A Few Videos that I like today.

Wednesday already

Well I thought to start the day off right I would add some Videos that I personally like.
Below is the Race Of Gentlemen, I think it may change to Race of Gentle Folk as lots of Girls are getting into this and I applaud that.

Below is a video from New Zealand, plent of mates over there are into the same as I, so thought I would show you this and yes, like back home, Right Hand drive.

Next up is back home a few years ago at the Ace Cafe with Mark Wilsmore.

Below is a day with the froggies, these guys know how to put on a show, check it out.

Have a Great Wednesday and hope this puts you in a great frame of mind to get you through the next few hours.

Peace & grease As Always.

MOONEYES XMAS PARTY TOMORROW

moon5

Mooneyes Xmas Party Show & Drag 2016

I shall be attending as this is the best end of year meet up in

So Cal, always great to see friends I have not seen for many years, make sure you make it as it will be a Doozy!

I will be riding my Trumpy to beat the traffic as you may be inline for a while to get in, if you have a flathead, make sure you have plenty of water for the radiator.
Save the date: Saturday December 10, 2016
at Irwindale Speedway
500 Speedway Dr. Irwindale, CA 91706

moon6

 

Rain or shine

Where the CQQLEST people and CQQLEST cars gather!
+ Car Show
+ Run what’cha Brung 1/8 mile drags
+ Pinup Contest
+ Live music
+ Vendors
+ Hot Rods, Customs, Choppers and more:

moon7

moon1

General Admission is $5.00 per person (adult)
Children, 12 years and under are free.
General Parking is $10.00 per vehicle.

moon8

CONFIRMED LIVE BANDS
Colony Boys
Go Getters
Gamblers Mark
Hot Rod Trio
Dynotones

moon9

For Pin-up Contest information, please contact:
Mitzi at mitziandco@gmail.com

moon11

Visit out Facebook Event Page:
https://www.facebook.com/events/963344197114524/

moon12

PLEASE COME EARLY TO GUARANTEE A PARKING SPACEPreregistration does not guarantee a parking space. Although we do have reserved sections for the car show entries, all parking is based on a first come, first served basis. Please arrive early to secure a parking space. Gate opens by 6AM. Parking is managed by Irwindale Speedway. Once the parking lot is declared full, the gate will be closed and no vehicles will be permitted into the parking area until an official confirms an open space. MOONEYES does not have any control over the parking situation. We apologize for the trouble and any inconvenience this may cause.
moon13
Please Note: THE PARKING LOT WILL FILL UP QUICK.
Please do not setup tents in open spaces or block empty spaces. Please cooperate with the parking lot attendants at all times. After all, they are just doing their job.

moon14Make sure that you Come early, park early, take it easy and enjoy a fine day at the show!

moon3

Tomorrow, December 10th, I’ll be at, Mooneyes X-Mas Party at Irwindale Speedway in my Santa Suit! If any photographers want to shoot with me, send me a message! See you tomorrow bright and early!

mooneyes-xmas-party-2014-25

We appreciate your understanding and cooperation regarding the parking situation.
Thank you very much.

moon4

ENTRY DEADLINE: SATURDAY NOVEMBER 19, 2016

 

mooneyes-xmas-party-2014-9

SHOW CAR Registration:
All show cars are limited to pre 1965 model years.
PREREGISTRATION ENTRY FEE: $20.00 includes 1 car and 2 persons.
Registration Entry Fee at the gate (at show) is $40.00 (1 car & 2 persons)
Motorcycles are $15.00 Preregistration or at the gate.

