Register now to get rid of these ads!

Hot Rods List of Speed Equipment Manufactuers that Began in California?

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by SLOson, Jun 7, 2020.

  1. SLOson
    Joined: May 10, 2020
    Posts: 17

    SLOson
    Member
    from California

    I was talking with a friend earlier about the movie "Ford v. Ferrari." We discussed how Shelby set up shop in California -- specifically SoCal, because it's the center of the universe for hot-rodding. I'm like to create a list of well-known speed equipment manufacturers, engine builders, machine shops, etc. that are/were in California. I'd appreciate everyone's input. I'll start the list:

    * Algon
    * American Wheels
    * Arias
    * Aviaid
    * Keith Black
    * Blower Drive Service
    * B&M
    * Cal Custom
    * Carillo
    * Casler Cheater Slicks
    * Chet Herbert
    * Cirello Magnetos
    * Clifford Research
    * Boyd Coddington Wheels
    * Cragar Wheels
    * Crower
    * Deist
    * Delta Machine
    * Donovan Engineering
    * Earls
    * Edelbrock
    * Ed Pink
    * Enderle
    * Engle
    * Flowmaster
    * Gale Banks Engineering
    * Halibrand
    * Hampton Blowers
    * Hank-the-Crank
    * Harman & Collins
    * Hedman
    * Henry's Machine Works (Henry's Axles)
    * Hilborn
    * Hooker
    * Howards Racing Equipment
    * Iskenderian
    * JE Pistons
    * Alan Johnson Performance Engineering
    * Mike Kuhl Superchargers
    * Dick Landy
    * Lenco
    * Littlefield Blowers
    * Harry Miller
    * Kendig/Pollution Control Industries
    * Milodon
    * Mondello Performance Products
    * NOS
    * Navarro Racing Equipment
    * Offenhauser
    * Offenhauser (Meyer-Drake)
    * Orday (Dick Crawford)
    * Pete Jackson
    * Palamides Wheels
    * Porter Mufflers
    * Potvin Automotive
    * Racer Brown Cams
    * Reath Automotive
    * Rodeck
    * Schiefer Clutch and Flywheels
    * Shelby American
    * Sig Erson
    * Simpson
    * Clay Smith Engineering
    * SoCal Speed Shop
    * Speed-O-Motive
    * Speedway Engineering
    * Stelling & Hellings
    * Summers Brothers
    * Mickey Thompson
    * Valley Head Service
    * Velasco
    * Venolia
    * Vulcan
    * Sid Waterman
    * Weiand
    * Wilcap
    * Winfield
    * Dave Zeuschel
     
    Last edited: Aug 4, 2020
  2. Even though it wasn't started in Southern California, how abut Palamides Wheels, Started by Romeo Palamides, which became American Wheels, AKA torque Thrust's, and other models.
     
  3. jnaki
    Joined: Jan 1, 2015
    Posts: 9,291

    jnaki

    upload_2020-6-7_5-33-54.png REATH AUTOMOTIVE LONG BEACH, CA

    Hello,
    Having grown up in Long Beach, CA, your list is missing one major manufacturer of speed parts, custom crankshafts and a ton of original ideas for the drag racers/hot rodders in So Cal. The prized goal was a sponsorship by Joe Reath of any kind. From small/medium name on the door to the large painted logo on the hood, trunk or elsewhere.

    Joe Reath and his wife, Dellie, started an institution in Long Beach until they closed their second shop later in the 60s. Joe has passed on, but Dellie is still alive and kicking, as much as she can participate in the historic, hot rod/drag race events.
    LEGEND OF LIONS



    Jnaki

    As a young kid, it was like going to Disneyland when we drove over to the Reath Automotive Shop. Little did we know, we listened to a ton of information coming from Joe Reath to even us teenagers. He could see enthusiasm in any hot rod kid or adult. He was an amazing walking encyclopedia of hot rod facts and tips for drag racing.
    upload_2020-6-7_5-35-23.png
    In a sense, we (and most people) were always looking up at/to him for his information and suggestions. It was mainly because he was a very tall person and we all looked up to him. His information and "talks" were legendary to all who went to Reath Automotive. The small shop at 10th and Cherry Avenue as well as the huge corner lot in the Signal Hill area of Long Beach on 33rd and Cherry Avenue, just down the street from drag race central of Bixby Knolls.

    upload_2020-6-7_5-32-5.png

    https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/remembering-old-speed-shops.625158/page-4#post-13145912 REATH
     

    Attached Files:

    Rolleiflex, Baron, Mark Hinds and 5 others like this.
  4. Great post Jnaki,,,,excellent reading !

    Tommy
     
    jnaki likes this.

  5. denis4x4
    Joined: Apr 23, 2005
    Posts: 4,198

    denis4x4
    ALLIANCE MEMBER
    from Colorado

    Shelby built the first Cobra at Dean Moon's shop in Santa Fe Springs.

    Moon Equipment
    W&H Ignitions
    Jackman Wheels
    Schnieder Cams
    Autopower
    Hallcraft wire wheels
    J&E Pistons
    Ansen
    EELCO
    Tony Nancy
    Forgedtrue
    CAE
    Mallory
    Petronix (Per-Lux)
    Cannon Industries
    BRE
    Dragmaster
    Kellison

    And a whole bunch more that I can't remember!!
     
