THANKS!! These photos are priceless!....so are the stories... I grew up in Pasadena and still remember the early hot rods, probably saw some of these pictured here..the original PRC was pretty much gone when I started hot rodding...though I worked for Don Blair, who was in the Gophers.........Please keep them coming
Back in June 2009, Mike came to our shop looking for a hydraulic brake conversion for his 1936 Wagon. The subject of the "old" Pasadena Roadster Club came up, maybe because I had some stuff from the current Club sitting in my office? He told me that his Dad and Uncle had been members of the original Club back in the late 40's and had run at the Dry Lakes. He went on to tell me that he had photo albums and programs and timing tags that his Mom had saved all through the years. She had written all of the times and speeds in the programs and had included captions with the photos in the albums. On a subsequent visit, he brought a photo album and a program from El Mirage dated April 24-25 1948. He left them with me and allowed me to make copies to share with the current PRC members. Later on, he attended a PRC monthly meeting and brought all his stuff to share. In April 2012, I received a phone call from a gentleman named Bruce, who advised me that he was trying to "re-create" his Grandfather Elmer's 1932 roadster. He told me that Elmer had been a member of the PRC and ran his car at El Mirage in 1949 and was now 81 years old. Bruce said that he had a trophy and plaque and maybe some old photos. I advised him of the upcoming PRC 10th Anniversary Picnic at Newcomb Ranch and invited him to come and bring Elmer... We had also invited Mike to attend and to bring his stuff... During the picnic, Mike and Bruce and Elmer met and shared a table and their stuff. Elmer had brought a dash plaque and Mike had the original event program, and Mike's Mom had recorded Elmer's time and speed in the program, which matched the plaque. This occurred some 63 years after the event... It also happened that Pat Ganahl was attending and gave Elmer a ride in his roadster. I had intended to follow up with Pat to encourage him to do a story that would include Mike and Elmer's stuff and the "against all odds" meeting after so many years. Due to being so busy and occupied with work, I failed to do so. It would be good if this "historical occasion" could be better documented. If anyone is interested in doing so, let me know.
Wow! Thanks woodiemike! Dang, looks like you have the makings for a book. Just ONE of these photos can keep you occupied for quite a while. The 25 T with the messy garage scene, bungalow backgrounds etc... Big thanks to you and your family for keeping these photos safe.
@woodiemike - Welcome to the !!! I see you actually joined on June 19, 2010 ... Glad that after 4+ years, you finally decided to post! ... Simply fantastic photographs!!! ... Let's hope you don't wait 4 more years to post more vintage Hot Rod pics! Thanks a ton for sharing!!!
Thank you so much Mike. We here at the HAMB live for this stuff that you are so kind to take the time and share. I could invest all day and night studying your fathers photos and any info you pass along. Thanks for coming onboard. "Listen Mr... It ain't broke if I can't fix it"
Hello 296ardun...thought you might enjoy some pictures of Don's cars. My Dad knew Don also. I remember going to his Speed Shop in the early 60's. They went to school together. Keep checking in, I have more to come!
Again I want to thank all of you for the support and praise. I think I'm getting the hang of things!? I have been a member for some time, but have been content to sit on the sideline and enjoy all the articles, and pictures from everyone. I'm privileged to have this platform for so many of you can enjoy the "golden era" as I have for many years. The HAMB is fantastic. Where else can you go and get the knowledge that the members are so gladly to give freely? I only hope that I am able to give back somewhat in that regard. If these pictures spark an interest, help a project, than I think I will have helped in some small way! Hey Richard....thanks for the "shout out"!! For those of you who don't know member Richard [ev8g], he own's the Early V8 Garage in West Covina, Calif. Richard is a wealth of information, and a great guy. Call him if you have any questions, or needs. Richard was also one of the people instrumental in resurrecting the Pasadena Roadster Club. Kuddo's to you Richard!! The planet's, star's, and karma all had to be lined up the day of the 10 Annual PRC Picnic, when I met Elmer, and his Grandson Bruce. Like Richard said, not only did I have the Program that my Mom had filled out with his exact time that was on his timing plaque, but to his dismay, in my Dad's album was two pictures of his car!! One is of his car in my Dad's driveway!!! What are the odd's of that?? I have attached the pictures of Elmer's car, affectionately called Elmer's Boat?! As usual, I'm sure I have rambled on enough. So boy's and girl's; buckle up as I have plenty more to post!!