Entry form: – SHOW CAR Entry Form
Registration is CLOSED

mooneyes-xmas-party-2014-3


ENTRY DEADLINE: SATURDAY NOVEMBER 19, 2016

DRAG RACE Registration:
RUN WHATCHA BRUNG! Test your car & your skills!
PREREGISTRATION ENTRY FEE: $40.00 (race car entry fee)
PREREGISTRATION ENTRY FEE: $40.00 (motorcycle/drag bike entry fee)
Preregistration includes 1 vehicle pass and 2 wristbands.
Drag cars are limited to pre 1969 model years.
NHRA SAFETY RULES APPLY. CARS MUST PASS ON-SITE INSPECTION PRIOR TO RACING.
Trailer parking: $20.00 (Trailer must fit within 36-foot space)

Entry form: – DRAG RACE Registration
Registration is CLOSED

moon15


ENTRY DEADLINE: SATURDAY NOVEMBER 19, 2016

VENDOR BOOTH APPLICATIONS & SHOW REGISTRATIONS:

Please print the document, fill out the form completely and send it in. See form for our address and related information. For any specific questions, please contact us at sales@mooneyes.com or by calling (562) 944-6311.


moon16

Registration period:
START: SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 1, 2016
DEADLINE: SATURDAY NOVEMBER 19, 2016
*Registrations may end early without any notice, depending on space available.

moon17

All vendors must have a City of Irwindale business license and they must apply for the business license online at
http://www.irwindaleca.gov/index.aspx?NID=186.
Please note that the cutoff date for applying for a business license is Monday, December 5, 2016.

Entry form: – Vendor Booth Application
Registration is CLOSED



For all inquiries please contact sales@mooneyes.com or call direct (562) 944-6311

 

moon2

Fathers Day Roadster Show this weekend.

Well, it is that time of year again and the fathers day Roadster show is upon us and this year its hotter than hell, so get in early if you can.

The L. A. Roadsters Car Club was formed in 1957 and is still going strong.

The Club is well known for their beautiful 1936 and older roadsters and their Club uniform of red shirts and white pants.

 

 

Just a few little shots right now.

 

These are some great shots that Brian Brennan of Street Rodder took today.

Below is the Grand National show winner and one of my favorite Hot rods.

All types for everyone one, from old school to high tech.

L. A. Roadster Show

The 2016 Show is scheduled for Saturday, June 18th and Sunday, June 19th.

In 2015, we had another successful show and want to thank all roadsters, specialty cars, swappers, vendors and spectators for their loyalty and support of our show each year.

Our show is always held on Father’s Day Weekend in June of each year at the Fairplex in Pomona, California.

Each year, the L.A. Roadsters put on one of the largest roadster shows, swap meets, and commercial vendor shows in Southern California.

Lots of beautiful roadsters from all over the USA drive to our show and spectators came from all over the world.

I shall be going on Sunday for a look around, I have a long way to go with my Model A but love the thing to bits.

flatty2 may 2016

 

Pendine Sands Hot Rod Beach Time Trials 2015

I Many of you know me as the Cafe Racer guy, but- I am also a crazy Hot Rodder and have owned a 31 5 window A Bone, I had a 1932 3 Window Coupe and when I moved here to the States in 2000 I built a 1929 Model A on B rails.

 

But fast Forward to 2015 and they have the Time trials at Pendine Sands in Wales and boy what a turn out, over 100 Hot Rods and such warmth and Camaraderie, it will be hard to beat that anywhere around the globe, so below is just a sample of what went on via peoples photos.

 

015

I love the Traditional old style Hot Rod and hope to have another again soon.

022

 

But, Pendine sands back in the UK is a great piece of historical History that not many people know about.

 

carpy truck5

 

So Below is a bunch of photos from people that made the 2015 Pendine Sands meet and boy are there some corkers there, you can feel the friendly atmosphere and sure wished I could of attended.

 

 

 

All shot on Canon 6D bodies and wide open Sigma 24mm and 50mm F1.4 Art Series and Canon 135mm F2 L lenses.

Post processing in Lightroom with VCSO filters.

— with Shaun Veness.

 

Pendine 2015 aa59

I cannot tell you how cool this is to see, I am 5000 miles away and this is such a great sight to set my mince pies on, look at all them cool rides.

 

 

 

Pendine 2016 aa58

Check out Harley Peters and his 4 Banger Roadster, built from scratch in 18 months and driven all the way there and back for the first time.

