In 1993, the first Chevrolet Truck catalog was introduced under the LMC Truck name. Soon after, parts and accessories were offered for expanded years for fullsize Chevy Trucks 1947-1987. The next market developed was Ford Truck, covering fullsize Ford 1948-72 and Bronco 1966-77. With the addition of more, larger truck parts, LMC Truck moved into its current warehouse at 15450 W. 108th St. Ford truck catalogs were then expanded to cover 1973-79 and Bronco 78-79. Long Motor Corporation now creates over 30 illustrated, full line, parts and accessories catalogs for Chevy/GMC, Ford and Dodge Trucks and SUVs under the LMC Truck brand; British sports car catalogs with parts for MG, Triumph, Austin Healey, and Sunbeam under the Victoria British Ltd. brand, and the Datsun/Nissan Z and Mazda RX7 catalogs under the Black Dragon Automotive name. These catalogs are designed to make it easy for the do-it-yourselfer to make repairs or restore his vehicle. The catalog illustrations are detailed and in a schematic format so the customer can get the job done right.
LMC Truck has become the world's largest truck and SUV parts source for Chevrolet/GMC trucks and SUVs 1947-2006, Ford trucks and SUVs 1948-2008, and Dodge Trucks and SUVs 1994-2008, offering a broad range of reproduction, replacement, original equipment parts, and accessories.
In his words, "I have turned my dreams into an entrepreneurial success. I am only as strong as my people and as successful as my customers continued satisfaction. I am extremely proud of what has been created and accept that growth is elemental to the future of LMC." There are many people who have worked with Mr. Long and been employed by Long Motor Corporation for over 20 years, including his wife (Janet Long) and the president, Rebecca Hanrahan. Together they have built a strong foundation from which the company will continue to grow.
Mr. Long served on many boards of directors, including Brotherhood Bank and Trust, Citizens Bank & Trust, Derrick Thomas 3rd and Long Foundation, El Centro Community Centers, Guadalupe Community Centers, and Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.
Over his lifetime, Mr. Long was awarded many honors: Businessman of the Year, Kansas, NRCC; Carlos F. Cortez Humanitarian of the Year; Chairman's Award, Entrepreneurial Excellence, NRCC; Deans Club, KU School of Business, University of Kansas; I. Pat Rios, Outstanding Community Service; El Dorado Corporation of the Year; National Endowment Award, Founders Circle, BSA; Kansas City Mayoral Proclamations; Kansas Business Merit Award, Kansas Department of Commerce; Latino Summer Fest; FBI Citizens Academy Graduate; NRA, Defender of the Second Amendment; NRA, Patriot of the Year, and the Whitney M. Young Jr. Service Award.
Mr. Long will long be remembered for his generosity. He donated the Fort Long Campsite at H. Roe Bartle Scout Reservation, BSA; and the Leo William Long Sports Center in Kanchanaburi, Thailand. He sponsored Boy Scout Troop 106 in Kansas City, Missouri; Jarrette Aycock Society, KCRM; Leo William Long Graduate Scholarship Program; Silver Gloves National Championships and USA, United Students of Asia, UMKC. In addition he often lent a helping hand to many individuals and employees when they were in need.
He is survived by his wife Janet. In lieu of flowers, contributions are suggested to: Annual National Silver Gloves Tournament, c/o John Brown, 14865 W. 105th St, Lenexa, KS 66215. A memorial service was held Saturday, September 27 at Aristocrat Motors, Merriam, Kansas.
Say What?
The staff speaks and you listen. It's that simple. This month's question is:
Would You ever mount your tires with the raised white letters facing outward like everybody did in this '70s and '80s?.
Kevin: White letters? I'm not a big fan of NASCAR and I like my right turns. Anyway, I would opt for whitewalls because they have more style. If I had to choose between letters or none, I would ultimately choose to hide the lettering.
Calin: It depends on the style of the truck. If I was building something that wasn't ultralow and had a classic paint scheme, then I might. If I was building something extreme with wild paint then it would be black letters out. I put the white letters out on my C10 project, but that was after I spent hours grinding off the other crap that was molded on the sidewall.
Mike: Today I'll say yes. But I reserve the right to say no later on.
Andy: I would have to agree with Calin and say that it all depends on the kind of look you're trying to achieve. For that classic muscle-car style, the white letters probably should go on the outside, but even then sometimes the white letters on the inside may look better. My personal taste though is to keep the black facing out. It just looks cleaner in my opinion. I guess I'm not a huge NASCAR fan after all.
Sport Truck Slang Term O' The Month
#9,843: violation game (vi-la-shun gam) n. A game you play with your friends that requires no board, no dice, and no regard for anyone's feelings. The object is to find as many lame mods on your buddy's truck as possible to make fun of. The winner gets... well, nothing but the sense of pride that comes with knowing your friend's trucks suck worse than yours.