Old time car clubs you knew as a kid(greybeards)

[CruZer]

HumboltCats post on the Paegans Car Club got me thinking about the clubs I saw around western New England when I was growing up the the '50's.What ones do you remember????
Around here we had: The Cam Busters (N.Adams) The Piston Poppers and the Berkshire Dragmasters(Pittsfield) Strokers(Springfield) http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[Smokin Joe]

Bean Bandits, Prowlers, Toppers, Strokers, Guys & Dolls, Retarded Sparks. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[tommy]

http://fototime.com/{DB691B31-F4EE-4D92-BC20-8E00EE10876B}/picture.JPG
My old club.late 50's early 60's


the Ramrods.. Still putting on the D.C. hot rod car show.

[Rocket88]

Those clubs are still active here today. The only difference is that now I'm a grey beard and belong to one of them. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

[C9]

Was a member of "Diablos" for a very short while, skipped a bunch of meetings, they tossed me out.

Next, a member of the "Dwarfs", a take off on Snow White's seven dwarfs. The plaque had a cool pic of Dopey.
Same thing there, missed a bunch of meetings, they asked for the plaque back and we went our separate ways.

Last one - in the good old daze anyway - "The Poor Boys" kinda self explanatory. The club faded after a while and I wasn't doing too good on attendance anyway.
Do you see a pattern here?
Big reason for all the missed meetings was an every week meeting was too often for me, a kid busy with skating, a job, the car and the small discovery that girls could be a pretty interesting pastime.
As one of them said, "Would you rather be hanging out with a bunch of dateless guys on a Friday night or be with me?"
It was an easy choice.

Other clubs in town - Ventura, California, late 50's to early 60's - Motor Monarchs, Gents and Coachmen.
Some of the "T-Timers" would hit town now and then. They were out of towners and the T-Timers were a large club in SoCal with plaques that said, "T-Timers" and the city on the bottom. Some of their plaques left off the city name.

Santa Barbara, about 33 miles up the coast had the "Igniters" among others and it's still going today.
Santa Paula, about 20 miles east had the "Silent Knights" and "Santa Paula Roadsters."
Oxnard, bout 10 miles south had "Pharoahs." I'm fairly sure there, it was a custom oriented name and the town seemed to have more customs than hot rods. Coulda been a similar name and I just have American Graffiti running around in my mind.

Nowadays, a charter and life member of "The Outsiders." A no-club club, no meetings, no dues, everyone is the president and if we get together once a year fine and if not that's fine too.
This latest club done so we can park together at the one car show a year I do. Otherwise, the show committee won't even try to park friends together.
Not sure how big the club is either. Some years, only two, others as many as 11.
We don't keep records either, but we ought to get a plaque.
I think O'Brien Truckers has an outsider plaque, but not sure.

[OGNC]

Growing up in San Diego I remember seeing a lot of Prowlers and Early Times cars. There were some Over The Hill Gang guys too. But I remember more Amigos, Oldies, Notorious and City Lights lowriders than anything else.

[Scribe]

Back in the early '60s my dad was a member of the "Turtles" up at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo in central CA. He's still got his club jacket and plaque, which features a turtle wearing gogggles with zoomies and tri-power poking out of his shell.

[safariknut]

The clubs I remember as a kid around Eastern Massachusetts were the Road Rebels in Saugus(my home town),the Stockers from Everett,the DragNetters from Marblehead,the Strokers from Malden,the Orientals from Reading(still going)the CamSnappers from Newburyport and a bunch I've forgotten already.Graybearditis I guess.

[delaware george]

i'm not a greybeard,but my parents are and when i was just about 6 in like 79 they joined the del rods and my mom is still an active member today....there weren't that many clubs around here ...oh yeah,the abreviation for delaware is de now,they changed it to del a number of years ago

[delaware george]

.

[scarliner]

Well for being out in the sticks,guess we were really lucky.When I was just a pup,there was a very cool group of old guys,most of them 18 to 25 years old,really old!They had a club called the DRAGGIN-DRAGONS.It was way cool,they went together and rented a building for club project cars and had little cards they would hand out,if they helped someone out in need,such as a stranded motorist.The card said somthing like: Youve been helped by a member of the Draggin Dragons.I was lucky and got to know several of these guys later on in life and have become great friends with most of them that are still around.I had a new cast made of thier old club plate,had to have one,I think its really coooool.

[50Fraud]

West L.A./Santa Monica, circa 1956-7:

Block Busters (my club)
T-Timers (older guys)
Kerb Krushers
4-11s
Drifters
Flywheels (mostly about fighting, not cars)
Black Rats (plaque showed a tombstone, a dagger and a bottle)

I'm sure I've forgotten others.

[fordnutz]

I was 17 in 1966 and joined the Kam Pushers in Portage La Prairie, Manitoba, Canada. We had some rods and customs. I had a 56 chev 4-door hardtop on the road, and a 33 chev 2-door I was working on with my limited knowledge. We even had a club barn with 2 car stalls and a club room and a mechanical assembly room, all heated. The entire attic of the barn was parts storage. The rent was $25 a month in the sixties. The club had started in 1956. One of the original members still has his 40 ford 2-door that he swapped a 56 T-bird 312 into in 1960. It still has the original ford black paint and interior and the Y-block. All I have left is my club plaque.

[Humboldt Cat]

Well, I'm no "greybeard"... although at 29 I have grey in my beard... and I have a bad back after Work tonight... anyway I've yet to be in a car club, but as a teenager in Arcadia I often visited the Street Rods Forever meets at the Glendale Federal Bank, every (week? month?). Am trying to remember where they've moved the meet to. Is it Fuddruckers?
Was just mesmerized by that scene, like the pages of car mags come to life, not to mention the friendliness, comradery, and seein' 'em zoom out the lot and up the road.
Did a story on them for the Arcadia Tribune as a senior in high school, made front page news. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif
Been thinking of starting a club here called the "Lost Coast Bloody (or Busted) Knuckles".
Great post!
Some posted this link for club plaques on my post, thought you'd enjoy it:
http://www.relicsandrods.com/carclubplaques.htm
I wish Uncle Tommy's "Paegans" jacket was still around.

