Shop Tour of the East Coast company 1945 Speed and Custom

Posted on December 13, 2018January 30, 2020 by Steve Carpenter

13 Dec

Well, we see many shops in Southern California, but its good to see what being built in other states and of course, all over the globe, today we look at a company way over there on the other side of the East coast, known as 1945 Speed and Custom. They are also in the Oilers Club, an original Hot Rod club that is still strong in their Vintage lifestyle as it is down here in California, I saw some of them Racing at TROG in NJ and it sure did draw a lot of spectators. So below is just a little blog on this great company on the East side of the country, if you over that way, drop in and see them.

Formula Drift Champion Chris Forsberg takes us on a tour of garages around the country, from professional outfits to grassroots backyard garages. In this episode we visit 1945 Speed And Custom in Troy, New York. Owner Jeremy Baye shares his love for building some of the coolest custom hot rods in the world. Baye is a master designer and fabricator creating classics reminiscent of a bygone era with a focus on high-quality metalwork, his 10,000 square-foot shop is in a renovated car dealership along the river. Baye tours us through finished works including a custom Rail Dragster, a late 40s Big Car, a 1927 Ford Model T, and Baye’s own ’51 Ford Flathead V8 Truck. After a tour through the garage checking out some works in progress, Forsberg heads out for a drive in the 1927 Ford Model T.

Located on River St in NY, this shop has been around a few years now and know their way round Vintage, Custom and race cars, they are a hands on fabrication shop and can go from a small modification to a turn key head spinning Hot Rod.

Custom Work

Taking a piece of history and transforming it into something entirely new is the ultimate form of innovative self-expression. 1945 has the ability to take that idea in your head and make it a reality. Our expertise in hot rodding and resto-modding automobiles from all eras is unmatched across the Northeast. Anywhere from period correct American hot rods, to Modern Day Imports, we have all the resources to make your custom work possible. “Customization” may range from simply adding power brakes to a car for better drivability, to completely innovating how a car looks, drives, and sounds.

Restoration Work

There are times when an automobile or bike is so neat or rare that a restoration is the best route to take. This is no simple process; it takes expertise and skill to complete a restoration to top quality.

1945 has the abilities to authentically restore your automobile or motorcycle from any era. We are dedicated to doing work that stands out from the rest, work that makes our clients confident in their project’s development, and highly satisfies them with the outcome. The most important advice we can give is don’t bring your project to an auto-body shop who does restorations on the side. Choose an experienced and full service shop like 1945 for unparalleled craftsmanship in fine automobile restoration.

Refinishing

1945 Speed and Custom holds itself to the highest standards when it comes to refinishing automotive classics and masterpieces. With some of the best talent in the world on our team, our abilities in the refinishing sector of automotive work is unmatched in terms of quality and aesthetics. Anything from authentic looking paint jobs, to custom metal flaking, to flawless pinstriping, 1945 can turn your project into a true masterpiece. Visit our portfolio to see some of the wild paint jobs we have completed in the past.

MECHANICAL

Whether you are looking for a “juice” brake upgrade on your ’31 Model A or a full LS swap in your ’68 Camaro, 1945 has the abilities and skill to execute and complete any mechanically oriented task with ease and perfection. Anything from engines, transmissions, front and rear axles, suspension, and steering, to simple dashboard components and wiring, 1945 has the expertise to restore or customize your automobile or bike of any era to a flawless finished product.

We are sure there is no part of a vehicle’s mechanics that we can’t repair, restore, or customize – from any era or make.

1945 SPEED & CUSTOM

631 River Street Troy, NY 12180

info@1945SpeedandCustom.com

(518) 595-DRAG (372

Hot Rods in New Zealand

Posted on March 9, 2017January 30, 2020 by Steve Carpenter

09 Mar

I have been into Hot Rods for Many many years, I stopped counting after the 3rd decade and, being a Brit, I dreamed of living in the Great USA and having my Own Roadster and eventually take a drive on the Dry lake at El Mirage.

I grew up in London, then moved as part of the London Overspill to the East coast of Great britain, and from there, I got the American bug- we lived close to the American Air bases, IE, Mildenhall, Lakenheath, Bentwaters etc, the village that we lived in (Rougham) had an old WW2 Runway, complete with control tower and Nissan huts etc, this was where they originally had 3 runways and this is where the:

47th Bombardment Group (Light)

322nd Bombardment Group (Medium)

94th bombardment Group (Heavy)

All took off from on their dangerous missions and many never returning, I learned to ride a motorcycle on the 94th Bombardment runway and it is still there today.

