UPDATED:Survivor Gasser '56 Chevy the "Rug Rat"-HISTORY FOUND!!

[So-cal Tex]

Ok guys,

I know the HAMB has been able to identify almost every old hot rod/Custom that has been found recently so this one should be easy.

I got this car from a fellow Lifters car club memeber Squigels. He needed a '29 Roadster body I had and I needed another project. Yeah Right!!!. Anyways we did some trading and the old girl gasser the "Rug Rat" is mine now.

Here is what I do know and I am hoping that the HAMB can come through with some details and pictures of this car racing.

1. Raced in Southern California in the '60s
2. Owned by Randy Steffans Faded lettering on doors
3. Faded lettering says "Sponsored by Steffans Carpet Co." ( that where the name Rug Rat came from)
4. Faded Lettering says "Engine by LeRoy" " Dynotuned"
5. Henry's Hi-Tuff axles sticker, Bellfower CA
6. The fire wall in indented for a 10% engine setback or a big block?
7. It supposely ran it So-Cal. at the major tracks in the late '60s.

Here is what I need to know>

1. What engine did run? 301, 331, BBC?? ( the motor in it is just mock up)
2. What Gas Class did it run?
3. What wheels and tires did it run?
4. Any pictures of it running at Lions, OCIR, Pomoma or the SFV?
5. Did it win anything?

I plan on a mild restoration,like have the Faded lettering redone and put the correct engine and wheel and tire combo back on the car. Otherwise keep it as is with the checkered Laquer paint.

Maybe it will be ready to run at the HAMB Drags???

Any information would be great!!

[B]Goober found the guys home phone# so I called tonight and here are the details!!
UPDATE: Goober is the winner!!![/B]
I called the above number and sure as shit this is the guy! He was really nice and gave me a ton of info on the car. Here it is listed because I do not know where to start.

-Built in early the '70s
-Ran 10.56 at 132 at Freemont in 1974
-Ran C/A
-427 BBC with Crower injection stacks were gold anodized sticking out of hood
-Engine by Leroy McChesney, ran a cam that idled at 3500RPM and Pulled until 9,000 RPM
-Art Carr Clutch Flight trans
-12 Bolt Posi with Henry Hi-Tuff Axles
-12 coats of Laquer
-Ran Cragar SS wheels 15x4 fronts and 15x10 rear on 13.5 slick
-Car is from Arroyo Grande
-Ran at Santa Maria, Freemont, Bakersfield, Irwindale

Randy sold the car in '79 to Tiny ( Fat Guy) and has never heard of it since, so I am going to email him pictures of how it looks today.

Anybody have any pics from Santa Maria in the early '70s? I bet this car was there.

The Power of the HAMB!!!!

Thanks,

Tex

[madmak95]

dont know anything about your car , but thats a cool seat....all buisness....

[redlinetoys]

Interesting. Don't know a thing, but enjoyed seeing the pics.

[Butch M]

Don't know nothing but that thing is cool. love that 55

[Adam M.]

I took this pic of it at SanDiego Swapmeet and that's about all I know other than it cool!

[J.Ukrop]

wow, that seat is crazy!

[So-cal Tex]

Originally Posted by Adam M.

I took this pic of it at SanDiego Swapmeet and that's about all I know other than it cool!

Yep, that is our spot at the Big 3 Swap meet.

Kiwi Kev,

You know anything about this car?

Come on Gasser guys!!

[jakedmoe]

bad ass needs an axle!

[Muttley]

Get ahold of Mazooma1, he may be able to provide you with some info.

[fitzee]

Someone must know this car.Looks like it was well used.Too cool all the same.

[Kiwi Kev]

Nope, sorry.

[So-cal Tex]

I am going to try Byron over at Gasser Madness and see if those guys know anything about the car.

I also sent Mazooma1 a PM to check the thread.

Thanks for looking and keep searching. I know someone knows this car or the engine builder Le Roy etc.

[Chevy55]

Wasnt this thing listed on ebay for big bucks, like $11000 about a year ago? I am pretty sure it was this car.

[hotroddon]

Originally Posted by Chevy55

Wasnt this thing listed on ebay for big bucks, like $11000 about a year ago? I am pretty sure it was this car.

$11,000.00 doesn't sound like big bucks for a survivor to me.

[Goober]

Maybe try:

Randy Steffan Flooring (
876 Robin Circle
Arroyo Grande, CA 93420
(805) 489-7135

Believe that before there was a Steffans Carpet City in Arroyo Grande

or maybe email Randy Steffan at the Arroyo Grande fire dept

(I'm guessing flooring and carpet biz contractor is your typical fire dept side biz)

[Hooligan63]

I posted a thread about this car a while back,and couldn't find any info either.

Lost the log in info on an old account,but found my old thread:
http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/s...hlight=rug+rat

[Hooligan63]

Originally Posted by hotroddon

$11,000.00 doesn't sound like big bucks for a survivor to me.

Try $4500

[Hooligan63]

Originally Posted by So-cal Tex

I am going to try Byron over at Gasser Madness and see if those guys know anything about the car.

I also sent Mazooma1 a PM to check the thread.

Thanks for looking and keep searching. I know someone knows this car or the engine builder Le Roy etc.

Leroy? I've heard the name before,and from what I heard,the guy was an engine genius. I'll ask around.

[Goober]

Originally Posted by Hooligan63

Leroy? I've heard the name before,and from what I heard,the guy was an engine genius. I'll ask around.

You might be thinking about the late Leroy Goldstein, the Israeli Rocket. http://www.garlits.com/z-goldstein.html

[Hooligan63]

Originally Posted by Goober

You might be thinking about the late Leroy Goldstein, the Israeli Rocket. http://www.garlits.com/z-goldstein.html

Maybe,maybe not. The guy I'm thinking of is still alive from what I know.