The Hidden Hauler

The year is 1949 and Hot Rod Magazine is in its infancy, and our sport is too. By December, Hot Rod had their formula dialed in. The issue had an excellent mix of hot rod and racecars, and the cover with Howard Johansen’s twin-tank streamliner getting a push-start from a fellow dry lakes racer was nothing short of dynamic. Yet, among the SCTA coverage, insightful columns and original artwork by both Rex Burnett and Tom Medley, I was drawn to one feature in particular—Del Baxter’s “Perpetual Pick-Up.”

What does it take to stand out when every car in the issue is spot on? In Del’s case, it was a less-is-more approach. Interestingly enough, the truck started out with even less just a few years prior. How so? Well, before he built it into the black-lacquered beauty you see in these pictures, he raced the thing. No, not just on the street. Back in ’46, he ran it at Carrell Speedway in Gardena, sans fenders, windshield, headlights and all that other superfluous stuff. With a big number 20 on the side and a crash helmet on his head, Del put the car through its paces. And those of you who know a thing or two about early roadster racing know how impressive it is that the car survived at all.

Survive it did. While the A was still in that configuration and the year was still 1946, Del did a little lakes racing. He went 113.06mph, which was mighty fine for those days. Power came from a then-new Merc flathead with a 1/8-inch stroke and speed equipment from all the big names, including Sharp, Harman-Collins and Kong. It was linked to a ’46 Ford column shift trans and a ’41 Ford rear. The front axle was a dropped ’34 Ford piece.

Del, the president of the California Roadster Association, didn’t miss a beat when making the transition from race to street. On went the fenders, windshield, headlights and more. To aid functionality, he built a better radiator and created a toolbox space beneath the bed. Add 29 coats of lacquer and some white Naugahyde into the mix and he had himself one sharp pickup.

This truck is simple. It’s understated. And it’s downright good looking. From the wheels and tires to the stance and the white accents, it’s just about the perfect street machine for 1940s Los Angeles. Don’t you think so?

—Joey Ukrop

Photos by a young Mr. Petersen