Here's Robert Hamke He's a Master builder I'm sure he'll restore the car Right Maybe when finished,he can put the car on Loan at the "Indy Car Museum" [FONT=Tahoma, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Robert Hamke [/FONT] [FONT=Tahoma, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Owner, Hamke Race Cars & Parts [/FONT] [FONT=Tahoma, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif] [/FONT] [FONT=Tahoma, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]There are a lot of racing veterans in this world. There are a lot that know a lot about racing. There are a lot that know about race cars. There are a lot that were once talented racecar drivers. [/FONT] [FONT=Tahoma, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif] [/FONT] [FONT=Tahoma, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]There are not many that have all of those qualities though. However, Robert Hamke is one of those few. [/FONT] [FONT=Tahoma, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif] [/FONT] [FONT=Tahoma, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Hamke, owner of Hamke Race Cars & Parts, knows as much as there is to know about racing and has been around the sport for just as long. [/FONT] [FONT=Tahoma, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif] [/FONT] [FONT=Tahoma, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Hamke started being around racecars back in 1959 when he was just 12-years-old. He started racing Half Midgets and Go-Karts. Then, he moved from Indianapolis to Miami Florida and soon started building Go-Karts when, as Hamke says, Go-Karts were a big deal. [/FONT] [FONT=Tahoma, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif] [/FONT] [FONT=Tahoma, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Hamke continued to learn how to build race cars and race them at the same time, driving Super Modifieds, Late Models and more. [/FONT] <!-- </hs:element2> --><!-- <hs:element3> --> <!-- </hs:element3> --><!-- <hs:element4> -->[FONT=Tahoma, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]In 1977, Hamke broke his leg at New Smyrna and was out of the season for seven months, so he spent his time fixing other peoples' cars. And that is how Hamke Race Cars and Parts started. [/FONT] [FONT=Tahoma, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif] [/FONT] [FONT=Tahoma, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Officially, the business started in 1981. In 1987, Hamke relocated from Florida to North Carolina, where the shop remains today. [/FONT] <!-- </hs:element4> --><!-- <hs:element5> --> <!-- </hs:element5> --><!-- <hs:element6> -->[FONT=Tahoma, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Over the years, Hamke has worked with some of the biggest and brightest stars in the business. Hes built cars for the likes of Donnie Allison, Kenny Schrader, Jeremy Mayfield, David Stremme, Kyle Busch, Johnny Sauter, Steve Wallace, Jeff Fultz, Scott Hanson and so many more. [/FONT] [FONT=Tahoma, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif] [/FONT] [FONT=Tahoma, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]And wins and championships have come by the truckload. So many, that Hamke doesnt event keep track, nor remember. Ive won all the championships and the big races. I just want to keep winning them, he says. [/FONT] [FONT=Tahoma, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif] [/FONT] [FONT=Tahoma, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]While Hamke continues to run one of the most successful racing businesses in the industry, he is quick to point out too, that even though hes not racing on the track anymore, that hes not a retired driver. [/FONT] <!-- </hs:element6> --><!-- <hs:element7> -->[FONT=Tahoma, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Hamke raced cars like this Super Modified, which was built by his father. (photo from retrorockets.org) [/FONT] <!-- </hs:element7> --><!-- <hs:element8> -->[FONT=Tahoma, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]It gets kind of hard racing against your customers, said Hamke. I aint ever quit racing yet though. I just havent raced for awhile. I am pretty much done, but I can still go fast. [/FONT] [FONT=Tahoma, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif] [/FONT]
Where's Faith Granger? Since "Deuce Of Spades" is done............. Maybe time to start another movie called "My Father's Footsteps" or a Documentary to Bonneville 2011 I'd really like to see Robert Hamke make a Pass at Bonneville in 2011 on the 60th anniversary of when his father drove it Maybe he'll let me take it down the "Salt Flats " one time
.... But sometimes ya gotta do the right thing I guess I'm just "Old School" .... Trichop ... Man, you are a waaay cool hotrodder Klaz
I made a similar call back in 2003. Although not a featured car, the blue truck(Hoys Hauler) was being sought by the original builder Ted Hoy. His response was "yes, Ive been hopeing for this call for twenty years." It felt great to let him and his family know that their hotrod was safe, almost unchanged, and appreciated. When the topic of sale came up, we both knew one day, when the time was right this car would go back home...
