Roaring Roadsters of the 1940's

[Jerry Lee]

I wasn't sure which forum to post these type of cars in, but I would like to know more about them. I ran across a bunch of great old pics of these Roaring Roadsters which mostly came from old Englewood Speedway programs.

I believe the photos are all from the Denver area in the mid to late '40's, and ran at tracks like Englewood, Adams County Fairgrounds in Brighton, Arapahoe County Fairgrounds in Littleton, and possibly some other Colorado tracks. I have no idea who most of these drivers are or who to credit the photos to. I'm hoping some of you ARM members might be able to shed a little more light on both the history of these type of cars and maybe some of the images.

All I know for sure is that the golden age of the Roaring Roadsters was pretty much phased out by late 1950 (at least in the Denver area) when Jalopy racing started to become popular.

Enjoy and discuss.....


http://autoracingmemories.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=129&pictureid=5292
(J.L. McGuire collection) The Roaring Roadsters line up for a race at Englewood Speedway
in the late '40's.



http://autoracingmemories.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=129&pictureid=5293
(J.L. McGuire collection) Richard Codner once told me that this photo was from the very
first race at Englewood on Memorial Day 1947. The car had just lost a radiator.



http://autoracingmemories.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=129&pictureid=5301
(Photo by Leroy Byers) A great pic of Roadster action from possibly the track in Brighton.
This could be Don Padia in the Charlie Codner #99 Roadster on the outside.



http://autoracingmemories.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=129&pictureid=5291
(J.L. McGuire collection) Here's Don Padia in the Codner #99 from '49 or '50. This car took
the Roadster championship four years in a row with Red Fitzwater at the wheel in '47 & '48
and Don Padia in '49 & '50.


http://autoracingmemories.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=129&pictureid=5279
(J.L. McGuire collection) #00 and crew from the late '40's.


http://autoracingmemories.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=129&pictureid=5299
(Sonny Coleman collection) Sonny Coleman's Roadster from 1947.



http://autoracingmemories.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=129&pictureid=5286
(J.L. McGuire collection) This driver looks to be pretty popular with the babes.



http://autoracingmemories.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=129&pictureid=5297
(J.L. McGuire collection) This 1948 Englewood Speedway ad
features some of the top Roadster pilots of the day.

[Jerry Lee]

http://autoracingmemories.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=129&pictureid=5288
(J.L. McGuire collection) A pack of Roaring Roadsters comin' at ya! Looks like the
Codner #99 leading the way. Anyone one know what track this might be?



http://autoracingmemories.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=129&pictureid=5289
(J.L. McGuire collection) This Roadster takes a spin at Englewood Speedway. The
Warren St. Thomas Tropics was a pretty swanky place on Morrison Rd. back in the day.



http://autoracingmemories.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=129&pictureid=5287
(J.L. McGuire collection) A hot '40's photographer babe snaps a shot of this driver.


http://autoracingmemories.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=129&pictureid=5277
(J.L. McGuire collection) The driver of this #6 seems to be a popular guy.



http://autoracingmemories.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=129&pictureid=5276
(J.L. McGuire collection) The pits at Englewood are a hive of activity.



http://autoracingmemories.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=129&pictureid=5278
(J.L. McGuire collection) #3 and crew at Englewood.



http://autoracingmemories.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=129&pictureid=5295
(J.L. McGuire collection) No time to paint the sponsor's name on the side of the car.
Just tape it on!

[Thomas E]

http://autoracingmemories.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=129&pictureid=5288
(J.L. McGuire collection) A pack of Roaring Roadsters comin' at ya! Looks like the
Codner #99 leading the way. Anyone one know what track this might be?

I thought, it's a track in the Brighton area, the Ranch? I've seen photos with the K and L #6 roadster with Willie driving it.

[Thomas E]

http://autoracingmemories.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=129&pictureid=5299
(Sonny Coleman collection) Sonny Coleman's Roadster from 1947.
Left to right, unidentified, the Coleman brother's dad, Everett; Clarence, and Sonny seat in #21 roadster, Evertt said Mrs Coleman (Dorothy I believe) called #21 Mrs. Colman's headache.