We attended many Air shows over them years on the USAAF bases and I loved the whole Americanism that was there, it was a little part of the USA right where we lived, one of the Airman at the show gave me a magazine to read and it was a copy of Hot Rod.

It was a Black and White magazine from 1951 and the guy stood next to his Model A Roadster looked a little like me. That was it, I was hooked and loved Everything American.

I still have that magazine and now I am living my dream, I am here in Southern California, where Hot Rodding was Born and I now own a 1928 Model A Roadster complete with Flathead V8.

In the UK in the 1980’s I had a Right Hand drive, Chopped and channeled 1932 Three Window Couple and that was my own little piece of California everyday, even driving for the first year with no floor and having snow or ice pour into the coupe whilst driving to work was a fun experience for me.

I am not the Odd one out here, people all over the globe Love the Nostalgia that an old car gives you and you cannot get much further away than New Zealand, these guys know their stuff and have the bug like me, but this time, the Whole family are gear heads.

I love it, so- today i wanted to share a little into what makes us tick and this video pretty much sums it up.

Enjoy your day.

Hot Rodding is a Passion all over the world

Posted on August 19, 2016January 30, 2020 by Steve Carpenter

19 Aug

I have been into Hot Rods since I was a Teenager, I am originally from North london, but Mum and Dad moved more times than I care to remember, but, we lived on the ast coast in East Anglia for a number of years and that is where I got my real affection for Hot Rodding, we were close to numerous American Air Bases and I remember seeing a Model A Roadster and thought to myself,”Why would I want a Morris Minor, when I could drive something cool like that?”

You would think that I am just a small minority of people that would really dig the American lifestyle, especially the Vintage era too- But you would be so wrong, People all over the world are as nutty as Hot Rods and the lifestyle as me.

So today I thought that I would add some video’s that I enjoy and I am sure you will too.
Below is a video from Down Under and as I did live there for 4 years, wanted to add this fella’s place and its really cool too.

“The year is 1947, an ex-serviceman returns home to Southern California. His old ’32 Ford Roadster is removed from the shed, and the guts of a wrecked ’39 Mercury sedan are transplanted in, giving more power, braking and top speed, essential for the dry lakes racing career he will embark on. He outfits the motor with products from the growing speed equipment industries catalogues, and races his car against fellow car club members and the clock.

The car also serves as daily transport for him in the mild So Cal climate, the loud twin exhausts upsetting the locals still not used to the returned soldiers need for peacetime thrills. The era immediately following WW2 in Southern California was the time frame and inspiration for me to build an accurate recreation of a stripped down, dry lakes racing, late forties street roadster. Something of a time machine, so that a drive down the street or across the state could become a journey back sixty years.

Rancho Deluxe is my full time business, building traditional hotrod classics and components, and assembling period correct cars. The Rancho Deluxe roadster is my expression of a true Hot-Rod, a time machine back to when innovation was hand built, and the true test of man and machine was flat out across the Lakes”

-Ben Thomas
Owner of Rancho Deluxe
Melbourne/ Australia
ranchodeluxe.com.au/
The above article taken from:
Fuel Magazine Australia Issue No.4 fuelmagazine.bigcartel.com/product/fuel-magazine-issue-04
fuelzine.com
Check out another article on Ben Thomas:
mrblanc.com/ben-thomas-at-rancho-deluxe/
Director:
Tom Broadhurst
longwalkfilms.tv
Director of Photography:
Daniel De Silva
Assistant Camera Operators
Aaron Cuthbert
Tom Broadhurst
Editor/Color Grading
Daniel De Silva
Music
“Take the A Train by Bass, Bone, Blue”
Gemma Boyd
gemmaboyd.com
soundcloud.com/gemma-boyd

Rancho Deluxe from Long Walk Films on Vimeo.

Below is another bunch of Hot Rodders but this time it is in New Zealand, they have some serious machines and are as passionate about Nostalgia as I am.

Hot Rod Revue: Frankton Roadsters from Cal Thorley on Vimeo.

How about this awesome 1932 Roadster with a Riley Overhead valve conversion, piece of art I think, Love this Basso 32.

Next up is some cool vids of flattys.

Hot Rods are part of my Life too !

Posted on March 4, 2016January 30, 2020 by Steve Carpenter

04 Mar

OK- many people think that I am only into Motorcycles, and I can understand that, as I have been building Cafe Racers here in California in the last 14 years, but- since I was a youngster, I had the Car bug big time.

I grew up near to many American Air force bases and that’s where I got my first influences from of cool old American cars, I loved everything about the cars, the country and the lifestyle as well as the passion for Hot Rods.

