View Full Version : AV8 RPU Built in 42!
Here is a pic from 1960. The owner is a rodder that lived in Rapid City for a few years. His name for the record is Bob Shanks. I hope I dont offend anyone by posting this info, I just gave the HAMB addy to his son who is building a neat A coupe( and really should speak up if you are reading this! http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif) Bob and his son live out of the area now, he sold the car many years ago, it is somewhere in Colorado, or if you suscribe to TRJ you can find it on your coffee table, TRJ #10 Page 21. It is also shown on page 86 in the December 1962 issue of HOTROD along with coverage of our local club, The Counts of The Cobblestone. It is virtually in the same shape as when it hit the streets 60 years ago. I have a nice write-up on the car but will just hit the highlights for now. This is the history as told to me.
Two young brothers, Mike and Jerry Farmer of Santa Monica built the car starting in 1942. It raced on the dry lakes in 1945 and later. Apparently it held a gas record for 2 years at 125.5.
It was sold to a friend who switched it over to street use, adding the solid wheels in place of the wires it had run. In 1951, it was bought by John Morrison whose dad owned the Studie Dealership here in Rapid City. There is some argument about the truck during this time. I have heard talk of it with an Ardun Conversion. But a couple guys around here dont think the truck ever ran on the street due to Johns probs with said Ardun. Anyway, Shanks bought the car nin 1959 after years of lusting after and dealing on teh car as a teenager. The price? $600!!!!! He owned the car until the early 60s when he sold it. Like I said, it is still around in this condition. If you happen to know any more info on this truck feel free to add it or correct me in my details.
Weird, apparently hotrod history means nothing?
daddyo54
02-09-2004, 12:16 AM
Killer truck and story TMAN!!!
40StudeDude
02-09-2004, 12:56 AM
Is this the same Bob Shanks that used to do louvers, possibly in Rapid? Last I knew he lived in Greeley, CO, did louvers back in the '70's out of his garage in Greeley...I don't recall the RPU around then...
R-
Might be man. I dont know the guy that well.
He does live in Greley or Loveland
k-member
02-09-2004, 12:44 PM
WOW! And you don't see anyone runnin fenderless hot rods with splash aprons. Lost tradition? http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif
hiboy32
02-09-2004, 11:23 PM
Thanks T-man. Nice story, that would be a killer find today.
I have a couple of pals that are building an A v8 rpu. Should be done real soon, no history, but real cool.
32HOPUP
02-11-2004, 12:20 AM
Hey,
I'm fairly new to the board, but I had to comment on this one. I just happen to know the owner of this pickup. It's still the same after all these years. One of my favorite pickups of all time. I also know Bob Shanks, the previous owner. I've been trying to buy it off of him for years now. Maybe someday I'll get the deal done. Until then I just enjoy looking at a great piece of hot rod history.
That RPU has serious history in this area alone. I have a pile of pics of the truck as it looks today thanks to Bob. I knew someone from Colorado would chime in here!
That RPU has serious history in this area alone. I have a pile of pics of the truck as it looks today thanks to Bob. I knew someone from Colorado would chime in here!
BTTT for Lucky-1974
Drewfus
02-17-2005, 08:51 PM
Weird, apparently hotrod history means nothing?
hang in there bro, I'm glad you posted the info......BTTT
Cheers,
Drewfus
oldchevyseller
02-17-2005, 09:18 PM
Weird, apparently hotrod history means nothing?well maybe something like this gives some people a reaction they dont know how to post?,im very well depressed with the take apart and toss it world we live in today.I go to many shows and rod runs with a very old rodder, and he starts telling us about cars we see, and most the time it is a car he built or helped build and drove all over, just living to build cars and run them.he still has his 35 2 door ford that he did in 51, having a pickup like that one is very much history, I hope people don't become jaded hearing about some old hotrod I appreciate these stories
Rocky
02-17-2005, 09:28 PM
Yeah, I like hearing thee stories too. Bob has nice hair.
Yeah, I like hearing thee stories too. Bob has nice hair.
Bob is still a hotrodder, he is building a 34 sedan. He stops in every couiple months when he is in town. You still see a gleam in his eye when it comes to cars. :)
Weird, apparently hotrod history means nothing?
Post has nothing to do with me............I just cant believe there arent more comments on this car? Anyone that was at the salt last summer saw it with a new top and tonneau out of tan canvas.
FiddyFour
02-18-2005, 01:51 AM
man, i SOOOO wanna go to b'ville once... i used to drive past it on i-80 going to sacramento or reno, i'd pull the truck over on the shoulder and just listen to the screaming of the engines echo across the salt, the sound bouncing off the mountains after they shut em down. . .
it used to drive my partner apeshit "what the hell is it about a noisy engine that makes you want to sit on the shoulder for an hour. ya cant even see the car!?!?"