In the 80's I caught up with Everett and Dorothy(?) Coleman at Cheery Park Manor Nursing home where I was a visiting chaplain, we had some good visits, Dorothy(?) passed away before Everett did. We also talked with Sonny and Clarence a few few times as well.

[Mitch G.]

Jerry Lee, as usual you devise some fantastic threads, the "Roaring Roadster", are a nearly forgotten division in American auto racing. My dad actually had a roadster in his possession and was going to race, but was drafted and sent to Korea. When he got back, his mom had moved to a different house, and sold his roadster!! These cars were extremely dangerous, very little rules and poor design....just look how high the driver sticks out of the #39 roadster "Englewood City Service" car in your 3rd photo, I think it's Buck Russell, I'll check. When I get a chance I'll post some more Roadster stuff, Gage Ranch was barely a race track, no guardrails, I don't think there were any grandstands. Brighton was more of a real track, actual grandstands, some guard rails, etc.
http://autoracingmemories.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=34&pictureid=690
Roadsters at Gage Ranch, not sure where it was in relation to the city of Denver.

[Digney in Burnaby]

The no. 6 car might be the Kenz and Leslie car. And the no. 39 was driven by T.E. Russell.

But I'm just trying to match numbers from the two Roaring Roadsters books that Don Radbruch published through Tex Smith. Wish Don was still around, he'd love this stuff.

Don has the Colorado Auto Racing Club Champions as:
1946 -- Keith Andrews (in his own '32 Ford Roadster)
1947 -- Fred Massey
1948 -- Red Fitzwater (Charlie Codner V8)
1949 -- Red Fitzwater (Charlie Codner V8)
1950 -- Don Padia (Charlie Codner V8)

[Jerry Lee]

Thanks for the feedback on these cars fellas!

Digney, what little info I'm going by is what I've read in these old programs, and I've found that they aren't always accurate. Thanks for the research, the two Radbruch books would be a gas to root through.

Mitch, it seems I remember you posting a 1949 RR program from Englewood a couple years back, but I can't seem to find it. Any chance you could repost some of it in this thread? Would love to see the driver listings and anything else you would like to add.

Meanwhile, here's some more images from that golden age of the Roaring Roadsters in Colorado......


http://autoracingmemories.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=129&pictureid=5300
(Sonny Coleman collection) Looks like Sonny Coleman #21 is trying to move the #74
out of the way at this old dirt track.



http://autoracingmemories.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=129&pictureid=5285
(J.L. McGuire collection) I was once told that this could be Charlie Codner's wife Marion
posing with what might be Don Padia at Englewood Speedway.



http://autoracingmemories.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=129&pictureid=5284
(J.L. McGuire collection) Roadsters line up for another run at what might be the Englewood oval.



http://autoracingmemories.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=129&pictureid=5298
(Eddie Biondi collection) Another late '40's Englewood ad. Man, only 83 cents for a great
night of Roadster action! (Plus tax)



http://autoracingmemories.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=129&pictureid=5294
(J.L. McGuire collection) The Codner #99 and another Roadster tangle into the infield
dirt mound.



http://autoracingmemories.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=129&pictureid=5280
(J.L. McGuire collection) #48 and crew.

[parrot]

Jerry Lee, another outstanding thread that you started. Even though I have both of Radbruch books I don't think I've seen all of these photos. My introduction to the world of auto racing was with the track roadsters, called simply "Hot Rod Races" in eastern Nebraska during the late forties. Somewhat crude in the beginning, they evolved into pure race cars by the late forties and early fifties. During those years, Hot Rod Magazine covered them a lot. The west coast cars always looked the best. Even showed some in that old movie with Mickey Rooney. (Forget the name of the movie)

Those photos you've shown are of the CARC when they originated. I believe that the first place they raced was on top of Table Mountain in Golden, that I read somewhere was an early Jefferson County Fairgrounds. From what I read it was a pretty crude track. The fairgrounds track in Brighton was also used before landing on the 'new' Englewood Speedway. The CARC raced roadsters at least through the 1950 season, and also began stock car racing at Englewood that same year. Two divisions of racers during the same year!

