The Woody Lee T - a historic, documented, original, un-restored California lakes racer

The “Woody Lee T”

More Pics and Info at www.sakowskimotors.com 3109789558
Los Angeles, CA Sakowski Motors

Cover Car for Hot Rod Deluxe Magazine! Currently on stands and in stores now!


2nd place at the inaugural 1950 Oakland Roadster Show / Grand National Roadster Show 1952 January Hot Rod Magazine - 1952 June Hot Rod Magazine - Rodder's Journal


Sports Cars and Hot Rods (October, 1953) where it was compared with the Doane Spencer Roadster


Here is a great opportunity to own a historic, documented, original and un-restored piece of significant early California Hot Rod, Lakes and Drag racing history. The car is currently on the cover of and featured in the May issue of Hot Rod Deluxe.


The “Woody Lee T” was constructed in 1949 by Jack Hagemann Sr. for Larry Neves of Oakland, CA. The car was entered in the inaugural 1950 Oakland Roadster Show (Grand National Roadster Show) where it finished 2nd place to the Neikamp Roadster. Richard “Woody” Lee purchased the car in 1951 and raced it as a member of the Cal-Neva Roadster Association at both dry lakes and ¼ mile events setting multiple records. During 1951 the car briefly changed hands from Woody to Chuck Chenowth of San Diego, CA who drag raced the car in SoCal, then back to Woody who raced and showed the car through the early 50s. Magazine photos show the car being co-owned by David Thorne in 1952.


Ownership of the car is unknown from around 1954 to the mid 1960’s. During this time the car wound up in the hands of Jim and Yvonne Ranger who were most notable for owning and racing the unlimited hydroplane “My Gypsy”. Yvonne was the grand-daughter of Horace Dodge and an heiress to the Dodge family estate. In 1969 the car was purchased by a family friend Danny Gilmore of Covina, CA as a retirement project, however, passed away prior to working on the car. The car was handed down to his daughter where it was partially disassembled for storage, pushed in a corner of the garage, covered over with plywood (slot car track) and vanished into darkness for the next 45 years.


It should be noted that there are no records to indicate the car was either entered in or run at any events from 1954 to 2013 (59 years) when the car was acquired by the current owner.


This car is in un-restored condition with 1953 paint, scallops and striping by “Tommy the Greek” with original 1949 leather interior and rear rubber from 1951. The motor, when acquiring the car, is a 1949/53 Mercury with Navarro 3 pot intake, 97 carbs set up for methanol, Sharp heads and early Mallory dual point distributor. The block is the stock bore with no ridge and is disassembled with crank, cam and all pieces/parts bagged and labeled waiting for rebuild if so desired. Brakes have been redone.

We would love to bring this one back to life again in our Sakowski Motors shop for you!


1949/52 Specifications

Racing Class: “C” Modified Roadster


Builder: Jack Hagemann Sr.


Paint: “Tommy the Greek”


Body: Based on a 24 T Roadster with Aluminum Hand Formed Front Nose, Hood, Dash and Belly Pan


Motor: 296 cu. in. (1948) Mercury V8; Navarro Heads & 3 Pot Intake; Winfield Cam; Harmon Collins Magneto


Features: Tubular Chromoly Chassis; Indy Novi Aluminum Nose; Full Belly Pan; Franklin Steering; V860 Front Axle, Hand Pump Pressurized Fuel System


Timed Events:

Cal-Neva (Reno) Record Holder @ 131.1 mph

Tracy ¼ Mile Record Holder @ 124 mph

Bonneville Top Speed @ 133.6 mph

Paradise Mesa ¼ Mile Record Holder @ 121 mph

Note: January 1952 Hot Rod Magazine states a Bonneville speed of 168 mph, however, no additional documentation has been found at this time.


The car appeared in Hot Rod Magazine twice, January and June of 1952 and was featured in a Dean Batchelor written article in Sports Cars and Hot Rods (October, 1953) where it was compared with the Doane Spencer Roadster as viable road race cars. It is also documented in the Rodders Journal Scrapbook and Don Montgomery’s Old Hot Rods Scrapbook.


The pictures are documented evidence of the car from 1950/53 at Reno, Bonneville and San Diego, as well as recent shots taken at El Mirage Dry Lake. Original magazines and a complete set of pictures will be provided to the new owner.


The car was recently awarded the “Oilers” CC/MC PICK at the 2015 Grand National Roadster Show and would be a perfect candidate for the Race of Gentlemen.


This car is a very rare one off example of early California Hot Rod history and perfect for the automotive enthusiast or serious collector and comes with complete historic documentation.


Trades will be considered for something of equal value (real steel period 32 Ford Deuce 1932 hot rod, etc).

Getting ready to race at Bonneville. Bonneville Salt Flats Land Speed Race 1951. The T ran 133 mph




Bonneville Salt Flats Land Speed Race 1951. The T ran 133 mph





When Chuck Chenowth of San Diego owned the the car. Around 1950-1951 time frame. It won the trophy for top eliminator and Class C Modified Roadster.




Racing in Reno around 1950 - 1951. Pre roll bar.




When Chuck Chenowth of San Diego owned the the car. Around 1950-1951 time frame. It won the trophy for Top Eliminator and Class C Modified Roadster












"p.s. Can also outrun Santa Ana Cars." Written on the back of the Chuck Chenowth photos






"Methanol for Fuel". Written on the back of the Chuck Chenowth photos




Paradise Mesa Air Strip





Earlier 1950 ish in Reno. No Roll Bar.




Going 133.135 at Bonneville 1951





Racing in Bonneville 1951




At the 2015 Grand National Roadster Show




Won the Oilers Car Club Pick - Grand National Roadster Show 2015 - They put on The Race of Gentlemen




In "The Scrap Book" by The Rodder's Journal Magazine. The Rodder's Journal is the world’s leading publication dedicated to traditional hot rod and custom cars and features the very best in automotive photography, writing and design.




In "The Scrap Book" by The Rodder's Journal Magazine. The Rodder's Journal is the world’s leading publication dedicated to traditional hot rod and custom cars and features the very best in automotive photography, writing and design.

In "The Scrap Book" by The Rodder's Journal Magazine. The Rodder's Journal is the world’s leading publication dedicated to traditional hot rod and custom cars and features the very best in automotive photography, writing and design.




Hot Rod Deluxe Cover Car - May 2015






May 2015 Hot Rod Deluxe Magazine Feature
















Compared to The Doane Spencer Roadster - - - Sports Cars and Hot Rods Magazine - October 1953 by Deanne Batchelor



Compared to The Doane Spencer Roadster - - - Sports Cars and Hot Rods Magazine - October 1953 by Deanne Batchelor









Richard Lee of Oakland, California 133.136 mph at Bonneville Salt Flats Land Speed Race.



Hot Rod Magazine January 1952 said car went 168 mph at Bonneville. But there is no documentation found yet on this.




Hot Rod Magazine January 1952 said car went 168 mph at Bonneville. But there is no documentation found yet on this.



Hot Rod Magazine June 1952



Hot Rod Magazine June 1952









133.136 at Bonneville - The Woody Lee T




These pictures were for a 2015 Rod and Custom feature, but not used with the closing of the magazine. If not would have been another feature.


Sakowski Motors
Hot Rod, Classics, Customs
Los Angeles, California 310-978-9558