The Full-Fendered Flyer

Flashback 58 years ago with me, to the January 1958 issue of Hot Rod magazine. Behold the sweetest full-fendered ’34 Ford coupe to ever hit the salt lake, owned by Benny Garat of Riverside, Ca. This car posses one of the most sanitary lightening jobs I have ever laid eyes on. Check out the cleanly punch louvers on the hood top & sides, roof insert, decklid, and yes, fender tops! How about lightening holes on edges of the drivers door, or the trick 8 pipe bracket hanging off the quick change rearend? What really strikes me is that this was a purpose-built land speed racer, not some converted street or show rod… Benny didn’t have to finish the car to this level of detail for an SCTA meet, and it netted him the ‘Safe Construction’ trophy at the ’56 Bonneville meet as a testament to his build quality. The article says the car’s DeSoto engine went back to original owners and the motorless coupe went to a new owner at the drags. Where is this baby now??