[numbbers]

I wasn't sure which forum to post these type of cars in, but I would like to know more about them. I ran across a bunch of great old pics of these Roaring Roadsters which mostly came from old Englewood Speedway programs.

I believe the photos are all from the Denver area in the mid to late '40's, and ran at tracks like Englewood, Adams County Fairgrounds in Brighton, Arapahoe County Fairgrounds in Littleton, and possibly some other Colorado tracks. I have no idea who most of these drivers are or who to credit the photos to. I'm hoping some of you ARM members might be able to shed a little more light on both the history of these type of cars and maybe some of the images.

All I know for sure is that the golden age of the Roaring Roadsters was pretty much phased out by late 1950 (at least in the Denver area) when Jalopy racing started to become popular.

Enjoy and discuss.....


http://autoracingmemories.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=129&pictureid=5292
(J.L. McGuire collection) The Roaring Roadsters line up for a race at Englewood Speedway
in the late '40's.



http://autoracingmemories.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=129&pictureid=5293
(J.L. McGuire collection) Richard Codner once told me that this photo was from the very
first race at Englewood on Memorial Day 1947. The car had just lost a radiator.



http://autoracingmemories.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=129&pictureid=5301
(Photo by Leroy Byers) A great pic of Roadster action from possibly the track in Brighton.
This could be Don Padia in the Charlie Codner #99 Roadster on the outside.



http://autoracingmemories.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=129&pictureid=5291
(J.L. McGuire collection) Here's Don Padia in the Codner #99 from '49 or '50. This car took
the Roadster championship four years in a row with Red Fitzwater at the wheel in '47 & '48
and Don Padia in '49 & '50.


http://autoracingmemories.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=129&pictureid=5279
(J.L. McGuire collection) #00 and crew from the late '40's.


http://autoracingmemories.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=129&pictureid=5299
(Sonny Coleman collection) Sonny Coleman's Roadster from 1947.



http://autoracingmemories.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=129&pictureid=5286
(J.L. McGuire collection) This driver looks to be pretty popular with the babes.



http://autoracingmemories.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=129&pictureid=5297
(J.L. McGuire collection) This 1948 Englewood Speedway ad
features some of the top Roadster pilots of the day.
The number 39, in the third picture is my dad, T.E. Russell. On the program, Bob Russell, is my uncle.

[numbbers]

http://autoracingmemories.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=129&pictureid=5288
(J.L. McGuire collection) A pack of Roaring Roadsters comin' at ya! Looks like the
Codner #99 leading the way. Anyone one know what track this might be?



http://autoracingmemories.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=129&pictureid=5289
(J.L. McGuire collection) This Roadster takes a spin at Englewood Speedway. The
Warren St. Thomas Tropics was a pretty swanky place on Morrison Rd. back in the day.



http://autoracingmemories.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=129&pictureid=5287
(J.L. McGuire collection) A hot '40's photographer babe snaps a shot of this driver.


http://autoracingmemories.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=129&pictureid=5277
(J.L. McGuire collection) The driver of this #6 seems to be a popular guy.



http://autoracingmemories.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=129&pictureid=5276
(J.L. McGuire collection) The pits at Englewood are a hive of activity.



http://autoracingmemories.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=129&pictureid=5278
(J.L. McGuire collection) #3 and crew at Englewood.



http://autoracingmemories.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=129&pictureid=5295
(J.L. McGuire collection) No time to paint the sponsor's name on the side of the car.
Just tape it on!
The number 8, on the outside front row, in the first pic is my dad, T.E. Russell. He is also in the number three in the sixth picture. The J S (John Sobilla, not sure about the spelling) car. The last pic is my Uncle Buck Russell, in the five car. He was killed at Englewood.