Then, I had my first Hot Rod, a 1932 Deuce Coupe, it was Chopped and channeled and was a Right Hand drive Model, this Deuce meant so much to me and I felt like I was living in the U.S.A. with that ride.

I wish I had kept it now, as we all do when we look back at things we have had.

This was my ONLY form of transport and I drive it in all weather, I didn’t have a floor in it for a year, the snow and rain used to blast up inside the Coupe, until I lost a couple of cassette tapes and then my keys jumped out of the ignition as I was driving back from work and that’s when I decided it was time for a floor.

This used to be so much fun blasting about Brighton and I traveled all over the UK in my 3 window and some super fun memories that’s for sure.

I was a lot thinner back then, maybe from pushing the damn thing when the battery dies or I ran out of gas as my gas meter did not work.

I drove up to Hemsby for the traditional Rock n Roll weekender and then visited some old school mates and friends in that area, it was such a blast to drive, loud old and bumpy but that’s an old traditional Hot Rod in the 1980’s in Britain for poor working class folk like me.

The I-Beam axle was a 4 inch drop and shorty shocks, made sure you didn’t fall asleep at the wheel when ever you drove this Coupe.

Watch ya head, this coupe was chopped and channeled and with a 4 inch windshield, not much vision, plus when it rained you couldn’t see anything, and- to get me through the yearly MOT test, you have to have a windshield wiper, so- I took a complete motor and wiper arm off a Volvo Headlight and fitted it indie the coupe, it was perfect.

Such fun times and glad I actually took some photographs, else they would just be my own views in my head.

We were all a close knit community and had so much fun at Rock N roll weekenders, especially on the beach etc.

How about this shot, many many moons ago with my First car, a 1961 Low line Ford Consul, with a 4 banger and a 3 on the tree, I drove the lug nuts off this machine.

Oh dear- what was I thinking? But this was my 1959 Ford Zephyr that I 2 door-ed and made some mad steel fins on the car, this had Candy Red and white tuck n Roll too, I was in a crazy zone when I did this.

This was me in 1997 when I moved to Australia, and I bought a 195 XP For Falcon, very similar the the American Ranchero, this was a cool ride, they call them Ute’s out there but it was a fun ride that I played about with and really liked that car.

I used to pain the old race style numbers on the doors of my rides back then, I still do on the bikes I build sometimes, this time I painted the car flat black in my mates driveway and then fitted pin line whites and then fitted a cool set of MOON discs.

But I get restless and have to keep trying things out on this machine.

I cant leave anything alone for too long, this time I scalloped the car and pin lined it, as well as fitting a steel sun-visor.

I fitted a Black Tarp on the back and later on I located some fender skirts for it too. Then I painted the Coop Devil on the back and added more scallops!

But I will always love tinkering with stuff, just the way my Brother and I was bought up, not really had a happy child hood but kept busy.

I started to get into this Roadster when I moved to Australia from the UK in 1997 and then continued over here in the states as I shipped the body over, the photo above is me in New South wales, I was patching the side of the Roadster body as it was completely shot with old bullet holes, but- I wanted the same thickness steel and the contour, so used a 1940 Ford truck door to use and it worked out so well.

Above, Anthony Castaneda of the Infamous Shifters gave me his old Dodge Dash Board and I spent the next few days cutting my old gas tank and fitting this set up, I was so stoked to have accomplished this and loved the way the dashboard flowed, similar to the 1936 Ford versions.

I used a Belgian Flat head in the end and this was a great motor, I love the sound of side valve motors, a very unique sound of their very own.

Jeez, this was a while ago, i was wearing a watch, who wears watches any more?

I chose a eggshell Blue and a Flat white firewall as it reminded me of the Al Sharp Coupe.

I also had My 1958 F150 short bed painted by Anthony Castaneda in his old shop (RIP mate) I stayed up and hand painted the logo and lettering getting ready for me to go with the shifters to Paso Robles back then.

I will have to look to see if I have any more photos of this 29 Roadster of mine, I loved that car but had to sell it when everyone moved out to go forward in their lives and I knew I would have another later on.

I had so much fun building this in the garage at home in Southern California and sure wished I still had this Roadster.

Days of old but soon I will be getting back into another 1929 Roadster that I located in Indiana and My Girlfriend Jennifer Bought for me,I am looking forward to driving it with her in the following months.

This was a fun build and now resides in the land of the rising sun, sure hope to see photos of it as I sold it to a very cool friend of mine Ken Sakata.

