History John Siroonian Western Wheel

Anyone remember John Siroonian and Western Wheel from back in the day?? Anyone have stories or curious about anything related to him? He passed away in 2008 but we have his cars still and I’m wanting to take them to some shows so people can enjoy them again. What do you guys think?

 

Go for it.

 

There was a Siroonain that drove Big John Mazmanian's funny car in the 60's.
I think he was nephew or something?

Edit... I was thinking of Rich Siroonain.

 

John owned a stable of fine 1932-1934 Fords.
He also ran a very successful blown fuel hydro drag boat.
Don Thelen's " Buffalo Motor Cars " built many of Johns cars, (as well as the ZZ Top coupe!)
I was fortunate enough to work with Don Thelen as the chassis builder on several of John's cars.
In 1976, John, Don Thelen, Pete Chapouris, my self, and a few others flew to Tulsa on John's private plane to the " Street Rod Nationals " , on the way back John took us on a detour.
John had his pilot fly to San Antonio so he could take us to watch his Drag Boat run at the races there!
Here are just a few of John's cars!

 

I just bought a Kellison street buggy from you.

 

Please share the cars with the world, his cars were always high quality builds.
I remember seeing some of them in magazines back in the day. On my last visit to the Justice Brothers museum in Duarte California I saw his ‘34 Pheaton on display.

 

Payton, there will always be a place for them.

 

I remember the cars from the magazine features, glad you still have them. Is it true that the wheel business started, by reversing rims and having them chrome plated? American sucess stories need to be told. Bob

 

I’m sure Pete’s story is just one of many such stories. Please feel free to tell us about him, who he was, what he did. I’m sure it will trigger more memories and bring more stories from the people here. I know I’m curious. It’s always interesting to hear about the men behind the corporations. Especially if they are also into planes and drag boats.

 

In Fresno, John was called Mr. 32, I remember when John bought Terry Hahn's 32 roadster and turned it
into a beautiful show car.

 

There is a picture of a bunch of John's cars, that are parked in line, bending around a curve in the road. I heard the garbage cans were chrome at Western Wheel ! Top flight collection.

 

He was Big John's nephew, I believe. I saw him at Woodburn in '68, racing the "Football" Austin.

 

The '32 tub was found in the jungle of Haiku, Maui .The man who was turned onto it took it apart by hand (it was that rusty)and shipped back to CA in a washing machine box. Then brought back to life by a fellow who we called Fat Mike .

 

I hope there are Before and After photos of that one. Bob

 

Went through a couple set's of his chrome Budd wheels back in the day

 

The Beach Boys played the SEMA show and his cars surrounded the stage.

 

Keep this thread on top. John's '81 AMBR '32 is an amazing build even now, that Blown Gurney Weslake engine is killer. Built from the 50s CT Automotive roadster.

 

The C&T Automotive Roadster that John Siroonian ended up building

 

John's Roadster next to Phil Cool's Iconic Blown 32

 

The Same car when C&T raced it at the lakes many years before

 

I'd like to hear more, seems like an interesting fella. If you can't figure out how to post pics of his cars we can help you. I'd love to see those 32's and 34's I'm hearing about.

 

Lived in Fresno many years ago--Western Wheel was well known as were his cars.
My memory is not great but as I recall he had something to do with a wheel place on either Belmont or McKinley east of Blackstone -north side of street-Sold chrome reverse wheels and other items--I bought a couple of sets maybe 63-65? can't recall-long ago. I'm sure some of the locals will know.

 

I built the chassis on this one .

 

That sounds like an awesome time. Wish I could’ve experienced stuff like that with him. It’s so cool to hear everyone’s stories. Thank you

 

That sounds awesome! That would be one heck of a picture!

 

John Mazmanian isn’t related. That’s a common mistake.

 

Out of Hot Rod Magzine
If you were a follower of the Gasser wars or early floppers, the name "Big John" Mazmanian stands tall. Maz's driver off and on for those many quarter mile exploits was his nephew Rich Siroonian who, unfortunately, has passed away. That's where I got it. More from the article.
Maz was forced to deal with his nephew sneaking out with his Corvette to street race at night, so Maz confronted him with a plan to let him race the Gasser if he'd stop street racing. When Maz built his famous Willys coupe, Siroonian transitioned into that car, though other drivers of the time like Bones Balough could be found in the cockpit, especially for match race bookings in the Midwest and East. Maz's next Gasser, the eight-second Austin "Football," was also piloted by Siroonian.

 

Rich Siroonian isn’t related to John Siroonian. It’s a common mix up

 

OK, I am usually mixed up !