I missed this thread the first time around, I'm glad it popped back to the top. When I saw the heading "real 50's hot rods" I wasn't thinking Ontario. I'm going to e-mail this link to my father, he rodded, raced and rallied in southern Ontario and Michigan through the late 50's and early 60's. He's got some cool stories, and probably knew, or knew of, some of the cars and guys in these old photos. He went to GMI and had a customized '55 Chev in '56, then got into Porsches and MGs in the early 60's and it was all sportscars after that. Great stuff Ragtop. Thanks for posting the shots.
This is a sad story about one of my all time favorite cars,...... this picture was taken in 1976, a friend of mine named Ron found this car in the upper,( it was a true 50's survivor ) brought it back and put it on the road as-is just cleaned up, a mighty Olds with 3 leakers, LaSalle trans, and one of the most cool black and white T&R int. I had ever seen,...... when it went up for sale I tried to put all the money together but you could almost buy a new car for the $6,500 asking price at the time,...... it was sold to a cop that beat the **** out of it, then to another guy and another,..... finally a young guy got ahold of it, tore it apart and built a Graffiti clone out of it,..... it was in the book a couple years ago "Deuce Coupe" ,...... this thing still gives me chills ! such is life,...... but MAN WHAT A CAR !
WOW!!! This is a great thread! I never saw it the first time around. Its cool to see all these pictures, some of the cars I see now. I see Sam's 32 almost every monday when the snow is not here. He did a great job with it. Him and his brothers are great guys. I also see Ontario George Fitzios car every once in a while too. I never knew it had so much history. I would love to hear more about these cars. Are any of them still around? I never realized how much hot rod history windsor has.
Love this thread ......lets keep it going!! Here's afew of Dave Adams one of the orginal Piston Pushers from about 1958 at Kohler Dragway. This A roadster ran a 364 olds and was the Ontario Timing ***. piont's champ for 1960. Dave is still alive and going strong living in Red BAY Ontario and still drivin a 34 Ford coupe. Old hot rodders never slow down!! Ragtop probably remembers Dave.
Here's one of my all time favorite local guys that did battle on the 1320 for many years in Ont. and Mich. during the g***er wars, "Ontario George" Gray. Great guy and happy to say still running the 80 year old garage which his father started.
Thought you may enjoy these,...... Karl & Veda Orrs shop in the 40's these were the founders of my car club the ROAD KNIGHTS Detroit (MHRA) this was taken in 54, the tall guy in the back is Harry, he is still a active member and a great friend
just two more,...... this one from 1952 our club was 1 year old, and this is the official banner of the day Frank Mack was a member,....... this picture was taken in 53, that is a friend of Frank's in the car,.... they were on the way to the lake to score some "Dames"
I don't mean to hijack this thread,.....but if you guys are interested here are some pictures of MHRA's Dragstrip " Motor City Dragway" the dragstrip is why the Detroit Autorama was started in the first place, to raise money to build this. the Dragway is long abandoned. but Autorama lives on as a part of Hot Rod History !
Harms Way great pic's brother.........your not hijacking at all, just adding to it with those very kool pic's!! I hope you have more pic's to lay on us all!!!
In looking at all the pictures of both the "Hot Rods" and the "Drag Cars" I didn't see any that resemble what some are building today "As the were back in the day" In a way I'm glad, I was beginning to think all my memory was gone, cause I sure as hell don't remember any "Rat Rods" running the streets in the 50's and 60's.
Don't apologize! Just keep 'em coming. Those are so cool! How about any of the old Autorama pictures. Maybe start another post with those if you have them.
Hey thanks for all the great pictures! I am glad guys like all of you will take your time and post them so young guys like me (19) can appreciate this stuff..... I might be working on a '67 mustang right now but I would love to have a '56 ford in my future!
I'm Glad you said that , My thoughts exactly -- not a "rat " in the lot!! If your rod had rust, was not painted & had moth eaten upholstery -it was cause you didn't have the bucks to do better --yet --but it was sure coming when you could.
WOW! I haven't looked at this old post for a long time - didn't see the last few posts. Harm's Way - I know Harry. He still looks the same. I bought a deuce frame from him about 30 years ago and he helped arrange the sale of my deuce three window about 15 years ago. The Frank Mack car was incredible. It's too bad Frank got screwwed so bad when he sold it but it;s now in good hands eh! If you have more pics I'm sure we'd all love to see them.
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