I now have this 29 Roadster at my shop, needs a ton of work but- I will get there eventually, once I have located all the parts I need.

I have a super amount of work to do to this little A-Bone but it will be worth it and cannot wait until I can get onto El Mirage and of course one day at Bonneville Salt Flats.

I am not sure what color it will be but I will be running a Flathead, not the 4 Banger that’s in it right now.

My plan is to locate a cool Vintage dash board, be it a 36 ford, Chrysler, Pontiac or Caddy etc and have a unique look to it with cool Gauges.

I will be running a 1932 Truck grille, so that will all change but will still use original chassis etc and Kelsey wire wheels of course.

I have an original Moredrop axle for the front but will need 1940 Ford Hydraulic brakes all around too. And below, I was so fortunate to locate this Original plaque that used to be on the guys Roadster back in the day, a nice bit of history right there.

I will be using old plates as well to capture the spirit of the style that I am into and hope that this will make people smile once completed.

This will be a cool build but maybe a year before I am halfway there I believe, hard to do on a low budget.

But stay tuned, as i will up date when I get more parts together etc.

Antique Nationals at Fontana was a Blast to watch and be a part of.

Posted on June 29, 2015January 30, 2020 by Steve Carpenter

29 Jun

The Antique nationals Annual event seemed to come around real fast this year, but it was not to disappoint as many cool Hot Rods turned up for this Classic meet up and Jennifer and I headed out about 10am to get to Fontana Drag strip to watch some of these Nostalgic machines run the 1/4 Mile. The A-Bone was a great looking ride and the owner had had this for many many years, having a Hoped up 4 Banger is such a rare sight these days and glad to see it. It had some later parts like Alternator and a Thermo fan but this car runs and runs very well indeed. Three Hungry Birds sat on that Early Cragar intake and made sure that this 4 Banger had plenty of Motion lotion to get up the track in a good fast time. I loved the dash cluster and rebuilt Gauges made sure that these all gave a correct reading out in Fontana as it was almost 100 degree’s here today. I am not a fan of 4 bar set ups but loved the hairpins and steelies for this 1929 Roadster on stock rails too. Early style roof gave it that early 50’s look and running a Quick change really does make this Roadster get up and go !!! I loved the Original License plate with the Glass 1939 teardrop lights, this Rumble seat Roadster was a sure cool piece of History out here. This Girly put her Roadster together a few years ago now and with the Caddy mill it made that awesome throaty roar as it roared up the tarmac. Blown Model A Pick up sure got down the strip in a fast ET and surprised a lot of people. Squeak Bell the Kiwi from Bakersfield bought out his awesome 40 Ford Coupe, I loved this ride, pure 50’s Nostalgia all the way through. This little Model T Roadster came down from Arizona, he ran a 302ci Ford and Jenn and I sat in this and felt like giants in it. Many Gassers were here for the day and loved to watch them go down the strip as the weather was humid but great for watching them fly up the 1/4 mile. What a Great match up we had here, I call it the Double A challenge, Roadster Pick up and the flamed A- Bone hit the strip and ran even all the way. It was fun hearing these 4 Bangers wind up as they get off the line and am surprised as to how they flew up the strip and sounded awesome. Plenty of 4 Banger Machines to entertain the crowd today and a rare sight to see at one time, sure glad we made the trip to watch these race each other. How can you not like the Gasser wars? These are always a blast to watch and to hear as these bad boys tear it up at Fontana . Loved seeing this 56 Wagon tear it up at the strip and a very cool set up this was, a rare sight these days. Hubba Hubba! Check this Roadster out- other than the tires I would of left it as it was, a real History machine that was a trip to look over. Have a look at this 4 Banger, how cool would it be to find one of these engines these days and then take it up the strip and then after, drive home, Very Cool. Some serious Tin here and not many like this around anywhere these days. There seemed to be plenty of early Cragar equipped Motors here today but it is run by the Four Banger Club but a rare treat to see all this together. Plenty of engine variations to look at here and had a great time chatting to all the owners etc and asking them about their machines. The weather stayed humid but lucky the Sun was shielded with low clouds, and that made for a great day of racing and pretty good for the spectator. Awesome 32 Three Window Deluxe Coupe as this Fully Fendered ride headed down to the staging lanes to run with the other flatheads. 5 window sits ready for the next round with steelies and spindle mounts, a very tough Coupe and an aggressive stance. Three Very different rides sit here by the Drag strip, Blown 29 Roadster, Stock Model T and an old Hudson Hornet. A very clean and well built Roadster, complete with hairpins and Drilled I- beam and moons discs looked the part here at Fontana Strip. Something for everyone here and we had a fun day chatting to the owners and finding out some info on their rides and where they got them from. Gassers at the ready as Dennis Young, the Aussie Racer drives his Anglia up the strip. Yes please to this Roaster, I would change tires and shocks and rake the windshie3ld but, that’s my preference a solid car and loved it. Another cool Flatty powered roadster that would look great on the driveway at home. This 24 Stud Flatty was powered with Early Edmunds heads and intake Manifold with what looks like REDS headers, cool Motor for sure. Model A Roadster Pick Up was really cool, I loved the 41 plate too. Yes Please. A wicked Roadster with the right look and a sweet firewall and grill shell too, very much wanted to take this home with me. I could not stop looking at this and when they drove it around, the flatty sounded tough, just a really Nostalgic ride for me. A super Clean 5 window that was also popular here at the strip. Plenty of Rare tin to look at here at Fontana and these three cruised about all day. Edelbrock Powered flatty, I really loved this machine and so glad we made the trip to watch the Antique nationals. This stocker sounded pretty sweet and was up for sale too. Still plenty of Tin around and that is surprising but of course, the prices are starting to soar now. This was a winner for me, how cool is this Roadster? I love it all and it sounded awesome. Ready to drive home to La Mirada, I would be so lucky. A Rare find Roadster and it is waiting for a New owner I am sure but I couldn’t afford the price ticket, else I’d of bought it right there. Loved the Canadian Ford heads on this 21 stud beauty. Banjo wheel too, I loved everything about this machine and glad I got to take photos to share