So, I've learned a lot by reading the Hamb. However, the more I learn, the more I find there is to learn. In combing the build threads here I've noticed Ansen parts come up from time to time. So maybe someone can shed some light on this for me. What's the history of Ansen speed parts? When the company began making parts, maybe some photos of the parts you own, or wish you did, who was/is behind the company, whatever. I'm here to learn.
I believe I was at the main ANSEN store in about the seventies when they were going out of business. If I remember correctly they were on Western Avenue in the city of Torrance California. I think I remember the name Lou Senter associated with it. You might find this interesting http://www.ahraf.com/pioneer.php?id=10059. Charlie Stephens
Lou Senter......was the man behind Ansen and was in partership for a little while with Jack Andrews....thats where the name "Ansen" came from. I can't remember, I would believe Ansen started about 1950 or 1951.......Lou Senter had "Senter Engineering" going before Ansen in the late 40's......best of luck with your search.
Great info so far. Here's an ad from march '52 Hot Rod, I wonder if the backing plates were "Ansen" stamped...
The Ansen trademark and product line was bought by Els Lohn of EELCO fame. Ansen usually has a booth at the GNRS in Pomona.
8.5x15" ANSEN 5 SPOKE Wheel. Listed in the 1962 Catalog as a Competition only wheel. The 8" wide wheels were considered street wheels but the 8.5" was list as Comp only. I had these on my '26 T and then later bought them back when the opportunity arose. I love them because I put so much time into bringing them back from years of abuse.
Louie Senter, a grand gentleman - lives near me. I believe he was a player in the founding of what now is known as SEMA. Louie and Bob Leggio, helps Louie get around, are fixtures at all the gatherings and shows in So Cal. DW
This is a pretty cool listing for an old Ansen Catalog http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-195...head-hot-rod-SCTA-/120798408536#ht_534wt_1344 Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) was formed in 1963 by Roy Richter, Ed Iskenderian, Willie Garner, Bob Hedman, John Bartlett, Phil Weiand, Jr., Al Segal, Dean Moon, and Vic Edelbrock, Jr. Louie Senter was a founding member once it started The Ansen Automotive company traces its roots to a machinist named Louis Senter. California native Louis was a machinist's mate in the Navy during World War II, and after the war, he worked with flathead Ford speed part supplier and Indianapolis 500 riding mechanic Eddie Meyer. Partnering with his brother Sol, Louis opened Senter Engineering, a machine shop in Los Angeles, where they worked on custom projects for hot rodders. The Senter brothers found another partner in engine building specialist Jack Andrews in 1947, and the trio combined their last names to re-christen the business Ansen Automotive Engineering. The new firm developed many go-fast parts for early Fords, as well as began building dry lakes racers, midget racers and drag racers in-house. Ansen Automotive speed shop was also where Louis developed complete engines that were popular with Southern NASCAR drivers, moonshiners and the revenue agents who chased them. The early 1960s was a prolific time for Ansen Automotive. The owners' partnership had dissolved, leaving Louis as the owner, and he turned his attention to developing one- and two-piece aluminum wheels for race cars; in fact, Ansen's aluminum wheels were the first made of this material to be approved for use at Indy, where Halibrand's lightweight magnesium wheels dominated. Designed in 1963, these aluminum wheels were crafted on Louis's innovative centrifugal casting machine and a tracer lathe to feature a machined finish; they had five oval slots for brake cooling, as well as a visible casting of the brand name. Called the Sprint, this wheel design was quickly adapted from racing to street use in 14- and 15-inch diameters and varying widths, and its popularity skyrocketed. In the "Pioneers - Louis Senter" article by Steve Campbell on the Specialty Equipment Market Association Web site, Louis is quoted discussing the surprising demand for Ansen Sprint wheels: "When Hot Rod did the article, I started selling everything I could make. Toward the end, I was making approximately 20,000 of them a month. All of the speed shops took on the wheel, and Hot Rod magazine said that it made the industry grow faster than anything else ever had."
I had one of their " Posi-Shifters" in my '51 Merc. Early hemi hooked to a side shift Cad. box. It wasn't a Hurst by any stretch ,but it did work. A friend and I were going thru a bunch 392 stuff he'd bought, in the mix were a new set of forged aluminum rods by Ansen, never used them but was told they were hollow, I couldn't see how that would be done in a forging die.
Great info guys thanks! I love this. From BrerHair's history of Los Angeles Thread: Lou Senter in the passenger seat w/ Bob Morton, 1947 (Don't know what the dog's name was )
i have a set of nos pedals in the box, a set of used ones too and a used ansen bell housing that does have the bottom. i am looking for a ansen clutch slave mounting kit, nos or used..anyone?
We were having a quick lunch at the Red Flame during speedweek this year. This old guy comes and sits next to us and starts asking about what we are running. Turns out he's a machinist and really interested in all the home-made stuff and has been coming to the salt forever. BS'n with us all for awhile. Finally I ask his name, Lou Senter. holy shit.
Here's a couple of shots of Louie at the Rod Riders banquet last March. You all recognize the lady he is listening to. The best part is he and I sat and talked for almost an hour without being interrupted. Great guy, great stories, wealth of information and all at 91 years young! As we are sitting there, Louie leans over and says,"My brother's 95 and he looks pretty good too!"
I have a set of steel chrome slot wheels with ANSEN stamped in the back..... are they legit.....don't know??????
still active in the car scene at 91, we should all be so lucky. Sounds like a great guy. Did Ansen co. make intakes too?
I think Lou even offered his own line of aluminized fire suits. I recall seeing a few drivers back in the day with a big ANSEN's logo embossed on the front.
Last call... Any other cool Ansen stuff out there? Personally, I'm keeping my eye out for a copy of the old catalog.
Here are some scans from my 1951 Ansen catalog. Not only is it a catalog ,but it has pages with Hot Rod and Racing history and speed tuning hints. I have also included an instruction sheet for their swing pedals.
I guess i also have two of the "mani adaptors" shown in the old add above. cool, another peice of speed equipment i have is identified!
I have noticed some early hemi valve covers coming up on ebay lately and in one shot it looks like ANSEN cast into the inside of them. Any body know about them? They look to be new castings.
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