 

Pendine 2015 aa55

Just look at the great shots here, you cannot put a Date here as it is so Nostalgic, I love these photos as it really captures the era and the fun.

 

 

Pendine 2015 aa54

Just look at the beach dead flat and the view of all them Hot Rods is breath taking, someday I shall get home again to see this for myself.

Pendine 2015 aa52

Cruising along and listening to the V8’s, Flatties and 4 bangers must of been something to behold this weekend as you look through your Hallock windshield.

Pendine 2015 aa51

Be it a Convertible, A Speedster, a Roadster pick up or a 5 window Coupe, everyone was enjoying this great occasion.

Pendine 2015 aa50

How about this shot, A pick up, Tudor, 5 window coupe and Roadster, all henry’s finest on the sands.

Pendine 2015 aa49

Hot rods as far as the eye can see as they Blap along the Sands in formation, what a sight and what a sound I bet?

Pendine 2015 aa48

From Jalopy’s to Cal Customs, these machines were all enjoying their little bit of freedom together in one place.

 

Pendine 2015 aa47

Great Cloud formations shows it must of got a little windy at times and maybe some H2O but who would care as this was Hot Rod heaven.

Pendine 2015 aa46

below, this photo could of been taken right out of Hot Rod magazine back in the day, a Brilliant shot that’s for certain.

 

Pendine 2015 aa45

 

So many great rides and people here in Wales for this meet and boy were there some superb examples of the Hobby I still have such a passion for.

 

Pendine 2015 aa44

How cool is this shot Below, Looks Like a McCullough Blower set up with that awesome intake poking out of the Hoot, pure Hot Rodding.

Pendine 2015 aa43

Turtle Deck T Roadster sits on the beach I wonder what ed Iskendarian would think if he saw these photos, I will hopefully show these to him.

Pendine 2015 aa41

Gow Job- this is the old style that you never get to see very often and love the whole concept of this Roadster, Love the Hood sides.

Pendine 2015 aa40

 

I love this Right Hand drive Brit Roadster and the commercial lights, real Hot Rodding at its best, super job matey!

Pendine 2015 aa39

Cabriolet Looked wicked with old continental kit for front fenders, an old Hot Rod trick back in the day and Lakester style Headers too!

Pendine 2015 aa38

Dick Mann would be proud of this machine, altered gow job in all its glory.

pendine 2015 aa37

I love seeing Girls in Hot Rods and this is a great shot, angled windshield as this Small Block gets it down the beach in no time.

I love the Wish bones and the Exhaust existing through the 32 rails.

 

Pendine 2015 aa36

Having owned a belly Tank this was such a cool sight to see and where many drop tanks ended up after the war.

 

Pendine 2015 aa35

Flag start- just how it used to be, nice shot here.

 

Pendine 2015 aa34 Pendine 2015 aa33

Really great old style photo with this geezer in all the cool Nostalgic gear, a really cool shot this.

Pendine 2015 aa32

 

BRAAAAAAPPP!!!  I love this Three Window shot.

 

Pendine 2015 aa31

With hardly any vision in this chopped and channeled 5 Window this is how many Hot Rodders did it in the day.

 

Pendine 2015 AA30

Another Classic photo that could be in Hop Up or Hot Rod magazine, just a timeless shot.

Pendine 2015 aa29

Two of my mates below, 61 is Tim Sparks and behind is 74 Harley peters, they must of had a ball driving all the way here and back home too.

Pendine 2015 aa28 Pendine 2015 aa27

Going full tilt with no cops chasing you.

 

Pendine 2015 aa26

Love this 5 Window High Boy, doing what they did back in the day and, loving it I bet!

pendine 2015 aa25

Talk about getting right into it, such a great photo of this fella giving it the beans as he leans into the Roadster.

Pendine 2015 aa24

This should be titled “The element of Speed”

Pendine 2015 aa23

So nice to see a few steel Pick ups out there too, something for everyone, but- I love them all.