[numbbers]

Thanks for the feedback on these cars fellas!

Digney, what little info I'm going by is what I've read in these old programs, and I've found that they aren't always accurate. Thanks for the research, the two Radbruch books would be a gas to root through.

Mitch, it seems I remember you posting a 1949 RR program from Englewood a couple years back, but I can't seem to find it. Any chance you could repost some of it in this thread? Would love to see the driver listings and anything else you would like to add.

Meanwhile, here's some more images from that golden age of the Roaring Roadsters in Colorado......


http://autoracingmemories.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=129&pictureid=5300
(Sonny Coleman collection) Looks like Sonny Coleman #21 is trying to move the #74
out of the way at this old dirt track.



http://autoracingmemories.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=129&pictureid=5285
(J.L. McGuire collection) I was once told that this could be Charlie Codner's wife Marion
posing with what might be Don Padia at Englewood Speedway.



http://autoracingmemories.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=129&pictureid=5284
(J.L. McGuire collection) Roadsters line up for another run at what might be the Englewood oval.



http://autoracingmemories.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=129&pictureid=5298
(Eddie Biondi collection) Another late '40's Englewood ad. Man, only 83 cents for a great
night of Roadster action! (Plus tax)



http://autoracingmemories.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=129&pictureid=5294
(J.L. McGuire collection) The Codner #99 and another Roadster tangle into the infield
dirt mound.



http://autoracingmemories.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=129&pictureid=5280
(J.L. McGuire collection) #48 and crew.
I believe the 74 may also be my dad, as this looks like his first car. But, I was only three at that time, so I can't be sure.

Also, the number three car, that you have posted in the gallery, but not here, is a photo of my uncle, Bob Russell.

I have tons of these old photos, including programs and news articles. I just have to get time to post them.

[Mitch G.]

Here's the program. The page "Victory Smile is actually page 3, I put it in out of order.

[Mitch G.]

Rest of the program, you got your money's worth with this program!

[Jerry Lee]

Thanks for reposting that Mitch, that's just a super cool old program and helps to identify a few of these pics. I noticed Joe Garrone had a Roadster as well.

Just a few more I found....

http://autoracingmemories.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=129&pictureid=5323
(J.L. McGuire collection) Not sure where this cool '40's pit shot was taken, maybe
Englewood.



http://autoracingmemories.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=129&pictureid=5317
(J.L. McGuire collection) Here's Hub Cook with the ladies in a Mercury powered Roadster.



http://autoracingmemories.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=129&pictureid=5318
(J.L. McGuire collection) Slim Roberts in the Harold Miller Roadster.



http://autoracingmemories.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=129&pictureid=5321
(J.L. McGuire collection) Bob Jergenson and crew in a Nash powered Roadster.



http://autoracingmemories.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=129&pictureid=5322
(J.L. McGuire collection) Looks like the front bumper has fallen off the front of this
cool Roadster!



http://autoracingmemories.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=129&pictureid=5319
(J.L. McGuire collection) Don Padia is listed as driver for the Clover Glass Roadster in
1949. Wonder if he was doing some double duty in the Codner #99 that year?


Hey gang, CLICK HERE (http://autoracingmemories.com/forums/album.php?albumid=129) to see all of the great Roadster pics in my photo album. There are some in there I haven't posted.

Enjoy, and thanks for all the feedback! Can't wait to see what you have to add!

[parrot]

Here's some more Denver area track roadsters. #50 was owned and built by Burt Blanot on the left. Moving to his right are crew members Emmett Cale, Sammy Gallo and Jim Lamanna. The driver is Jim Steel. Seems like Sammy Gallo also drove this car once. Anybody know for sure?

Can't seem to put my hands on the program copy that I have somewhere, so don't know who is in the #1 roadster.