    Baron, loudbang, SLOson and 2 others like this.
  6. Fordors
    Joined: Sep 22, 2016
    Posts: 5,373

    Fordors
    Member

    Let’s not forget Howard Johansen, Howards Racing Equipment ground cams, made chain drive blower kits, marketed the first aftermarket aluminum heads for the SBC, and more.
     
  7. Marty Strode
    Joined: Apr 28, 2011
    Posts: 8,798

    Marty Strode
    Member

    How about Kong and Pete Jackson.
     
    Baron and loudbang like this.
  8. Chassis Research
     
    loudbang and lothiandon1940 like this.
  9. bowie
    Joined: Jul 27, 2011
    Posts: 3,098

    bowie
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    Halibrand, Covico, Grant,Rader, Bell, Blairs,Christmans, C&T.
     
    Last edited: Jun 8, 2020
    Mark Hinds and loudbang like this.
  10. RmK57
    Joined: Dec 31, 2008
    Posts: 2,659

    RmK57
    Member

    Fenton?
     
    loudbang likes this.
  11. saltracer219
    Joined: Sep 23, 2006
    Posts: 1,071

    saltracer219
    Member

    Crank Shaft Co. which became Hank the Crank later on. Wilcap, which was Tony Capana. Gale Banks Engineering. Schiefer Clutch and Flywheels.
     
    loudbang and SLOson like this.
  12. Marty Strode
    Joined: Apr 28, 2011
    Posts: 8,798

    Marty Strode
    Member

    Elco-Twin, Ted Evans and Bert Letner.
     
  13. Marty Strode
    Joined: Apr 28, 2011
    Posts: 8,798

    Marty Strode
    Member

    SPE, Deuce Factory, both by Roy Fjastad.
     
  14. 302GMC
    Joined: Dec 15, 2005
    Posts: 7,856

    302GMC
    Member
    from Idaho

    McGurk
    Dempsey Wilson
    Ellis
    Tattersfield
    Thickstun
    Schaller (1/4 speed cams)
     
    Last edited: Jun 7, 2020
    loudbang likes this.
  15. Fortunateson
    Joined: Apr 30, 2012
    Posts: 5,331

    Fortunateson
    Member

    Gee I wonder if Eddie Meyer, Hollywood Calf. would qualify?
     
  16. Speedway Engineering Quickchange rear ends & swaybars hubs forever.
     
    loudbang likes this.
  17. Fogger
    Joined: Aug 18, 2007
    Posts: 1,804

    Fogger
    Member

    ARP
    Bill HAYS
    Doug's Headers
     
    Last edited: Jun 7, 2020
    loudbang likes this.
  18. 65pacecar
    Joined: Sep 22, 2010
    Posts: 16,808

    65pacecar
    Member
    from KY, AZ

    Didn’t Moon Speed Equipment start in SoCal and the founder from Norwalk?


    Sent from my iPhone using H.A.M.B.
     
    loudbang likes this.
  19. SLOson
    Joined: May 10, 2020
    Posts: 17

    SLOson
    Member
    from California

    ARGH! That's the one I couldn't come up with last night/this morning! Thanks!
     
    loudbang and 65pacecar like this.
  20. jimmy six
    Joined: Mar 21, 2006
    Posts: 14,801

    jimmy six
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    Sharp Speed Equipment
    Speedway Engineering(rear ends)
    Currie Enterprises
     
    loudbang and 65pacecar like this.
  21. Cirello

    Joe Hunt
     
  22. stanlow69
    Joined: Feb 21, 2010
    Posts: 7,348

    stanlow69
    Member Emeritus

    Fenton started in Lincoln Nebraska.
     
    loudbang and 65pacecar like this.
  23. Black Panther
    Joined: Jan 6, 2010
    Posts: 2,133

    Black Panther
    Member
    from SoCal

    From my love of wheels Superior Industries, Shore-Calnevar, Hollywood Wheels, Wheel Centre which later became ET. Also Stelling & Hellings, and Hellings by itself, Cal Custom...Spalding...Navarro. Im sure more will come to mind.
     
    loudbang and 65pacecar like this.
  24. 65pacecar
    Joined: Sep 22, 2010
    Posts: 16,808

    65pacecar
    Member
    from KY, AZ

    TTI Headers.


    Sent from my iPhone using H.A.M.B.
     
    loudbang likes this.
  25. Marty Strode
    Joined: Apr 28, 2011
    Posts: 8,798

    Marty Strode
    Member

    Belond and Bellanger headers. Delta Machine.
     
    loudbang and 65pacecar like this.
  26. Colin HD
    Joined: Sep 14, 2008
    Posts: 274

    Colin HD
    Member

    IMG_0832.JPG IMG_0838.JPG IMG_0842.JPG
     
  27. Colin HD
    Joined: Sep 14, 2008
    Posts: 274

    Colin HD
    Member

    Bell
    1930_cragar_was_founded.jpg roy_richter.jpg roy_richter.jpg
     

    Attached Files:

    loudbang and 65pacecar like this.
  28. Fordors
    Joined: Sep 22, 2016
    Posts: 5,373

    Fordors
    Member

    Delta Machine is a great pick, they had one of the best speed equipment decals ever, IMO. 1AFC6AE7-35C3-4937-B03B-60B54614C9C8.jpeg
     
    fauj and 65pacecar like this.

Share This Page

Register now to get rid of these ads!

Archive

Copyright © 1995-2021 The Jalopy Journal: Steal our stuff, we'll kick your teeth in. Terms of Service. Privacy Policy.

Atomic Industry
Forum software by XenForo™ ©2010-2014 XenForo Ltd.