History The Clem Waske 29 Roadster #265B

Stogy,
It really is a unreal experience to be entrusted with this trophy that’s near 3/4 of a century in existence. Not sure about the tonque.
I think about how this all came about over 21yrs ago when 1st seeing that roadster body on saw horses in A friend’s backyard.
What I original thought about this is that Caroline (who was the owner @ that time and I’m still in touch with), was going to build a cool little street rod. Heaven knows that they had all of the parts.....

Fate just kinda stepped in here. She saw my initial enthusiasm for her project and realized that perhaps I should take this project on. This body was no different than most by having a little rust in spots.... but what I really saw was a very “Uniquely modified” body that surely had a story to tell, (I just didn’t know what,when,where & how?)

In the beginning of this thread I tell how I found out who had it, how many years it took to contact the Waske’s, & then the 3 month thrash to get it under its own power with help from “THE VERY BEST HOT RODDERS IN THE WORLD) aka HAMB Brothers!!!!!
I was looking forward to T-W Pismo as that’s what we were doing at time (BEST DAMN HOT ROD EVENT EVER!) The W.E. was nearly a runner, but there was a event that happened in my life that has continued to effect us into the present.

I did get that 70 yr. anniversary of when the only images that I had found of the car on the lakes run done, so much so that Elmer who was probably there that same time/place even got a ride.,(mind you, the brakes weren’t hooked up yet)...... it was fun though......

Doc loves that fact that this car exists. I’m glad that I can call him “FAMILY “. He was a little bitty boy when he last had been in that car, his dad always wondered if it was now a Toyota or a Datsun now????
I’m happy to say Clem that the main part of your & Rae’s steed is still in the corral and able to Gallop when bridled. (Doc’s Mom loved horses).
We continue on with it, little work at a time so hopefully someday I’ll get it the point where people will appreciate its existence. I sure do. .

 

...Kevin this is the image I felt looked as if his tongue was out surely coupled with a BIG excited Smile in what only those running the Dry Lakes could realize...

Did this Trophy have a signature somewhere on its body...that's a seriously Awesome Sculpture...

You are fortunate to have so much in this one of a kind Hotrod...​

 

Ya never know about Clem, he used go backwards thru Drive-Thru’s at burger joints just for kicks & giggles imagine seeing him coming at you in a 55 T-Bird while you’re trying to go the right way.?

I’m inclined to agree. I’m pretty fortunate there, my buddy Oz always gives me a hard time about it.....(It lives next to his AV8 roadster......).
I believe that they (SCTA) still give this style trophy away(could be wrong?)

 

I can't imagine experiencing that...​

 

Kevin I thought I would share this here where all the Inspiration evolved that gave me the creative bug to generate the Digital Image...I had fun with it and just enjoyed putting you in the drivers seat of this small part of one big picture...

Credit to All that Inspired This
​

 

Love that chopped grill.

 

...I didn't mention it in this post but I did section the shell/grille to better match it to the Ole b&w

I just noticed it looks like a License Plate/Tag hanging down dead center under the grill...​

 

That because it’s previous life was spent with you Frank . How long just was that?

 

Kevin I had that shell since high school 1957. Took it off a 5 window that we made a dirt track race car out of we threw the fenders away, and I put it on my 29 roadster. I sectioned the shell in about 1985 while I was rebuilding the car, but sold the car to pay hospital bills for my daughter Theresa Lynn who passed away from cancer. It was hanging on the wall of the shop until I sold it to you Kevin. It always brings back fond memories when i see 265B . I now have another 29 roadster, and Tub. Thanks for the memories. Frank

 

Good eye,
This is the back plate which is the same as the front, this is a 1947 California issue plate.
it took me a while to be able to read the letters/#’s as I didn’t get to see this image until we already built the car. I was really happy to get and the original front shot of Clem WASKE 265b AV8 roadster and he even had aviator helmet & goggles on for the pic behind the SCTA Bob Rufi built timing stand.
It can’t get much better than that. .

 

Yeah I didn't give you goggles......Did you have that helmet or did I source it...maybe you had it on at El Mirage...

I've looked at that pic never noticed the front plate...I don't think it has a frame...probably hanging and flopping with the wind soon to be horizontal...