with you lot on here. Bills Three window is just an original Time capsule, just enjoy and drive the wheels off it and Bill certainly does as he loves this Coupe. How cool is this? Such a Classic machine and still being driven daily . Look how straight the Bodywork is too, this Three Window is a super rare find and glad to see Original Tin on the road still. Early Plate and cool License plate frame too. Next time you are in San Dimas, check out Bills Three Window and shop- The Old Ford Store. Look at how clean this Roadster is, such a lovely machine in all Black henry Ford Livery. There is Nothing I would change on this Roadster, just take a look at al the detail in this, simply breath taking. I would of liked to hear this machine purr, but the old fella was out having fun with his buddies on the strip but just check this Roadster out, so sweet. Unchopped but Channeled 5 window is reminiscent of the old 60’s East Coast Rods. This Straight axle gasser looked Fast and was fast, loved seeing these race up here at Fontana and they didn’t mess about either. Jennifer inspects this Roadster with its beam axle and hopped up 4 Banger mill. Ak Miller Speed Equipment adorned this roadster, a lot of time and effort had gone onto this build., BRAAAAAP! Pat Gnahl on his Knees as he works on this sling shot straight 6 powered Dragster. This altered Machine was tidy and was pretty fast up the strip today. A very cool little Hot Rod that had a nice Quick Change too. Always cool to see these driving around and the air was filled with smoke and fuel at Fontana today. How can you not like this awesome Willys Gasser, Blown, Flat paint and running on Magnesium’s. Another set of Gassers and this certainly took your breathe away as he hit the loud pedal on the Line today! The Antique nationals is such a good event as it lets you get so close to all the cars and the action too. Below, the staging lanes with all the rides getting ready to compete into the next round. The weather was great later in the afternoon with a little breeze and plenty to look at as we walked around the staging lanes and Pitts. More cars coming down to the staging lanes as we walk around and enjoy the atmosphere at Fontana. Squeak Bells awesome Custom Coupe, Squeak is a well know Hot rod builder and is a Member of the Shifters Car club. Jeff Vodden and Billy Sakata of the infamous Shifters chat to Squeak Bell as he heads to the staging lane for his run today at the strip. 5 window heading down the the track to try his chances of getting through to the next round here at Fontana. This Channeled 5 window lets it all hang out as he gets the Green light and was a fun and fast Hot Rod. Plenty to watch, hear and small as these vehicles raced all day and we loved it all as such a great atmosphere here every year.. We need more of this event to watch every style of Hot rod take to the strip as it so much fun to watch or take part in. Pick up or Coupe, there was something for everyone here and could not get enough of this today. Maybe Next year I shall have my own Roadster and see how I fare with other like minded Hot Rodders. Above is a super Nice Stepside I would love as a shop truck. This 4 Banger A Bone was pretty cool other than the color and graphics but a tight Hot rod and sure was fun to see. The good thing about the Antique Nationals is that you can get and look at the rides close up and everyone is friendly. This ole fella had his Hudson Gasser all about ready to take up the strip. Always nice to have a flip front to be able to get to the Motor and this was a well put together machine and sounded great. This was indeed built for speed and he had great fun this weekend at the track. Another cool Shop truck and nicely done, always great to see these at the Drags and sometimes they even run them against each other too. The Little T that could, this was a low slung ride and driven daily too, up for grabs as well. Traditional 50’s styled A- Bone stood out, I mean, you cant miss them Pete and Jake style flames. But a great little roadster and I know that I would have fun with it and I am sure that you would do too. Every year there is always different rides that attend this show and I love talking to folk around the Pitts to see where they are from and something about their machine, it makes for an interesting and sometimes entertaining conversation. His Beer barrel grilled pick up was cool. Plenty of people were here to race and to have fun an this was a fun ride to watch this weekend and did not hang about. A lonely Roadster sits on the Tarmac awaiting its time, sits low being channeled and I loved it with red Oxide primer an all. This little A-Bone Roadster was super cool and so was the owner, 4 banger power with AK Miller parts, this will run all day and never get hot. I saw plenty of Ak Miller parts this weekend and love seeing cool stuff like that, this Roadster is daily driven in all weather and super nice owner. A fun little A- Bone that he gets many many miles of smiles from and I am envious in a good way, great to see and chat too. This guys doesnt give a flying Duck- loved the tear drop trailer with it, super tidy combonation. A lot of time and money have gone into this ride and boy can you tell, this was so clean, yet he drives it to many places. A very cool set up and never an issues in the time he has had it, just a well built machine and fun to see today. Cruising down to the Staging area to check out the rest of the rides. Resto’s were very clean and all of them run like a top. Something for everyone if you come to the Antique nationals and we had a brilliant time here. Love looking at the Gassers. It hauled Arse too. Super clean green machine and I have always dug Classic Fog lights on Rods and motorcycles. Tasty Three Window sits facing the drag strip to watch the Vintage machines scream down the track. A walk around the Pitts shows all sorts of amazing machines and this Black Three window caught my eye, its a really ride. 1932 was a great year for the Automotive industry, being the First V8 Fathead too, love these rides. Great Girder front end on this Whizzer and a few raced this weekend too. Super Nice Bowtie Step Side work truck, love these things and sits well on 5 spokes. Jenn and I sat in the Little Channeled Roadster, I was half hanging out of it but a fun ride and a super nice owner from Arizona. Mid engine Flatty in this push truck looked great. Two Door 50 Coupe was such a nice clean ride. I would of loved to have driven this today even had a push bar on the arse for the drags or dry lake. Every where we looked there were Flattys blappng about the place. A few Cushmans turned up too and ran like 35 seconds on the 1/4 and fun to watch race. This 5 window was heading out to the staging lanes and runs super well, More stuff to look and listen out for as we walked around at Fontana. There goes the Cushman- Flat out at 40mph. Whizzer and Harley go at it, thats fair right? We had an awesome time, and look forward to next year, hopefully see some of you out there too?

