Two style-conscious Bobby Soxer’s of the ’40s are probably checking out the Model A to see if it had a radio so they could listen to Frank Sinatra while cruising the local drive-in with their dates. Note the radiator cap, eyebrows on the headlights, mud flaps, white walls, and even hand grips to get in the rumble seat. Keep in mind the car was just over 10 years old at the time.
John Hanley formed the JO-HAN company in Detroit way back in 1947 and made promotional models for the car manufacturers and was even around before AMT. By the early ’60s, the company was one of the first to produce NASCAR racers like this 1964 Plymouth Belvedere raced by Richard Petty. In real life for '64, Chrysler redesigned its brick-bodied car and introduced this streamlined Plymouth (and Dodge) body. They dusted off some old blueprints they had drawn up in ’51 but never built before the manufacturer racing ban of ’56 and christened it the Dodge Hemi-Charger that had gobs of HP (claimed at about 500) on the top end and ran as quick as 180 mph in tests. In ’64 27-year-old Petty made 61 starts in the NASCAR Grand National Division in the Petty Engineering built racer and won nine races, had 37 top-five and 43 top 10 finishes. In the final points standings, Richard finished first with 40,252 points against second-place man Ned Jarrett at 34,950. His winnings for the year were $114,771.45 which was fine for the day but is nothing compared to today.
George Seeger got more than a trophy for winning a heat race back in ‘48. That’s California Hot Rod Inc. starter Wally Maxwell making sure things don’t get out of hand. Note the Inglewood Tire recaps that look like slicks and the stagger built into the car.
Johnny Thompson in his Pete Schmidt Special takes on some water as his red and silver Kuzma-built ride takes on fuel and tires during a pit stop during the 1955 Indianapolis 500 mile race. Johnny started the race way down in the 33rd spot after posting a qualifying speed of 134.113 mph. His quick driving and efficient crew resulted in John finishing in fourth place on the same lap behind winner Bob Sweikert in his KK500C.
One of the slickest cars seen at the lakes in the late ’40s was run by Mr. Clem Tebow of the Roadmasters. The Class C Streamliner featured a slightly narrowed ’26 T body and what looks like a modified Deuce shell. Under the hood was a 272” ’46 Merc fitted with Weiand heads and intake manifold. At the May ’49 meet he ran 122.28 mph for ninth in a ten entry field. On the right is the Road Runners Reno and Baker Class B Lakester powered by a 249” Merc that wasn’t timed. On the left is Santa Paula Roadsters member Rondel Brown who ran a 240” Ford that turned 101.80 mph for last in class B Lakester.
Bill Burke teamed up with Jim and Tommy Dahm for an assault on Bonneville in 1951. Running out of San Gabriel, the boys entered this Class B Modified Coupe consisting of a chopped Austin/American Bantam body. Up front was a 249" Merc flattie that powered the car to 141.509 mph for second in class
Doug Rice from Aberdeen, Washington brought his primered and heavily messaged '40 Ford to Speedweek in 1953. It was powered by a 296" '42 Merc and scooted the machine across the salt at a speed of 126.58 mph for a 12th in class out of 34 ent,
This is the '32 Ford roadster that Tony Nancy paid $35 for when he got out of the Marines in 1952. Tony did the body and trim work, added an 85 hp flathead engine, and painted the car orange with a paintbrush. Tony's mom is shown trying out the car around '53.
Well known Southern California driver Danny Oakes , with Hollywood Screen Actress Carole Landis who was part owner of the Balch Offy !
Don Davis in the Dart-Kart Trevis built car with an Offy inGasoline Allet at Indianapolis. Don Davis qualified 27th and finished 29th in the 1961 Indianapolis 500 after being involved in a crash on lap 49.
Larry’s purple candy paint job is outstanding on the Chevy. The all white tuck&roll interior even enhances the paint by making it pop even more. The emblems where shaved, but that was as far as the customizing on the body went. The car was mildly lowerd and rides on chromed wheels with medium white wall tires and chrome plated Bellflower exhaust. [divid
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