Page 11 - Issue 37

The bike fell into Dick’s hands through a
chance meeting with a guy at a car show. Dick
chance meeting with a guy at a car show. Dick
had the ’32 Ford pickup at a show, and was
had the ’32 Ford pickup at a show, and was
hauling around a Honda Spree scooter in the
hauling around a Honda Spree scooter in the
back to get around. The guy saw the scooter
back to get around. The guy saw the scooter
in the back and said, “I’ve got something that
in the back and said, “I’ve got something that
would look a lot better back there. Come over
would look a lot better back there. Come over
to my house and well get it in there.” That
to my house and well get it in there.” That
something was an all-original ’41 Harley. Dick’s
something was an all-original ’41 Harley. Dick’s
new friend let him borrow the bike for four years,
new friend let him borrow the bike for four years,
until one day, the friend announced that his health
until one day, the friend announced that his health
was failing and he needed to sell the bike for
was failing and he needed to sell the bike for
fi nancial reasons. Dick stepped up and bought
fi nancial reasons. Dick stepped up and bought
the not-running bike. His friend Mike Lang got it
the not-running bike. His friend Mike Lang got it
running in exchange for some old car parts Dick
running in exchange for some old car parts Dick
had given him a while back.
had given him a while back.
As if being a car builder with such a long
As if being a car builder with such a long
resume’ wasn’t enough, Dick also spent several
resume’ wasn’t enough, Dick also spent several
years racing mod ifi eds all over Wisconsin. But
that all ended after a brief dalliance in motocross
racing. After winning his fi rst race, he took a spill
in the next race that shattered one of his legs.
Dick’s proudest work is the ministry he started
back in 1971, when he became a Christian. Up until
then, he had led a pretty rough life, drinking, using,
and generally causing all kinds of trouble. He
found the Lord through a chance meeting with a
gentlemen selling parts via a mobile service. Dick
was hungover and wasn’t interested in buying
anything, but the man gave him a bible. That bible
sat for a year until he picked it up and began to
make some changes in his life. Dick has since
given away tens of thousands of bibles, all with
the admonishment, “If I give this to you, you have
to read it!” He is currently a member of Christ’s
Classic Cruisers, a non-denominational Christian
men’s’ group that only requires an enthusiasm for
cars and Christian beliefs for membership. You can
fi nd out more at www.c3wheels.com. He is also
a member of Racers for Christ, whose motto is,
“Bringing Inspiration to the World of Motorsports.”
Their website is www.teamrfc.org.
Whether you ae inspired by his skills or
his faith, Dick Duston is a man who has set a
wonderful example to follow.

RATRODMAGAZINE.COM RAT ROD MAGAZINE 11

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