and have owned a bunch of classics; Studebaker, Packard, Cadillac, Mercury, Chevys and even a Crosley.  So, as the president of the Association, when I crisscrossed Route 66, and passed through Santa Rosa, I’d stop by Bozo’s museum.

I asked Bozo how he acquired his nickname and he told me the following story.  He said that his family was one of the first families to own a television in Santa Rosa.   After school, classmates would gather at James’ house to watch the “Bozo the Clown” TV show and the phrase, “Let’s go over to Bozo’s” entered the lexicon. I hope I am repeating the story accurately.

At the time I met Bozo and wife Anna, the museum did not have a website or a tourism rack card and I volunteered free of charge to build the museum a website and design and create a rack card. The website went live and the rack card was printed and distributed.   After that, I would often say, “Bozo, I made you famous!”  That was always a source of a big laugh between us since it was such a ridiculous statement.

Anyone with knowledge of expertly crafted restoration and custom cars easily recognized Bozo as a star builder.  His enduring fame came from his world-class customization work.

Once, Bozo and I traded cars and I was very happy and amazed to see his restoration of a 1949 Ford “woody wagon” that I had traded to him for a 1951 Pontiac. Restoring and customizing a woody is a daunting project.

Bozo also purchased a couple of vintage gas pumps from me, the first two pumps you see when you enter the museum.

Sometimes, if I was passing through Santa Rosa after 5 PM, I would stop by Bozo’s garage across from the museum. Bozo would be there with his employees and family members enjoying some cold beverages after a hard day’s work.  Sitting with Bozo and those guys  was a raucous good time and it was obvious his crew revered him and vice versa.

Bozo was an unpretentious and modest guy, a super talent, and a joy to hang out with.   In addition to being ‘rodder,’ he was a wonderful ambassador for Route 66.   Fortunately, Bozo’s passion and effervescence is preserved in several YouTube videos about his museum and about Route 66.

I expect that when the chariot swings low to pick up Bozo to take him to gearhead heaven that he will take that chariot, install a 350/350 power train, install a couple of Crager mag wheels,  and do a flame paint job on it. 

Johnnie Meier

Acknowledgement:  Thanks to Jim Livingston for the wonderful photo of Bozo.