A legend in vintage auto parts passed away yesterday, Don Knopp. Don had a store in a little "district" in town that has stayed as it was 70 years ago when it was a town, Niles. It's where the first "Hollywood" was, many movies were shot here of people like Charlie Chaplin, "The Tramp" was shot right there out of Essanay Studios.
Anyway, Don had this "antique" auto parts store since the late sixies. I bought parts for my truck there 40 years ago. He was a character to beat all characters a movie could be made of this guy, he was something else. That top hat you see him wearing with me was one of his signature looks, he wore it everywhere! I could tell stories all day long of this guy he was a funny, a jerk, brilliant, stupid, all at the same time!
He was I believe 85 last year (about 10 months ago) when I got that photo with him out on a day when they closed "Niles Canyon" to vehicular traffic and it was open for walking or biking for the day. We were a few miles from Niles where he lives out in the middle of nowhere when I saw him walking in a very fast pace, I couldn't believe it. I stopped to chat and a sweet lady came up and took a photo of him and me and she emailed it to me.
Yeah, I am thinking main street in Niles is going to have one hell of a funeral for him.
RIP Don and thank you so much for your personality and all the parts you sold helping guys like me with our old cars.
Brian
