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History R.I.P. Joe Panek

Discussion in 'Traditional Hot Rods' started by Dave's32insocal, Mar 4, 2017.

  1. Dave's32insocal
    Joined: Mar 4, 2017
    Posts: 73

    Dave's32insocal
    Member

    New member here Dave from Huntington Beach,I joined today to help out a friend Joe Panek of Roto-Faze Ignitions get a message into the H.A.M.B. world and after 20 years get his race car back out where people could see it again. Setting it up for the LA Roadster show and I'll be posting a message for Joe later on. Thanks
     
  2. RichFox
    Joined: Dec 3, 2006
    Posts: 10,020

    RichFox
    Member Emeritus

    One of the most impressive cars I have ever seen and heard.
     
  3. Dave's32insocal
    Joined: Mar 4, 2017
    Posts: 73

    Dave's32insocal
    Member

    Bought a distributor at the swap meet found out they were still in business took it back to the shop in Torrance to have it rebuilt,saw the race car and talked him into bringing out,it wasn't too hard he is really proud of it! Next is to get it running again!
     
    chryslerfan55 and mad mikey like this.
  4. Dave's32insocal
    Joined: Mar 4, 2017
    Posts: 73

    Dave's32insocal
    Member


  5. Jalopy Joker
    Joined: Sep 3, 2006
    Posts: 31,179

    Jalopy Joker
    Member

  6. ss34coupe
    Joined: May 13, 2007
    Posts: 4,239

    ss34coupe
    Member

    Oh yeah! Lots you could do with that coupe.
     
    Dave's32insocal likes this.
  7. Glad to see it out of hiding.
     
    Dave's32insocal likes this.
  8. Hot Rods Ta Hell
    Joined: Apr 20, 2008
    Posts: 4,670

    Hot Rods Ta Hell
    Member

    Killer! Does it still have the front blown, V-12 Caddy in it?

    There's a dry lakes run video of it on his site. Listen to the sweet sound of it cranking through the run!

    http://roto-faze.com/
     
  9. Fordors
    Joined: Sep 22, 2016
    Posts: 5,373

    Fordors
    Member

    The number on it, 392, has me wondering, is it still powered by the 6-71 front blown V12 Caddy or is it 392 hemi powered now?
     
  10. sloppy jalopies
    Joined: Jun 29, 2015
    Posts: 5,256

    sloppy jalopies
    Member

    back to life ! ... so cool...
    i dig the way the [glass ?] grill has no indent for the "teeth"... was that to be more areodynamic ?
    welcome back...
     
    Dave's32insocal likes this.
  11. bowie
    Joined: Jul 27, 2011
    Posts: 3,098

    bowie
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    What an excellent chunk of history...would love to hear & see more!
     
  12. Atwater Mike
    Joined: May 31, 2002
    Posts: 11,625

    Atwater Mike
    Member

    "Roto-Faze" was a product of Kong and Pete Jackson's 'Jackson Engineering Racing Division' ('JERD')
    back in the day. Please, some details on Joe Panek and his acquisition of the company?
    NEVER thought I'd be able to get another Roto Faze after giving mine to von Franco...
     
  13. Fordors
    Joined: Sep 22, 2016
    Posts: 5,373

    Fordors
    Member

  14. Dave's32insocal
    Joined: Mar 4, 2017
    Posts: 73

    Dave's32insocal
    Member

    IMG_0608.PNG Joe bought the business from Charles "Kong"Jackson back in 1965 when he shared a small shop with him, he said too many people were making cams and manifolds he felt ball bearing distributors were the way to go. The blown caddie V12 is still in the car and is repairable from a timing chain that let go and a spare block too. I've been asking Joe for his history to nominate him for SEMA hall of fame,Roto-Faze was one of the original companies at the beginning.
     
  15. Great stuff.
    This car is way to cool to be hiding under a cover.
    Pictures, lots of pictures please.
     
  16. Dave's32insocal
    Joined: Mar 4, 2017
    Posts: 73

    Dave's32insocal
    Member

  17. Fordors
    Joined: Sep 22, 2016
    Posts: 5,373

    Fordors
    Member

    Scan0039.jpg Scan0040.jpg Scan0041.jpg Scan0042.jpg
     
  18. Thank you Sir, this is one wicked cool Hot Rod.
     
    Dave's32insocal likes this.
  19. hasty
    Joined: Jul 5, 2009
    Posts: 1,411

    hasty
    Member

    Will be following this with interest...
     
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  20. Runnin shine
    Joined: Apr 12, 2013
    Posts: 3,337

    Runnin shine
    Member

    I'm no big auto racing history buff, although I know some stuff. How nobody passed on to me the legend of this badass racer before today is just troubling. This might be my new favorite all time drag/lake car.
    Thanks for posting.


    Sent from my iPhone using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
     
  21. RichFox
    Joined: Dec 3, 2006
    Posts: 10,020

    RichFox
    Member Emeritus

    If you ever heard that car pounding down the El Mirage lake bed at around 185, you would never forget it. It is a really great car and it would be good if it ran again. But we aren't getting any younger. Running my car is to much work these days. Joe's car would be lots more work than mine.
     
  22. Excellent news! Can't wait to check it out.
     
    Dave's32insocal likes this.
  23. KKrod
    Joined: Jun 20, 2010
    Posts: 1,454

    KKrod
    Member

    The story of Joe's life would be a real interesting to read. The car is nice but I also interested in operating his business over the years.
     
  24. Dave's32insocal
    Joined: Mar 4, 2017
    Posts: 73

    Dave's32insocal
    Member

    I've been interviewing Joe,about Roto-faze just sent out a SEMA hall of fame nomination for him and his company. What history,will try to get more out here on the forum.
     
  25. A incredible piece of history. The car is a mind blower, so well built. Just great to see it in these pictures, thanks for sharing this with all of us on the HAMB.:D
     
  26. too many fords
    Joined: Jul 1, 2015
    Posts: 106

    too many fords
    Member
    from Las Vegas

    looking forward to more
     
    Dave's32insocal likes this.
  27. Dave's32insocal
    Joined: Mar 4, 2017
    Posts: 73

    Dave's32insocal
    Member

    IMG_0697.JPG IMG_0702.JPG Will be stopping by to talk to Joe again today,if anyone wants to relay a message let me know here. I'll be showing him this forum and taking more pictures of his pictures to get them out here! Here's a couple of pictures I took last visit.
     
  28. Stovebolt
    Joined: May 2, 2001
    Posts: 3,531

    Stovebolt
    Member

    I just went through all the content on the Roto-Faze website.

    Wonder what he charges for a A or B Cam blank???

    There's a video of Joe running the coupe at El Mirage, and by does it sing, To think that he has this early V8 signing is a tribute to his ingenuity in design and workmanship and know-how. One of the great true pioneers of hot rodding

    http://www.roto-faze.com/
     

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