 

Pendine 2015 aa22

Look at this 5 window, what a great stance, sheer determination as he changed gear mid track.

Pendine 2015 aa21

Just so many good rides out here and enjoyment for anyone that was lucky enough to witness this Classic Occasion in Wales.

Pendine 2015 aa20

 

 

I am sure everybody who drove on the beach will never forget this day as I don’t think I will looking at these great photos.

Below my mate Martin gives his A-Bone a good ringing out, he has owned this car for many years and love seeing this photo.

Pendine 2015 aa18

Roadster Pick up looks great as it Bimbles down the Beach in search of a fast time.

Pendine 2015 aa17

Super shot of the Closed cab and flatty powered, stepping on the loud pedal.

Pendine 2015 17

My Buddy Tin Sparks in his Navy Blue Roadster giving it a bit of welly down the straight away. Ive known him 3 decades.

Pendine 2015 aa16

1930 A Bone 5 window looks cool on the power.

Pendine 2015 aa15

This looks fast even standing still, so many cool machines here.

 

Pendine 2015 aa14

I call this the Buckland Special, they turn out awesome machines if you ever need one to be built.

Pendine 2015 aa13

Lovely unchopped Three Window Blapping along, love the Louvres.

pendine 2015 aa12

 

I have spent a lot of time looking at these photos and love everything about it, what a great turn out too.

 

Pendine 2015 aa11

Ballsy move to take this Wickedly chopped 5 Window  Custom out for a blap along the sand!

Pendine 2015 aa10

Hot Rodding at its very roots is right here in the shot, such a Nostalgic Photo and stoked he got the picture, I really dig this.

Pendine 2015 aa9

Love the A-Bone, giving it hell and just like they did over on the dry lakes at El Mirage back in the day!  Brilliant A-V8 Roadster.

Pendine 2015 aa8

Just Spoilt for choice on all these shots, so glad he could capture the moment for those who couldn’t make the trip to Wales.

Pendine 2015 aa7

You have to love it all here at Pendine, and I know this event is only going to get bigger.

 

Pendine 2015 aa6

Super cool 5 Window A Bone on deuce Rails and nicely put together as well, the Rods all look really well built and I take my hat off to you all!

Pendine 2015 aa5

California Plated A-Bone looked great on the beach.

Pendine 2015 aa4

 

Gripping the Banjo Wheel as they get ready to flag start the time trial, and sure looks like fun to me.

pendine 2015 aa3

 

 

This photo is right out of 1948 and could be at El Mirage or Harper’s dry lake, what a fantastic photograph!

 

 

Pendine 2015 aa1

 

The tirtle deck T reminds of my mate “Sinus” from the Shifters and another awesome shot.

Pendine 2015 z

 

 

One of the Sidewinders club members looking happy as he sits on the infamous Time trials beach at Pendine Sands.

Pendine 2015 y

Feels like I am reading early Hot Rod magazine with these shots and hope you enjoy them as much as I do.

Pendine 2015 x

On the Pedal hard as the A-Bone goes for his Goal on the flats of Pendine beach!

Pendine 2015 w

Well how about this Roadster? Fully fendered and gunning for a good time!

Pendine 2015 v

Sitting low to be more stream lined and a Classic photo here.

 

Pendine 2015 u

 

So cool to have a flag girl and we shall do it here at El Mirage one of these days as i hope to build another roadster.

Pendine 2015

 

 

OK- Enough of me Blubbering on, just scroll down to see some super cool Photos and video’s, great event and hope to get there one day.

 

Pendine 2015 t Pendine 2015 r Pendine 2015 q Pendine 2015p Pendine 2015o Pendine 2015 n Pendine 2015 m

Below: Harley Peters in his 4 Banger that he built himself testament to the younger lot who are into the Lifestyle, great job Harley.

Pendine 2015 Harley pendine 2015l

The images are so Nostalgic and even though i was not there, it sure felt like i was, I am attaching all sorts of photos from other people that were there, that way you get to see everything about this Classic Event that one day i hope to visit and take to the beach and listen to the Flatheads roar!

