Bill Von Esser intake

Been trying to find out something about this 2x2 intake that i have, its an old aluminum one for a later flathead engine has the oil filler tube hole on the front. Ive found very little on the web about him or his intakes. All ive found is he had a speed shop in Chicago and built some notable cars such as a panamericana Corvette and '22 T. Are his intakes rare at all?

 

check out my profile page

 

Showrod, You win.

 

Nice T Showrod! So anybody know what production numbers were like for his speed parts? Did he crank out 10 or 10000 of these intakes, any ideas? Mine seems prone to cracking, maybe some didnt make it.

 

no one knows the exact amount but the guestimate is 100ish.
I believe he made three runs about 30 at a time max.
look yours over closely to see if he stamped a number in it. mine is stamped b 17 if I remember right.
its stamped on top by the rear carb.

 

Showrod...how did I know that this thread would catch your attention?

 

I'm glad some one has some knowledge on him , cause the web is pretty scarce. We need to preserve our hot rodding heritage. Showrod, is his shop still standing in Chicago? What ended up happening to it?

 

Von Esser's closed in the mid 70's. the building is still there. it is now a hair salon.
typical ma and pop speed shop squeeky oak floor bords. packed full of speed equipment.
Bill's story is finally getting told in the Altig/KIllmer book east vs west coming out in the spring.

 

Wow showrod, that is some amazing stuff! What was the Milwaukee Ave. address? Building still there? Quick search also shows a 2840 N. Kedzie address as well from an ad out of Popular Mechanics Sept 1948.

 

Those are some awesome pix in your profile. I love seeing stuff like that.

 

originally Bill started the speed shop in the basement of a three flat at 2840 N. kedzie ave in 1949 he moved to 3307 w. Irving Park rd.

I have seen an ad with that milwaukee address I think it is a misprint
Cause no one knows anything about it.

 

Just got a 1950 Soldier Field Auto Race Souvenir Program and found this advertisement for Bill Von Esser. Thought you'd like to see it.

 

My father-in-law built the frame and suspension for the Bill Von Esser Von T His name was Max Reichenbach he also built many midget race cars.

 

I worked at Von Essers in Chicago in the 60's part time porting heads but remember very little, sorry.

 

Just a few blocks down the street from Von Esser's was Ray Arikerson Speed Shop but if it did not come from Von Esser's it was no good.

 

Don i never new you worked there, how cool !!