[sstripes96]

Many of you here on the forums know “Big John” Rafteseth. He was one of the original members of the Southeast Impala Lovers (SEIL) which later morphed into GASSIT. John was the original Big Dog. If you’ve ever been to a Southern Super Heavy Shootout you would have seen John pull the front tires launching his flamed Impala to a sub 10 second run.

I’m sorry to say that Big John has passed away. He was living in Louisiana with his wife and suffered a heart attack sometime in early July. I’m told that he never recovered from the heart attack.

His wife, Mary, has reached out to Bill Brady in an effort to try and sell Johns Impala. Bill, who owns Bill Brady Racing Engines, has known John since 1996 and built the engines that powered Johns wicked fast Impala.

Bill has offered to be the point of contact in an attempt to help find a buyer for Johns Impala. He can be reached at 770-339-3944 and his website is www.bradysenginemachineservice.com. Bill knows more about Johns Impala than anyone else.

I will also keep an eye on the forums to help anyway I can.

Rest in Peace Big John.

 

[nsaness]

Wow, sad to hear. My sincerest condolences to his wife and family. I remember trying to keep up with John's car, but he quickly outdid my efforts with more smarts and more money than I had. Big John was a great guy and a great competitor; he will be missed.
Mike Lonergan (formerly of the Herd)

I should clarify, this was very early on, I never tried to keep up with the 8 second twin turbo set up! lol

 

[sherlock9c1]

Bud, thank you for letting us know. He certainly took an Impala farther and faster than most.

 

[JZ9C1LT1]

Sorry to here about John. Met him at the SSHS in Georgia. Also have seen his car for sale early this year in Racing Junk. Wild car that's for sure.

RIP John.

 

[OhGee]

1996 IMPALA SS (Twin Turbo) Over 2000 Horse Power for sale in Suwanee, GA, Price: $50,000

1996 IMPALA SS (Twin Turbo) Over 2000 Horse Power for sale in Suwanee, GA, Price: $50,000

www.racingjunk.com

RIP

 

[nsaness]

1996 IMPALA SS (Twin Turbo) Over 2000 Horse Power for sale in Suwanee, GA, Price: $50,000

1996 IMPALA SS (Twin Turbo) Over 2000 Horse Power for sale in Suwanee, GA, Price: $50,000

www.racingjunk.com

RIP

Truly a bargain for a sorted out car with that kind of power and looks. It is too "race" car for me, but that is the ultimate race/show car for an Impala lover. Besides, I already wasted more than $50K building a much slower and uglier car (that is still not running!)

 

[mikekend]

Wow! So sad to hear... Condolences to his wife & family.
I met John at the first Impalapalooza in Bowling Green KY. back in 1997! We were parked next to each other
at the track at Beech Bend Raceway for the car show portion of the event. I thought I had done some pretty wild (at the time) mods to my car (`95 DCM) with the cowl induction hood, chromed stock wheels,
SLP headers & Callaway cat back, etc... THEN, I went to check out John`s car & he had already bored & stroked his LT1 to 409 c.i. and a ton of other mods that I couldn`t believe! And his car was barely a year old!
Over the years we met up at the annual Impala gatherings in various places (Michigan, St Louis, Pocono, etc.) and each time his car would be bigger & badder than the last! He was always chasing the dream to be
the fastest & quickest. He was in my book! RIP, John.