Karma has a way of helping you in the long run. I came across (was given) an early ford front axle a few years ago from a guy I worked with, & had seen the pics of the Car it was originally on - 33 ford roadster Hot Rod. I was at the Castlereagh Drags Reunion looking through some old pics on display, when I saw a certain 33 roadster with a particularly unusually painted front axle. I recognised it & spoke with the original owner who was there who said that it sounded like the axle. Also speaking with the son who wanted to get his Dads car back I mentioned that I had the front axle. I saw a twinkle in his eye when I mentioned it, & like a dumbass I said if he ever got the roadster he could have the axle back. I felt guilty afterwards as to me it was a cool old axle from under a Hot Rod, but to the son it was an valuble part of his fathers car history. So not long after I gave him the axle, which he was very happy about & a while later he gave me a shit load of parts (free) for my daily driver - then a 1960 Falcon wagon. I was well pleased but not as pleased as him as he'd been looking for a front axle for his Model A project. He's also a HAMBer so if he's reading this - I'm glad part of your Dads car made it home, hopefully the rest will follow one day.......... Whatever you decide it will be the right decision, personally I'd sell it to the son providing it was restored to the way the son remembers it. It's a tough call
Tri chops, this is a really cool story to follow and I think you would be doing the right thing by selling it back to the family. Let him be aware of your intentions of restoring the car, and also let him know how much intrest there is out here to see the car restored to former glory. maybe that will keep him on track for restoring the car also.
I hate to be the devil on your shoulder but one thing bugs me, especially after reading about Hamke. It appears he had the resources to look for the car if he wanted it. Per your earlier post: "The car had 3 owners Bob Hamke, Joe,and Tom I bought the car from Tom" How hard could it have been to find a car two owners away? Even more, the second owner knew the 3rd still had the car. In his 40 year search did he call Joe, or did his dad not know who he sold the car to? I'm not trying to be a jerk about it but I don't want you to get screwed out of a really great find either. It just seems to me that the trail wasn't especially difficult to follow.
You're Correct! I found more owners in my research a Guy named "Adrain" sold the car in 1961 to "Joe" Joe Owned it from 1961 till 1968 Tom owned the car from 1968 till 2009 All Robert Hamke told me was his father sold it to a friend of his in the 50's I'm still checking Robert Hemke was looking for the car in Cincinatti Oh The car was close to Dayton Ohio about 50 miles north Of Cincy Thanks for the correction I'm still doing research
Ok, the trail was a little tougher. Personally I wouldn't fault you for keeping or selling the car. Regardless, if you do sell pin him down on that pass at Bonneville! Good luck man.
Why dont you sell it to his son make it worth your while $$ with an agreement that he restore it back to a bonneville car everyone will think your a great guy and you did the right thing. Then with the money you receive you can build the Hot Rod Feature version and still have some cash left over. It will not be the original but at first you were kinda on the fence about buying the car anyway.
Wow. This whole story is great. I think you should give him the option to buy back a piece of his family history. Maybe you can stay in touch with him and be involved in the rebuilding of the car. See if you can get him on the HAMB. Im sure he has a lot of knowledge and great stories to tell and we could all follow along on a journey that many of us wish we could take.
Trichop. Don't beat yourself up over this. You bought a great piece of history so enjoy it for awhile. Get it running, take it to a few shows and if something better comes along and or the original family needs it worse than you, then let it go or at least when the time comes give the family first rights. You found it, you pulled the trigger, you are in the cat bird seat. Have some fun with it!!! jeff
I have been looking for my dads Olds factory ride from 1970 since I could drive. If that racecar popped up like this I would cry like a little girl. I would guess that to the son, this car means more than you can imagine. Kharma will shine on you if you send it home.