[hillbilly]

my beard hasnt turned gray on me just yet, only club I remember is the one I hung out with back home...River Valley Kustoms, we used to be the club that hosted a certain car show in the city of the Hangin Judge, Ft Smith, AR, before it was moved to fayetteville on the same weekend as the big swap meet at Petit Jean....

ahhhh good old days, hangin out with hemikat and phatboy and Larry Rogers and the rest of the club.....the nights after the show at the King's Row Inn...the infamous office chair shenanigans...the (gasp! not at a KKOA gathering!!!) flamethrowers, the nekkid people in the pool....the thunderstorm that hit in 1999 and the lightning bolt that blew a hole in the McDonald's sign not 50 yards away, the mini-bike with the McPhail painted tank...the Lucky13 and their introducing me to shiner bock beer...

there was someone there with a video camera that got my baby blue '51 blowin flames...wish I had a copy of that...

[Rocky]

As sophomores in high school, a bunch of us gearheads thought it would be cool to start up a car club. It was 1961-62 and right after my parents relocated to another town, those guys did start up the club. I had to go with my parents and wasn't able to be a part of it. After high school came a 3 year stint in the Army. When I went home from Europe, I moved back to my old town and the car club was going great guns. The boys had a clubhouse adjacent to the rail switching yard, made conversation interesting when the rail cars would collide [the railroad guys call it "humping"] and you couldn't hear yourself think! That was in 1969-70 and the clubhouse had a 4 or 5 car bay for clubmembers to work on their cars...very cool.
I left to relocate to my new wife's city [Portland] and lost touch with everybody..When I went back a few years ago to attend goodguys NW in Puyallup, Washington, I stopped in to find the club was still active. Not one of the old founding members was still in the club. I re-joined anyway as an associate member and was sent my monthly news letter but it just wasn't the same... I let the dues lapse and they didn't write or call to tell me they'd lapsed...just stopped sending newsletters and dropped me from the roster. That was cool with me.
When I go back for visits, I still stop and visit with some of the old founding club members, none of them active in any clubs but all of 'em still still having hot rods. Mortecai is one of 'em and he posts here on occasion. It might be fun to re-start the old club but we're not really club guys.
Side story:::
I drove my 50 chevy sedan delivery back to Oregon from Omaha about 6 years [30th class reunuion] ago and we all met up at Burgerville, USA at the local cruise night. There were 4 of us and we all piled into Danny's 55 chevy.. He'd had a similar 55 in high school and I had my video camera with me. IT WAS JUST LIKE 1964, ALL OVER AGAIN! We hadda have the traditional argument about who was gonna ride shotgun, who got the back seat and everybody's place was dictated by their social standing on our little group.......just like it was in the 60's........We had the "Oldies" station on the A.M. radio and when we stopped for cokes, Ken was flat broke just exactly like he always was.....Danny grumbled about the "Cheap bastard" and came up with Ken's coke money, just like he always did....it was just like 35 years hadn't passed at all. Two young ladies pulled up beside us in their late-model and gave us a once-over....pulled around us and continued on with wrinkled noses.....just like in the olden days....
I think it's important to get with old car-buddies but ya don't necessarily have to be in a club to do it...

[**DONOTDELETE**]

This is the patch we had sewn to the back of our red nylon (James Dean) jackets back in high school....1958. A couple of us even had cars.... http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

[seldom scene]

The Lifters started in '58, after a time laspe are going strong today, The Prowlers and Bean Bandits are among the oldest car clubs and still going, The Torquers of Ocean Beach had what today are called "traditional" cars, There are a few others from San Diego That I can't remember because my beard is grey and my brain cells are frijoles. As soon as they come back? I will post them, there was a club that had show cars I'm trying to remember.

[Jeff Norwell]

My club was started in 1956 and has had the same clubhouse and prez since day 1.we(think) our club is one of Canada's oldest clubs.The Roadmates.there still are 5 orig. members in the club and I am the youngest.(40)..this joint is rich in early rodd'in and drag racing all thru Ontario and western New York.Our oldest member is 71 and acts 18.He still owns his 29 channelled roadster from 59 and drives it daily in the summer months........great post!!! http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

[Paul2748]

Not a "founding father", but belonged to the CAMS in Wethersfield/Waterbury CT. in the mid to late fifties. Some of our guys - me included - ran the tech line at a Charlestown Rhode Island drag strip and later at CT Dragway. Didn't have many "cool" cars but we had fun.

[seldom scene]

It took a while but I finally got it..Aristocrats had some nice show cars in San Diego.

[fordnutz]

I am not sure, but I think the oldest club in Canada that is still active may be the British Columbia Custom Car Association or BCCCA, started in 1952 in Vancouver, BC. They have all kinds of cars and operate the dragstrip in Mission. The Vancouver Roadster Club was active in the 40's but isn't around now.

[mikeandcece@comcast.net]

West L.A./Santa Monica, circa 1956-7:

Block Busters (my club)
T-Timers (older guys)
Kerb Krushers
4-11s
Drifters
Flywheels (mostly about fighting, not cars)
Black Rats (plaque showed a tombstone, a dagger and a bottle)

I'm sure I've forgotten others.
Hi I have been a member of the Kurb Krushers cince 1956. I had a lot of friends in the 4-11's as we all grew up in WLA, Santa Monica and we had a mutual love of cars. Your right the Flywheels were not a car club but just a bunch of idiots. We had a KK reunion(50 yrs) in Marina Del Rey and we still keep in touch. great memories of good times. I still fly my club plaque on my '40 Ford Mike Gilmore

[poncho62]

3 long time clubs in my area.......Tachmen (45+yrs)........Radical CC (40yrs) and Random CC (35 yrs)..........

Ther Tachmen are still into the old time rods......

[HarryT]

In the '50s my brother belonged to the "Quartermilers" in Lawrenceville, Ill. I now live in Ct. and belong to a very loose nit club called the "Rod Benders". We are a handful of old geezers (mostly retired) that get together to work on our cars and BS.

[tarheelrodr]

when my dad was is his 20's,now 78, he was a charter member of the Ramblin' Rebels in Raleigh, NC. He has a couple of the original jackets they had made and I have seen one of the pewter license plates they ran on their cars. Back then he had a 40 ford convertible. I have heard the club is still around but of course it's another bunch of guys.

