Art Eastman RIP

Sad news today, July 29. My friend Art Eastman, master historic car photographer, strong writer and former editor/art director of Vintage Motorsport, died this morning due to complications stemming from surgery for an aortic aneurism. Carole told me that after three months of struggle, including two further surgeries, he was just too weak. She said that Art did not want any public services, but she and friend Ford Heacock plan to organize a celebration of his life during the annual concours in Lakeland, FL, this October.

Art was well named; he was uncompromising about the artistic quality of the work he did and expected of others. He was fierce about integrity in every aspect of historic motorsport, and if he thought something was incorrect or improper—a car, its presentation, its owner's behavior—one heard about it. He was a great connoisseur of fine beers, too, and generous with his discoveries, so that knowing friends were glad to gather at the trunk of his car while the dusk deepened on Sunday nights after races. It was a joy to know him.

Pete:

As each day passes I realize more and more how fortunate we were to have been involved in racing when we did.

I didn't know Art, but your words describe many of the wonderful people we encountered in our racing lives. Our lives would not have been nearly as full if it weren't for people like him.

My sympathies.

marc

Sad news today, July 29. My friend Art Eastman, master historic car photographer, strong writer and former editor/art director of Vintage Motorsport, died this morning due to complications stemming from surgery for an aortic aneurism. Carole told me that after three months of struggle, including two further surgeries, he was just too weak. She said that Art did not want any public services, but she and friend Ford Heacock plan to organize a celebration of his life during the annual concours in Lakeland, FL, this October.

Art was well named; he was uncompromising about the artistic quality of the work he did and expected of others. He was fierce about integrity in every aspect of historic motorsport, and if he thought something was incorrect or improper—a car, its presentation, its owner's behavior—one heard about it. He was a great connoisseur of fine beers, too, and generous with his discoveries, so that knowing friends were glad to gather at the trunk of his car while the dusk deepened on Sunday nights after races. It was a joy to know him.

Well said, Pete. I first met Art at Road America in 1987 just as he took over as editor of Vintage Motorsport. It was a pleasure and an education to learn from Art, you, Dean Batchelor, Jim Sitz, and the other genuine car guys at VM. Art was a delightful traveling companion who had a sixth sense for finding good cioppino, walleye, or a great burger near the race venues and, as you say, the Sunday evening socializing was first rate. I last saw Art in 2008 when he took me to Amelia Island, Don Garlits' Museum, The Collier Collection, Sebring, and Kermit Weeks' Aircraft Collection over a two weekend visit - unforgettable! In my garage I still have one of the beer coolers that Art had strategically located around the country.

My thoughts are with Carole and their daughter Andrea.

Woody Woodhouse

Very sad to hear this. Art was a truly nice gentleman and a great photographer. I was very honored to have collaborated in one of his in-depth analysis years ago and had a lot of respect for Art.
He will be missed.

I never met Art, but I enjoyed and admired his work for many years. He will be missed.

I met Art years ago when I was doing a lot of historic racing. He was such a true gentleman, always forthright and trying to do the best for the racing. He was also of course a real pro with his camera. God bless his memory.

Sorry to hear this. I never met Art but I think he signed the first cheque I received in payment for an article. Quite a character I always understood.

Edited by David Birchall, 31 July 2010 - 22:32.

Another excellent writer/photographer/editor/publisher/observer/bon vivant lost. Art visted the office here only once, but we had a great time, and I wish I'd known him better.

Frank

aaaaawwwwwwwwwwwww

This is such sad news. Art Eastman gave me so much pleasure as a reader, I never got to say thank you.

Magazines are talked a lot here, and IMHO Mr. Eastman created something very, very special during his reign at Vintage Motorsport. It must have taken tremendous effort to edit, art direct, photograph and write for each and every issue, but he managed to produce many extraordinary editions. The multi-issue histories on Trans-Am, Can-Am, Porsche 917 and American Specials were fantastic reading. Except for my childhood anticipation for the Bond-era Road & Tracks, I've never looked forward to receiving a magazine subscription more than Art's Vintage Motorsports.

R.I.P. Art.

Very sorry to hear this news. Art dropped in to see me here at home some years ago on a trip to England, and we found we shared many enthusiasms. If I recall correctly he was an ex-Navy man, something with which I always feel a rapport. He seemed to have 'issues' as they say with several aspects of the worlds of motor racing and publishing alike - many of which I found I shared with him. May time bring comfort to his people... I regret never having got to know him better.

DCN