Art & Inspiration Traditional images that need no explanation.

The Don Hudson roadster which eventually became the Tom McMullen car.

 

Watch your toes Don

 

AND PRIVATES!

 

What a great looking car!

 

This car still exists, a friend of mine owns it but rarely shows it to the public. It is totally restored.

 

High octane,,,,,,

 

What is the reason with this?

 

Hello,

The names Kolb and Voight has/had a lot of history in Long Beach. Leland Kolb and Fritz Voight were Long Beach locals that were involved in drag racing from the early days. They had a number of race cars/motors and were part of many different race teams over the years.

They also were notable in their own right and early car/hot rod history. This “Crab Claw” flame art was Larry Watson style “Crab Claw” red flames that we have all come to enjoy over the years.

Below: Leland Kolb's "Whiz Bang," at the 1958 Nationals.. Leland at left.. Glenn Ward color photo.


1932 Ford Roadster Leland Kolb and Fritz Voight... Original “Crab Claw” flames

"Then the original CRAB CLAW flames from that era started the new variation of the scallop flames. Larry Watson’s very first flame paint job. Rather crude flame design, done in dark red with orange Enamel, was known as “Crab Claw” style flames."

But research does put the early Kolb-Voight, white roadster as one of the earliest crab claw flames on a hot rod.

Leland Kolb, Gruden photo

old Friday Art: Leland Kolb and Fritz Voight with their early "lobster claw" flames

Jnaki

In our junior high art class, we experimented with the letter “C” in all shapes and angles to make it look like crab claws. It was one “C” over and behind the other. No fancy swirls at the tips, just plain old Letter “C” pincers. Of course, over time, the local painters went a step further to stylize the flames with longer swirling fire flames and tips. PINCH...Yikes!

Artists love flames of all colors and shapes… YRMV

 

Not sure if its true or not but I was told it was to help break the staging beam.

 

Trip the staging and finish line lights. I remember Roy Fjastad of SPE made and sold them..