[Pops]

I remember the "Road Hawks" from Independence, MO in the late 50's.

J.

[bobw]

In the late 50's we had a club called the "Sleepers". It folded after a couple years. One of the guys kept a window sticker; we had those instead of plaques. I had a new run of stickers made 4-5 years ago and have one in each of my cars. I guess I'm a car club of one. Never any disagreements, etc.

[TIM WARDENHOTROD]

Our Club Der Kobblers Was Formed In 1956 I Joined In 67 When I Was 18 Tim

[xderelict]

Sometimes timing is strange.Just before the GNRS there was a post about club plaques.I Post that I've been looking for a ROAD STAR SOUTH OMAHA plaque for a long time.I lived next door to Bob Rose,A member of that club.I can remember them welding on a roadster in his driveway after dark.That would of been 1957.I was hooked. I also had my hair cut at Holcumbs barber shop on 46th and Q street.The Holcumb brothers had really nice cars.These were Road Stars that I knew. I post I've been looking for their plaque and I believe Dennis? from O'Brien trucking comes right back with a picture of the cast master an says I can have one made.Thanks a bunch, I got it in the mail today and it's perfect.
Now thru research I find out that one''Chicken Al'' is still around,81 years young and still running a chrome shop.I'm going to ask permission to run the plaque again.
If you are looking for an old plaque I'd try OBrien Truckers their #1 in my book and they have an extensive catalog.Later

http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l149/warsocki/RoadStarsSouthOmaha2443.jpg

[leon renaud]

In North Eastern Ct.and near by Mass.
Danielson Ct. the Aristocrats plaque was tophat ,cloth glovesand fance walking stick
Putnam Ct. the Hot Sparks their plaque was a sedan with a large spark plug running vertically through the car
I was a junior member of them in 68-69 when they disbanded I have since tracked down and purchased our A/Altered coupe and I'm planning on restoring it
In Webster Mass New Era
there was a second club in webster are but I forget the name at the moment {I am a greybeard after all}
Another club from the 50s in Putnam Ct. is the Checkers I only reciently found out about this club it was before the Hot Sparks they may have both existed at the same time for a short while the Hot sparks starting up near the end of the Checkers.

[56KUSTOM]

The clubs I remember as a kid around Eastern Massachusetts were the Road Rebels in Saugus(my home town),the Stockers from Everett,the DragNetters from Marblehead,the Strokers from Malden,the Orientals from Reading(still going)the CamSnappers from Newburyport and a bunch I've forgotten already.Graybearditis I guess.

How about the Tyrods?

[Russco]

From My Dad's scrapbook
http://www.members.aol.com/outlawracer33/1a

[k9racer]

Several from the Alabama area from the 50s and early 60s.. In Birmingham the Sportsman Hot Rod Club. The Black Widows who in 1956 built and operated the Lassiter Mountain Drag strip. still in operation as of this year by other intrest.. A African American Club called the War Horses. They did a lot of street racing. Then The club called Rods from Mountainbrook. In Huntsville The Coachmen Who built a Drag strip in 1958 { still in operation} Orignally called Monassis now called Huntsville Dragway. If I can recall more I will add to post.

[hot rod wille]

When I was a kid (early 60's) I met a few of the Motor Monarchs of Ventura.They were older guys--like in their 20's!!! I became good friends with Dave Marquez--his 32 roadster was on the cover of Hot Rod in July 1956. I ended up as his co-driver of his off-road team in the 80's. I've included a pic of Dave racing Ron William's 29 roadster--the one in the new Rodder's journal.Just beford Dave died, he came by my house and GAVE me his original Motor Monarch plaque. He says "put it on a car someday". It's one of the most cherished items I have--he was a good friend---

[hotrod1940]

In Detroit in the fifties I belonged to the "Trompers" car club.
Then, I belonged to the "Blockbusters" in Clearwater, FL. They ran the Golden Triangle drag strip.

[Pete1]

The Seattle Kustom Klub was the first hot rod club in Washington. We got started in 1947. The only requirement was, you had to own a race car of some kind.
We still have reunion meetings a couple times a year.
At least 3 of us are still racing.
Pete

[Chili Phil]

I lived 5 houses down from a guy in the East LA Imperials. Johnny's '50 Ford was build from paycheck to paycheck, 'til it became a pretty nice mild custom. It has functional lakes pipes, a '53 pontiac grill bar under a '51 Ford surround, frenched head and tail lights. He painted it a copper metalic. Had '57 lancer caps and Appletons. I moved away before he got the interior done, but I know it was gonna be whte with copper piping. That car made my tastes what they are today. This was from '56-'58. In the early sixties I was a founding member of the Barons of So Antelope Valley. We were abunch of jerks and had a terrible reputation. Most of us did some jail time for racing and other anti-social behavior. Just like 40studedude says, we fought a lot in those days. Now I'm a Viper. We ain't greybeards, our beards are WHITE.

[Chili Phil]

Oh and, back in the sixties in the Antelope Valley (Lancaster, CA) a guy named Don Van Vliet ran with a bunch of reprobates and troubled youths called the Topos. True hoodlums, they were. He went on to be known as Captain Beefheart. Ever heard of him?

[49ratfink]

the only club I remember as a kid was the "Nor Cal Early Irons" .. they had a logo with one of those old timey irons you had to put on the stove to heat up. this was in the 70's in or around Fremont Ca.

[29bowtie]

My dad's old club,the Piston Pushers,Brantford Ont. Canada 1955? and counting

[BLAINE 816]

We started the ARISTOCRATS in 1959 there were 12 of us at the start. Sad to say only 10 left. That might be a high ratio because we are all over 65 now.
We had our yearly breakfast last tuesday 8 showed up. We counted the hot rods and customs we could remember that the group had at one time or another and lt was over 60. There are only 4 of us still active today,
2, 32 Ford three windows, 1, 41 Lincoln , 1 ,57 chevy half ton. One of the three windows has been owned by the same guy since 1962.
It is amazing how clear our recall is on these car things and events.
Blaine

[tylerae40]

hey in west oz the was only a couple of clubs out bush one was the smokers- not for tyres but cuz every engine burned oil and the where known for stealing truck engines. Spoke to one of the old members in the pub "there where 3". he told me a few yarns but would tell me crap what happened to the cars.

