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History Tom Cobbs: Part 1

Discussion in 'Traditional Hot Rods' started by Ryan, Jul 29, 2008.

  1. Ryan
    Joined: Jan 2, 1995
    Posts: 21,633

    Ryan
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    Staff Member

    Last edited: Jul 29, 2008
  2. Bruce Lancaster
    Joined: Oct 9, 2001
    Posts: 21,681

    Bruce Lancaster
    Member Emeritus

    One of the best sources on Cobb's early technical career (before the crank-mount blower period) is a magazine story covering the development of the roadster/coupe through three flatheads developing the top mount 4-71...it has about as much tech as you get in the earliest magazines, and considerable material on the thinking/development process as this thing evolved into a very fast car.
    I can't post the citation til tomorrow as it is at home...but it is in a magazine actually famous for its cover pic, two guys working on the Ray Brown '32 roadster. Someone here must have a copy to scan in...
     
  3. Ryan
    Joined: Jan 2, 1995
    Posts: 21,633

    Ryan
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    I haven't seen that article, but will look for it... You know what year?

    It's interesting, half of the media you find on Tom Cobbs has his name spelled as 'Tom Cobb'. The other half it is 'Tom Cobbs'.

    I can confidently say the latter is correct.
     
  4. JeffreyJames
    Joined: Jun 13, 2007
    Posts: 16,628

    JeffreyJames
    Member
    from SUGAR CITY

    Man, how does a man of such importance not get the attention that he deserves. I can't believe that I have not been reminded of his accomplishments and contributions to what we do on a daily basis. What a cool sorty and I can't wait to read more.

    Damn it! That 1956 version of the Pierson Bros. coupe is slick. And the shot at the salt with all of them lined up is painstakingly beautiful. Viva La Hamb!
     

  5. Bruce Lancaster
    Joined: Oct 9, 2001
    Posts: 21,681

    Bruce Lancaster
    Member Emeritus

    Ryan, get Kevin to post it...sent it to him in a packet of belt-drive blower stuff. Will look at the original and post citation tomorrow...no techno to post anything, though.
     
  6. Terry
    Joined: Jul 3, 2002
    Posts: 1,824

    Terry
    Member

    Man I love this stuff
     
  7. mtlcutter
    Joined: Oct 6, 2007
    Posts: 364

    mtlcutter
    Member

    I can never get enough of this stuff. How cool would it have been to be at that first race?
     
  8. jonnycola
    Joined: Oct 12, 2003
    Posts: 2,061

    jonnycola
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    I love the Jalopy Journal.
     
  9. Old-Soul
    Joined: Jun 16, 2007
    Posts: 3,774

    Old-Soul
    Member

    haha, that is some funny stuff right there.

    Good writing, Ryan, and I look forward to reading part 2 next week. Keep up the good work!
     
  10. Ryan
    Joined: Jan 2, 1995
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    Ryan
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    Yeah.... If you like this week's installment, you are gonna shit yourself next week. :)
     
  11. Malcolm
    Joined: Feb 9, 2006
    Posts: 8,032

    Malcolm
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    from Nebraska

    Wow, what a great story! I, too, love this stuff - Thanks and keep it coming! :D

    Malcolm
     
  12. Kevin Lee
    Joined: Nov 12, 2001
    Posts: 7,582

    Kevin Lee
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    I have it - I'll find it tonight. Scanner is busted so I'll need to figure that out. But as Bruce said it is a great article.
     
  13. JeffreyJames
    Joined: Jun 13, 2007
    Posts: 16,628

    JeffreyJames
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    from SUGAR CITY

    I should call off work ahead of time huh?
     
  14. 1950ChevySuburban
    Joined: Dec 20, 2006
    Posts: 6,187

    1950ChevySuburban
    Member Emeritus
    from Tucson AZ

    Ryan, I really enjoy your literary prose. And this article is mesmerizing to read. Very enjoyable and enlightening!
     
  15. radredrod
    Joined: Sep 8, 2006
    Posts: 15

    radredrod
    Member

    Oh Man! That's the best read for me in a looong time! I love this kinda stuff. HotRod, R&C, and especially the Rodders Journal are really getting good at reporting on the forfathers of the HotRod genre, but NONE of 'em are doin' it better than what I see here! I'm looking forward to the second part...REALLY! -Greg
     
  16. ratstar
    Joined: Feb 22, 2005
    Posts: 1,313

    ratstar
    Member

    Thats a great read!
     
