Does anyone know the Guys name that made "Track Noses" for the early "Salt Flats" cars? in the 50's and 60's Is he still living? I guess that was his Specialty I know I read about him somewhere What grillshell did most start with for a 27 roadster style? I'm still trying to help Bob Hamke Thanks for any help
You might be right Is he still living? He would know The "Hamke car" was a Show car in 1950 and ran Bonneville in 1951 In doing research,looks like Whitey was known for building the TRack noses and 3 piece hoods I know Whitey has a Son named Dan Anyone know him? Thanks
Whitey is not still alive, sorry... There is an article about him in a Hop-Up annual. That nose doesn't appear to be one that Whitey would have made though anyways... I could build you a nose for the car, but likely not till spring. Zach
It is highly unlikely Whitey built that hood as Zach has said. Considering Bob was from Indy it would of been a local craftsman or Bob himself who built it. It is impossible to tell if it was made in Aluminium or steel, it really suck the nose and hood are no longer around.
Probably still hanging in some ones garage as "Garage Art" I thought since Ralph Potter (Ralph's muffler shop) probably knew Whitey, He hooked them both up Ralph sponsered the car ar Bonneville in 1951 Bob Hamke probably made the nose, but Whitey also was famous for making them We'll never know for sure who made it..........
not to jump the post. did most of the grills get hand made or borrowed from another car or was someone making them back in the 50's. alot of them look very similar in size.. when I look at old midgets and track nosed racers
Two names that come to mind (Hope you have some OLD HRMs): Art Ingeles, who built the shells on the Cooper & Hays '27 T Fargo headed Lakester and the Barney Navarro roadster; and Jack Hagemann who did the one on the Pestano-George track roadster. Here in Indiana, there was a beautiful nose on the Hack Winingear/Tom Cherry track roadster. Presumably Hack made it but most likely welded up from pieces cut from old fenders.
You mean to tell me with that shop of his and all of that fab skills, Mr. Hamke can't make the nose himself?
Nobody mentioned Kurtis. Many used his midget nose which was drop-formed in halves from aluminum. Grille was cast aluminum also.
to trichop;I am the 60 to 61 owner of the hamke roadster,dragraced it at kil kare and pences and sold it to the crasher useyournogen