Sadly Evan Ritter left us on April 8, 2025. He was a fine gentleman, a knowledgeable contributor and helpful and generous. He'll be missed by all. RIP Evan.
Last edited by Peggy M; 08/02/202511:55 PM. Reason: fix title
~ Jon 1952 1/2 ton with 1959 235 | T5 with 3.07 rear end
When I realized I had not seen Evan's name lately I sent him a text message last week. Poor timing on my part.
I met Evan and his wife (can't remember her name) on my wife's family get together in Dallas years ago. He gave me a tour of his shop and then we hung out at a local "show and shine" for a while.
Same trip I had dinner with Charlie (Cletis) Hardin and his beloved Sunshine.
I can't think of nicer people.
'57 GMC 102, Original 347 V8, HydraMatic, 3.08 rear gear, added A/C, disk front brakes, HEI, AFB carb, '98 Honda Black Currant paint. T-boned and totaled 10/12 '52 GMC 152 Stake Bed, Original 228, SM420, added A/C, HEI, disk front brakes, '67 Chev 3.55 rear gear. Gets used as a real truck.
Loosing "Coilover " is a tremendous loss. He will surely be missed.. RIP.
~ Craig 1958 Viking 4400 "The Book of Thor" Read the story in the DITY 1960 Chevrolet C10 "A Family Heirloom" Follow the story in the DITY Gallery '59 Apache 31, 327 V8 (0.030 over), Muncie M20 4 Speed, GM 10 Bolt Rear... long term project (30 years and counting)
If you don't like driving yourTruck, you won't drive yourTruck..| Living life in the SLOW lane
Evan was definitely one of the Great Ones. A few years ago we talked a bit about building a V8 Miata. When Evan learned they really didn't do well north of 150 mph his interest waned. He'll definitely be missed.
The loss of "Coilover" is impossible to measure. He always shared such a wealth of information and although I never met him in person, can say I've read and paid attention to all the time he's gone out if his way to help fellow Bolters. It is a sad day to have to say so long to such a fine Stovebolter! RIP Evan.
~ Dan 1951 Chevy 3 window 3100 Follow this story in the DITY Gallery "My Grandpa Carl's Truck and How it Became Mine" 1966 Chevelle (Wife's Hot Rod) | 2013 Chevy Silverado (Current daily driver) US Army MSG Retired (1977-1998) | Com Fac Maint Lead Tech Retired (1998-2021)
A very sad day indeed! Like you, I never met the man in person but when he posted, I read every word trying to capture just a bit of his wisdom. A huge lost for our Stovebolt community.
Rest in peace Evan.
Phil Moderator, The Engine Shop, Interiors and Project Journals
1952 Chevrolet 3100, Three on the Tree, 4:11 torque tube Updated to: ‘59 235 w/hydraulic lifters, 12v w/alternator, HEI, PCV and Power front Disc Brakes Project Journals Stovebolt Gallery Forum
Sad to hear of Evan's passing. I always enjoyed reading his posts and interacting with him a bit.
His presence here on Stovebolt will be missed. He was a great contributor.
RIP Evan.
Kevin 1951 Chevy 3100 work truck Follow this saga in Project Journal Photos 1929 Ford pickup restored from the ground up. | 1929 Ford Special Coupe (First car) Busting rust since the mid-60's If you're smart enough to take it apart, you darn well better be smart enough to put it back together.
I never met Evan and know him only through”Coilovers” assistance with whatever issue I was dealing with at that time. I was always grateful for his input and guidance which was given unselfishly.
Good people end up in good places. RIP
~ Victor 1941 3/4-Ton Pickup (in process). Read about it in the DITY Gallery 1955 Grumman Kurbside "Doughboy" 235/3 on tree w/ OD 1957 3100 - moved on 1959 C4500 Short Bus "Magic Bus" - moved on 1959 G3800 1 Ton Dually "Chief" - moved on 1958 C4400 Viking "Thor" ~ moved on to fellow Bolter
We met a couple of times at his shop, and I concur- - - -Evan was the real deal! His nephew has been running the shop for some time, and I'll be getting a 20 foot shipping container of antique engines and other parts soon, one that I had sent there at Evan's request to make sure they don't get scrapped once he was gone. Final accounting for that stash and transportation to Tennessee is still being arranged. Jerry
"It is better to be silent and be thought a fool than to speak and eliminate all doubt!" - Abraham Lincoln Cringe and wail in fear, Eloi- - - - -we Morlocks are on the hunt! There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow man; true nobility is being superior to your former self. - Ernest Hemingway Love your enemies and drive 'em nuts!
~ Joe Donate Blood, Plasma, Platelets and Sign Your DONORS CARD. The Life You SAVE Might Be Someone You Know and LOVE. Two possibilities exist: Either we are alone in the Universe or we are not. Both are equally terrifying. ~ Arthur C. Clarke
RIP Evan AKA Coilover. We spoke a couple of times and he was very knowledgeable. He will be missed.