[ol fueler]

I remember the "Road Hawks" from Independence, MO in the late 50's.

J.



Do you also perhaps remember the "Dragging Diplomats" from KC , Mo.? 1957 or so.
There were about 25 of us ,the oldest guy about 30 , most of the rest 16-22 . We all had some kind of hopped up or custom car. Mine was a Jimmie powered 47 Chev ragtop. The Club built & ran a fuel Chrysler Hemi rail.

[Jalopy Joker]

Back in the 60's in Fullerton, Ca the real cool dudes belonged to the Pioneers. I belonged to the Vulcans (before Mr Spock on Star Trek).
Cool times!! Now belong to the Jalopy Jokers.

[cruzr]

Biggest around when i was a kid in Orange County

[Bobert]

Mid-late 50's, Motivators Westmont, Illinois and Strokers, Chicago. Got a good buddy, couple of years older, that was in both and designed the Strokers plate. Near as we can tell he's the only one left from the Strokers but there a few Motivators still around. Got permission to run the Stokers plate.
Should anyone that was in the Strokers be on here, please let me know. Also we're still looking for former members who might want a new plate as O'Brien has the patterns for both.

[terrarodder]

Back in the 50s the Lehigh Valley Timing Assoc. was a big club in Allentown PA. In 2005 we held a 50th reuion of our first drag race, I was president in 55, a bunch of us still meet for breakfest once a month and are trying to restart the club. Finally a club I'm not the oldest member

[Gasser57]

The Choppers Hot Rod Assiciation of Cleveland, Ohio. Meeting weekly since 1956. Many wild rods, customs and famous dragsters have come from the older members of this bunch. Still do today.

[tex34ford]

Piston Riders of Penn Hills, PA. Started in about 1954, lasted until the mid '60s. This is my original plaque that is mounted on the back of my current ride a '34 Ford Cabriolet.

[OLLIN]

Quote:
Originally Posted by 50Fraud http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/hamb/buttons/viewpost.gif (http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?p=70975#post70975)
West L.A./Santa Monica, circa 1956-7:

Block Busters (my club)
T-Timers (older guys)
Kerb Krushers
4-11s
Drifters
Flywheels (mostly about fighting, not cars)
Black Rats (plaque showed a tombstone, a dagger and a bottle)

I'm sure I've forgotten others.

Hi I have been a member of the Kurb Krushers cince 1956. I had a lot of friends in the 4-11's as we all grew up in WLA, Santa Monica and we had a mutual love of cars. Your right the Flywheels were not a car club but just a bunch of idiots. We had a KK reunion(50 yrs) in Marina Del Rey and we still keep in touch. great memories of good times. I still fly my club plaque on my '40 Ford Mike Gilmore

I was born and raised in santa monica.
I was haning out with Monk from the "Old Timers" West L.A. at Teddy's diner on thursday. He is also a west L.A. native and went to Uni High. He was telling me about how he ran 120 mph. at el mirage in '49 with a bored out merc flathead. He is the real deal. He was telling me about Jack Engle and Ed Iskendarian, and how he knew a lot of the guys in the first issues of hot rod mag.
He mentioned the T-timers and Low Flyers Hot Rod Club of Santa Monica, California.

[Junkyard Dog 32]

Here's the Rev Masters from Fond du Lac, Wisconsin... 1962
(my dad is 3rd from the right in the back row...)

http://www.pignpiston.com/Images/CowboyBob/RevMasters.jpg


...AND...

Can anyone tell me where the Tri-Valley Speed Assn. was...?
I bought this patch off of Ebay a few years ago and have always been curious...

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f134/HAMBpix/patch.jpg




JOE:cool:

[rixrex]

In the late 50s early 60s in San Antonio it was the Gear Grinders, still active, us kids with our hand-me-downs and stolen motorcycles were Los Diablos usually shouted with beery breath....

[brianangus]

The Belleville Road Angels (Ontario, Canada)were started in 1956 (Jeff---I don't know what month). I first went to Belleville in 1965, and joined the club. This past summer, I attended their 50th "anniversary party" and had a great time, and the club is still going strong.---Brian

[50Fraud]

I was hanging out with Monk from the "Old Timers" West L.A. at Teddy's diner on thursday.

Thursday night at Teddy's (Pico and Bundy) is a delightful, low-key hangout for greybeards from the WLA/Santa Monica area. It's unusual if more than ten old cars show up, but some of them are excellent and there are a bunch of neat guys.

[Ol Blue]

The Coachmen, Monticello IN. 1959
We had a points system developed that to be able to join the club you had to have enough modifications to qualify as a hot rod or kustom to get in the club.

I still have some of the minutes of the meetings someplace. Not sure if I have the points system or not though. I have the plaque that was on my 55 Chevy and one that was never used. Heck, even found the original sales receipt for the plaques in a suitcase full of little books.
Ol Blue

[HEMI32]

No recollection of any "Old Time" car club ... my father was always a "lone wolf" in the 50's & 60's ... But, in the 70's, he helped to form a new club in the SF Bay Area ... "NOR-CAL EARLY IRON":

Window decal:
http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o19/PhotographyByBruce/Automotive/HEMI32/1970s/Nor%20Cal%20Early%20Iron/NorCalEarlyIron-WindowDecal.jpg

Membership Card:
http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o19/PhotographyByBruce/Automotive/HEMI32/1970s/Nor%20Cal%20Early%20Iron/NorCalEarlyIron-MembershipCard.jpg

Club display at an indoor car show:
http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o19/PhotographyByBruce/Automotive/HEMI32/1970s/Nor%20Cal%20Early%20Iron/NorCalEarlyIron-SanMateo.jpg

[Kustomz]

When I was younger and living in Kansas my brother was a member of the Street Fleet. They had a club garage to work on their cars. That was in the late 60's. I also remember as a kid I was always impressed with my Uncle Gary's old roadster and how cool it was when I was old enough to drive to be in a club called the Kansas Kustoms with him.

[ARCHANGEL]

http://www.relicsandrods.com/Cities/SanFrancisco.htm

THANK'S FOR THE TOPIC I MEMBER ABOUT ONE THIRD OF THE CLUBS IN THIS LINK, IN THE SF BAY AREA.

