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05-12-2009, 02:51 PM
- Written by Bill Peratt
Honoring the 75th Anniversary
During 2007, the 75th Anniversary of the 1932 Ford, and it’s significance in the hot rod world, was celebrated. Seventy Five 1932 Ford hot rods were selected as those that had influenced motor sports the most, the majority of which were displayed in their own building at the 2007 Grand National Roadster show in Pomona, CA. They represented street driven hot rods, and cars built for drag racing, salt flat trials, and even sport car events. Noticeably absent was a representative of the circle track wars, but who could blame them. Rare to find any jalopy stock cars that survived, let alone one that played a significant role. (Ah! But that’s not the case, as many of us in Colorado are aware of a certain black five window coupe [and it’s twin back-up car] indeed still does exist in the Denver area. But, that’s another story for another time.)
MODEL “40”
This story is about another milestone in the world of automotive history. 2008 and 2009 are years that the 1933-34 Ford will celebrate it’s 75th anniversary. Ford Motors referred to these cars for both years, whether V-8 or 4 cyl. powered, as the Model “40”.
I’m not going to attempt to pick the most influential ’33-34 Fords in history here, but instead, would like to recognize them for their popularity and contribution to auto racing, in general, at least the closed body models, that were so popular in jalopy/stock car battles all across the USA during those early years of the hobby.
If you enjoy early coupe/sedan history, this book, by Luce is a must. http://www.hotrodhotline.com/feature/bookreviews/07jalopy/ (CJA photos in this story, from this book) When the popularity of early model stock car racing began during the late 1940’s/early 1950’s, most organizations/promoters adopted rules that allowed any 1932-42 closed automobile to be used. I suspect that the year 1932 was chosen since that was the first year of the Ford V-8 engine which had already proven itself in other forms of automotive competition. As such, the Ford V-8 became the most popular and dominant make and model in this form of racing.
http://autoracingmemories.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=41&pictureid=354
Auto racing has been around since the automobile had been invented. During the post war years (WW II) that which would come to be known as “stock car racing” would develop. 1948 appears to be about when the first of what most of us remember as the coupes (and sedans) of the fifties and sixties began. Coverage of this ‘new’ kind of racing by publications such as Speed Age, Motor Sport, and Popular Mechanics promoted interest throughout the country. During those years there were still many of these late thirties Fords being used for daily transportation. Affordable and easy to convert into a ‘racer’; just take out the seats, paint a number on the side and go racing. Very “stock” during those formative years, it was ‘anything goes’ from Crosleys to Cadillacs, sedans included. Even four door sedans were fair game, and many were used, until the advantage of 100-150 lb light coupes was recognized.
http://autoracingmemories.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=41&pictureid=348
However, there were always a few ’32 and ’34 Fords (and occasionally other makes as well) built to do battle with the rest. Except for the 106 inch wheelbase of the 1932 Fords, all Fords of that era rode a wheelbase of 112 inches. It didn’t take long to recognize the benefits of the ’33-34 Fords with their popular V-8 engine (1934 was the first rated at 85 h.p., thanks to a new carburetor) located behind the front axle instead of further forward over the axle as was the design beginning in 1935. Simply put, the weight balance was just better! The rules usually allowed any same make engine as long as it was from those same years, so it was a simple matter to swap in any of the 85 h.p. engines. These better engines positioned behind the front axle combinations proved popular and in just a few short years, they, as well as the 1932 models, would be the cars of choice in the jalopy/stock car bullrings of America.
Five closed body styles of the ’33-34 Ford were eligible for use as stock cars. Here, then, are some examples of each.
