Dick Landy had terminal kidney failure, I'm sad to say.
http://jalopnik.com/cars/bydate/2007/01/ is a terrific website I recommend, and I found out there. A friend and co-worker, Mike, grew up with Dick's son, and had spent a little time at the Landy company garage and has a couple of stories about the wonderful time he had there.
Dick was also prominently featured in a late 60's Cragar full page rims ads. http://www.cragar.com/default.asp
This ad appeared in a 1986 issue of Muscle Car Review. It also was for sale on www.collectorcartraderonline.com more recently, but isn't there anymore.