History Pete Van Iderstine

We had a Van Iderstine's on Staten Island.In fact we used to cruise there on Thursday nights.The on on Rt.22 in Union closed up.Think its a Dunkin Donuts now.

Somebody mentioned the Squires' Car Club.I went out to western Jersey one day to look at some Caddys for sale.In the guys garage,was a poster advertising the Squires club car show.He was one of the original members.We started talking Rods and Customs and forgot the Caddys.

 

The small shop on one side of route 10 became a large, modern shop on the other side of route 10 in the mid-1970's. He built up a great chain, saw the handwriting on the wall from the big super-discount mailorder places, and sold out at the right time!
If you like his dragster...ask him about the "Rent-a-car" poster of his rides that used to hang in his shop!

 

Just in case any one was wondering, Pete is still doing well out here on the west. He is currently running a Dirt Super Latemodel driven by Clay Daly, and together they were able to win 4 different championships out here in there sophomore season together.


and he still works hard, hes the youngest person in his 70's i have ever met, and could out run me!

 

Glad to hear he's still vertical and happy! I remember him as a great guy willing to talk with me as a nearly penniless student, and a MAJOR figure in rodding and especially '32 Fords in NJ. Live long and prosper!

 

x2 Bruce, many a paycheck was spent there!!!!!! be it Iderstines or Mothers good times were had on Saturday mornings.......GO PETE GO!!!!!

 

Wow, haven't heard that name in a while. I used to go to Pete's speed shop on Rt 10 in Hanover Twp back in '70-'71. He was always very helpful and was not bothered by questions from a 19 yr old kid with an old '35 Ford pickup. Glad to know he's still around.

 

I have that car now, and have had it since 1994!
It looks like this;
http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=1656944&stc=1&d=1338929174

 

I would also "love" to get intouch with Pete!! Or The guy; Fred, who drove it!

 

I know Art Bastian, who was his engine builder. He has a shop up in NW Jersey called Hullco-Layton Garage. I was just up there yeaterday, he has tons of old pictures from back then. He's 67 and still doing his thing. Check out the Garage's web site.
Dave

 

This was Pete's Highboy at the 1st NE Rod Run in 1970.

 

Speed shops were located throughout the New Jersey area.

Jimbo

 

Pete is a true gentleman. I worked for him in many of his stores from 1970 through 1974. I also pit crewed for him in his #77 Sportsman dirt car at Middletown NY and Nazareth PA. Many evenings were spent at his home working on the car with Leslie and the girls about. As I recall, #77 had a Tobias chassis and a Tony Feil motor. At that time Brett Hearn also had his own #20 Sportsman. Memories of those days are my fondest. The attached photo is of #77 with Pete at the helm. This is a photo of my rare belt buckle given to me by Pete as a memento of service from those days.

 

This a picture from 1969 in Puerto Rico were he had a match race....

 

Hello everyone. I am a new member here and would like to ask if anyone might have any knowledge of a project I just picked up. I believe my FED is a Pete Van Iderstine car that possibly could have been a display car in one of his speed shops? I have very little history on the car other than a couple SEMA tags on the chassis whick I tracked back to M.O.E. Industries in Sussex NJ & Daurenheim Race Cars also in NJ. Thanks to all for any thoughts....words of wisdom....what have you!

 

I Met Pete In Solvang CA. And He Gave Us The Quickest Ride To LARS And Back I Have Ever Had...Great Guy...

 

Last time I saw him!