 

That’s a sweet little tub!!!!!!
I think of you daily when I see the front end of the “WE”.
I do recall your sharing of the loss of your daughter “Theresa Lynn”. The bitchin thing about that is that she had you as a loving father & friend. That’s another thing that I see when looking at what Clem originally created to later touch so many lives and in the current iteration
bringing so many people together which now includes both Stogy & of course yourself.

 

The goggles would look really good on “The Oz Man” . Since he’s the guy pictured.
Sometime I’ll take a pic of me sitting in it and you can work your magic, but I can’t wait to send the above image to “The Oz Man”.

 

Frank,
How’s the hot rod coming along?
Was just re-admiring your pix.

 

My son took this apart to restore it 22 years ago and abandoned it. I have been putting all my effort in it lately. these things area a real money pit but it will be nice.I will probably be finished by the end of May. Last time it was licensed. It's worth saving because it's a A Code car GThen it's back on the A

 

Happy to see ya on a “Work Horse” too!!!!!
This is a friends 66 Coupe that I added K-H Discs to and slammed it just a little bit, did a wheel swap while I was there. It gets a recurring engine noise that scares the snot out out me so it really isn’t a favorite of mine still has a 289ci .
Did fire up the Waske today, my buddy Oz who’s in those above pix standing by or sitting in it always give me a little sh#t about it, but I always respond with a kiss to to that shell you provided.
Thx 4 sharing your continuing adventures in DFW Hot Rod Land.
CK.

 

That's a nice looking Mustang your friend has. I am still trying to figure out a wheel and tire combo for mine. I have a real nice set of Americans bought new 22 years ago and never put on a car, then the stock wheels and hub caps, and a set of Magnum 500 wheels. This is the look I am going for. restoration can be a bigger money pit than a hot rod. Frank

 

It’s been 75 years ago today that Clem Waske took his visually modified 29 AV8 Roadster out to El Mirage to go for a run on the lake. I’m so glad that someone had the foresight to take images of this car or we wouldn’t had 25 pages to read. That last 5 yrs has gone by way fast..

 

I hope you take Clem's roadster out for a little exercise on his his Diamond Anniversary. Frank

 

It lives @ “The Oz Garage” so it’s talked about and seen often. It may be getting some continuing progress-work. I’d like to get it down to Doc’s so he can keep it there for awhile. There could be some dust being kicked up down there in La Mesa just like Clem used to do. !!!!

 

Took the W.E. Roadster to San Diego for a homecoming of sorts. The roadster as far as I am aware hasn’t been back since roughly 1948?
David (my son in law) and I attended a Road Ramblers meeting last Saturday, the W.E. Fired up. Did the trip over to where it was built nearly 80 yrs ago. Doc got a kick out of it even though he wasn’t feeling 100%. He said it made his day. We ended up receiving a very nice plaque based on the original larger sized version artwork wise. So we made sure Doc got in the pic in front on the house where it was created and hopefully this will help with what his body has going on. I’m going to make sure that he’s at the next meeting.
These R.R.’s are a great group of guys. I’m looking forward to the next meeting .

 

Bless you, Cyclone Kevin. You are the center of your friends' solar system.

Glad I read these pages.

 

If you look at the date on the right lower corner of the W.E.’s deck lid you’ll see today's date but 80yrs. earlier. Clem’s son turned 80 years old today and he celebrated on Saturday and I stopped in with another TC resident ZZ-Glen.
There are pictures of 3 generations of Waske’s , Clem’s dad with a collie who originated in Detroit. Clem who also originated there in MI. But settled in the greater San Diego area where he performed his artistic works and lettering -sign painting skills . Then the birthday boy himself Who we call Doc! All of them were in the U.S.Navy and served our country, I recently learned by looking @ a plaque on his office wall that Doc was a recognized member of “The National Geographic Society” much like George Bailey in “It’s a Wonderful Life”. Doc’s a skilled artist in his own right, He’s very talented.
So let’s just celebrate the 1st day of his 80th year on earth

 

Awesome thread.....

 

Wow, just read through this thread over the last few days, what an amazing story, well done @Cyclone Kevin & all others who contributed! Bringing people together over a common interest - makes me smile