Courtesy of the Bob Lawrence Vintage Auto Racing Web Ring, http://winfield.50megs.com/cowley/links.html , The #4 shown here, a ’33 Fordor (Ford’s term for passenger cars with four doors), appears to be about as stock as they come except for the solid wheels. Not even a roll cage is evident, not uncommon during those start-up years. Gut it (except for a drivers seat), install an army surplus seat belt, lose the headlights and hubcaps, paint a number on the side and go racing. Flashy paint jobs were popular, and in fact encouraged by some organizations, but it appears that Willard left his in “factory” paint.
http://autoracingmemories.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=41&pictureid=360
Shown here at Orange Show Speedway in San Bernardino, CA, full bodied jalopies of the ’34 (and older) models in California only had a year or two left as they began evolving into narrowed and shortened super modified type cars. (Referred to as a ‘Sportsman’ at some tracks) In those configurations, the ’34 Ford would survive a little longer.
http://autoracingmemories.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=41&pictureid=346
Ford Motors produced more Tudor sedans than any other body style by a wide margin. (Some 400,000+ for the two years. Where did they all go?) It was the desired model for the average family. Seemingly popular at some tracks, there were very few ’34 Ford Tudors raced at Denver’s Lakeside Speedway. (Must have been more than enough old coupes available during this era) George Butland, who would become owner of Colorado National Speedway, was a character’s character! If you never had the opportunity to see him lighting off the fireworks at CNS, back when it was still dirt, you missed a slice of life.
http://autoracingmemories.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=41&pictureid=351
Tudor sedans were a popular choice on the west coast jalopy circuit, as shown here from Thomas Luce’s book. Exploiting the slab sides of these early coupes and sedans for sponsors was common in the CJA.
http://autoracingmemories.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=41&pictureid=357
The five window coupe was easily the most common ’34 Ford model seen on race tracks. Some 74,535 were produced by Ford in 1934, nearly triple the number of three window coupes. Taking advantage of new engine rules, Rocky Mountain Stock Car Racing Assoc. members Joe and car owner Don Stauter re-built the engine from the previous year to 146 h.p. over the stock 85 horse engine, moving them from the “B” Class to the upper end of Class “A”.
http://autoracingmemories.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=41&pictureid=355
Thanks to Buzz Wendzel for providing this early example of a thirty four Ford stock car that was driven by his dad Lou Wendzel in 1950. Lou was one of the founding members of the Wyoming Auto Racing Club. Unusual to find a color photo from this period. Simple in construction, these cars really were stock! Note the door handle still in place, and the wire wheels. Hood sides and grill were often removed in an attempt to cool the notoriously over heating flathead. Hefty front bumper protected the radiator, while fenders were trimmed for tire clearance. Some organizations eliminated fenders almost from the beginning.
http://autoracingmemories.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=41&pictureid=356
Makes sense to use a Ford dealership to sponsor a Ford race car, and long time sponsor Davis Ford was no exception. That dealership would become Bob Jones Skyland Ford the following year and continue as a major sponsor at both Lakeside and Englewood Speedways in the Denver, Colorado metro area. 1955 would also see Sam switch from his long use of the 98 number to #29 and would race ’34 Fords for a few more years until finally changing to the growing popularity of the ’32 Ford.
http://autoracingmemories.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=41&pictureid=352
Devils Motor Club members (Sidney, NE) Chuck, and brother Bob Lafler in #77, both switched to ’34 Coupes for the 1952 season. They would consistently run in the top five. By the end of the season, a few others had switched to this model as well, and in 1953, it was evident at this and many other tracks that this was the direction to go. The ’34 Ford was here to stay.
http://autoracingmemories.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=41&pictureid=353
There would only be a couple more ’34 three window Fords in competition for 1964 at Lakeside. By then, most had switched to the ’32 and model ‘A’ bodied cars. Interestingly enough, ’33-’34 Chevys and Plymouths continued on into the next decade at this track, and with success. ’34 Fords had been driven to the track championship twice, Don Dunlap in a five window in 1954, and Keith Lane driving a three window the previous year. (Can be seen under the “Vern Grams” profile)
http://autoracingmemories.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=41&pictureid=349
Not many 1933 Victorias were raced because, well, there just weren’t many produced. Fewer than five thousand, compared to some twenty thousand ‘34s came off the assembly line back then making them more rare today and pricey if you can even find one. Note the bustle, not as pronounced as on the ’32 Ford, but still there. For ’34, the bustle was replaced with a sloped trunk area and employed an opening trunk lid for the first time.
