Folks Of Interest The Hot Rods of Pete Chapouris

That '50 was the one that hit me REAL hard. I looked and looked and finally bought one in about 1981 (when I was 20) with a plan to copy it. Went to the auto parts store and ordered the Tru Spoke wheels and everything. That was the first of several cars that I "successfully" took apart, then sold at a loss! I was young, dumb, and poor. But I wanted to be just like him.

 

I love that roadster.
Would really like to see the rear suspension setup in it.

 

SIROD

 

You REALLY have to see it in person. I think it would spoil the whole effect. It could photograph ok, but the litheness of the whole package makes a huge impact on you when you walk up to it on the street, you would lose that with the Shadowrods body IMO. The car is so slim, and low and lithe, it really is BEAUTIFUL, in that way that really GRABS you in person, the same way a 250 SWB does when you walk up to it. I have been looking at this car in photos for three decades, always been in love, when I saw it in person, it was LOVE. I spent probably 15 minutes walking around it, crouching down, looking at it from every angle.

 

This is THE car that exemplifies what a hot rod is.

 

Here is a couple of photos I took.
Pete just hopped out and was standing there. Just the two of us talking. I looked at the carpet down by the gas pedal and mentioned that there was good evidence of a car that had some miles on it.
He laughed and said "I will not vacuum that till I get home"
RIP Pete

 

'Ol Dad had the perfect word for Pete's '27, REET!!! Where would Pete, Jake, and indeed hot rodding be if 'Ol Dad, Baskerville had never introduced those two?

 

Love Pete's work and that roadster is incredible....

 

When I met Pete,he came off as a guy who was never going to grow old.And over the last few days as I processed his passing and what it meant to me,I came to one conclusion.Here was a guy who could build what it took another person a lifetime to possibly conceive,only to find that Pete had already done it.Thank you for ushering in the return of traditional hot rodding.

 

The proportions of that car are spot on. One thing about 26 27 Ts is that I often feel like the relationship between the front wheels and grill shell are off. Too far forward or back and it spoils it. That and the length of the hood is perfect too. That car is an example to be studied in my book.

 

Speaking of spot on proportions anyone have a better picture of this model A? It was supposedly Pete Chapouris' first hot rod.

 

Gonzo...this pic was posted in better resolution by @Harms Way in link below and yes it is a beauty of a Hotrod...


http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/rip-pete-chapouris.1045706/page-2#post-11851782


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Thanks @Stogy . That picture has me dying for a chanelled model a coupe. What a beauty.

 

A young Pete with his very nicely done T-Bucket (While he was working for Blair) ,.... If the Engine, Trans, Wheels & Tires look like you've seen them before,..... It's because they all ended up on Da' Kid.

 

WOW!!! This is the kind of car that got me addicted. PERFECT!!
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That roadster is spot on right!!!! The more you look at it the more you see how everything just flows together. It will always be one of my favorites....

 

Pete's Model A! This car just SCREAMS HOT ROD!!!!

 

I'm not sure where to ask this question, so I'll start here and see what happens. Can anyone tell be where I can find picture/information about the purple 3 window the PC3G build around '95? Its an OT build, and I've looked everywhere I can think of.

 

<<< My 26 coupe was built by Stan VanAmburg, the mechanic for P&J during the Temple City days. I have photos of Jake setting up the suspensionand the coupe is built similar to the SIROD. The 26 body is on a Pete Eastwood 32 frame narrowed for the 26 body. Steve Anderson photed and wrote the magazine article on the car for Rod Action,July 1985. I met Steve years ago and we had good conversation about the article and his visit to VanAmburg's garage. Steve autographed my copy of the mag for me.................

 

Hey Kelly, If you're talking about the Chevy coupe It's in the book HOT RODS BY PETE AND JAKE> not much info though. That car is also on the Snap-On Tools box Hot Rod edition in roadster form.

 

I think that's the one! I can find anything about it! Its like it never happened. I think it was a centerfold in HR??

I'd like to find the poster.

 

I remember that and much more info but I thought Rod & Custom. I'll do a little digging..GoodLuck!

 

I stumbled into him at the Nats , years ago . Thanked him for makin great Hot Rod parts . Told him I used all his stuff on the 3W , he ask if it was near to view . He took a short hike to see it and give up thumbs up . Seemed as true Hot Rodder , very down to earth , man .

I have always said “ if you meet a sour azz person at a Rod Run , he is a want a be ! “ I have never meet a true Hot Rodder , that was not a jolly , easy goin , fun person.

 

SRM article by Pat Ganahl.

 

There was a generous side to Pete. He and Alex signed this pedal car created by SoCal that sold for $2000 at auction. The Jimmy Shine car went for $1600. Proceeds went to Cadence Center for Therapeutic Riding.