Folks Of Interest Emerson Payne, Pioneer Hotrodder & Speed Equipment Manufacturer .

Emerson Payne from Portland Oregon, built one of the first A-V/8's in the area, and cast some Dual Intake Manifolds for Flatheads. Last week his son in law, dropped by and furnished these pictures. Emerson built 2 styles of manifolds, his own and the "Columbia". He was a friend of another Portland speed equipment manufacturer, Bill Shanafelt, check out Bill's price sheet from 1946 ! I have met Emerson, he is 96 and lives only about 15 miles from me, I am going to pay him a visit real soon.

 

Thanks for posting. Really cool photos. I didn't realize that Emerson Payne is now 96 and is still living in Oregon. While looking over Bill Shanafelt's price sheet, I also didn't realize that he produced bronze heads. I have never seen or even heard of these heads before. I have a Columbia intake around here somewhere. I also have a book that says Bill Shanafelt takes credit for the Columbia intake. Now someone must be wrong here. When you go to visit Emerson could you ask him about this? Could you also ask him about the Rocket, Lance and Police intake manifolds. These intakes are very similar to the Columbia intake but no one seems to know who made them or where they even came from. These intakes all look like they were taken from the Columbia pattern.

 

Thank you, Marty ! Not much history in print about PNW rodding except in Al Drake's great work.
Does any Shanafelt equipment other than V8 Ford still exist ? Until your post, I had no idea Shanafelt made anything except V8 parts.

 

Emerson's Son In Law Mike, mentioned that there was a connection between the two, and Emerson did some casting for Bill. My old buddy Jack Gillis, had Emerson make him a couple of intakes, with "Gillis" in raised letters in place of Payne. One of them is on this Track Roadster of Jack's in '49. If you locate that Columbia manifold, please post some pictures. I met Emerson nearly 20 years ago, Mike says, he's real sharp, so I will ask about the those other intakes.

 

I have a friend who has a V/8 60, with Shanafelt heads and dual intake, Bill must have produced those after '46, because they aren't on the price list. Back in the 80's, I picked up a Plymouth flathead six for a friend in the Bay Area, it had an Edmunds Head and a Shanafelt dual 2 bbl intake. The list I have of Portland Speed Equipment Manufacturers is pretty short. Eddie Edmunds, started there, Bill Schnell, Bill Shanafelt, and Emerson Payne all built intakes, about the time I was born, it would have been fun to have been involved back then. I have been fortunate to meet many of the Portland area racers from that period, here's Jack Greiner's 32 with Shanafelt Heads and Intake.

 

Marty, don't forget Ken Austin.

 

Doug, thanks for the reminder, lots of history with Ken !

 

Thanks for sharing the photos and the bit of PNW hot rod history.

 

very Cool - Thanks

 

Thanks for the great pictures, and history. I have a set of Shanafelt heads going on engine soon.

 

Cool stuff, it all didn't happen in So.Cal. Here are a few pictures of P.N.W. stuff. First is a Columbia and a no-name made from the same patterns. I have seen one other of the smooth manifolds, I do not think the fins were removed by grinding them off. The second picture is of a Shanafelt V8-60 head. Next is a Edmunds 60 intake made for the matched pair of Winfields. Any idea if this was a Portland made set-up? Next is a V8-60 no-name intake. It looks like it could be an Edmunds, Roof, or Payne. Any thoughts?

 

Thanks for posting those interesting pics, I have a friend with a V-8 60 with Shanafelt heads and dual intake. There is a lot to be learned about the speed equipment produced in Portland in those early years.

 

I just received notice, that Emerson Payne passed last Tuesday, he was 98 and still sharp. R.I.P. Mr. Payne.

 

Shanafelt for Dodge/Plymouth six going on my DeSoto roadster build.

 

I handled the sale of a Plymouth engine with that intake back in the 80's, I was amazed that it was for 2 barrel carbs.

 

@Marty Strode thanks for sharing these images and the dots that connect them to the best of your knowledge and we keep your friend in our thoughts. He certainly left a legacy in Hotrod and his friend obviously cut from a similar thread kept also was a mover and shaker...The prices are indeed eye opening...different times indeed...It's again a treat to see the Culture, the innovation, the Customs and Hotrods in all their simplcity...Sealed beams are in, windshield leaned back, one wheeler peeler slick, Highboy in effect and is that a modified with a trunk on the back?

I really enjoy the Vintage Hotrod/Custom from your region, truly worth seeing over and over...without a doubt part of the diversity of the Big Picture...

 

What is an "Air Cooled Valve Door Plate"? A side cover for a stovebolt 6 or ???

 

I suppose !

 

We had the privilege to travel to Lincoln, Nebraska and visit the Speedway Motors Museum of American Speed, where we were able to see a great piece of Nancy’s Dad’s (Emerson Payne) history. He is known for being a hot rod pioneer by creating and casting performance flathead Ford aluminum intakes before the war in Portland. I have been searching for one of a dozen or so of these intakes for years. Today we actually saw one in person at the museum. It was hanging on the museum wall with about 500 others in a very impressive collection in a very impressive museum! We were able to give the museum a bunch of information on Emerson and his history which included vintage pictures of his hot rod and the intake on his car at the time (1940-42). Two of the staff, Shelby and Ave at the museum were very thankful for the history. They were gracious hosts and want to stay in touch with us. Thanks, guys, for a great day!

 

Thanks for the history lesson. It was very interesting and informative.

 

And thank you for posting the pics of your visit. That museum is absolutely astounding, great that you were able to experience it - especially with your personal connection.

 

Mike, I got your email, glad you posted here. I wonder who acquired all of Dick Martin's collection of flathead intakes ? I seem to remember there was at least one Payne manifold in there. Didn't you send me pictures of Emerson's '29 with a Pontiac grille shell, which version of it are you thinking about doing ? I will be at the Albany Swap Meet, on the 18th, just inside the door at the show entrance. Hope to see you there !

 

Hi Marty,

I am so sorry I didn't see your message above. I don't know how I miss these things? The version we want to recreate is the one below with the gentleman standing in front of Emerson's car below and the same car on the right at the gas station (Ryders Garage). By the way, these pictures were taken on Barbur Blvd. where Nato forks off in about 1940-41. these guys would tune their cars at the station and then test them out on the brand new Barbur Blvd. concrete roadbed.

I bought a '29 A body, frame and a '49 Mercury flathead from Arnie Chupp as our starting point. I also think I might have found a one of Emerson's intakes. I hope I can maybe talk the current owner out of it? We will see.

Would love to come see you and chat about this project sometime soon? Thanks!

 

Great Mike, looks like you have a good start. You are welcome anytime ! Do you still live in Aurora ?

 

Yes, we do. I get over to see your neighbors, the Gutmann's pretty regularly. Thanks!

 

Those prices would be high for a kid making $20/week in a garage.

 

I forgot about the Edsel connection !