History ST.LOUIS STOCK CAR RACER - 1950's SID KAYMAN

At work there is this guy that retired before I started. But comes in everyonce in a while. He stops by to visit the co-workers. His name is Sid Kayman. After awhile he found out that I was into hot rods he started tellin me about his back in the early 50s.

Then one day he brought in his photos and showed me them. I figured that you all would like to see them so here they are. He was kind enuff to have his nieces husband scan them and email them to me to share.

1. junk yard they worked out of gettin parts

2. Pic of Bob Keith. Owner of Keith Motors. Bob was also a flagman and a driver.

3. Some cars they had.

4. Sid Kayman

5.They tried to run a Crosley. It didnt work so it was discarded.

 

6.. Sid in 043

7. Sids 1932 Ford with La Salle engine

8. Sids dad lookin over his '32

 

9. Parts department

10. Bob Keith and his 043

 

Cool stuff ..............................

 

I love those classic pics! I really dig pictures 7 and 8!

Grant

 

11. Sid

12. Sid

 

13. , 14. Couple of his old rule books

 

Fabulous stuff there. Love those old black and whites. They're just so raw and real. Sid's roadster is the tits. Ask him about the details on the front suspension. I've never seen anything quite like it. You are so fortunate to get to spend some time with him. These guys WERE hot-rodding at it's purest. Sounds like Sid was, and still is the REAL DEAL.............................................Don.

 

Great stuff there!

Bet there is some interesting reading in those old rule books, certainly written with a different perspective given the tech of the day.

Also ask him about the exhaust set up on the flatty in the roadster and how it worked out. Looks like he ran it out the top of the block with none going down around the cylinders.

Ed

 

Just looked again, is it even a Ford flatty? Caddy maybe? Noticed the different motor mounts and starter set up.

Ed

 

LaSalle as noted in the description.

 

Yes the 32 has a Cadalliac LaSalle engine

15. Sids car after it got hit on top at Walsh stadium

16.box 8 hit Walsh stadium

 

OOPPPSS, here are the pics up right. Sorry.

 

Some of Sids friends in the paper. Sid is in photo 20. But Im not shure wich guy is him.

 

awesome pictures Brian. Thanks for sharing! I love the roadster.

 

Thanks for the photos....look at the radius rods on the 32 roadster, almost look like the modern billett ones. Wonder what they are?

 

Cool pics Brian that green rule book is from the track here in Springfield known as Shaheens or "Little Springfield".

 

I have no idea. I will ask Sid when I see him.

Look in the background behind Sids dads head. What kind of car is that guys?

 

Couple of more photos.

 

The photo caption says no one was hurt. But dang, that 83X cars drivers area just doesnt look good.

 

Yup, major brain fart here. Sure not my first and wasn't my last.

Ed

 

back up

 

Sid says that it had all 40 Ford running gear.

 

pretty cool pictures. to bad that junk yard aint around still with all those parts.

 

I may have Sid's old roadster.
http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=800962

 

KKrod, boy it shure looks like it.!! I have forwared this info to Sid. Long live the HAMB!!

 

How cool is this! Great stuff.

 

Thanks to King Chassis who provided me an introduction, I have been able to talk to Sid Kayman several times on the phone. It has been a wonderful experience!!! Sid recalls driving the roadster all over Missouri. He went into the Navy in about 1951 and left the roadster with a friend who later sold it. He never saw his roadster again.

Sid recalled buying the car in St. Louis about 1944 or 1945. The car was basically in the same condition as shown in his photos. It also had a padded canvas removable top that he used when it was rainy. He did not know who put the car together. He said the engine was very reliable and ran well.

After several conversations it has become apparent that I have the body, dash, and windshield assy. from Sid's roadster. I also have the frame. It is in very "used" condition so it was not used when I rebuilt my car. The frame will stay with the car though.

The "ghost writing" on the door, the hudson front end, the boxing plates on the outside of the front frame rails, the location of the gas tank filler, the look of the car all make the identification pretty much indisputable.

There are many mysteries about what happened to the LaSalle engine, and how it ended up a stripped roller in Texas in 1957. The best part by far was being able to talk to Sid.

 

AWESOME!!! Few people have the oppertunity to do what you were able to do!

 

The body has not been restored other than to unchannel and to install minimal patch panels.