[dadseh]

BOWMANVILLE Ontario CA 1962, it was the Chauffeurs Car Club

[48fordnut]

In Birmingham al, in the early 50s it was The Rebel Road Ramblers. In Montgomery In 57 it was Dixie Idlers. Still have that plaque some where.

[Gabacho_LBC]

So Cal Clubs I remember seeing plaques on cars around my Dads garage: Early Times, Invincibles, Renegades, Sultans. Still have club jackets and plaques hangin on his wall with overspray and paint all over the glass. Looks awesome.

[G V Gordon]

When I was a kid, mid to late 50's, the Playboys were the club in Enid OK. I remember going to an indoor show at Convention Hall. Lots of nice cars from Oklahoma and Kansas. Even at that age I remember a very nice Chevy fastback from Kansas, purple, asemetrical styling. I think it still exists.

Playboys had a club rail as well. If I remember it had full rear body similar to the Scorpion with a big Playboy bunny logo on the back.

I have seen an old copy of a "little pages" book with a feature of Eddie Cohlmias duece coupe in it. He was a member fom here in Enid.

A few of the members are still around.

[MUNCIE]

Cool topic I love to learn about the old car clubs and how they were formed and ran.

[29bowtie]

Those clubs are still active here today. The only difference is that now I'm a grey beard and belong to one of them. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

You are a greybeard, at 43? MY Dad is a greybeard,an original member of the Piston Pushers(Brantford,Ont.,Canada).We still have the BC CUSTOM Car Club here in BC,Canada's oldest car club,and owners of one of the best drag strips in existence.

[Harms Way]

The Michigan Hot Rod Association had 22 clubs in the association during the 1950's, the clubs that still live on is

MotorCity Modified Auto Club (MMAC)

Spark Plugs

Bearing Burners

Millwinders

Competition Specialists

Shifters

And My club, 'The Road Knights"

Clubs that went by the way side included The Drag-on's, Dearborn Custom Auto Club, Piston Pushers, Throttlers, Man the list is endless!

Here is some of the jackets from the early 50's on MHRA guy's doing tech inspections,.....
http://littlejoe.ejourney.com/%7Eponcho/RKAC53b.jpg

The Road Knights 1954
http://littlejoe.ejourney.com/%7Eponcho/RKAC54northland.jpg

And the MHRA web sight
http://www.mhraonline.org/

[Dat Dirty Rat]

The Gents

The Clutch Artist

Rochester Street Rods

Street Freaks--now called Rochester Street Machines

My cousin & I grew up around both those clubs cause of our fathers were active members of RSR and still are today...

[KomptonKid]

My brother belonged to the Squires car club in Compton, California- this was in the late '40's, early '50's. I was much younger than him, and was an occasional mascot. He had a nosed, decked and shaved '47 Ford Sedan. My '46 coupe has an aluminum Squires plaque on it, and I have an older cast-iron plaque I'm saving for my '34. The club belonged to the Rusetta Timing Association, and the iron plaque has the "RTA" on it.

Other Compton car clubs of the era: Saracens, Bachelors, Orphans, Tarbabes (Compton Hi), and Third Members.

[Irish Dan]

There were two clubs in the town I grew up in: the VAGABONDS and the BARONS. That was back in the 50's. Believe it or not, I still see a few of those club members at a local resturant where they meet for breakfast!....and one of them was kind enough to give me a vintage club plaque to run on my 26 T roadster when it was ready for the street! I love the camaraderie that is often experienced among hotrodders!

[bje31]

Some close to me as I was growing up:
The Clockers---Cumberland, MD
Mountain Street Rodders---Somerset, PA
The Double Clutchers---Southern Somerset Co. PA

[breeder]

doubt like hell if anyone else was ever drunk enough to name there club kropdusters..:D but an old greybeard named us...RIP POP!:)

[hotrodA]

I grew up in Jacksonville, FL, and back in the late 50's there was a club in South Jax called the "Slicks". We kids thought it was because of their hair, until we finally saw a jacket with a smokin' slick on the back. HA!

They had a club shop in an old corrugated tin building out by the cemetary, but our moms put it off limits, under pain of death. Not the "right" image. Drinking beer and who knows what else! We would sneak over there on our bikes when we got brave, but they would run us off. That was enough to hook me for life.

Thanks for stirring a pleasant memory.

[MUNCIE]

My brother belonged to the Squires car club in Compton, California- this was in the late '40's, early '50's. I was much younger than him, and was an occasional mascot. He had a nosed, decked and shaved '47 Ford Sedan. My '46 coupe has an aluminum Squires plaque on it, and I have an older cast-iron plaque I'm saving for my '34. The club belonged to the Rusetta Timing Association, and the iron plaque has the "RTA" on it.

Other Compton car clubs of the era: Saracens, Bachelors, Orphans, Tarbabes (Compton Hi), and Third Members.

CHECK THIS OUT.....
http://i18.tinypic.com/836864p.jpg

[MUNCIE]

Hi I have been a member of the Kurb Krushers cince 1956. I had a lot of friends in the 4-11's as we all grew up in WLA, Santa Monica and we had a mutual love of cars. Your right the Flywheels were not a car club but just a bunch of idiots. We had a KK reunion(50 yrs) in Marina Del Rey and we still keep in touch. great memories of good times. I still fly my club plaque on my '40 Ford Mike Gilmore

Was this the same club?

http://i12.tinypic.com/8et0ow4.jpg

:cool:

[50Fraud]

Was this the same club?

http://i12.tinypic.com/8et0ow4.jpg

:cool:

I don't think so. The Flywheels I was talking about were from University HS in WLA, and I doubt that their plaques would have read "cashmere".

[lurker mick]

The "Stags" car club of Ogden have been meeting every week since 1957. I've been a member since 1958.

We were featured in Hot Rod magazine in 1963 and currently have a display in the NHRA Museum in pomona.

