When I was around 12 years old, dad and I stopped by his old friend Phillie's Triumph-Bultaco shop in San Jose. I vividly remember walking through the front door finding myself surrounded by beautiful gleaming Triumphs, and Bultaco's! A kids dream of a place that even today I considered hallowed 2 wheel ground. Then suddenly this short man with a huge smile and a bristling voice called out - "Kenny my friend, its so nice to see you again." As I peered around the shop I began to search out which motorcycle I was going to go touch and maybe, just maybe be able to sit upon. While dad and the Italian sounding man in his bright white shop coat were catching up, I found it. A bright red 250 Bultaco Pursang in all its glory dared me to mount it. I wanted to so bad, but I knew I had better ask first. Then there was a tug on the back of my shirt and the man in an exuberant voice said, "Go ahead Eric, you want to take it home?" Well in my young mind I said to myself, "yes yes yes." Then reality set in an instant and I was then told, jump on it son. With great excitement and nervousness, I mounted this brand new bike and grabbed a handful! I think I sat on that bike for at least 15 minutes dreaming and making engine sounds in my mind as I acted out going through the gears like a mad man!
That was the day I met Phillie Cancilla, the guy dad had told so many stories about of his friends racing and motorcycling career. Needless to say, dad didn't accept Philly's offer to take the bike home no charge! That's right, the great Phil Cancilla said, "take it home Ken," I was totally bummed but I still cherish the day I met Philly.
In dedication to my dad's flat track hero, I hope you enjoy this collection of images of PHILLIE CANCILLA from his collection and others that have been donated to this effort in preserving a bit of Bay Area Flat Track history.
Eric Johnson...
Kenny Johnson, Phillie Cancilla & Phil Jr. - 1975
Please enjoy these images of Phillie Cancilla
click pics for larger image
Play Riding
Phillie and Son
A personal side story of the generosity of Phillie Cancilla
Dad was always a Triumph man since his friendship began with Philie in the 40's. He, Philly, Ken Eggers and Larry "Sleepy" Hedricks used to play ride on the weekends in Almaden.
Thank you Ken Johnson, Dick McAfee and
Mike Raber for all the great photos!
I'd just like to thank everyone for the wonderful pictures and memories that you have shared of my grandfather Phil Cancilla. I am so grateful to have stumbled onto this website!
ReplyDeleteHi Denise, so glad to hear from you. Im sorry for the delay but I am very glad you were able to find this page. Your grandfather was quite the gentleman and so talented racing and building all kinds of motorcycles. I remember him at his Triumph-Bultaco shop in San Jose with one large wall completely covered with trophies. As a 10 year old I thought I was in motorcycle heaven! He told my dad to take the red Bultaco dirt bike home no questions asked. Dad refused, I cried lol. Take care... Eric
DeleteI was frends with a Phil Cancilla that would be about 75 years old.
ReplyDeleteHi Eric, I am the great niece of Phil and great cousin to Philly. My name is Stephanie Cancilla and ended up following their love for motorcycles as well racing motocross, professionally for a few years back in the early 2000s. I hadn’t seen most of these pictures, but my dad, Steve Cancilla told me many story’s of his uncle and cousin racing. Thank you for publishing this.
ReplyDeleteHi if there is anyone monitoring this site, I was poking around trying to find out information on Hall’s Ranch.
ReplyDeleteMy grandfather used to take me there When I was little to go the races.
I ran across a picture that said Phil Cancilla and I suddenly had huge memories come flooding in. My grandfather used to sponsor a young man named Phillie Cancilla, whenever there was a family get together they would always end up being conversation about Phillie Cancilla and all their escapades together.
While I was looking through the pictures I noticed some of them looked familiar. You see I had put together a book of pictures and news paper articles about my grandfather Tip Blume several years ago , I pulled out of steamer trunk that had been in the family for years. I came home today and pulled out the album and it appears I have some pictures of them together on motorcycle rides back around 1939 and some from the tracks around the area. My grandfather was the first to import foreign motorcycles and cars to the Bay Area. I also have pictures of the first Triumph motorcycles to arrive here in crates. Anyway what a great path this took me down, I may have met Phillie back in the 60’s but I was very young back then and don’t remember specifically. I have some great pictures from back then you might like to have a copy of. If you would like me to pass them along I would be happy too. By the way the stories they used to tell were all full of laughs and great memories for my Grandfather and my mom who used to ride with them.
Sincerely,
Jim Shepherd