Mike, thanks for posting your stuff for all to enjoy, and thanks for the nice things you said about me. I would like to clarify that, while I was very involved in the new PRC starting in early 2004, credit for the actual "ressurection" was the work of whom I often refer to as the "Magnificent 7" who got together in 2002-03 and made it happen. I was invited to join the Club in about April 2004, a few months prior to the first re-running of the PRC Reliability Run. I did then recruit several other new members and we all then worked very hard to stage the subsequent Runs. Alot of credit for that success belongs to the actual participants, and especially their hot rods, without whom/which the Runs would not have been possible. As most people in the Hot Rod World know, the original runs started and finished at the Rose Bowl. Due to the popularity of that venue for other various events, after the 2nd "new" Run, it became impossible to continue to use that site and we had to relocate subsequent runs to the the PCC parking lot...
Damn.....bad ass post. Love the old pictures. Thank you sir. Your father was indeed "touched", but evidently in the right way. What an awesome bit of family history. Thanks again.
Thanks so much for sharing your album. Those are great photos! A fine way to start the day. I'll follow this thread and hope to see many more.
Oh my, Yeah, I think you can probably stick around. Thanks for sharing these incredible photos and stories!
Awesome, very nice photos. Must have been a great time for you guys, at least in terms of racing these jalopies.
Love the speed progression comments in the photo album. I can picture them trying something new, going faster, coming back to the garage and rearranging, doing it again, etc.
I think all of these pictures are great but especially like this one.Just look at the background. It catches a period when cars were built in garages with dirt floors,(yes I see this one looks like concrete) canvas doors and one 100 watt light bulb hanging from the dusty rafters. I was looking at the laundry hanging there and wondering how many times the builders were chewed out for dusting the sheets with a blast of exhaust form a car being tuned! Yes keep on posting and thank you for sharing.
Man, this thread is killer I absolutely love this type of stuff. Thank you so much for sharing these photos aslong as people love real 40s hot rods then these guys memories will live on. Can't wait to see more and if you can scan the 27T on the first page of the album that would be amazing. Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!
I thought I'd seen and heard all the old archival pictures, stories, meetings... Mike, this is like...amazing. So glad Pat was there to meet with Elmer and his son...and gave Elmer a ride... Years ago, I attended a 'Forever Four' event at Pomona. Before I knew it, I was jawing with Kong Jackson, who cruised me thru a host of famous guys, guys I had only read about in the Little pages, etc. Your posts and pics are in the same caliber. The real stuff, served up on a personal platter. I feel like what my HAMB brothers have expressed: Real gratified.
Thanks for sounding off 39 guy, I appreciate the feedback. As I said in an earlier post, I love this shot also. I have the PRC plate that is on the back of the car. You are right in the fact that it just show's the "bare bones" of the early Hot Rod day's! They used what they could get their hand's on. Remember, this was war time. Everything was done in a garage or back yard back then. Nice mention on the laundry, don't see much of that now day's. Now that I think about it...gives a whole new meaning to "airing out the family laundry"! HA! Keep checking the post, more to follow. Thanks again to all have left feedback!!!!
Mike, thanks, I will keep checking back, and thanks for the Blair picture...I worked there from '62 to mid-'64 when the Navy called....it was a great place to work...I look forward to more pictures!
OK kids...I'm back!!! I have decided to not only post the pages in the album as they are, but I am also going to post the pictures themselves. A lot of you have requested that also. Along with the fact that sometime's the background is just as interesting as the picture. I'm happy to oblige where I can. I think they will come out much better to see for all concerned. I don't want to abandon the pages, as I think it gives all the pictures a great amount of personality. Agree? It may take me longer to get through the album, but I think it will be well worth the time. I'm totally humbled by the amount of response that all of you have shown. I think I have touched a lot of people, and for that I am grateful. So on that note, I will plow ahead, and as always, if there is anything I can redo or do, let me know and I will try to get it done. Buckle up Kid's!!!! Here we go again!!!!
Thank you so much for posting these wonderful photos,they made the past a little more clear in my mind. Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App
The Jalopy Journal