Mick

[FunnyCar65]

Mt dad was member of the Igniters here in Greeley Co.They were in Hot Rod Mag in 63 I think he still has his plaque

[LANCE-SPEED]

i was born in the mid 60's (1965) and my parents were in the "LANCERS" out of Long Beach, Ca, they named me after their club. My name is Lance. Here is the OG plauque I still have with the OG art work my dad applied back in the day. Any more info or members of the club would be kool!

http://img513.imageshack.us/img513/4573/lancerdw7.th.jpg (http://img513.imageshack.us/my.php?image=lancerdw7.jpg)
http://img206.imageshack.us/img206/3817/lancer1jq9.th.jpg (http://img206.imageshack.us/my.php?image=lancer1jq9.jpg)

[MUNCIE]

I don't think so. The Flywheels I was talking about were from University HS in WLA, and I doubt that their plaques would have read "cashmere".

got it thanks.

[MUNCIE]

So Cal Clubs I remember seeing plaques on cars around my Dads garage: Early Times, Invincibles, Renegades, Sultans. Still have club jackets and plaques hangin on his wall with overspray and paint all over the glass. Looks awesome.

http://i33.tinypic.com/28iqlg4.jpg

[Deuce Daddy Don]

And from Inglewood, Ca.--1946---COUPES---ACCELERATORS--PISTON POUNDERS--GENTS--ROAD AGENTS--CLUSTER BUSTERS--T-TIMERS--STROKERS--GRINDERS--CAM BENDERS--I can't remember any more, (brain fade at 75!)
Of course most of you have heard of the famous PIERSON BROS. chopped 34 coupe!---Well before that, in 1946, Pierson,McKinnly,Torvick, had their own club called the "COUPES", all white & lowered 36' 3wnd coupes (FORD) with skirts,pipes,Appelton spots, De Soto bumpers, beautiful cars!!----They used to cruise the hi school REAL SLOW, just to watch all the guys salavitating with their tongues hanging out & drooling!!!!-------Now I'm also a "GREYBEARD", but I can still picture those neat cars!!!!---------------Don

[Shoprag]

The Smokers from bakersfield and their sister club or atleast that's what the older lady said when she brought in her plaque to squeaks, they were called the Cam Queens.

[MUNCIE]

Keep the stories coming....

[Randomrodder]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v395/soulsurvivor7/BayRunners_Bronx.jpg

[Chevy Gasser]

"Flyin' Rods" Red Bud, Illinois. Back in the '50's and early '60's they held weekly meetings, rented their own shop and had the latest tune up stuff like a Sun machine.

[GassersGarage]

As a kid in E.L.A., the big club was the "Imperials". In college, it was the "Brotherhood of Street Racers". Moved to the valley and it was "Race?".

[firingorder1]

Road Runners. The oldest club in the SCTA. Started 1937 and still going strong!! See y'all at El Mirage on the 26th.
http://img510.imageshack.us/img510/755/img0883xe5.jpg[/IMG]

[lrs30]

Rod Benders from the Northern KY., Cincinnati Ohio area, not sure if there are any members on the HAMB I know of one guy who's in his 80's that was a member not sure if any other than him are left. Anybody from the Cincy area know of any.. I will see if I can get the newspaper clipping about the club from an early 60's local paper. Ryan

[HemiDeuce]

I've belonged to this club since 1960, (48 consecutive years), they started meeting in 1951 and was incorporated in 1952, as a non profit Society. I think it is the longest continous running car club in Canada, and have operated Mission Raceway Park since 1965.
This is my original Club Plaque and a early and late decal.
HemiDeuce.

[NINE INCH]

Now I'm one of em. Lotsa history here. But before my time. their a great Bunch. B

[oddrodgarage]

I used to come out to San Diego to visit my grandparents as a kid and remember The Prowlers and The Over the Hill Gang

[Pins&Needles]

An old timer buddy of mine has a plaque from the bay area that says the "Stackers", it has a lady laying down on it topless and her tits stick out further then the rim of the plaque, tuffest thing I've ever seen!

[hotrod40coupe]

I grew up in Long Beach, CA. Some of the local clubs were Cut Outs, Drifters, Vulcans, Pharoahs, Jesters, Renegades, Lancers and this was my club.
http://www.relicsandrods.com/Plaques/Pacers_LongBeach.jpg

[flatblackindustries]

The Road Devils.

The Road Devils started in 1946 in California by
the solders who were coming back from WWII.
They saw he starting of the hot rodding
culture taking off with the weekend drags
and the early gowjobs and are still going strong today.

[Jack Thomas]

In the late 50's early 60's in Wilkes-Barre PA we had several clubs. The Northeastern Pennsylvania Timing Association (NEPTA) promoted drag racing at the Forty-Fort airport. The Moving Monarchs were the car club at King's College. I was a member and would love to have one of their plaques which was the college's Leo the Lion mascot leaning on a roadster. Mom must have tossed mine, along with my comic books, AMT models and other priceless artifacts when I moved out. Others were the PaceSetters and the House of David Drag Team.

[skullcracker]

NiftieFifties- Denver
I was a suburban 15 year old in a 4 door 55 chevy hanging out with middle aged latinos form the North side....

[Lstude]

Richmond, Virginia...

http://i132.photobucket.com/albums/q8/LHSJR/AsphaltAngelsBrochurepage8crop.jpg

http://i132.photobucket.com/albums/q8/LHSJR/AsphaltAngelsBrochurepage10sm.jpg

http://i132.photobucket.com/albums/q8/LHSJR/AsphaltAngelsBrochurepage11sm.jpg

[Road Kill PU]

I definately am a gray beard and my home town had 2 car clubs that started in the 50's. I belonged to the RAKE RUNNERS and we had about 15 members,one of them was Charlie Smith who went on to be a nationally known artist in the auto related industry. The other club was the DRAGONS and they were a larger club than the RAKE RUNNERS.
About a year ago I had Dennis at O'Brien Truckers make up some our old plaques ad also some of the DRAGONSand he still had the original art work from the 1950's.
Kinda neat getting that done after all these years
Later,
Dick

[buikwag]

Here in San Bernardino there were the Krankers, the Deacons, and the Early Fords. The Over the Hill Gang started in 1973 of which I am a charter member.

[hotroddon]

[quote=KomptonKid;2391804]

Other Compton car clubs of the era: Tarbabes (Compton Hi), quote]
Can't believe you'd see that name in these politically correct times!

Only approaching Greybeard status at 52 but my dad always had a plaque in the garage when I was a kid - Glendale Sidewinders SCTA. It hung around for ever. When he passed I got it and faded on the back is his name and the date - 1948. I cleaned it up and it's now in my coupe.

