Mickey Mazzuca

A photo of Richard Zadroga's 1951 Chevrolet custom at an indoor car show. Taken circa 1960, this photo shows the car as it appeared after Tony Bruskivage had put peaked canted quad headlights from a 1959 Chevrolet on it. Featuring a striking Candy Red Paint job, this version was shown as the "Misty Maiden." Mickey Mazzuca was the club photographer for the Drivin' Deuces car club, and he took this photo at their indoor car show in the Teaneck Armory. Photo from The Ray Soff Photo Collection.

Mickey Mazzuca was a member of the Drivin' Deuces car club. He owned a 1956 Mercury that he bought brand new. "I bought that car brand new, the Merc. I took it straight to Joe Monego, and he did it," Mickey told Ray Soff.

The Mercury was white with extended quarters, 1956 Packard taillights, and a louvered hood. It appeared on an early magazine cover in 1957. It was "not a radical car," according to Ray.

Mickey was an active member of the Drivin' Deuces. He and the other members hung out at a candy store in the neighborhood. Mickey recalled that Tommy Lee used to get in line ahead of him at the candy store and tell the cashier that Mickey was paying for both their sandwiches. "Tommy was always like that," Mickey said.

Photography

Mickey was a prolific photographer who documented the Drivin' Deuces cars and members. He had "a whole box full of negatives." At some point, club president Ernie Geisler asked to borrow negatives of his own 1956 Chevrolet. Mickey did not want to break up the album, so he gave Geisler the entire collection. Geisler promised to return it but never did. "Ray, if I never gave him the whole pamphlet with all the negatives of all the cars he shot, you would have them right in your possession," Mickey told Ray. The negatives are presumed lost.

Later Life

Mickey moved to Detroit, where he worked for Ford. He later moved to Florida.

At the Dead Man's Curve car show on Labor Day weekend 2018, Ray Soff ran into Mickey, who was visiting from Florida with his daughter. Mickey had dementia, but was sharp that day. When Ray introduced himself, Mickey took off his sunglasses and said: "Yeah, you're the guy who did the story on the Drivin' Deuces." His daughter told Ray: "Today he talks to you. Tomorrow he won't know who you are."