Here are some video’s I took, not great footage but still you get the idea.

Below, Squeak Bell in his awesome coupe.

Great little race this one.

Flying Orange Speedster.

Always great to watch Hot Rod Girls and she is certainly that with her Caddy powered Roadster, shame she didnt get the win but it was close.

Whizzers give it some as they take 22 seconds to do the 1/4 mile.

RUBY’S CAR SHOW WE ATTENDED

Posted on June 23, 2015January 30, 2020 by Steve Carpenter

23 Jun

What a great little venue Ruby’s diner is up in Whittier, A stones throw from where I live and thought that a trip to check this Car show out would be fun to attend and get some cool grub at the same time, seeing as it is quite light until at least 8;30 pm, we took advantage of the weather and headed out to Whittier for a great evening with my 59 Club.

Caution indeed,as we parked up and took in the sights and sounds of Ruby’s Diner and what a great selection of cool stuff they had to show us here.

How about this awesome flathead Indian Chief, I would love to have been the owner of this ride and loved everything about it, even the oil leaks!

I painted this design on My leather jacket a few decades ago now and always loved the Indian logo, what a cracking American piece of History.

I didn’t see the owner as i wanted to hear it fire up and cruise down the road, but this show is always cool to see as you never know what might turn up.

Green seemed to be a popular choice of color for many of the cars that showed up today but its a cool color none the less and loved the rides.

The fairlane below was super clean and had every factory option available o it, a sweet long and wide machine that was just nice to look at.

The Pontiac Star Chief was also a hit at the show, Big Chromed D- Cup Over riders and sat lower than a snakes belly, this was really a nice car.

