I have acquired a really cool Ontario hot rod shop truck that had a fabulous past. 1939 Ford truck built by Gray Yanocko in Simcoe Ontario started in the early fifties and used or occasionally shown until it was stolen in 1962, revived and stored away in 1985 until two weeks ago when I brought it home to restore. Sectioned 5” various engines throughout the years. Was a basic shop truck, then a push starter at the drags with his rails and finally a show truck from 1960-62. Looking for any history of the truck or his hot rod speed shop and mail order business Grays Powerhouse! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Seems more stuff shows up every few days too! Just received this one since posting! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Its looks to have been stored away from Ontario's metal gobbling environment... I hope your bringing it back to is that the glory of 1956 or is it 58? Sharps looking Custom Truck...congratulations...
The era will be 1956 , very few changes but mostly due to missing proof at this time.... Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Someday I'll make my way to your town to take in a cruise and say hello...I look forward to your resurrection of this unique bit of history.
So @Chris Stapley Yanocko's name brings up connections to The Galt Strokers and The Purple People Eater @Fast Elvis is working on...is this a fact.
Maybe search pics/video of Grand Bend Dragway and St Thomas Dragway. Those would be closest tracks in your trucks heyday
Sure does, the body from the Purple Purple Eater shared space with my truck for many years, Mark actually has Grays last rail next in queue after the PPE! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Actually the Kohler Airbase drag strip that Gray was instrumental in making a reality ( later to become the Cayuga Speedway) was his home base! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
The Maple Leaf Hamb Element is kinda cool lately...especially since they're historical capsules... Perhaps you could do a commemorative photo shoot with TPPE when you complete the resto. That rail looks to have an upside down hood for a body...nice and rough around the edges...
Always great to another old custom come back to light. Canada has a rich history of great custom builds that continues to this day. Keep us posted on your progress. Torchie
Cool find Chris !!! Not likely make it out your way till Stirling .Guess it a break from making license plates ... Oh right painting them LOL
Fantastic find! Would be cool to see it as a push truck if you make it to a nostalgia drags or behind a belly tank at Bonneville!
Great find, gonna be a sweet ride ! Congratulations, when I seen that posted for sale (was that this past fall ?) I remember thinking "I really hope someone who appreciates it, gets it", it appears that has happened- keep us posted !!
Best of luck with the restoration of Gray's truck...a very cool piece of early Canadian hot rod history. Gray was a true early pioneer of speed also. Here's one for you Chris....a picture of the plaque off hie 1958 appreciation award from the OTA.... if it wasn't for Gary Yanocko.....Ontario hot rodding and drag racing may have taken alot longer for getting going. Great see the truck in hands with Chris Stapley.
.last I read on another local forum he is still looking for a frame.he is pretty dedicated to keeping it period(no modern frame crap)he has the talent just needs the right parts to complete his vision
I was just going to comment that Kohler would have been closer to Simcoe and maybe you can find some history
Maybe some history can be found relating to drag racing in New York state, say Niagara Falls , New York or Buffalo area.
@Chris Stapley...how's the project coming along...no pressure just a little excited for good reason of course...you are very fortunate...
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