History L.A. Hot Rods at the beginning

A young Bob Berkshire in L.A. in 1943, but ready to rumble. He served and was a prisoner of the Germans for a time in late 1944.

 

I found some notes from an interview I did with Ed Wilkins in 1996. Ed is sitting in the 5th car in that photo. Gene Howard is standing by the Berkshire roadster. This photo was taken in 1951 by Dallas Times Herald photographer.

Ed said "Bob Berkshire built up the car on the west coast. He was shot down in France flying a P-51. The car was built in a chicken shack. Had Ford running gear. Welded sheet metal body panels to the tubular chassis. Bob killed in a car wreck at Fort Hood, TX in 1977."

"Gene (Howard) moved to Michigan"

Karl

 

Here are several more photos of the Bob Berkshire roadster in Dallas in 1950-51. In my research about the Chaparrals club of Dallas, I interviewed members from this 1949-1952 time period. None of them could say where the car went to. It just disappeared out of view in 1952.

 

It is a mystery why this Gene Howard would be "representing" himself as the owner of Bob's car (unless he really was moving toward buying it somehow).

My brother may know a bit more about the history of the build. Didn't know about any "chicken shack".

The P-51 shoot down makes explains the "captive" part of Bob's story. I lost an Uncle in that theater in early 1945. They only found pieces.

My Uncle Jim Nairn was a waist gunner on a B-24 during 1943-44. He flew 29 combat missions with over 270 combat hours logged. I actually have a piece of the plane from his last mission riddled with bullet holes. He said the plane was so shot up and damaged that they could only fly about 75 feet above the water crossing the channel and were clipping trees before finally limping to the landing strip on English soil. I'm planning a section in our book (or some thread postings) to review this part of the history.

My Uncle and Bob and so many of the other young men put their racing goals on hold to step up during WWII and several of them got valuable training in the service that helped move their automotive careers forward. Special men for sure.

Thanks again for your input and interest. Perhaps someone else looking at this thread will have a memory about the fate of the Berkshire roadster. Time will tell.

 

Beyond kooool! Thanx for sharing!!

 

I have spent almost an entire day at work reading and absorbing all of the history here, I live in Playa del rey and drive down jefferson almost everyday. I always noticed the sign but had no idea the history I was immersed in. keep those postcards and pictures coming. ( don't tell MGMT what I did today )

 

To BRQ4suzyqcustoms; There is a lot to take in for sure. Thanks for the interest in my thread. I grew up in a great time of fast cars, street racing and cruizin' on Hollywood or Sunset in the early 60's. But all my own exploits paled when compared to those of my Dad (Don Nairn) and Uncle (Jim Nairn) which is what this thread is all about. They and so many other legends of racing and manufacturing really did START the whole thing! I have been lucky enough not only to hear first hand stories from them but also from family events with the likes of Stu Hilborn, Ed Iskendarien, Phil Remington, Dick Teague, Jack Engle, while growing up in the 1950's and early 1960's. I really didn't realize (as a kid) that the guys flipping the burgers in the backyard or pulling me behind their ski boat at Davis Dam or other things were these iconic figures.

Now, I am still going through the treasures left by my Dad and Uncle about those glorious early days and beyond and wanted to share it with like minded folks on thuis site. So, enjoy and if things work our, my brother and I hope to complete a full book toward the fall of this.

When you travel on Jefferson, you may notice that the Speedway Pattern sign has been removed. We finally closed up shop after 60 years leaving as the last of the Thunder Alley boys. If you know where Bartell's Harly dealership is (on Lincoln I think) you could stop into their service area and ask for Daniel Nairn. He is my brother's son and grandson of Don Nairn. I know he too would appreciate your interest in the family history.

Thanks.

 

A few more Dry Lakes treasures for a Friday evening;

 

Does anybody know anymore about this modidied?

 

Just a note to the followers of my thread. I'm sorry I haven't made any new posts lately. Some family issues came up. I should be back to it soon. Thanks.

 

Great thread! Subscribed...

 

Thanks Burny.

 

Thank you for your reply to my question about the term Hot Rod. I have heard the reference to camshafts before and it makes sense because of the audible sounds coming from an engine with a "Hot Rod". I am in awe of this thread, having been a racer all of my life in the east.

 

Anything new? Hope all is well.

 

Wow, I saved a bunch of these pics. Building my 27 roadster now and these pictures are great motivation.

 

Yes, hope all is well. Whatever became of the book idea?

 

I'm assuming that the book title will be The Story Of Racing, because all of the latest pics are titled that way?

 

hmm...the last time he was here was 6 months ago.

 

Jeeeezuz.... How did I miss this FANTASTIC thread????

Hope all is well too.

 

Ace thread...subscribed

 

Great photo's and great story. I'm finishing up work on a `28 roadster that's intended to be reminiscent of a hot rod from the late `30's. With few exceptions, I've not used parts newer than WW II. These pics would have been a great reference point if I'd had them 3 years ago ... but I'm pleased to report they now confirm that I wasn't all that far off the mark. Many thanks for sharing.

 

Is this Greg "Nairn" Thomas' thread ? Brother Scott Nairn, and all else posted.....but trying to find OP's full name.......other than "Back to Thunder Alley". Anyone know??

 

I believe that is the OP's name,

 

Really ? Is there a way to be sure ? Don't want to be disrespectful...I have enjoyed the thread alot......just wondered why no more contact from him. He seemed to enjoy speaking of such. His family and the history was important to him...... That was the vibe I got. Found some info that I hope doesn't explain his absence. These guys are disappearing from our era, bit by bit. Blows.

 

If the OP may indeed be Greg "Nairn" Thomas.......researching the stuff listed in his posts.....led me to find him on a Hemmings blog discussing Thunder Alley speed/rod shops, and his family.....as he did here. His story, and names all match up.....with a few more interesting tidbits, and pictures to be shared on Hemmings. Unfortunately the same info search led me to an obituary dated November of last year....with a Gregory Owen Thomas.....Hamilton High School grad/borders Culver City area.....and a surviving sibling of Scott Nairns. This is one of my favorite threads. I think I know why the updates stopped. Wish I didn't. Hope I am wrong.

 

Subscribed .....

 

Yeah unfortunately I think this is the reason for the sudden stop to the posts, he was a wealth of info on a great time.
The book Greg had planned would have been amazing.

 

Oh that soooo sucks. I guess we should be glad he at least found the hamb and "spread the gospel" while he did. Lost another link to our roots. JohnnyA

 

Incredible thread, just discovered it. Very sad news if it's true about the OP's passing, so glad he shared what he had posted here.

 

To all that subscribed to this thread - my name is Jason Thomas. My father is Greg "Nairn" Thomas, and it saddens me to inform you all (as many of you already know) that he passed away from a massive stroke on November 5th, 2013. Unbelievable it's almost been two full years since I lost the most amazing and important figure in my life.

Also, and very sadly, my uncle Scott Nairn, passed away unexpectedly in his sleep in March of this year.

While I am definitely not the wealth of knowledge that either my father or uncle were regarding the Hot Rod history presented in this thread (and on Hemmings website), I have access to all of his recorded and logged data that he was keeping for his book.

My plan is to work with my cousins Josh and Daniel Nairn to hopefully continue our fathers efforts and complete the book they had endeavored to publish.

I will remain on this profile and will provide updates as I am able.

Please accept my thanks and gratitude for all of the kind words and sentiments expressed for my father. He was a great man with an amazing mind and his legacy will continue on thru myself and my children!

As he would say - Stay tuned!