History Lost Hot Rod- It's alive!!!

This truck really gives me goosebumps.

 

Of all the people lamenting lost cars for some reason Dean, your the only guy I have ever hoped to get his car back. Maybe One day it will be stateside again, can we start the 'Get Dean his Roadster Back' charity?
Doc.

 

wow, that's cool.

 

Come on Tony, Dean can't help it that he has a little head!

 

I think he said earlier it was actually still in pretty good shape and still had most of the original parts, the restoration was going to bring it back to how it looked on the cover. I remember reading about this in an old issue and I'm really glad to see it come back to life.

 

Yep..there certainly nothing wrong with a little head...

 

Wow! This is very cool, Dean. I've been hearing about this book and am really looking forward to it! Who's publishing it?
Hopefully, we'll get to follow the restoration on here with you.
I know what a bond you can form with a hot rod you've owned for that many years...

 

Schweet Dean, I hope it does come back stateside someday also as alot of people have already said. Shame it keeps sitting waiting for the day of re-birth.-Weeks

 

Doug,

Bruce Geisler (his Stude is part of the Gale Banks exhibit in the NHRA museum) had a thing for my RPU for some time. He even built his version of a clone at one time. The car had been sitting in the back of our shop since 1970, all apart. When it was retired from racing, I pulled it apart with the idea of freshening everything up, and putting it back on the street. Having a young family got in the way, and the car just sat until 1986 when Bruce caught me in a weak moment, and I sold it. I believe his plans were to continue what i had started, but he never did anything with it. The car sat in his warehouse for 10 years. I don't know the details of the '96 sale to the englishman, except that later I heard he wanted to restore it to the HRM cover version. It is my understanding that the man's wife became very ill, and fought cancer for many years, so the project went on hold. This news from Pat today is the first hope I've had that the car may someday return to the road. Someone ask if the Kurtis ch***is and running gear is still under the car. Yes it is It appears that the car was not well cared for during it's time in Bruce's warehouse, but at least it was untouched, and remained in tact. It has been mentioned that I should do a recreation of the car. While I deeply regret letting my first car get away, and would give everything I own to have it back, I won't disrespect it's history by trying to recreate it as long as the original still exsists. That is why my current RPU isn't red. The new owner has a piece of hot rodding history. I hope he does it justice.

 

Wow, what great news. I love everything about this RPU and it will play a great part in how my coupe 'ends up' looking. When people hear the term Hot Rod they think of many things, '32 Coupes, '55 Chevys, '40 Fords. When I hear Hot Rod, I think of the Lowe RPU and the Kookie T.

You'll have to be there for some of the restoration process, and they better let you drive it! Haha. Think you'll ever get the chance to own it again?

 

Great news Dean.

I didn't know Kurtis built your frame. So much has been written about the man and the many cars/ch***is he has built but not so much in regards to the many jobs he did for guys like yourself. I suppose one could write another Frank Kurtis book on this subject alone. I'd imagine it would be a favorite a****st today's hotrodders.

I envy you Dean. For what you have accomplished but mostly because you knew F.K. personally.

Kurtis.

 

There is a book about the life and creations of Frank Kurtis.

http://www.amazon.com/Kurtis-Kraft-Masterworks-Speed-Gordon-White/dp/0760309108

(with a lot of detail about Dean's RPU and karts too)

 

wow! what a great story..

 

Dean, great story. It's good to see old flames brought back to life. The book should be amazing. keep us all posted on the progress.

 

That is cool as hell, Dean!! I'll look forward to seeing some future updates on your old RPU and Ganahl's book, too....




Malcolm

 

Any idea on the timeline of the book? When should we be expecting it to come out?

 

Pat's deadline for submitting his material for the book is March, 2010. He said from there it's up to the publisher. Could be 6 months to a year.

For anyone at all interested in Frank Kurtis and his work, the Gordon White book mentioned above is a must. Gordon did an excellent job covering everything Frank did throught his life. The book is a fascinating read, highly accurate. It is available through Motorbooks.

Unless my old roadster returns to the US, I doubt I'll ever sit in it again.

 

Wow, talk about a "feel good" story. The candy-apple version was incredible but the '62 HRM cover version is just as stunning. One of my favorite model kits in the old days was the original Monogram "Blue Beetle" RPU and I can't help but think that Monogram used Dean's as an example when they designed the model kit. Let's hope the restoration lives up to the original's quality and appearance.

Good for Ganahl for doing another must-have book. Anything with his name on it deserves a serious look.

 

If the roadster can't come to Dean, Dean should go to the roadster!

 

Dean ...

The two pics (that Pat gave you) gave me goosebumps!

I'm really glad to hear your old (& my favorite) RPU is getting restored

Thanks for the heads-up on the Ganahl "Lost Hot Rods" book ... it'll be a must for my library.

 

Cool story

 

When I see Pat Ganahls name connected with anything Hot Rod, I know it`s going to be good.....he`s one of those people who just seem to get it.....I`m looking forward to the book ,it sounds like a "must have".

 

I agree cl*** car by a cl*** guy .

 

For one thing, we just didn't view cars from our era as being potential icons in some strange future!

 

Cool little truck

 

Dean, was your A running a stock wheelbase and was the body in the stock location on the frame. HOw much did you take out of the box. Love your truck and am planning on building one. Dave Dias had another one that was really nice. His body was moved back on the frame and his box was really short. Wish I could find out the dimensions he used. I saw it somewhere, but can't remember where. Pat.

 

The car was set up at the stock wheel base, 102" with 10% engine set back per NHRA rules. The body was in the stock location. The bed was shortened 6" and the rear fenders bobbed 3". The bed length was determined by making the lower bead on the bed sides the same length behind the rear fender as it is in front of the fender.

 

Take notes everybody. This is a perfectly proportioned Hot Rod.

What does 10% equate to?? 5 inches??? I am not exactly sure how they measure that.

 

I like to know who owns it in England, I'd like to see it in person!

Nick.