A friend of mine Bill belonged to the Pipers Hot Rod Club of Columbus Ohio in the late 50's. As a lot of hot rod clubs of the 50's did, they would help stranded motorists change tires or help them get a can of gas, or maybe even a tow or any other roadside problems the public had in the 50's. After they were done, they would hand them a car club card that said "YOU HAVE JUST BEEN ASSISTED BY THE MEMBER OF so and so car club" Usually as an effort to try and make the public think that they weren’t just a bunch of hoods drag racing uncontrollably up and down city streets. I considered these cards probably the hardest to find things of 50's hot rod memorabilia and was always on the look out for one of these cards. Bill just gave me one of his originals from around 1957 tonight. It is priceless and I wouldn’t sell it for 1 million dollars. Take a look:
In the glove box of my Falcon after I bought it from Kevin Moore (Gasser57) on here from Ohio. Don't remember if he wanted them back or not. I'm pretty sure he's not in that club anymore. I'll gladly send you a couple, if you pm me you address. Norton
Clubs here in New Zealand also had them cards back in the '60's. i think I have a few floating around somewhere... Runs off to look... .
As to the true meaning of the word "HOT ROD", it's not what John Force thinks it is. ... Like nails on a chalkboard everytime I hear him use it!
I believe Wally Parks once said the term "Hot Rod" originally referred more to the personality of the driver than the car... Those old club cards are awesome...!
I have a bunch of examples of car club Membership Cards and Courtesy Cards on this page on our website ..... Courtesy Cards Is it OK to add yours?
he calls his race car a hot rod a lot, but then a lot of people call camaros hot rods to. i was always told a hot rod was any modified car up till 1948 but i guess everyone has their own deffinition. ive seen the kiwi versions of those old cards too and like other countries, they are becoming a rare collectors item. very cool.
I just saw a guy selling some old club card like that on ebay. couldn't tell you where it was.... I look at a lot of junk every day. edit: 1950'S VINTAGE HOT ROD CLUB CARD NHRA SCTA FORD CHEVY had it on my watch list. looks like he has a bunch of them
Don't recall where I first encountered the quote below, but I have always kept it since. The Lonely Knights also have the "public relations" assistance cards. Probably not as important today as it was those who were being villified in the '40's and '50's. Still a good idea. Johnnie "The experience of hot rods cannot be explained substantially to those unfamiliar. It cannot be shared with the unfeeling, it cannot be defined without prior knowledge. It's either a part of you or it isn't and nothing can change that. Such is the nature of the soul and such is the way of the hot rod."
SF, I was wondering if I could get a scan of the Pipers courtesy card. My Father in law was a piper for over 50 years. My wife was looking for one of these cards that she had, but can't find it. I have an email out to Bill Hunter to see if he has an extra. I want to surprise my wife with an original form one of the club members that are still around or make an exact repo of it. I would appreciate the help. I can send you some pic files I have of the club members and other Piper stuff. Thanks for your time.
This thread is an old one he might miss it. Hover over his avatar and send him a PM (click-start a conversation)