Wayne 1938 1-Ton Farm Truck Stovebolt Gallery Forums 1989 Silverado 1996 Mustang GT convertible When I die, I hope she doesn't sell everything for what I told her I paid for it!
Yes, Evan will be missed. He gave advice you could depend on, his experience and knowledge will be sorely missed. Yep, one of the good guys. Rest in peace, Coilover.
Ron - - Dusty53 1954 Chevy 3604 In the Gallery Forum "You can't dance with the Devil and then wonder why you're still in Hell." "They will forget what you've said, and they will forget what you have done but they will never forget the way you made them feel."
Indeed. Evan was one of the true Tribal Elders of Stovebolt. When he decided to share something, everybody went quiet ... and learned something. Over the years, I enjoyed the conversations we had via pm -- always a steady, knowledgeable voice. He helped me work through a lot of issues with running this site. Not mechanical advice, just wisdom and experience to help me when things got cross threaded and I needed some help deciding how I was going to wrestle the alligators.
Thanks, Evan -- Godspeed.
~ John
A kid raised on Hotwheels, Matchbox and Tonka cannot be reasonably expected to own only one vehicle as an adult.
1949 Chevrolet 3804 In the Legacy Gallery | In the Gallery Forum 1973 IH 1310 Dump 1963 Kaiser M38A1 2001 International/AmTran RE3000 "Skoolie" 2014 Ford E-350 4x4 (Quigley)
RIP Evan, we chatted by PM many times and I could always count on his wisdom being 100%. You will be missed kind sir.
FYI, Evan’s shop/former business was heavily damaged during a tornado in late February, then his passing 6 weeks or so later was a hard hit for the family. “121 Rod & Restoration” on Facebook has photos posted.
Martin '62 Chevy C-10 Stepside Shortbed (Restomod in progress) '47 Chevy 3100 5 Window (long term project) ‘65 Chevy Biscayne (Emily) ‘39 Dodge Business Coupe (Clarence) “I fought the law and the law won" now I are a retired one! Support those brave men/women who stand the "Thin Blue Line"! Hug a cop! USAF 1965-1969 Weather Observation Tech (I got paid to look at the clouds)
Heard from Evan’s Nephew a few minutes ago. He asked that I thank Stovebolt for their many years of friendship. Apparently Evan really enjoyed his time on Stovebolt interacting with all the members. His memorial service will be when the weather cools down.
Martin '62 Chevy C-10 Stepside Shortbed (Restomod in progress) '47 Chevy 3100 5 Window (long term project) ‘65 Chevy Biscayne (Emily) ‘39 Dodge Business Coupe (Clarence) “I fought the law and the law won" now I are a retired one! Support those brave men/women who stand the "Thin Blue Line"! Hug a cop! USAF 1965-1969 Weather Observation Tech (I got paid to look at the clouds)
Jon G hopefully will have more info to pass on this, but the Ritter family will be having a memorial service for Evan and his wife, Dar, this Saturday (17 Jan 26) at his shop in Trenton, Texas at 3 pm.
Hopefully, Jon can provide address/directions for those able to attend.
I would greatly appreciate it if we could have a few Stovebolters there. He did so much for many of us.
Thanks, John
~ John
A kid raised on Hotwheels, Matchbox and Tonka cannot be reasonably expected to own only one vehicle as an adult.
1949 Chevrolet 3804 In the Legacy Gallery | In the Gallery Forum 1973 IH 1310 Dump 1963 Kaiser M38A1 2001 International/AmTran RE3000 "Skoolie" 2014 Ford E-350 4x4 (Quigley)
Wish I could be there as he and his family definitely deserve our support. I'll be there in mind and spirit, if not in body. RIP Evan.
~ Dan 1951 Chevy 3 window 3100 Follow this story in the DITY Gallery "My Grandpa Carl's Truck and How it Became Mine" 1966 Chevelle (Wife's Hot Rod) | 2013 Chevy Silverado (Current daily driver) US Army MSG Retired (1977-1998) | Com Fac Maint Lead Tech Retired (1998-2021)
I have yet to find an obituary for "Coilover", but just to show others Evan's (and his shop's) abilities here are a couple of pictures.
First his favorite, his 37 Buick. He drove it all over the country with Dar. Still had a Buick straight 8, but he changed the tranny to a TH-350.
A little more radical was his "pull tractor".
'57 GMC 102, Original 347 V8, HydraMatic, 3.08 rear gear, added A/C, disk front brakes, HEI, AFB carb, '98 Honda Black Currant paint. T-boned and totaled 10/12 '52 GMC 152 Stake Bed, Original 228, SM420, added A/C, HEI, disk front brakes, '67 Chev 3.55 rear gear. Gets used as a real truck.
He always shared such a wealth of information and although I never met him in person, can say I've read and paid attention to all the time he's gone out if his way to help fellow Bolters. It is a sad day to have to say so long to such a fine Stovebolter! RIP Evan.
