Skeets Mariano, Jason St. James and a Zora 1

High school football and basketball star, Vietnam vet, race car driver, recording artist, movie star, restaurateur, bartender, writer, sports car aficionado—these descriptions could represent many separate people.  But, in fact, one local, lifelong resident can lay claim to all of the aforementioned.

Frank "Skeets" Mariano has become somewhat of a local legend, and he has a long and storied history centered in and around the greater Lansdale area. He is a hometown boy, born and raised in Lansdale, who went on to pursue a number of interesting and fulfilling careers. 

West Fifth Street was home to Mariano in his younger years, and his family later moved to Broad Street where his parents would later open a restaurant—.  His mother was the cook, his aunt the waitress, and Skeets took on the duty of bartender. 

“I didn’t know anything about being a bartender.  I was self-taught,” said Mariano. 

But, it didn’t take him long to perfect his skills. 

“On the first day, we only brought in seven dollars, and we didn’t know what to expect,” he said. 

The restaurant flourished, and it became a popular spot for many area residents hungry for Italian cooking or a good cheesesteak. 

Fast forward back to high school, where Mariano was a star at North Penn High School, both in football and basketball.  He made All-Conference (Bucks/Montgomery) and was headed off to Notre Dame to play football, when a broken collarbone got in his way and changed his plans.

After taking theater in high school and participating in school productions, his theatre instructor observed his natural ability and talent, and encouraged him to pursue acting in college—and as they say the rest is history. 

Mariano is a union member of the Screen Actors Guild, and has had parts in 30 films.  He continues to collect residuals from such films as the blockbuster Blow Out.

Mariano also served his country in Vietnam.

“I did 10 tours of duty with the U.S. Navy as a yeoman.  I was on the USS Talledega,” he said.

He said the attack transport ship was used to transport Marines that were destined for Vietnam.  Mariano honorably served from 1964 to 1967. 

Skeets, obviously, isn't some original birth name.

“Back in the '40s, there was a comic strip named 'Skeets.'  Everybody had a nickname back when I young, and that’s where I think I got mine,”  he said.

Back in 1976, Mariano recorded "A Million to One" with the Fayette Record Company, which was out of Philadelphia. 

At that time he took on the name, Jason St. James, to put some spin into his vinyl’s at the urging of the record company.

But Mariano’s real passion lies with sports cars, racing, and speed.

“I’ve raced with Paul Newman, Tom Cruise and Walter Payton,” he said.

He's raced at such infamous tracks as Watkins Glen, Pocono Raceway, Lime Rock, Summit Point and the Meadowlands.

His lengthy racing career took him to not only dedicated race tracks but also to the excitement of temporary street circuits, racing GT1 (Grand Touring #1) Corvettes with the SCCA (Sports Car Club of America).           

Thrilling moviegoing audiences with daredevil car stunts is another occupation in which Skeets has excelled. This profession was a natural progression, stemming from his racing career.   

His racing career started at a now extinct local racetrack.

“My dad took me to the Hatfield Speedway when I was young, and he knew a lot of the drivers in the late '40s and '50s,” he said.

Mariano had his picture taken in one of the race cars, and after that he was hooked. 

At the present time, his one-of-a-kind Zora 1 1984 Red Corvette is on loan and on display at the America on Wheels Museum on the riverfront in Allentown. 

The museum showcases the beginnings of our nation’s transportation systems and includes displays of automobiles, trucks, motorcycles, as well as bikes and carriages. 

With permission from GM, Skeets designed the logo, “American Corvette We’re Proud,” and is a long-time member of the Corvette Club of the Delaware Valley (CCDV), which is one of the largest Vette Clubs in the United States. 

In 1991 Mariano retired, and he spent two years traveling about.  On the side, he writes screenplays and television plays for a hobby.   

However, he felt he needed to be productive and wanted something to do with his spare time. As a result, was born. At the corner of Cannon Avenue and Main Street in Lansdale, an array of quality used cars are lined up for your inspection on any given day.

So as you are driving through Lansdale, and if the sun is out, look for Skeets at the corner of Cannon and Main—soaking up the rays and enjoying the good life.  

Stop in and check out his selection of fine automobiles, and take the time to get some expert advice on cars, racing, Corvettes, or a host of other things that this colorful Lansdale native has experienced in his lifetime.