The Jalopy Journal

av8 · 02-09-2009, 08:22 AM

Not until John Buttera gave rodding the gift of machined billet aluminum in the '70s would a piece of hardware impact the look and character of hot rods as much as the Dago axle did in the late '40s. Given the nickname of the town from whence it came...

To read the rest of this blog entry from The Jalopy Journal, click here.

Psycho Deville · 02-09-2009, 08:47 AM

Damn Fine Article and great pictures.. Thank you!!

327-365hp · 02-09-2009, 09:00 AM

Great story Mike thanks for the history lesson. I didn't realize Andy Bekech's Vicky was Bob's old car. Somebody got a bargain at BJ.

**krylon32** · 02-09-2009, 09:01 AM

Great history lesson. Thanks

mcload · 02-09-2009, 09:03 AM

Interesting story and well-written...thanks.

**JeffreyJames** · 02-09-2009, 09:17 AM

A really captivating article. The in depth stories of important figures of times gone is something that I really cherish on this site.

It looks like Bob and his father Ed had a great relationship, one that I know a lot of us can relate to. Tradition can only be kept alive if it's passed on for younger generations to admire, respect and adhere to, and this seems to be a great example of a heyday that is looked to by all of us.

Any idea of the common drops that Ed did? Were they 2.5" over stock originally? I remember reading that it wasn't until the mid 50's that anything over 2.5" was available readily.

63fdsnr · 02-09-2009, 09:27 AM

Thanks for a really well written story and the neat photos. A very interesting bit of hot rod history.

**daddio211** · 02-09-2009, 09:37 AM

Great story AV8, thanks for sharing!!!

**Paul** · 02-09-2009, 10:35 AM

thanks Mike, great story and pictures
you give us a nice human side of our American hot rod history

nitrohonkey · 02-09-2009, 10:45 AM

Thankyou for sharing!

hugh m · 02-09-2009, 10:46 AM

Nicely done story, thanks.

blackout · 02-09-2009, 10:47 AM

Nice read, thank you.

Doctor Destructo · 02-09-2009, 10:54 AM

Expertly written and a genuinely terrific story, AV8. There may be more for a sequel as I have recently been introduced to Ward Soule, one of the founding members of the San Diego Roadster Club. He has promised to bring his photo album, timing slips, and great stories.

Asphalt Outlaw Hero · 02-09-2009, 11:54 AM

I looked at a Dago axle a guy had last year.He gave me the whole history and said the way you could authenticate it was with looking closely at the hammer marks!
Nice write up.

**73roundlight** · 02-09-2009, 12:05 PM

Truly excellent story and pictures, thanks.

I am really fascinated with the 33-34 grill on the A roadster, that is the first time I have ever seen that combo. It looks great.

**Mike B** · 02-09-2009, 12:19 PM

"The goal, for the young gearheads, “…was to attract girls,” but after building the hot rods to win their hearts, “…we never had any money or time to take them out,” he laments, laughing. “We cruised from drive-in to drive-in looking cool, between overheating!”

I'm gonna have to say that this is still true today...

Great article...thanks

**GEBHARD** · 02-09-2009, 12:37 PM

great read thanks

Old-Soul · 02-09-2009, 01:22 PM

Thanks for the great read, and here I thought I was going to be bored during lunch!

60'shotrod · 02-09-2009, 01:40 PM

Thanks for that, Great read.

Nick.

**HEMI32** · 02-09-2009, 02:03 PM

av8 ... great read ... I had never heard the term "Dago" dropped axle before ... learn sumpin' new everyday!

02-09-2009, 08:22 AM	#1
av8 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Santa Rosa, California Posts: 1,648	Axle And Li'l Axle And The Dago Deuce Not until John Buttera gave rodding the gift of machined billet aluminum in the '70s would a piece of hardware impact the look and character of hot rods as much as the Dago axle did in the late '40s. Given the nickname of the town from whence it came... To read the rest of this blog entry from The Jalopy Journal, click here.

02-09-2009, 08:47 AM	#2
Psycho Deville Grenade Inspector Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: MA Posts: 389	Re: Axle And Li'l Axle And The Dago Deuce Damn Fine Article and great pictures.. Thank you!! __________________ Sin Alley Saints CC

02-09-2009, 09:00 AM	#3
327-365hp Old School HAMBer Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Central Mass Posts: 4,604	Re: Axle And Li'l Axle And The Dago Deuce Great story Mike thanks for the history lesson. I didn't realize Andy Bekech's Vicky was Bob's old car. Somebody got a bargain at BJ.

