Folks Of Interest RIP ... Paul Aldrich

Paul R. Aldrich
March 9, 1946 - October 27, 2023
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circa 1956 images of Carl Carpenter's 400JR. Coupe
from the tyrodscc Instagram feed



Paul Aldrich with his recreation of the 400JR. Coupe
image by @Trent Sherrill​

 

2018 TROG entry photo


image by @mike bowling


image by Sondre @SuperFleye Kvipt


photographer unknown​

 

image by Lance Milltown Ferrell​

 

images from the This Old Hotrod Facebook page​

 

images from the tyrodscc Instagram feed​

 

Paul Aldrich's channeled Deuce Tudor had been "stored" in his basement since 1987:

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... and here it is at the 2019 Boston World Of Wheels Motorama show:

image by @patmanta​

 

Here's Paul Aldrich’s “resurrected” Jackson-Peterson "The Excaliber" (circa 1955) dragster at the 2019 Boston World Of Wheels Motorama show:

images by @patmanta​

 

Condolences to the Aldrich family and friends in Paul's passing...lived Hotrod right through in style...he sure did the walk a little faster than most without a doubt...rest in peace with a little Hotrod in between Paul...

 

My condolences to his family and friends

 

Condolences...would of loved to have met him ....

 

Paul Aldrich's OBERHAUSEN Electric-powered Supercharger display:

images from the tyrodscc Instagram feed



OBERHAUSEN Ad from the November 1958 issue of MECHANIX ILLUSTRATED magazine
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My sympathies to family and friends. He did appear to be busy in his later years. Way too go, man.

 

R I P

 

That's all any of us can hope for !

 

Sincere sympathy goes out to his friends, fans & especially his Family

 

Having known Paul Aldrich for many years, I am happy with your post about Paul. He was an avid Oldsmobile engine fan, as I had seen in displays at his house. Paul was extremely talented and knowledgeable. He took on projects that many others would have passed on. He restored at least 2 very early 1950's dragsters. the one on display at the show as well as the Bannister brothers dragster. I enjoyed talking with Paul as he was not a bull-shitter. when Paul said something, he knew what he was talking about. I bought an early 123" front engine dragster from Paul many years ago. I gave it to my son joe ( dual quad 55 ) here on the HAMB. Joe recently sold it. The dragster had early Palemides rear wheels on it. Paul will surely be missed by me and many others. I am happy to have known Paul. Many thanks to Hemi 32 for his great tribute to Paul Aldrich.

 

Paul Aldrich's 239ci "dressed" flathead is/was on display at the :

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As @nickthebandit mentioned, Paul Aldrich was also responsible for an "exact reproduction" of Fran and Ralph Bannister’s dragster that was originally built in 1955:

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Here's some photos of Paul's re-creation of the Bannister Bros. dragster (& the clone of their 324ci Olds powered Ford wagon):

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NOTE: All images from the May 10th 2015 article entitled:

The Bannister Dragster, A 1950s Rail That Oozes Killer Hot Rod History​

 

After reading the "Bang Shift" article, I remembered Paul stopping at The NHRA re-union in Bowling Green, Kentucky. I was a vendor there. Paul stopped at my vendor space, and told me about some problem he was having with his customized early Ford Econoline. IIRC it was a front end problem that was wearing out his tires. Paul asked if he could borrow $ 100.00 to get him to Georgia. I gave Paul $ 300.00, just in case. I told him to re-pay me when he could after he got home. I felt honored that Paul asked me for the loan, instead of asking someone else. Isn't that what friends are for. I am sorry for the New England Hot Rod fraternity losing Paul. He is missed already.

 

Bummer. Paul was a great guy and a wealth of knowledge about New England hot rod history. Snowman ⛄️

 

Here is Paul'shomebuilt Econoline

 

Paul's sedan with the 6 x 2 Naihead at the Road Agent's meet.

 

And his chopped shoebox with it's Kelsey Martin signature flames (these three photos were thanks to Skip Readio)

 

He used to carry a rail dragster frame around,angled in the bed. I always got a chuckle when he drove by. Snowman ⛄️

 

See also @wheeldog57's HELPING CLEAN OUT AN OLD FRIENDS GARAGE thread.

 

Excellent tribute @HEMI32