From Fran Hernandez's Facebook page. The first photo is 1939. Notice no cooling fan and an Edelbrock Slingshot. The second is Fran in his letterman jacket not sure if it was earlier or later since the roadster isn't together yet and the steering column has not been plated yet either as in the first picture. Even though the Offy heads and I think Offy intake pre-date the use of him with a Slingshot: the wiring looms have me thrown off. I hadn't seen any aftermarket looms until post war with the exception on the Miller Indy V8. The third is at El Mirage, they would put the water melons in the water tank to keep them cool. Left to right Fran Hernandez, Dick Pierson, Don Towle, Chuck Essayan Sadly Fran passed away January 5th of this year.
Not everything was a roadster. Some of the customs were hot rodded too. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7jsdhbOGxo0&feature=related
There's another Thread for that.......and You're in it! keep the customs over there please, unless they hold or held a speed record
Barris roadster pic heisted from your vid was run at the lakes. Carson topped custom may or may not have run at the lakes but it's there and at least has dual exhaust.
Bite your tongue! Bob Pierson's '36 coupe turned 121 mph at Bonneville in 1950. And it also served as a tow car for their '34 coupe! <table style="width:auto;"><tr><td></td></tr><tr><td style="font-family:arial,sans-serif; font-size:11px; text-align:right">From Pierson Brothers</td></tr></table> And it will be here: [/QUOTE]
[/QUOTE] Vintagehotrods, your right on your assesment of the Pierson '36. But I think your a little off on the speed. I believe it was actually 140.40 MPH at the June 1950 meet. Thats all the more reason to include the car here !
Bubba, my info is that Bob Pierson's chopped 1934 Ford 3W coupe set the 142-mph Rusetta Timing Association record and was for a while known as the fastest closed car in America! It was the first coupe that beat the roadsters. Although I can't seem to find it now the info with the first pic of the 1936 3W said it did 121 mph at the 1950 Bonneville Speedweek. One of my most treasured memories is spending an afternoon with Bob Pierson during the 2001 Bonneville Speedweek listening to his fascinating stories of what was happening back in those days. Its a shame he's gone now. Here's a couple more pics of his '36. <table style="width:auto;"><tr><td></td></tr><tr><td style="font-family:arial,sans-serif; font-size:11px; text-align:right">From Pierson Brothers</td></tr></table> <table style="width:auto;"><tr><td></td></tr><tr><td style="font-family:arial,sans-serif; font-size:11px; text-align:right">From Pierson Brothers</td></tr></table> <table style="width:auto;"><tr><td></td></tr><tr><td style="font-family:arial,sans-serif; font-size:11px; text-align:right">From Pierson Brothers</td></tr></table>
I finally found it! It was in the September 2009 issue of Street Rodder and the article was "The Pierson Brothers Coupe" by Ken Gross. Here's a link to it if you haven't read it: http://www.streetrodderweb.com/milestones/0106sr_pierson_brothers_coupe/index.html Scroll down through the pics to the '36 and click on the caption.
Here are a few pictures of the Wentworth/Sidebothem 32 Ford Roadster. Built in the late 1940s. It survives in near original condition. The family of the original builder recently purchased the car. This is how it looks currently. It is on display at the California Auto Museum in Sacramento. There is a special exhibit called "Dropped and Chopped" with period hot rods and customs on display. It will be there for viewing until March 27th.
This thread is HAMB gold. I have been trying to learn more about the 1940s. Culture etc... Thanks for helping me to understand.
1940's hot rods are minimalism at its best! these pictures are truly amazing! now can we have some more, please!
Just a quick question. I see alot of roadsters and modifieds. I understand the dry lakes racing. But I'm from the east and really like the east coast look. Was anyone building coupes or versions of east coast hot rods in the 40s?
..just saw this debate...HG, keep on posting!! Lots of the track roadsters were former street cars (look at the bodywork, the holes where the '39 taillights used to be, etc.)....and some guys ran their street roadsters on the dirt tracks and then drove them back home........these are great shots
Just kiddin, don't get the weapons out. East coast style usually kept the tall roofs, which were not very good for dry lakes or salt flat style racing.
It wasn't about minimalism. It was about go over show. If it didn't make it faster, there was a chance is would end up trashed. They're bare bones because they were built for speed, not looks.
That's a grouse looking Jigger! not knowing what that means , good start on the roadster ............. steve
Grouse is I believe a victorian term for 'Kool', hot, nice, awesome, certainly a term of endeerment! jigger - jalopy, but doesn't only refer to hot rods, refers to somthing that is simple usually used in a positive manner! It's all good! g
The Jalopy Journal
