History R.I.P. Joe Panek

Talked to Joe about the cam blanks and it would be best if you called, standard,oversized,gear,no gear drive but he said he has them in stock.
Forgot to mention the Indy engine was in for Joe's distributors the mags were to big and Al Unser couldn't see to either side for his first attempt at qualifying at Indy.
For everyone that wants to follow Joe and Roto-Faze this is what I submitted to SEMA,it tells a small part of a larger story

 

Joe is a fun guy and at one time would make cam blanks for us GMC 6 guys who wanted to go to a roller when no one else would give us the time of the day. I'm with Rich on this one, that car/engine comb sounded great at El Mirage.

 

My Plymouth engine that is in the Speedway museum has a Roto-Faze cam blank ground by Dema Elgin. My Packard V8 has a Roto-Faze distributor. The HRM engine masters story said it was an old part. But Joe made it for me when I built the engine. Worked fine.

 

Thanks for getting the ball rolling on recognizing Joe for his contributions to hot rodding. He sure deserves it.

 

I've known Joe since the late '60s and run two of his distributors. One on my original '32 Roadster with a 283 and the other on a built 327 that will go into my '55 Delray. These should be considered race ignitions because of the lack of vacuum advance. Joe is a great guy, a very talented machinist and always has a good joke to tell.

 

Great to see that piece of pioneering hot rodding out from under covers, such an awesome car

 

One of my favorites, that Cad was like nothing else! Yes, I still have that PHR issue.

 

I may be guilty of watching the dry lake run a few times now. I wonder if I could make that sweet sound my phone ringer tone?


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Joe made the cam blanks for our blown FlatCad engine for Bonneville. He was fun to work with (always a character) and probably one of the few guys that would do this for us. He stopped by to see the FlatCad car at the GNRS Bonneville show a couple years ago to say 'Hi!' - always fun to chat with.

Recently my good friend Bob Ida built an early Hemi for his original 'Hemi Healy' - and since he ran a Roto-Faze blower manifold 50 years ago, managed to get another from Joe for his restoration. It was a very important piece for Bob - he wanted the car exactly as it was . . . and Joe came through for him. Yes - it took awhile, but Bob was willing to wait for exactly what he needed.

I grew up in Torrance, CA - went to good ole' Torrance High - so this old Torrance boy would love to see Joe honored. Thanks for working with him on this!

 

This was on the wall in his office,just one more glimpse of his past! Running his blower manifold too! Thanks for your and everyone else for their support and adding their stories of Joe,he does read them and always smiles! And then a joke.

 

Here is a link to a video of Bob Ida's 'Hemi Healy' starting up - with Joe's individual port runner blower manifold. This was when we were racing at an ECTA Ohio Mile meet - in 2015. No - we didn't run the car, Bob just brought it along to show some old friends. Enjoy!

 

Here is a picture from HotRod of Joe's manifold:

 

DAVE YOU ARE A GOOD MAN TO BRING THIS OUT OF WOODS IT IS BAD ASS IT IS COOL CAR HOPE TO SEE MORE OF IT

 

Wow !

 

Nice story on the history of SEMA.

 

Didn't know the coupe still existed, really glad to see he has plans to bring it out again. Damn right he should be proud of that car, impressive work!!

Perhaps a Kickstarter to expedite is in order..

 

Something like this could surely help - I've heard from some friends that visit him quite often, that times are a bit tough, Joe has limited help in the shop and any $$$ help would probably be appreciated. What do you think Dave?

 

Love this car and it's history, thanks for posting this and nominating Joe.

 

I too have heard that things have slowed to a crawl at Roto-Faze in the last couple of years. Joe cut down a Model A flywheel for me years ago, he showed me the coupe and we talked about 392 blower manifolds and a '58 Pontiac engine he wanted to sell. It was great talking to him but even then things were starting to slow down as far as getting his stuff done and shipped out. I sure hope he is doing better.
Good work nominating him for some much deserved recognition Dave.

 

Talking to John about all of Joe's support and he said Joe has invested well and was touched by the interest. It's always been a one man shop with a small amount of help making custom everything,when you call it in it starts then, get in line. The combination of how many people ordering points distributors,hemi blower manifolds and cam blanks have slowed and the fact that he has only advertised by word of mouth has left the shop available to only those who know. John has become Joe's right hand man now,we talk about the power of advertising,getting the word out. The car is part of that,let people know that they are still in business making speed parts

 

Not done yet,the cam in the distributor that I bought them is being reproduced to make the points V8 again lots of orders backed up John has really been busy getting this done, he's been refreshing the shop too,Joe has a hard time getting rid of anything,so look for more to come,new website,t shirts and some very cool new/old parts. I'm patiently waiting for my distributor it will the cherry on top!

 

That is good news - would love to see them get some more business, get those back orders shipped and out the door, etc..

 

As an old '60s drag racer I'd love to have a new Roto-Faze t-shirt. Hope you post the new web link and info.

 

Wow, that's a surprise to see that yblocksetup in this post? What's the story on it? Is it yours or is it for sale?

 

The Y Block is mine, going into a 32 Roadster. All I need is a distributor,hmmmm where can I get one? The 312 block and Mummert's heads are in L&R Engines. Almost a 3 year build,but I've never seen a combination like that! One of Joe's distributors will be a perfect fit!

 

Boy Dave, that's gonna be a great engine for your '32. Hang in there for a Roto-Faze distributor, it will really make the whole deal special.
Is that timing cover and waterpump aluminum? Who and where is L&R engines?

 

L and R engines are in Santa Fe Springs Ca
They are a three generation shop,Prestige Thunderbird works with them on their Y block builds. Yes the water pump and timing cover are aluminum very hard pcs to find,Frank Rice Rebop castings, maybe 70's.

 

Very interesting, I thought maybe Mummert was making them.

 

Back to Joe and the shop,how my journey started.After talking to John on the phone l was on my way to the shop on a Saturday with the distributor,Torrance has a history of speed shops I knew it would be in a industrial area,pulling up to the shop it looks a little worn but as I walk up but I knew it was the right place with Roto-Faze on the wall,walking into the door first impression was feeling I just stepped back in time,big machines everywhere and you could see they were older,no computer panels on them anywhere,just handles. John had to shut down something so we could talk and as I was waiting I saw a box of magazines on the floor,picked up the one on top it was noticeably worn but different,it was from 1957!
That was the one on top! What years were at the bottom? I just found out that Joe saves everything,some good and some maybe we can use it someday. Aren't we all a little like that?