[Al Consoli]

Road Romans, Reading PA 1960's

http://www.pbase.com/consoli/image/104631885.jpg

[ojai/jan]

Hi, I was born in Ventura in 1941 and grew up here (still here). I remember all those clubs and a lot of the guys. Jan Harmonson

[MUNCIE]

TTT for the old memories of car clubs.Love to read about them keep the stories coming.

[33hotrod]

West L.A./Santa Monica, circa 1956-7:

Block Busters (my club)
T-Timers (older guys)
Kerb Krushers
4-11s
Drifters
Flywheels (mostly about fighting, not cars)
Black Rats (plaque showed a tombstone, a dagger and a bottle)

I'm sure I've forgotten others.
Hey! Its Stan from the other day (Sunday) saw you at Rubys with Alan Kahan! Trying out the HAMB????????????

[50Fraud]

Hey! Its Stan from the other day (Sunday) saw you at Rubys with Alan Kahan! Trying out the HAMB????????????

Hey, Stan, welcome to the HAMB! Careful, though; it's addictive.

[Bill Van Dyke]

Tucson had the LORDS, (Greth-Speedsport dragster),OUTCASTS,and my club, the LOWROLLERS (vs.highrollers) which started in '51. The LOWROLLERS are still active with about 10 members with plaques on their cars. A few guys have them mounted on their walkers. :-) The annual meeting is at the LA Roadster show.

[MercDeuceMan]

I'm a graybeard but you really don't see it because I shave everyday. No comments about the hair!!!!
When I was a kid, I used to go to the indoor carshow in Indy and see what I thought was the coolest car club drag plates from a club named the Cluster Busters.

Joined the club in 1975 and was an active member for 31+ years. It used to be a goodtime, a club of friends who helped each other with their cars. That all began fading away 10-12 years ago.

My circle of friends today like to go places every weekend, party and don't worry about where the Geritol is kept.
The best way to die is to live....

[MUNCIE]

http://i34.tinypic.com/id7wja.jpg

Anyone might know where this club was from ?

[JohnJoyo]

I was talking with a guy tonight that was around back in the day (mid-50s and 60s) and said there was a club in the Austin, TX area called the Matchmakers.

[Speedwagen]

As MercDeuceMan mentioned above, the Cluster Busters were around early on in Indy
There were also The Indy Hi-Winders, The Nap Town Nights and I even remember a club called the Modockers.

The Cluster Busters had the coolest Jackets, The Early Hi-Winder jackets looked like something for a Bowling team (I still have one in the back of my closet).
http://www.indyhiwinders.com/

The Kap Town Kinights were bad cats that hung out at the Blue Ribbon drive-in on the west side of Indy.
Their rides were lowered in the back with Contiential Kits. They hung their club plates on chains off the rear.

The Modockers sponsored the early organized shows at the Fairground in the 60's

[59BuickWagon]

I was talking with a guy tonight that was around back in the day (mid-50s and 60s) and said there was a club in the Austin, TX area called the Matchmakers.

Well if he is right they just might have run one of these:

[Deuce Daddy Don]

524057So Cal Clubs I remember seeing plaques on cars around my Dads garage: Early Times, Invincibles, Renegades, Sultans. Still have club jackets and plaques hangin on his wall with overspray and paint all over the glass. Looks awesome.
524057
Remember this one????????-------------------Don

[MUNCIE]

bump

[Mumbles]

My dad was first a member of The Jugs and then later The Prowlers, both out of Socal, jugs referring to carburetors, not the other kind. ;)

[blackout]

Who knows about these guys?

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f111/350ZGTO/Shifters.jpg?t=1225936171

[MUNCIE]

to the top

[Bullet Nose]

Gardena, CA - 1955

http://www.relicsandrods.com/Plaques/Vampires_SoCalif.jpg

Redondo Beach, Ca - 1956

http://www.relicsandrods.com/Plaques/Vampires_SoBay.jpg

Hermosa Beach, CA - 1957

http://www.relicsandrods.com/Plaques/Magoos_Hermosa.jpg

Lake Havasu City, AZ - 2008

http://www.relicsandrods.com/Plaques/DryHeatGeezers_LakeHavasuCity.jpg

(308)

[Mr Haney]

flatsiders m/c

[MercDeuceMan]

[QUOTE= The Modockers sponsored the early organized shows at the Fairground in the 60's[/QUOTE]

Hey Speedwagon,
Any of the Modockers still around? we would like to locate them for the 1962 Motorama this year.

Do you recall what years the Modockers did the Indy shows back in the 60's? I remember the Indy Idlers did some.
Ralph Potter was one of the promoters. remember any of the others?
There was a show held annually at the Murat Temple around the time of the US Nationals too.

[MUNCIE]

ttt For old clubs and stories

[Mr48chev]

The Iron Angels was a local club who's membership held several NHRA National records in the early 60's. I was too young then to belong to an be active in a club and us younger guys who were in school didn't have our own club.

Back in the mid 70's there used to be a club in the area listed in the club listings in one of the rod magazines. As near as we could figure it had one member all the time it was in existence.

[MUNCIE]

The Iron Angels was a local club who's membership held several NHRA National records in the early 60's. I was too young then to belong to an be active in a club and us younger guys who were in school didn't have our own club.

Back in the mid 70's there used to be a club in the area listed in the club listings in one of the rod magazines. As near as we could figure it had one member all the time it was in existence.

Man only one member ?

[MUNCIE]

back to the top

[Juke Joint Johnny]

Does anybody remember a club from Beaumont California in the mid to late fifties called the "CAMSHAFTERS" ? My Dad (Pat Coleman aka Bandit)was in that club, and I've always wondered if there are any old members besides him still around.

[Wolfie]

Waaaay back when I still lived in Davenport, Iowa, I joined a club in DeWitt, Iowa called the "Romans". That had to be around 1957 - 1958????

Wolf

[57tony31]

A club my uncle was in around 1954 or 57.The one with the hat on.

[Del Clark]

Has anyonw heard of the Sleepers on Arcadia CA? I have an old deuce roadster rumble lid with the old paint on it. It was white with black writing.Any info would be awesome!

[ol gasser]

The widow makers from orland park,Il. in the late 50s.