I would be cautious. I would hate to see it at BJ in a year or so. If it were me (which it ain't) I would restore it and enjoy it. Run it at Bonneville and have him be involved. After the run at Bonneville and the publicity it should bring the car will be worth big bucks. Unless you are rich that has to count for something in the long run. My 2c.
does his son have any of the missing pieces? track nose or tag? or did the other owner end up with them?
Thanks for your 2c I think seeing Robert ,following his Dad's path down the "Flats" 60 years later, would be something I would enjoy more I would like to be there to see it
How did I miss this thread? ... Wow! ... what a cool story! Trichop ... I may be a bit biased (I'm the caretaker of the Hot Rod my late father started building in 1954) ... but IMO, the car should be "returned" to the Hamke family ... It sounds as if you're a class act and intend to sell the car to Robert Hamke Jr. ... I'll bet he would be more than happy to include you in the car's future (e.g., part of the restoration process and/or its return to B'ville).
I also agree. He may buy it back then sell it for the real money it may be worth later. I myself would keep the car and bring it back. Then let the son drive it at the salt flats. He had to know where the car was all this time.
You Got It! That's what I told Robert Hemke last night when He called Robert might come up next week I'm going to try to get the other "Past Owners" (Tom and Joe) together with Robert (if he comes up next week) also take some pictures of the Car and them ,together Maybe then, Robert can ask "Tom" for the extra parts and timing Tag I also told Robert,he's welcome to stay at my house After Robert restores the car, it will NEVER be for sale again It's part of his family's heritage He wants to restore the "Bonneville" car He told me the car was Black It was painted in 1951 It was only the "Show Car" ,with the scallops, for 1 year in 1950
I started reading the thread wishing I could find something like that! Feature car/ racing history geez Salt flats car- After reading more of the thread with all the responsibilities and obligations to preserve -I'll pass - With that much history the car will never be your car anyway- send it to the museum and visit it on your vacation. To each their own- Good Luck
I was going down Stanley Ave. in Dayton in 1961 when I first saw this car. It was a light color and was parked in a gas station. I saw it a couple of times after that but it was blue metalflake and wearing a deuce grill shell. Bodywork wasn't perfect and , if I remember correctly, it had a sbc in it. In the mid '60's there were quite a few hot rods in the Dayton area, and this one that was seen around frequently. Some guy ran it through a house and took what was left of it to south Dayton. I never saw it after it was wrecked, but from the recent pictures, it looks like it isn't too bad. By the way, this car was used in a triumph motorcycle ad, in the early '60's, with its light colored paint job, in Hot Rod.
You're right! a picture is on the cover of "Car Craft" in the 60's shows this car along with about 9 other Roadsters the car was painted Light blue with a white convert top runninig a SB and a Deuce Grill (the track nose was taken off when the SB was installed) Do you remember the issue with the TRiumph motorcycle? Yep..........Hit a House in 1968........ Carbs stuck Wide open as he was driving with a piece of string The guy I bought it from Best friend is the Guy who wrecked it Thanks
This whole saga sounds like the car should be headed for another HRM feature in 2011. Your are a good man Trichop and it sounds l like Robert is also. Let him know that the car has a lot of "foster parents" now so he better not screw it up.. we know where to find him. Seriously, I am sure that there are many blessings in your future. I didn't have great relationship with my father, but if I could find my first car, '57 Chevy wagon, I would hope the person that had it was just like you. Good luck to you and your next, "last project"
JimmyB THANKS! I might of passed on the car if it wern't for your knowledge of cars and your 2nd post. Do you have the Photo from "Car Craft" you can Post? The previous owner also showed me a picture of it in "Hot Rod" in 1952? "Hot Rod" Magazine was doing a article about Car Clubs It Shows the members and there cars in the issue BoB Hamke Sr,was a member of the "Modockers" from Indy Can you help with any more photos? How about the "Triumph Motorcycle " Ad from the 60's Hope I'm not asking to much
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