Folks Of Interest Tim McMaster - World Land Speed Record Holder - Legendary Y Block & Flathead Engine Builder

Yesterday was an exceptionally good day.

It ended with a visit to Hanford Auto Supply
in Hanford, California where I met Tim McMaster
the Legendary Y Block engine builder who also
is the Legendary Flathead engine builder.



A quiet unassuming fellow - he came to work
in this building back in 1985 and never left.



Tim’s Dad wanted him to be an engineer
but Tim liked cars - he took a job while
in high school in 1985 and parlayed that
into owning the building and the business.

Tim is the current land speed record holder
for a Y Block at 196 mph - having set that
record at The Bonneville Salt Flats last year.



So pull up a chair and take a visit with me
to Hanford Auto Supply - a 14.000 square foot
building first built in 1907 - listen as Tim explains
about his Y block race car - see some Stellar Cars.

@

Jim

 

My oh my, that place is fantastic! Thanks Jim, for posting this. I'm beyond amazed. So many crankshafts! Unbelievable! I wish we had "smell-a-vision" 'cause I know that place must have a special smell to it......Don.

 

Wow. I am speechless.
Thanks for sharing.

 

In A Logical Word ….

Tim should have closed this business
many years ago.

The guys that you see in the video had stopped by to get a 350 Chevy rebuilt for a truck.

Tim was very direct with them and told them if they wanted the best price on that engine then they should order one from Summit Racing.

They stayed and visited and Tim was kind enough to take them in the back and spend time that wasn’t earmarked for selling.

What a hell of a guy he is ….

This is my 16th year transporting to travel to tell stories from the road …

Yesterday started with my friend Jim in Visalia
and a tour of his hot rod buddy’s life long collection of parts that he is putting up for sale …

Jim is helping his friend so I helped Jim
by shooting a series of videos …

The last video included a 1934 Brewster
5 or 7 passenger enclosed drive Limousine
that his buddy traded a couple of hot rods for about 20 years ago ….



Neither of us knew what the car was at the time
but with research and help from The Old Interweb
I am closing in on what the history of this car is.

I know how each day will start - but I never know
how it will end …


Jim

 

Outstanding ! Tim is the KING OF Y BLOCKS. He deserves all the superlatives people post a great guy and a longtime HAMBER. @mctim64

Here is Tims red roadster build : https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/finally-i-get-my-flathead-powered-t-roadster.954035/

 

Thanks for the video. Those Brewsters were beautiful cars. 1934/35 was the end of the line for the Brewster. Most were built on a Ford chassis, but I wonder if this one was one of the Lincoln v12s. Any idea about what motor is in it? There's a pretty nice one in Hemming's little museum in Bennington, VT. I don't know of any that have been hot rodded.

 

He is without a doubt a class act. Last Saturday he drove from Hanford to Mentone for Tony Huntimer's (typo41) memorial.

 

Regarding the Brewster …

I am headed back down to Visalia to spend part of the day helping my friend Jim roll it out into the light so I can take video and pictures.

We are also going to try to find the body number and the serial or Vin number to compare it against the remaining surviving examples that have been cataloged.

This Brewster has been out of the public eye for at least 20 years and it very well may be another survivor that was unknown until now.

Jim

 

Fantastic video.
If I walked into Hanford Auto Supply and offered to sweep the floors, clean up every day, be the shop gofer, and hang out, soaking up wisdom and knowledge, I wonder how much I'd have to pay Tim per hour to watch the magic happen.

 

You MUST swing by BT's on Mooney Blvd. and grab a couple of combo burritos. Be sure to ask for extra sauce.

Here's their address: 1530 S Mooney Blvd, Visalia, CA 93277

You can thank me later.

 

Wow, what an incredible store/shop/collection! I've never met Tim, just see him here on the HAMB and occasionally on facebook (used to see him on Instagram when I would go on there), but he's one helluva hot rodder! Thank you so much for sharing.

 

Thanks !

Long day with the 1934 Brewster …

Just had dinner there - my review:

“ Recommended by someone
I had the combination burrito w/ extra sauce
#2 double cheeseburger combo
Includes fries & shake - $12 total
Too much food for one person “






Jim

 

I'm living vicariously through you. Their burritos are awesome (never had a burger there).

 

Tim is a great guy, he's the "Ron Swanson" of hot-rodding! His shop is super cool!

 

Thank you and Mr. McMaster for sharing this. Real neat time capsule shop he has there.

 

Heck Tim with all the cool spares on hand you need to run yourself through a copy machine to build everything . Awesome work comes from Hanford auto . Everything Tim does happens “Fast”
Thanks for taking us along.

 

Did you notice the Ford 9N tractor with a flathead V8?

 

Cool.....thanks for posting !

 

Freighter Jim is a great guy and was a big help in waking up the Brewster, lives to tell the story of cars that may have been forgotten! We had a great time uncovering this car and letting it speak to us!
What an awesome day!
Jim AKA Sanford & Son

 

Tim's shop is the "Real Deal" not like most "auto parts stores", selling trinkets / bling / wax, now-a-days.

 

Glad I met you Jim.

That was a great couple days in Visalia
and I am sure there will be more to come.

Jim

 

Well, this is the first I came across this post. Thank you for the kind words! I do enjoy what I do.

 

WELl, Don't leave us hanging : DISH on the Brewster??