The good looking T-bodied #24 Roadster photo is from 1950 at Englewood and was driven by Clarence Coleman. The owner was George Freeman shown in the middle. George had the CARC number 24 for most of the track roadster era plus carried it on with the stock cars both at Englewood and through the mid fifties at Lakeside Speedway. This car was unusual in that it had a home made chain driven quick change rear end. Lots of ingenuity during those days. George also earlier fielded another nice looking T roadster that was driven by Tommy Rice, later sold to Don Clark. Unfortunately, that photo was shown on the old CRM site and is now long gone, unless someone out there got a copy.

[numbbers]

If you look at the driver listing in the program, you will see three Russells listed. T.E., my dad, Bob, my uncle, and Glenn, also my uncle. Three of the five "Racing Russells."

[Jerry Lee]

http://autoracingmemories.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=129&pictureid=5469
(J.L. McGuire collection) From 1946, here are a couple of the Ace High Auto Top Roadsters.
On the left is Dick Isaac #7 and on the right is T.E. Russell #8 (ARM member Dave Russell's dad).
This was the first year that the Colorado Automobile Racing Club was in existence.


http://autoracingmemories.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=129&pictureid=5470
(Photo by J.L. McGuire) I snapped this pic at a small car show in Golden a few years back.
This could be the Dick Isaac #7 Roadster restored, or one that was painted up to look like
the original car. I'm not sure. They look similar except for a few things on the newer version.

[Jerry Lee]

One of the most popular Roadsters that ran in Colorado during the 1940's was Charlie Codner's yellow #99. According to locals the car boasts four championships (three with the Rocky Mountain Hot Rod Assoc., and one Four-State championship), and was piloted by Red Fitzwater in '47 & '48, and Don Padia in '49 & '50.

Once the heyday of the Roaring Roadsters had passed after 1950, Charlie Codner kept the #99 out by the side of his motor rebuilding shop, and on occasion during the '50's would have it make a few laps around the Englewood Speedway oval to the delight of the crowds. Charlie passed away in March of 1961.

For decades the "old #99" sat around decaying in the elements and was once even half buried in thick mud after the big flood of '65 ravaged the Denver area. After generations of rotting and rusting away, Charlie's wife Marion decided to have the mud-packed racer hauled off to the shredder in the late '90's, and NO ONE was going to talk her out of the decision. It seemed the fate of this piece of local racing history was sealed, gone forever.

http://autoracingmemories.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=129&pictureid=5302
(J.L. McGuire collection) Red Fitzwater in the Codner Special circa '47-'48.


http://autoracingmemories.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=129&pictureid=5291
(J.L. McGuire collection) Don Padia in the Codner Roadster circa '49-'50.


For many years Joe Rosenberg (son of Ivan Rosenberg, who helped Charlie on the #99) tried to buy the historic Roadster from Marion Codner but she wouldn't budge, the "old #99" was destined for the shredder and THAT WAS THAT!

From what I've heard, this is when Betty Ruth Codner (wife of the Codner's eldest son Don) made a gallant decision. She knew what historic value the #99 Roadster held and secretly arranged for Joe Rosenberg to haul it off, but not to the shredder. Marion was told different. Ironically, Marion's daughter Charleen happened to spot Rosenberg towing the car on a trailer down Federal Blvd. and told Marion about it, but it was too late, the car had been saved!!!

Joe Rosenberg restored and repainted the famous #99 back to it's original glory days and now shows off the car for future generations to enjoy. A true piece of Colorado auto racing history, here's what the "old #99" looks like today......

http://autoracingmemories.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=129&pictureid=5471
http://autoracingmemories.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=129&pictureid=5493
(From a Codner Special giveaway promotional card)


http://autoracingmemories.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=129&pictureid=5472
(Photo by J.L. McGuire) The bent rear nerf bar of the #99 shows battle scars from it's '40's heyday.

[numbbers]

http://s142.photobucket.com/albums/r82/numbbers/?action=view&current=100_4943.jpg

[Jerry Lee]

A few more things came to mind when I was once talking to Joe Rosenberg about the Codner #99 Roadster.....