The 5 spokes and Lakes pipes on that Star Chief was a nice touch too. Blew a soft green Lincoln Continental Convertible looked awesome.

Four Door Galaxy was super clean and all original trim too, this has been cherished for many years that’s for sure and I loved it.

Below, this Yellow T Bucket had more tickets than cheap Angels deals and was Blown with open headers!

I would of loved the Dodge Lancer as the Body work was all original and loved the paint patina, not sure where the Hood went though.

Small Block Powered 1930 A Bone was sitting pretty on steelies and lakester headers.

I loved this49 Woody, awesome Super deluxe Model and Flathead powered with a three speed.

56 Wagon was clean and I have seen a few of these out here, loved to own one myself as I had a 55 4 Door in the UK in the 90’s.

Another Green ride, this time a Bowtie on stock rims and cleaner than many cat’s Arses.

Super smooth and clean 56 Belair that had custom 60’s tube grill, just lose the dice and this would be fab!

I know, but as I said, there is something for everyone at this weekly meet and this was really clean too.

Mopar at its very best here, plenty of people looked at this Plymouth, love the big intake scoop.

How can you not just stop and stare, such a menacing front end.

Little Canary yellow and Red 40 ford is so cool, an early owner so a Hot Rod for many years, flattys gone so now a street rod but loved it.

I loved this 53 it sat right, looked right and would of loved to own it and painted it a candy Root Beer brown with lake pipes.

This tidy 55 is a nice model and other than the Dice, I would of taken it for sure.

This show is Every Friday in the Summer and people are so friendly, if you get a chance, come over as I know you will enjoy yourself as much as we did and we continue to do so.

Many thanks to you all for coming out, we really enjoyed your company and the ride on this Hot Summer Night and look forward to our next meet, check out Carpy’s Cafe Racers on meet.com for more rides that we will be doing, come along, we are fun to be with.

LONG LOST 32 Three Window FOUND !

Posted on October 17, 2013January 30, 2020 by Steve Carpenter

17 Oct

Champion barn find: Long-lost ’32 Ford was drag-racing star

Deuce was original champ of first World Series of Drag Racing

This 1932 Ford was built for the first World Series of Drag Racing, and after that 1954 race, it was parked and never run again.

Story by Angelo Van Bogart
Photos by Bob Chiluk

A single shot from a BB gun may have saved one of the most historic 1932 Ford Deluxe three-window coupes in drag racing history from completely rusting into oblivion.

In 1954, Francis Fortman and Kenny Kerr decided to build a car for the 1954 World Series of Drag Racing, the first such event hosted by the Automobile Timing Association of America. The event was held at Half Day Speedway in Lawrenceville, Ill., about 20 miles from Chicago, none too far from Fortman and Kerr’s home. Other young participants included Arnie “The Farmer” Beswick driving a new Oldsmobile, Art Arfons in the Allison airplane-engined “Green Monster” and Fred Lorenzen in a Cadillac-powered Ford convertible.

Fortman and Kerr did not become big names like some of their fellow competitors that day. However, the 1932 Ford three-window coupe they built and raced for that event placed first in the A-B class with a 105.88 mph speed.

Surviving pictures show the ’32 Ford at the 1954 World Series of Drag Racing. The car placed first in the A-B class with a time of 105.88 mph.

After that day of racing, Fortman and Kerr hung up their helmets and parked the Deuce for good. As driver, Kerr took home the trophy from the track. As the builder, Fortman took home the Deuce as his own trophy. He then parked the car outside until fate intervened and the car became a bona fide barn find in 2012.

“[Fortman] told me a ’32 Ford race car was worth nothing in 1954, so instead of selling it, he put it in a field and put a tarp on it,” said Ken Robins, the 1932 Ford’s new owner. “So it spent 20 years under this tarp until one day, kids were shooting the windshield with a BB gun, so he put it in the barn. But from the day he brought it home in 1954 to the day I bought it, it was never touched or started.”

The Deuce Robins bought in the summer of 2012 is the ’32 every hot rodder dreams of finding or building in their head while lying awake at night. The car is a simple, purpose-built car with several period go-fast tricks, and the fact it’s based on one of the rodding world’s most lusted-after cars is pure luck.

“He was just looking for a good car to race and it just so happened he found a ’32 three-window,” Robins said.

“[Fortman] owned a frame repair shop in Chicago and Kenny Kerr came to him and said, ‘Why don’t we have fun and build a drag car?’ Fortman was reluctant, but he said OK.