  17. jonnycola
    Joined: Oct 12, 2003
    Posts: 2,061

    jonnycola
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    Does that mean that you ended up with it, and are putting the motor in your coupe??
     
  18. Great read ... looking forward to next week's installment
     
  19. 22dodge
    Joined: Dec 27, 2006
    Posts: 241

    22dodge
    Member
    from Nevada

    Great history lesson, photos, and well written, Ryan.

    Really looking forward to the next installment.... '22
     
  20. Chaz
    Joined: Feb 24, 2004
    Posts: 5,016

    Chaz
    Member Emeritus

    100% ...... Thank you!
     
    Last edited: Jul 29, 2008
  21. legend....

    as a slight question of detail.....the carb arrangement of the leading photo...anyone have a few photo's of the linkage's & mount on the 4/71?

    Its very similar to the Navaro layout, and keen to see how he made it work...

    Cheers,

    Drewfus

    P.S. great read Ryan, look forward to seeing/reading more....
     
  22. These history lessons,are the greatest asset of the HAMB! Thanks Ryan.
     
  23. autobilly
    Joined: May 23, 2007
    Posts: 3,123

    autobilly
    Member

    Great read Ryan, I love that "Double Threat Coupe".
    The next instalment is eagerly anticipated!

    Perhaps a little O/T, but of interest to some is the fact that Buddy Fox is an example of a "tatted" early Hot Rodder.
     
    Last edited: Jul 29, 2008
  24. Ryan
    Joined: Jan 2, 1995
    Posts: 21,633

    Ryan
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    Stay tuned...
     
  25. Rex Schimmer
    Joined: Nov 17, 2006
    Posts: 743

    Rex Schimmer
    Member
    from Fulton, CA

    I didn't see any mention of Tom's famous "tank" lakester. He started with his standard blown flathead and then went to a blown Olds and ran over 240 with that combination. The lakester was a true work of art with a tube space frame independent rear suspension and the big blown Olds for power. He did like the GMC blowers!

    Rex
     
  26. Kevin Lee
    Joined: Nov 12, 2001
    Posts: 7,582

    Kevin Lee
    Super Moderator
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    Here's a copy of a historical document graciously donated by the Lancaster Guild for Early Ford Education.

    Goes into some nice detail of the carburetor setup. Really cool. Check out the accelerator pumps. First carburetor in line has a bell crank which works the second pump via extra pump rod. The rest is in the attachments.
     

    Attached Files:

  27. hemi coupe
    Joined: Dec 25, 2001
    Posts: 1,162

    hemi coupe
    Member
    from so-cal

    One of my favorite stories is when Tom Cobbs and Fran Hernandez, Raced at Goleta Drag Strip. Tom had the blower, and Fran had the Edelbrock tuned Nitro snortin flathead. If I remember the story right there was alot of smack talk before hand, by cobbs, The Edelbrock guys beat Cobbs then loaded their car on the Trailer and left. What a glorious time to be a Hot Rodder!!
    Jimmy White
    P.s. Tom Cobbs should have more recognition, Kudos to you Ryan for posting this.
    P.s.s. Vic Edelbrock and his crew (Bobby Meeks, Fran Hernandez) and the rest of them are high on my heroes list.
     
  28. Ryan
    Joined: Jan 2, 1995
    Posts: 21,633

    Ryan
    ADMINISTRATOR
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    Next time, read the article Jimmy! :)
     
  29. glenn33
    Joined: Sep 11, 2006
    Posts: 1,838

    glenn33
    Member
    from Browns, IL

    Thanks Ryan...what a great read. Can't wait 'til next week....
     
  30. hemi coupe
    Joined: Dec 25, 2001
    Posts: 1,162

    hemi coupe
    Member
    from so-cal

    Dude, I was so excited about this that I made my post then read the article after DUH! I am also the same guy that tries to put something together without the instructions. Needless to say Fran & Tom and all those guys are heroes!!
    Jimmy White
     

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