The reason Codner had it numbered 99 was because of its 99 inch wheel base......When Joe went to restore the car he discovered that the floor boards were cut from some old metal signs......Apparently Charlie Codner used to try and reuse anything he could. When Rosenberg was a kid, Charlie used to have him go out and gather up discarded old spark plugs from around the pits which were cleaned up and reused on the Roadster......Betty Ruth Codner once mentioned that Charlie had a special fuel formula that he used in the car. He wouldn't tell anyone how he mixed the fuel and took the secret formula to his grave.

[Nostalgic Mike]

I thought, it's a track in the Brighton area, the Ranch? I've seen photos with the K and L #6 roadster with Willie driving it.


The old Brighton Speedway was actually the old Adamas County Fairgrounds located at 4th Ave and Southern St. Brighton City Hall is located there now, as of 2012. They used the small race track, (horse drawn buggy races, etc) for the auto races which were run a few times over the summer. There are several photos I have on a display board the show the cars out on the track. When there were no roeos or fairs at the grounds, the infield area had a football field that the high school used fort heir home games back in the day.
I have been abe to find only one news paper ad from the Brighton Standard from about 10 rolls of microfiche at the Colorado Historical library telling the locals about "Professional Auto racing" on a particular date in late July. One of the pictures actually shows the old Water tower that stood in the center of town in the background.
I have been researching as much as possible about the old Brighton Speedway and am always interested in finding memorabilia, talking to folks that had attentede any races back then or anyone with racing ties to that era. I am also seeking material on the old DuPont Speedway that was located just off the junction of I-76 and the Commerce City exit (6 & 85) There is now and aggregate recycling facility on that particular location. I know that there are tons of great memorabilia and memories out there so if any one reading this or looking at this site has anything on the above, please PM me.

[Jerry Lee]

This isn't a Colorado Roadster like the others in this thread, but I had to share this one.
Check out the pipes on Les Suter's Roadster out of Oakley, Kansas. Wow!

http://autoracingmemories.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=129&pictureid=5947
(credit unknown)

Suter's car sports the O.K. Tire "soldier" decal at the front. I've seen this same decal on another car and a tow truck from this time period. I also saw a program ad for O.K. Rubber Welders here in Denver. Does anyone know what exactly "Rubber Welders" are?? Is it something to do with recaps or how they repaired tires back then??

[Thomas E]

This isn't a Colorado Roadster like the others in this thread, but I had to share this one.
Check out the pipes on Les Suter's Roadster out of Oakley, Kansas. Wow!

http://autoracingmemories.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=129&pictureid=5947
(credit unknown)

Suter's car sports the O.K. Tire "soldier" decal at the front. I've seen this same decal on another car and a tow truck from this time period. I also saw a program ad for O.K. Rubber Welders here in Denver. Does anyone know what exactly "Rubber Welders" are?? Is it something to do with recaps or how they repaired tires back then??

Yes, O. K. Rubber Welders were tire recappers, years ago Okay Tire and a store over on West 38th in Wheat Ridge. Like Bud Quantz' "Superior Tire" that was on Morrison Road. Superior Tire did racing recaps for Lakeside and Englewood Speedways stock car/modifieds.

Love those daredevil roadsters...Looking closer at the photo, it appears to a early 30's Chevy body with a Ford model A cowling, set on a 30's Chevy frame, the tail end of the frame is longer than a Ford model A or B frame, and the rear parallel spring shackles can be seen. then looking at the engine, it looks like a 6 cylinder Chevy, indicated by the manifold with three port intake, the center port was split inside the head, and the 4 port exhaust. A Wayne Head for the Chevy or GMC six would be a 12 port head, 6 in and 6 out.

Anyway that's what I see.