“[Fortman] purchased the car in Chicago, made a deal and put down a deposit and when he came back, he found the seller had taken the radiator out of it. He got back in his car because he told him he wasn’t going to buy it without a radiator, but he reluctantly went back and bought the car.”

The car was brought back to Kerr’s shop, where it was channeled over the original frame. An alcohol-burning flathead Ford engine with four Strombergs was mated to a stock Ford three-speed crash box that led to a standard 1940s Ford rear axle welded to make it a “locker.”

In 2012, builder Francis Fortman said goodbye to the ’32 Ford he built in 1954. Fortman never had the urge to start or run the car after it was built for the 1954 World Series of Drag Racing event.

The car had other modifications standard to hot rods of the day: a 1940 Ford steering wheel and a filled roof and cowl vent, a rollbar, custom interior door panels, and a metallic red spray job with a white-painted grille insert and firewall. It was a race car, however, so a rollbar was installed and the deck lid was secured using screws. A hand-operated fuel pump and fuel tank were installed in the passenger compartment, next to the single driver’s bombardier seat obtained from a salvage yard.

“The fuel system by today’s standards is absolutely suicidal,” Robins said. “Keep in mind, they had nothing to go by. This is just what they did.

“I have a couple hot rods, and people have now built ’32 Fords with the bomber seats designed just like this car is designed, but when [Fortman] did it, he didn’t have a car to by. It just all fell into place.”

A search for the car also fell into place for Robins. His friend, a fellow Model A enthusiast, stopped by Robins’ business at Restoration Plus in Cary, Ill., and mentioned he knew of an old Ford race car in the area, although he wasn’t sure of the type of Ford or exactly where it was parked.

“We went in the area and we knocked on doors,” Robins said. “At the third door, an elderly gentleman came to the door and I said, ‘I don’t mean to bother you, but do you have an old race car?’ and I asked if there was any way we could see it.”

The gentleman was Francis Fortman, and since he was acquainted with Robins’ friend, Fortman showed them to the barn where the Ford had been parked since the mid 1970s.

“We went into the barn and we go in the back corner and there was a 1932 Ford drag car with an alcohol-burning flathead,” Robins said. “Because my buddy was into Model A’s, he said, ‘I have no interest,’ so I took him home. I asked the gentleman if I could come back, so I came back and he pulled out the original sheet from the first World Series of Drag Racing, and in it he showed me how he had won his class with another gentleman.”

The 1932 Ford Deluxe three-window coupe as OCW reader Ken Robins found it in a barn in 2012. The coupe body was channeled over the frame and didn’t run headlamps. Power came from a later Ford flathead that burned alcohol. To save weight, builder Francis Fortman installed a lightweight seat found in a salvage yard.

While Robins and Fortman visited, Fortman told of how the Deuce would not start once they arrived at the track. A fellow racer noticed their troubles and explained the problem was the ignition. He happened to own a shop that sold the parts Fortman and Kerr needed and would supply it.

“They drove to Iowa that night, bought the ignition and they installed it the next morning,” Robins said. “It got the car running and they ran it twice down the track. When Fortman built the car, it had all new gauges in it, and the odometer now shows 8/10 of a mile because the car went down the track twice.”

Robins eventually asked if the car was for sale, and after Fortman conferred with his wife — “She said, ‘Absolutely don’t let the man out of the house,’” according to Robins — a deal was made for Robins to buy the car, but he had to wait until after Father’s Day.

Since purchasing it, the only work Robins has completed on the car is a tire change and a thorough cleaning. Despite the deterioration the car suffered while parked outside, Robins said the crowd “went nuts” over the car at the Iron Invasion traditional hot rod show in Woodstock, Ill., the only place the car has been shown.

“This is a true time capsule,” Robins said. “Basically, this car is the Holy Grail of hot rods, but to Francis, it was just another car. He was actually a pioneer that built the car that everyone tries to copy today, which is really amazing.”

Although the car is certainly restorable, it has considerable rust in the lower portions of the body. Robins has no plans to restore the body or make it run.

“I would never restore this car. It should be untouched, because if it is restored, it’s just another ’32 Ford,” Robins said. “Where are you going to find a car from the first World Series of Drag Racing?

“It is more of a piece of Americana and artwork and hot rod history than it is a car.”

While Robins has realized the dream of many hot rodders, he has hopes the dream lasts long enough for him to find the trophy from the car’s day at the track, and to perhaps find it a more suitable home.

“I would like to find a museum interested in it. This is a true time capsule that should go down in history as drag racing folklore.”

Enjoy more photos of Robins’ 1932 Ford…