 

pendine 2015k pendine 2015 beach pendine 2015 sarah pendine 2015j pendine 2015i pendine 2015 h pendine 2015 g pendine 2015f pendine 2015e pendine 2015d Pendine 2015c Pendine 2015B Pendine 2015a pendine2015tim pendine2015 pendinesands2aa2 pendinesands2aa pendinesands2abbc

Below – Harley Peters started his build 18 months ago with a Chassis and now is driving all over the place and made his maiden Voyage to Pendine.

Pendine Harley 2

here is Harley at Buckland where all the cool rides are now created back home in the UK.

Pendine harley aa1

Pendine Harley 6 Pendine harley 5 Pendine harley 3

 

Harley Peters and his hand built 4 Banger Roadster is really an superb Effort and ran like a top.

Pendine Harley aa2

 

Pendine julie evans pendine zz3 Pendine zz4 pendine zz5 Pendine zz6 Pendine zz7 Pendine zz8 Pendine zz15 Pendine zz14 Pendine zz13 Pendine zz12 Pendine zz11 Pendine zz10 Pendine zz9

 

Pendine zz16 Pendine zz17 Pendine zz18 Pendine zz19 pendine zz20 Pendine zz21 Pendine zz29 Pendine zz28 Pendine zz27 Pendine zz26 Pendine zz25 Pendine zz22 Pendine zz24 Pendine zzTIM FPendine zz30

 

 

 

 

 

Big Matt Bolt sits in his machine and enjoys the fruits of his labor at this great beach meet at Pendine Sands.

 

 

 

Johnny Best and Tim Sparks Chew the fat.

 

 

 

 

 

FINALLY- A great shot of my mate Harley Peters, he built this A- Bone 4 Banger himself in Eighteen months and this was its maiden Voyage.

And it ran like a proverbial Top- Great Job mate.

 

Pendine zz HARLEY

Here is a bit I borrowed from the VHRA   http://www.vhra.co.uk/VHRA/News/Entries/2015/7/7_Pendine_Speeds_2015.html

 

 

 

Here we have a Few Videos.

Below is some History and information you may like to know.

 

In the early 1900s the sands were used as a venue for car and motor cycle races. From 1922 the annual Welsh TT motor cycle event was held at Pendine Sands. The firm flat surface of the beach created a race track that was straighter and smoother than many major roads of the time. Motor Cycle magazine described the sands as “The finest natural speedway imaginable”.

In the 1920s it became clear that roads and race tracks were no longer adequate venues for attempts on the world land speed record. As record breaking speeds approached 150 mph (240 km/h), the requirements for acceleration to top speed before the measured mile and safe braking distance afterwards meant that a smooth, flat, straight surface of at least 5 miles (8.0 km) in length was needed. The first person to use Pendine Sands for a world land speed record attempt was Malcolm Campbell. On September 25, 1924 he set a world land speed record of 146.16 mph (235.22 km/h) on Pendine Sands in his Sunbeam 350HP car Blue Bird.

Four other record breaking runs were made on Pendine Sands between 1924 and 1927; two more by Campbell, and two by Welshman J. G. Parry-Thomas in his car Babs. The 150 mph (240 km/h) barrier was decisively broken, and Campbell raised the record to 174.22 mph (280.38 km/h) in February 1927 with his second Blue Bird.

On March 3, 1927 Parry-Thomas attempted to beat Campbell’s record. On his final run while travelling at about 170 mph (270 km/h) the exposed drive chain broke and partially decapitated him; Babs went out of control and rolled over. Parry-Thomas was the first driver to be killed during a world land speed record attempt. This was the final world land speed record attempt made at Pendine Sands.

Parry-Thomas’ car Babs was buried in the sand dunes near the village of Pendine. In 1969 Owen Wyn Owen, an engineering lecturer from Bangor Technical College, sought and received permission to excavate Babs. Over the next 15 years he restored the car, which is now housed in the Museum of Speed in Pendine village.