02-09-2009, 09:01 AM	#4
krylon32 Alliance Vendor Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Nebraska Posts: 3,246	Re: Axle And Li'l Axle And The Dago Deuce Great history lesson. Thanks

02-09-2009, 09:03 AM	#5
mcload Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Houston, Texas Posts: 522	Re: Axle And Li'l Axle And The Dago Deuce Interesting story and well-written...thanks. __________________ Patrick McLoad The Venus Project http://mcload.wordpress.com/ or http://www.mcload.com/Personal%20Site/the_Venus%20History.htm

02-09-2009, 09:17 AM	#6
JeffreyJames Alliance Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: SUGAR CITY Posts: 15,907	Re: Axle And Li'l Axle And The Dago Deuce A really captivating article. The in depth stories of important figures of times gone is something that I really cherish on this site. It looks like Bob and his father Ed had a great relationship, one that I know a lot of us can relate to. Tradition can only be kept alive if it's passed on for younger generations to admire, respect and adhere to, and this seems to be a great example of a heyday that is looked to by all of us. Any idea of the common drops that Ed did? Were they 2.5" over stock originally? I remember reading that it wasn't until the mid 50's that anything over 2.5" was available readily. __________________ I PLAY WITH TIGERS WWW.SUGARCITYSPEEDSHOP.COM CHECK OUT MY INSTAGRAM IMAGES

02-09-2009, 09:27 AM	#7
63fdsnr Grenade Inspector Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Novi MI Posts: 348	Re: Axle And Li'l Axle And The Dago Deuce Thanks for a really well written story and the neat photos. A very interesting bit of hot rod history.

02-09-2009, 09:37 AM	#8
daddio211 Alliance Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: St. George, Utah Posts: 3,519	Re: Axle And Li'l Axle And The Dago Deuce Great story AV8, thanks for sharing!!! __________________ My '27 T Roadster build: http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/s...d.php?t=734383

02-09-2009, 10:35 AM	#9
Paul Editor Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Lahar Valley, WA Posts: 11,626	Re: Axle And Li'l Axle And The Dago Deuce thanks Mike, great story and pictures you give us a nice human side of our American hot rod history

02-09-2009, 10:45 AM	#10
nitrohonkey Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Cheney Washington Posts: 1,311	Re: Axle And Li'l Axle And The Dago Deuce Thankyou for sharing! __________________ "I'm not as cool as you think you are!"

02-09-2009, 10:46 AM	#11
hugh m Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: ct. Posts: 1,779	Re: Axle And Li'l Axle And The Dago Deuce Nicely done story, thanks. __________________ www.waterwheelboatcarts.com

02-09-2009, 10:47 AM	#12
blackout Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Tract House Hell Posts: 1,780	Re: Axle And Li'l Axle And The Dago Deuce Nice read, thank you. __________________ Take my advice, I'm not using it.

02-09-2009, 10:54 AM	#13
Doctor Destructo Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 418	Re: Axle And Li'l Axle And The Dago Deuce Expertly written and a genuinely terrific story, AV8. There may be more for a sequel as I have recently been introduced to Ward Soule, one of the founding members of the San Diego Roadster Club. He has promised to bring his photo album, timing slips, and great stories.

02-09-2009, 11:54 AM	#14
Asphalt Outlaw Hero Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Dixie Posts: 941	Re: Axle And Li'l Axle And The Dago Deuce I looked at a Dago axle a guy had last year.He gave me the whole history and said the way you could authenticate it was with looking closely at the hammer marks! Nice write up.

02-09-2009, 12:05 PM	#15
73roundlight Alliance Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Far, Far, Away Hills, Jersey Posts: 1,121	Re: Axle And Li'l Axle And The Dago Deuce Truly excellent story and pictures, thanks. I am really fascinated with the 33-34 grill on the A roadster, that is the first time I have ever seen that combo. It looks great. __________________ —MRAK Keep Moving Forward — W.Disney

02-09-2009, 12:19 PM	#16
Mike B Alliance Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Wherever I am Posts: 754	Re: Axle And Li'l Axle And The Dago Deuce "The goal, for the young gearheads, “…was to attract girls,” but after building the hot rods to win their hearts, “…we never had any money or time to take them out,” he laments, laughing. “We cruised from drive-in to drive-in looking cool, between overheating!” I'm gonna have to say that this is still true today... Great article...thanks __________________ --------------------------------------------------------------------------

02-09-2009, 12:37 PM	#17
GEBHARD Alliance Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Beaumont, ca Posts: 799	Re: Axle And Li'l Axle And The Dago Deuce great read thanks __________________ 9X74

02-09-2009, 01:22 PM	#18
Old-Soul Old School HAMBer Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Red Deer, AB, Canada Posts: 2,830	Re: Axle And Li'l Axle And The Dago Deuce Thanks for the great read, and here I thought I was going to be bored during lunch! __________________ *You grow up and you calm down. You're working for the clampdown.*

02-09-2009, 01:40 PM	#19
60'shotrod Old School HAMBer Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: North Wales Posts: 2,910	Re: Axle And Li'l Axle And The Dago Deuce Thanks for that, Great read. Nick. __________________ The closer you are to Caesar, the greater the fear. http://www.vhra.co.uk/VHRA/Home.html

02-09-2009, 02:03 PM	#20
HEMI32 Alliance Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Bay Area, California Posts: 3,787	Re: Axle And Li'l Axle And The Dago Deuce *av8* ... great read ... I had never heard the term "Dago" dropped axle before ... learn sumpin' new everyday! __________________

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