[Ron Plumlee]

Jerry, don't know HOW I missed this thread for so long, but this is the very best of the best, amazing stuff. Love the way most of even the oldest roadsters had actaul grilles or noses. The footboxes were usually crude, but the bodies all had unique personality, no clones. Don Radbruch must be smiling every time we post here, have both his books if you want to borrow. A couple of roadsters ran in 1953-54 at the Durango Fairgrounds track with the sprint cars. Thanks to all who added to this great thread.

[Olen McGuire]

There are still several OK Rubber Welders in service across the US.

From one of the early successful retail chains--OK Rubber Welders merged the new Big O Tires company. OK Rubber Welders was founded in the 1930s by Nebraskan Harold V. James, an inventor who created an electric machine designed to repair tires without the "bump" that had always accompanied tire repairs in the past. His franchise organization maintained an advantage due to the technical superiority of his patented machine over the techniques of his competitors. OK dealers were linked merely by James's machine and the OK brand name.

http://i678.photobucket.com/albums/vv149/OlenMac/Capture-8.jpg

[parrot]

I found some good historical information about the early days of the CARC in the July 1948 issue of Speed Age magazine that someone mentioned earlier. Picked up a copy off of eBay for an affordable price. Lots of them on there if anyone is interested. I've shown the cover below.

The CARC first began racing their roadsters on Table Mountain in 1946. I'm not exactly sure which mountain that is, but one of those near Golden, CO. The track was made on the rodeo grounds. (Guessing that was the original Jefferson County Fair Grounds) Bobby Wallace told me that some guys just drove their jeeps around in an oval to more or less carve out the track.

By 1947 they had move to the Brighton Speedway a five-eighths mile dirt track. When the grandstand reached it's capacity of 1200 spectators, the CARC began looking for an alternative. Near the end of 1947 several tracks were tried (doesn't say which ones) and Englewood Speedway won out. At that time it was reported to be a quarter-mile paved track.

[Jerry Lee]

Neat old magazine, Bill. Cool that they mention our Colorado guys. I have a great view of Table Mountain from my high rise balcony here in Golden, but I've never been up there. I wonder if there are any remnants of the old track still there.

Indeed, Englewood Speedway started out as a paved oval in 1947. From what I understand, bad weather kept delaying progress of getting the facility finished, and according to Rich Codner (whose father Charlie bought the speedway in 1950), the very first race at the track on Memorial Day of 1947 was run on the "base course" before the original owners could get it paved. A week or so later they announced the "Grand Opening" with Midget races on the freshly paved oval.

If the C.A.R.C. didn't start running at Englewood until later in '47, I'm wondering if there was another car club running there before that or if the races were just unsanctioned. Some Englewood ads from June - August of 1947 mention Midget Races (R.M.M.R.A., I'm assuming) as well as "Hot Rods" and Roadsters.

Thanks for the extra info Bill, I love learning about these little historical tid-bits. Love these type of cars too, and like Ron Plumlee mentioned earlier "they all had a unique personality, no clones.". Here are some more C.A.R.C. Roadster pics from that time period that I haven't posted.....


http://autoracingmemories.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=129&pictureid=5328
(J.L. McGuire collection) Sid Franks #23 gets sideways with some help from Red Dutton #39
during '40's Englewood action.



http://autoracingmemories.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=129&pictureid=5324
(J.L. McGuire collection) This Stan Rice owned Roadster took a hard smack into the
Englewood guardrail, possibly with Ray McKenzie driving.



http://autoracingmemories.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=129&pictureid=5326
(J.L. McGuire collection) Another shot of the Burt Blanot #50 Roadster.



http://autoracingmemories.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=129&pictureid=5325
(J.L. McGuire collection) Is that tuck-n-roll upholstery in this "Twin Kids" #60 Roadster?
Check out those long "bumps" on the top of the hood of this car.



http://autoracingmemories.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=129&pictureid=5327
(J.L. McGuire collection) The "Tropics" Roadster takes a hard hit in the rear during '40's
Englewood action.



http://autoracingmemories.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=129&pictureid=5296
(J.L. McGuire collection) Sid Franks picks up a win in his Mercury powered Roadster.