In 1933 Amy Johnson and her husband, Jim Mollison, took off from Pendine Sands in De Havilland DH.84 Dragon G-ACCV ‘Seafarer’ to fly non-stop to New York. Blown off course, they landed down-wind in the dark at Bridgeport, Connecticut after flying for 39 hours over a distance of 3,300 miles at an average speed of 85 mph, overshot, and were both seriously injured in the crash.

During the Second World War the Ministry of Defence acquired Pendine Sands and used it as a firing range. The beach is still owned by the Ministry of Defence; prominent signs warn of the dangers of unexploded munitions and public access is restricted. Monday to Friday part of the beach is closed off because of MOD operations.

In June 2000 Don Wales, grandson of Malcolm Campbell and nephew of Donald Campbell, set the United Kingdom electric land speed record at Pendine Sands in Bluebird Electric 2, achieving a speed of 137 mph (220 km/h).

Top Gear filmed a review as part of the fifth episode of their fourth season, and returned to film a second review for the first episode of the fifth season. Scrapheap Challenge used the beach as the venue for the challenge in Season 10, Episode 1, aired in 2008.

Today Pendine Sands is sometimes used as a stage in rally car events, although spectator access is limited for safety reasons. It is also a popular venue for kite buggying and homebuilt hovercraft.

Between 9 July 2004 and May 2010 all vehicles were banned from using Pendine due to safety concerns, however since May 2010 cars have again been allowed access.

Records Set at Pendine Sands

Date Location Driver Driver Country Vehicle Power Speed over
1 Km
Speed over
1 Mile
Comments
September 25, 1924 Pendine Sands, Wales Sir Malcolm Campbell Great Britain 350hp Sunbeam Blue Bird
V-12
IC 146.15 mph (235.21 km/h) 146.16 mph (235.22 km/h)
July 21, 1925 Pendine Sands, Wales Sir Malcolm Campbell Great Britain 350hp Sunbeam Blue Bird
V-12
IC 150.86 mph (242.79 km/h) 150.76 mph (242.62 km/h) First person ever officially to go over, and set record in excess of 150 mph
April 27, 1926 Pendine Sands, Wales J. G. Parry-Thomas Great Britain Higham-Thomas Special Babs
45 degree V-12
IC 169.29 mph (272.45 km/h) 168.07 mph (270.48 km/h)
April 28, 1926 Pendine Sands, Wales J. G. Parry-Thomas Great Britain Higham-Thomas Special Babs
45 degree V-12
IC 171.01 mph (273.60 km/h) 170.62 mph (274.59 km/h)
February 4, 1927 Pendine Sands, Wales Sir Malcolm Campbell Great Britain Campbell Napier Blue Bird
Napier W-12 Cylinder
IC 174.88 mph (281.44 km/h) 174.22 mph (280.38 km/h) Last record set in Europe

Some cool video of chain on Drag bike and other cool vidz.

Well today I thought I would show you a cool video I saw on you tube- don’t ya just love that site?

This shows a great low view of the chain and how it moved and reacts on a Drag bike, thought that I would share it with you today.

Also a few of these videos of the drags, of course there is always something cool about a screaming 2 stroke motor.
NHDRO 2: Super Eliminator class 2-stroke motorcycle drag racing Indy

I would love this double engined H2, the guy is hard to hear but I wanted to see and hear that machine, love it!!!

Yes, back home this fella used a bunch of KH250 triples for a 48 cylinder world record, although it weighs a Ton!

Then there are the nutters in Germany that built the Chainsaw bike.

Now here is something you look at and say “WHY?”

Now this is right up my street, a V12 Lincoln Flathead Motor Jammed in this machine.

An old KZ1300 that was brutal in its day now has a Viper V8 wedged in its place.

LONG LOST 32 Three Window FOUND !

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…

 Awesome find and would another 3 window, very cool article.