"i dont need to see em, to know they are going fast" :cool:
someday
T
man, i SOOOO wanna go to b'ville once... i used to drive past it on i-80 going to sacramento or reno, i'd pull the truck over on the shoulder and just listen to the screaming of the engines echo across the salt, the sound bouncing off the mountains after they shut em down. . .
it used to drive my partner apeshit "what the hell is it about a noisy engine that makes you want to sit on the shoulder for an hour. ya cant even see the car!?!?"
"i dont need to see em, to know they are going fast" :cool:
someday
T
the only venue a real hotrodder can stillplay in. I was there in 03, fun time.
spent
02-18-2005, 02:33 AM
Cool bit of history, thanks for posting it, Tman. It's great to see a survivor, especially one built as early as this one. Hot rodding history does mean a lot, at least to me. I enjoy hearing about how things started even more than I like hearing about the people keeping them alive today. Do you have any more info on the RPU? Any more pics, perhaps? I'd love to see it in lakes trim, when it was still running the wires.
jangleguy
02-18-2005, 02:33 AM
Wow, thanks for sharing this gem with us, T-handle...These survivors are so few and far between anymore...And someone posted today, asking if any RPUs used to run the lakes or salt - here's an answer for ya...
Do you know who does his hair?
Wow, thanks for sharing this gem with us, T-handle...These survivors are so few and far between anymore...And someone posted today, asking if any RPUs used to run the lakes or salt - here's an answer for ya...
Do you know who does his hair?
I forgot the Gossons had "hair envy". Bob still has more hair on his head than you and Rocky have on your collective backs!:D
BARNETT
02-18-2005, 02:42 AM
Cool truck! Cool story. Let's see more pics!
By the way...the guy has hair like FatLucky's. :D
jangleguy
02-18-2005, 02:44 AM
I forgot the Gossons had "hair envy". Bob still has more hair on his head than you and Rocky have on your collective backs!:D
Oh yeah? Have you seen Rockys back lately? I mean, uh, Bob's a lucky guy...His hair is just as well preserved as his car, and that's saying something, mister! Hair envy...why I oughta..................stupid kids anyway...
FiddyFour
02-18-2005, 02:52 AM
Oh yeah? Have you seen Rockys back lately? I mean, uh, Bob's a lucky guy...His hair is just as well preserved as his car, and that's saying something, mister! Hair envy...why I oughta..................stupid kids anyway...
aight,,, you gents are beginnin to worry me,,, whatcha dewin lookin at rocky's back ? ? ?
Low-odd hay-of muh-see!
LMAO
Southfork
02-18-2005, 07:02 AM
I saw this one a Bonneville last summer. Might not be the same one, but it is running with Model A splash aprons like in the pic of the one you posted Tman.
lucky_1974
02-18-2005, 09:23 AM
That is some great history on that car...
fordnutz
02-18-2005, 09:38 AM
I think I saw and took pictures of that truck in 92 when I went to the salt. Neat piece. Rolling history. Pat.
I saw this one a Bonneville last summer. Might not be the same one, but it is running with Model A splash aprons like in the pic of the one you posted Tman.
Yes, that is the same truck with new canvas.:)
fab32
02-18-2005, 11:23 AM
Just think how neat it will be for someone to fine a car we built today some 50-60 years from now.. I wonder if they will be curious and excited like we are or will they just haul it to the scrap yard for a few bucks. I'm sure there were some significant cars that got parted out and lost with no regard to history or rare parts that might have been on them. It's sad to think about, but if no one educates the next generation it won't be their fault for not carrying the torch.
Frank
I'm sure there were some significant cars that got parted out and lost with no regard to history or rare parts that might have been on them.
A lot more than we realize. Pick up any old stack of magazines and see how many cars you recognize still on the scene. Maybe one percent or less are hiding in hibernation- but most were parted, wrecked or scrapped years ago. And most of the customs were junked and crushed once the craze ended in the late sixties. Sad stuff. :(
I was there in 03, fun time.
Hey I was there in 03, and I didn't see you???
Southfork
02-18-2005, 07:00 PM
Hey I was there in 03, and I didn't see you???
Maybe if everybody had their HAMB handles tattooed on their foreheads we'd be able to recognize each other?????
____________________________________
I agree that this AV8 is something special. It was definately a stand-out a Bonneville, and their must have been about a dozen 28/29 roadsters or roadster pickups there to compare it against. It has a mean rake to it now-a-days with the way the top is set up --- don't know if it did in '42 though.
Hey I was there in 03, and I didn't see you???
