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?
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!
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.
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.
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 .
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.
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.
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