Indholdsfortegnelse for August 1951 i Hot Rod

Day by day, membership in the National Hot Rod Association is growing more impressive. Aside from the steadily increasing number of individual applications for membership, there have also been a large number of clubs and associations which have adopted membership in the NHRA as a part of their own groups’ requirements for membership. Equally encouraging is the nationwide scope of acceptance which is evidenced by the fact that every section of the country is now represented on the roster. The Atlantic seaboard, with New York and New Jersey heading the parade; the midwest, with Illinois. Ohio. Indiana, and Michigan in the forefront; and the far west, with California in the lead, are the chief centers of activity. Other sections, where numerical representation is just beginning to build up, have demonstrated…

A high power-to-weight ratio makes for a snappy performing automobile, so, with this basic fact in mind, Bill Vogt installed a Kaiser “Supersonic Six” engine in his 1951 Henry J. This provided a cubic inch increase of nearly 70% over the standard 4 cylinder engine size, something that mere boring and stroking could never achieve. Total gross weight of the car was increased by less than a measly 5%. From these figures it should be obvious that the desired results were attained. With the stock 4.55-1 rear end ratio, in combination with a 30% overdrive, this bomb that’s not much bigger than a firecracker easily exceeds 100 miles per hour. The conversion was made at Bill’s dad’s agency, Manchester Kaiser-Frazer, Los Angeles. Tommy Wilcox, agency mechanic, and Frank Kastelz, service…

RUSSETTA—MAY 19, 20 Russetta members went on a rampage of record breaking at their second meet of the year. Although the course had to be moved several times for traction and safety, the aid of a brisk tail wind boosted the speeds to a peak which brought out 8 new records among the 11 classes of competition. The RTA group, which features coupes and sedans primarily, has introduced many new types of cars and fully as many new ideas for obtaining top speeds from a basically production automobile. Results in extreme high speeds now being attained by the “hardtops” have begun to emphasize the importance of chassis design and streamlining for both ultimate performance and stability. Although some of the ideas which have shown up at recent events may appear…

With the idea in mind that readers everywhere would enjoy seeing what the nation’s speed equipment houses look like (both sales and manufacturing sources), HRM launched the first of a series of visits in the April ‘51 issue and the ensuing articles have become quite popular. Not only have we presented pictorial descriptions of the shops but we have also included some background information on the owners and operators of the establishments. This month’s visit brings us to the Detroit, Michigan, area where we look in on two shops owned by Bill Toia. Bill’s first “speed job” was a Fronty Ford, ‘way back in 1928 when he was only 14 years old. He and Al Medici—who owned another stripped-down Model “T” with a Hemeco gear shift—used to soup ‘em up…

“O” CLASS BOOSTER Sirs: The May issue of HRM has finally filtered its way to me here in the Far East. I note with great interest the formation of a long-awaited National Hot Rod Association. Is it possible for an individual not now active in the sport to become a member? If so, I would be grateful if you would consider this as an application for membership. Enclosed is a money order to cover the fees involved. Also enclosed is a snapshot of the coupe I was building up while stationed in Austin, Texas. When the axe fell and my outfit was ordered to Korea I was forced to sell it to a local yokel who immediately bored through the nice lead-job on the shell and mounted a huge, chrome…

Hot rod owners in all parts of the nation are making their preparations for running at the Bonneville National Speed Trials, in Utah, August 27 through September 2 this year. Conducted for the third consecutive year, these amateur trials will once again be open to participants from all areas, several new class divisions having been added for more widespread competition. Outstanding feature about the Bonneville Nationals is the fact that any person, or group, whose car meets the requirements of the technical regulations may take advantage of a full week’s runing, under the safest possible conditions, for a nominal entry fee of only $10.00 per car. This means that you can avail yourself of an entire week of mechanical experimentation, testing your pet theories and ideas with as many timed…

It isn’t always easy to change the public’s opinion of hot rods and their owners, especially in an area where the term “hot rodder” has grown to have a meaning of irresponsibility. But that is what the members of the Chapparrals club of Dallas, Texas have done, and most successfully too. The club, which has twenty or more active members, was first formed in 1949 by a group of young men who were mutually interested in developing their own cars for better performance. Although they were up against a strong feeling of opposition toward any form of automotive experimentation, their orderly conducted activities have continued to win friends for the group and now they are accepted as an organized asset to the community. By strict adherence to their club rules…

HOT ROD MAGAZINE Mary Lou O’Connor, 18-year-old California model, appears quite at ease perched alongside this set of differential gears. Actually, the gears are of an extremely high ratio and are used primarily in light road jobs and for high speed competition. Miss O’Connor is also a talented singer. She lists swimming and basketball among her favorite sports. Other interesting details: 34” hips, 24” waist, 35 bust. Gears. Arisen Automotive…

It hasn’t been too long since law enforcement agencies at San Diego. Calif. declared the Paradise Mesa Airstrip “off limits” to automobiles. The Paradise strip had received a bad reputation due to the hazards of frequent uncontrolled drag meets that were held there without authorization or organization. But that was before a progressive group of determined local speed enthusiasts—members of various timing clubs in the area—took it upon themselves to form an association for the purpose of conducting legal drag race meets. As a result of the efforts of this group the Paradise Mesa strip now proudly presents week-end drag race events that have become the pride of San Diego County. Led by Fred Davies, a San Diego businessman, the group has not only obtained permission to use the field…

This year’s Memorial Day “500,” at the famed Indianapolis Speedway, pointed out with undeniable emphasis that the hot rods do provide the “basic training” for a majority of the big time personalities who contribute to the success of this annual classic. Anyone familiar with the names of the drivers, mechanics and car owners can readily identify an impressive array of men who have emerged from the ranks of the hot rods. Some have come from the various hot rod track associations, others have been active participants at the dry lake meets of the West, still others have owned their own hot rods, street jobs from which they gained much beneficial knowledge in the art of keeping their equipment in top running condition. Although hot rods and their interests have been…

Father and son projects are common in many hobbies, and since hot-rodding is not only a sport, but also a hobby, it is no exception. A typical “for instance” is Monte Trone’s ‘33 Ford coupe, built jointly by Monte and his father. Ike Trone. Mr. Trone did the custom body work, while his No. 1 son built the ¼ stroker engine, and both collaborated on the immaculate chassis and the unique suspension. The only item of construction that couldn’t be handled “in the family” was the special race-car nose, which was done by Virgil Smith, who, like the Trone clan, resides in Long Beach, California. Monte is a member of the Cavaliers, a group of car construction enthusiasts noted for their safe driving campaign which included making an educational movie…