History Halibrand - In pursuit of history & stories

I am looking for interesting stories & history surrounding Halibrand.
I am on a personal pursuit and have a huge interest in this part of our history and am looking for any resources.
Anyone out there there have personal stories regarding Ted or the original business?
Anyone have any information or stories on past employees?
Info on Bob Falcon or Ed Wiemer, his pattern maker?
I have already done [H.A.M.B.] searches and compiled most of the tech articles with what has come up but I wanted to open this up with more of a specific historical oriented goal.
Can anyone recommend good books or magazine articles?
Thanks for your time and input.

Nate

 

interesting question. bttt.


-scott noteboom

 

A friend of my uncles bought Halibrand in the 80's.
His name was Barry but can't remember his last name right now.
I remember seeing stacks of wheels and rearends, tooling and tools,
stuff that I didn't really know the significance of at the time (jr high).

At the time there was no money in it so alot of it was lost during the move.
Barry was more into Lotus's and Indy car stuff, his reason for the acquisition,
not the Hot Rod stuff.

I'll ask my uncle for some more (sad) info about it even though it was late in your interest period.

TP

 

I certainly appreciate any info.
Tracking the sale of the original company in 1979 throught the 80's and 90's to Halibrand Engineerings bankruptcy is of interest to me also.
I am also intersted in the Shrike Indy cars they produced in 64 & 65.

 

BTTT for the night crew

 

Barry Blackmore

 

They had HUGE bonfires on the beach in the 80s..big partys......lots of old wooden molds were lost forever. PM me

 

Your kiding

 

Thanks for the input guys . Tman PM sent.

I have heard of the bonfires. I know the company switched hands several times before being dissolved after bankruptcy and started under a new name.
Trying to learn more about who Ted Halibrand and the early years is what is really intriguing to me.
I also very much enjoy the stories like Tman because it shows us how, at times, the history we all enjoy and pursue becomes so disposable at the hands of reckless folks.

N

 

You should try Jim Miller @ The American Hot Rod Foundation

 

Thanks Ol Deuce,
email sent to Jim Miller.

 

BTTT for the weekend crew.

 

Bob is still alive, as is Ted's daughter Linda go to the yahoo racing history group and I am sure you can get in touch with Bob

 

I think Linda's last name is now Laski

 

Not all the molds, I know where the original QC wooden molds are
later
RC

 

R.C.
You got any more of those cool pictures?

 

here ya go, more pics
later
RC

 

weren't some of the salt flat or indy molds on ebay a few years back...? i'd really like to see a time line on the wheel styles myself....from the culver city to torrence (think that was the place....) no windows to 4 windows and small windows to big window sprints and speedways ...those wheels rule !

 

Still looking for more.

 

From a old Halibrand catalog...

 

Thanks a ton Rootie. Do you own that catalog?

 

Yeah, it's from the early-mid 70s or thereabouts.

 

I was doing work for Jackman Wheels when Harry bought Halibrand. I have a wood pattern for the wheels designed for Lance Reventlowe's Scarab formula (or was it an Indy car??). Another client, Chassis Engineering, built the original monoquoque (sp?) aluminum wheels and claimed that Ted Halibrand used his position on the tech board of USAC to ban the use of any wheels but his!

 

Is it Barry Blackmore or Harry Blackmore or are we talkking about two different people?
My understanding is that the business was first sold in 1979. Anyone have a clear idea as to how many times after that it has changed hands?

Thanks,
Nate

 

Harry Jackman, owner of Jackman Wheels bought it from Ted. Went to the guys in Kanasa City who either sold it again or reorganized after a chapter 13.

 

So can anyone confirm, correct or add to this "owners" list:

Ted Halibrand
sold to
Harry Jackman (Wheels)
/company split??/
Bob Higman (RACING only division)
exchanged with
Ken Leable (RACING only division)


Harry Jackman (Wheels)
then sold to
Barry Blackmore
then sold to
Rick LeJuerrne
(Halibrand Engineering files Bankruptcy) reorganizes under Halibrand Performance 2001

 

Halibrand Product listings and timelines:

1947 - 1979 : Quick Change rear differential cast in magnesium
1947 - present : Quick Change rear differential cast in Aluminum
1947 - ?????? : Safety locking fuel caps
1947 - ?????? : Steering boxes
1947 - ?????? : Torsion bars
1947 - ?????? : Racing disc brake / Brake components
1947 - ?????? : In and out boxes
1947 - ?????? : drivelines for openwheel racers
1951 - 1979 : Magnesium Wheels (Kidney Beans / Sprints)
1979 - present : Wheel castings are done in Aluminum (Kidney Beans / Sprints)
1960 - ?????? : "V" drives for boat applications
1964 - 1965 : Halibrand Shrike Indy Car
1965 - ?????? : LIM magna commuter train concept (?)


Once again feel free to add or correct.
Thanks,
Nate

 

+ In and out boxes and drivelines for openwheel racers. Also a pic of a Shrike at Indy, Loyd Ruby driving, I think.

 

Thanks again Rootie,
I forgot about the in and out boxes.
Can you explain those further?

 

There just a way to engage the motor to the rear end, no gear reduction or anything. Engage the dog gear, push the car using the rear wheels to start the motor, run the race. You can disengage the motor and let it run, but to start the car again you have to shut the motor off and start all over. I/O boxes went out of favor about 25 yrs. ago and they now use sliding spur gears in the Q/C to acomplish the same thing.