[Hakoval Traedz]

In Jr Hi and High School I used to wait all year for the Kar Kapades at the Monterey Fair Grounds--put on by the Slo-Pokes. Now I think they're a bicycle club.

[roundvalley]

Napa, Cal. 1955. Still looking for a '32 Ford roadster with '50 Ford tail lights molded in the rear quarters?

[turdytoo]

Tridents from Long Beach, Lads from Downey, Saxons from Downey, Pan Draggers from Fresno.

[richie rebel]

pittsburgh pa,car club back in the day called the" keystone dragons",all bad ass cars ...richie......

[MUNCIE]

ttt

[Richard DeCoste]

MercDeuceMan

About your request for information about Modockers Reliability Run, I am about the least likely person to be able to help you, but I do know something. I believe the Modockers Reliability Runs started in 1952. The 3rd Annual Modockers Reliability Run was held at US 31* and Southport Road, Indianapolis*, Indiana*, on October 10, 1954 at 10:00 CST. (* assumed information) I have pictures of this event. These pictures belong to H. J. Weenihoff (spelling?) who made an unplanned stop in Raleigh, NC and left the pictures behind. The picture enclosed is of H.J. Weenihoff and his friend Don O’Brien was taken that day. There are other pictures of the Modockers, their cars, and trophy winners.

If you or any one else knows Weenihoff, I would appreciate your help in returning the pictures to him.

Richard DeCoste

[ol gasser]

The Rebels of Lincoln, My Dad was a member in 1957 to 1960. Dick wells was also a member. They ran on the air strip at Lincoln air force base and formed the Lincoln timing association. Dick started go carting around the same time.All because a kid on a go cart was buzzing back and forth by him . He told the kid to get lost with his junk. The kid told Dick to get lost with his junk which was a 1957 golden commando. So Dick said he could beat the kids go cart and a drag race was set up, The kid smoked the commando in a block long race. Dick was amazed and started a carting association. Dick did a lot. Was glad he was made a honorary member of the New Rebels of Lincoln auto club. But the club is not like it was in the old days.

[Bullet Nose]

The Rebels of Lincoln, My Dad was a member in 1957 to 1960.

Was this their plaque when your dad was a member?

http://www.relicsandrods.com/Plaques/Rebels_Lincoln.jpg

[meatball]

one of the coolest ones outa portland oregon in the 40s/50s was the "Multnomah gang" they all had 33/34 ford roadsters all the same color primer Ive heard great storys from these guys from runnin from the cops to street racin,most these guys became firechiefs,judges,a mayor etc.......good to know our "roots"

[Silhouettes 57]

Back in the 50's I belonged to the "Night Hawks" out of Paramount, Ca.

[MUNCIE]

Lets bring this topic back to the top....

[Fuzzy Knight]

Time Takers, Tillamook Oregon. 1962

[F&J]

Don't know if posted already but Tyrods Auto Club, Rockville, CT is having the 50 year anniversary party next week. Est 1959

Rockville was Gene Pitney's home town. He was in a different club. I read he had a custom 57 Ford

[100% Matt]

Don't know if posted already but Tyrods Auto Club, Rockville, CT is having the 50 year anniversary party next week. Est 1959

Rockville was Gene Pitney's home town. He was in a different club. I read he had a custom 57 Ford

Whats are the details on the Tyrods 50th?

[porknbeaner]

HumboltCats post on the Paegans Car Club got me thinking about the clubs I saw around western New England when I was growing up the the '50's.What ones do you remember????
Around here we had: The Cam Busters (N.Adams) The Piston Poppers and the Berkshire Dragmasters(Pittsfield) Strokers(Springfield) http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

There were "Cam Busters" in the NW when I was in high school ('68-'72). I doubt it was the same club. Mostly mexicans, in their 20s and 30s. I was the youngest member (on record) my freshman year in high school. Pretty good mix of rods and customs.

I don't recall any car clubs when I was little (later '50s early '60s) other the the Bay Area Roadster Club. Used to see the Swanks once in awhile but they were a little south of us and didn't cruise around the Bay Area too much.

[Danog]

Here in Columbus we had the "Strokers" Rod and Custom. I lied about my age just to get in and be apart of there 40th year party. Have my cast plate some where I see if I can find it.

[arkiehotrods]

In Tulsa, OK it was the Tulsa Roadsters (I may have a pic somewhere) and The Early Rods of Tulsa.

[ground pounder]

my dads car club called con rods out of westhill ontario canada...does any one remember a orange 68 hemi roadrunner called ground pounder driven by danny soaper out of jane an 401 toronto ontario sponser'd by harvey's hambuger

[poncho62]

my dads car club called con rods out of westhill ontario canada...does any one remember a orange 68 hemi roadrunner called ground pounder driven by danny soaper out of jane an 401 toronto ontario sponser'd by harvey's hambuger

Dont remember the car offhand, but used to hang out down at Harveys a bit.

Show this to your dad.

[Skotz]

Well if he is right they just might have run one of these:

HEY...I've got one of those:D....
Oh, that's right....I just recieved it from you:cool:.
Thanks

[themoose]

As teenagers in the early 60's a buddy an I used to hang around a club in Torrington Ct. called the Mill Rockers. They were a bunch of good guys who somehow put up with us. That's what got me interested on hot rods.

[59BuickWagon]

As teenagers in the early 60's a buddy an I used to hang around a club in Torrington Ct. called the Mill Rockers. They were a bunch of good guys who somehow put up with us. That's what got me interested on hot rods.

Probably looked like this one from Chicago Metal Craft:

[59BuickWagon]

HEY...I've got one of those:D....
Oh, that's right....I just recieved it from you:cool:.
Thanks

And it's even in your favorite color:D

The Yankee

[HotSparks II]

hi, Im Dave looking for any info on the car club Hot Sparks that was in Putnam like that club plaques any cars still around and maybe any members still alive thank you

[TagMan]

The "Piston Pushers" and the "Gents" in Rochester, NY in the early 50's.

[leon renaud]

hi, Im Dave looking for any info on the car club Hot Sparks that was in Putnam like that club plaques any cars still around and maybe any members still alive thank youDave sent you a PM there are lots of us still around check you Private messages then we can connect if you want to talk Im 20 minutes from you.
Leon