Bad math, I was there in 02:o I missed a lot of HAMBers, I didnt make it to the Salt until Monday.
choprods
02-18-2005, 10:07 PM
Hay T-bro...That reminds me of the time I drove that Blue channelled A pickup-I owned[ full on flatty-39 toploader and banjo rear with three 97s all done in 1961 and 100 percent '61 correct to Goodguys at Desmoines and they gave the "milestone hot rod"- award to a glass roadster with a mud daubers nest glued on the trunk......its called IRONY:)
Hay T-bro...That reminds me of the time I drove that Blue channelled A pickup-I owned[ full on flatty-39 toploader and banjo rear with three 97s all done in 1961 and 100 percent '61 correct to Goodguys at Desmoines and they gave the "milestone hot rod"- award to a glass roadster with a mud daubers nest glued on the trunk......its called IRONY:)
Thats called IGNORANCE Kenny! And not yours. Got any pics of that truck?
fordnutz
02-19-2005, 11:46 AM
Bad math, I was there in 02:o I missed a lot of HAMBers, I didnt make it to the Salt until Monday.
T-man, you must have made it in 92 for the rain festival. I think it dumped Sunday late in the afternoon in the mountains and we ended up leaving Monday. I had my 57 Ranchero there with Y-block and old 5 spoke Americans on it. By Thursday they were supposed to be racing again. Hard to believe how fast the salt becomes a real lake after a rain in the mountains. Harder to believe how fast the water goes away. We saw a couple of days of racing anyway. Also checked out the casinos, hanger for the Enola Gay, the pit area, and the Salt museum. Not to mention all the car stuff going on and bench racing. Got to go back. Fordnutz.
, and the Salt museum. Fordnutz.
Where is the salt museum located??
lurker mick
02-21-2005, 02:51 PM
Where is the salt museum located??
Tom, the museum has been closed for several years, it is now the wendover NAPA auto parts store.
Too bad, it was a pretty interesting place, not sure what happened to all the stuff that was in there.
Mick
flatoz
02-21-2005, 06:37 PM
thanks Tman, love to see cars with history, whether they were mag covered cars or not, just good to know that they and their owners are still out there doin the do.
But I'm biased as my old man still has his rod from the early sixties too.
homebrew
02-21-2005, 07:45 PM
Lets see more pictures of old rpu;s.
choprods
02-21-2005, 08:38 PM
Thats called IGNORANCE Kenny! And not yours. Got any pics of that truck?
Yes Trent here it is-[been seen before on Hamb]...I brought it home from Toronto in boxes and re assembled it/got it running for that GGshow and later sold it to the guy out east who-"recently unearthed it":) -for its current state/ Pic in street rodder magazine [this issue] ..........OH WELL......:rolleyes:
Jeff Norwell
02-21-2005, 08:51 PM
Yes Trent here it is-[been seen before on Hamb]...I brought it home from Toronto in boxes and re assembled it/got it running for that GGshow and later sold it to the guy out east who-"recently unearthed it":) -for its current state/ Pic in street rodder magazine [this issue] ..........OH WELL......:rolleyes:
As you know Kenny..that truck was built in our car club(Roadmates) in the late 50's and shown in the early 60'(1961).the original owner was a fella in the club named Don Hoy.We are having our 50th in '06...gonna be a great time.
I saw it in the latest streetrodder too.....sure would be good to have a survivor attend the festivitys.....The prez is still the same kat.Duke Brown.
lots of history in our club..from the street to the track..and back again.
I wish I owned that truck.....what a beaut.
As you know Kenny..that truck was built in our car club(Roadmates) in the late 50's and shown in the early 60'(1961).the original owner was a fella in the club named Don Hoy.We are having our 50th in '06...gonna be a great time.
I saw it in the latest streetrodder too.....sure would be good to have a survivor attend the festivitys.....The prez is still the same kat.Duke Brown.
lots of history in our club..from the street to the track..and back again.
I wish I owned that truck.....what a beaut.
Neat little truck and history.
Doing a search tonight and this thread popped up...........cool old truck.
derelict
03-21-2008, 10:58 PM
I've seen that car at least two maybe three times at Bonneville. Neat deal...
DocWatson
03-21-2008, 11:07 PM
I love it, my old A rpu was going to look a HELL of a lot like that. Wish I never sold it now, why do we do silly things like sell our projects?
At least I know it was done well, the new owner only changed the colour.
Doc.
cactus1
07-16-2010, 10:35 PM
Well, since you brought it up Trent, did we ever find out anything else? Any current pictures?
Well, since you brought it up Trent, did we ever find out anything else? Any current pictures?
Yes, it is owned by a guy in Colorado. He has had it on the salt. It was shown at Speedweek in an older TRJ. I am still looking for the mysterious Ardun heads locally.
The Dakota Kids dad, Randy Gribble in Watertown Sd cloned it as well.
Tim McNees
08-21-2010, 06:31 PM
http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=4942&pictureid=211026Here is the 28 RPU I just finished a week ago. Just in time to go to Speedweek. Hope someone remembers this truck in 60 years.
296 V8
09-11-2010, 04:40 PM
Weird, apparently hotrod history means nothing?
Sorry I was outside workin on the cars.
Very Cool
Thanks
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