http://autoracingmemories.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=41&pictureid=347
I first saw this ’34 Victoria when he towed it to Sidney, NE for a race. Painted lavender and orange, both the back light and passenger door windows have been opened up, a common practice in some parts of the country. Note the flatter ‘trunk’ area. Another example of this model can be seen under the “The ‘Golden Chariot’ and Ed Mailo” profile.
http://autoracingmemories.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=41&pictureid=350
MODEL “44”
Given the depressed economy during these years, Henry Ford thought that the public ought to have the choice of a smaller, less expensive V-8 automobile. A model that surely would have been popular was designated the Model “44”. With scaled down bodies on a wheelbase of 105” (compared to 112” for the Model “40”, and 106” for the ’32 Ford) coupes and sedans, as well as open body models were planned. My guess is that this car on a 105” wheelbase would have been immensely desirable for jalopy/stock car racing. (And hot rodding in general.) A few smaller V-8 engines were built for trial use, (Could this have been the forerunner of the V8-60?) Imagine swapping in a ‘larger’ 221 cu. in. engine! (In fact by mid 1933, Chevrolet did produce a scaled down model on a shorter, 107” wheelbase, called the Mercury series, but Chevys just never developed the popularity of the Fords in stock car racing.) The down side is that only 60,000 units of the Model 44 were planned by Ford, and of course some of those would have been open models, limiting availability by the time stock car racing became popular. Bank closings and a strike at one of the plants during these hard times contributed to delays in production until finally Ford pulled the plug. Ah! What could have been!
EPILOGUE:
An encouraging note for those who still like the early coupe and sedan jalopy/stock cars is that there are several US and Canadian vintage racing organizations that still race these cars. Some are built new, but many are derelicts that are found and given new life. Just a couple of those associations are, Ozark Vintage Stock Car Racing Assoc. at www.ovscra.com , and Midwest Vintage Auto Racing at, www.fmtcs.com/web/mvar These plus the site shown under the photo will give you even more links than you’ll have time for. Sort of makes you want to keep your eyes open for one of these old warriors next time you’re up in the hills or stumble across a distant auto graveyard.
http://autoracingmemories.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=41&pictureid=359
DESK TOPPING THE ‘34
For those who would like to model a ’33-’34 Ford stock car, there were several scales and body styles produced in plastic and resin over the years. MONOGRAM made a 3-window coupe/cabriolet in 1/24th scale. In 1/25th scale, ERTL and AMT both offer a 5-window coupe, Revell has a 3-window coupe in their Snap Tite line, but needs to be un-chopped to model as a stock car, and AURORA offered a double kit of two 5-window coupes. At least a 3 window coupe and a Tudor are available in resin from Big Donkeys Resins. Several 1/32nd scale models are/were available; PYRO offered both a Victoria and 3-window coupe, LINDBERG had a 3-window coupe, and MPC a sedan delivery that can be re-configured into a Tudor sedan fairly easily, or with a little more work, the Fordor sedan. Finally, Matchbox offers a 3-window coupe. Packaging doesn’t say, but appears to be close to 1/43rd scale. Again, it would need to be un-chopped.
http://autoracingmemories.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=41&pictureid=358
Honoring the 75th Anniversary
During 2007, the 75th Anniversary of the 1932 Ford, and it’s significance in the hot rod world, was celebrated. Seventy Five 1932 Ford hot rods were selected as those that had influenced motor sports the most, the majority of which were displayed in their own building at the 2007 Grand National Roadster show in Pomona, CA. They represented street driven hot rods, and cars built for drag racing, salt flat trials, and even sport car events. Noticeably absent was a representative of the circle track wars, but who could blame them. Rare to find any jalopy stock cars that survived, let alone one that played a significant role. (Ah! But that’s not the case, as many of us in Colorado are aware of a certain black five window coupe [and it’s twin back-up car] indeed still does exist in the Denver area. But, that’s another story for another time.)
MODEL “40”
This story is about another milestone in the world of automotive history. 2008 and 2009 are years that the 1933-34 Ford will celebrate it’s 75th anniversary. Ford Motors referred to these cars for both years, whether V-8 or 4 cyl. powered, as the Model “40”.
I’m not going to attempt to pick the most influential ’33-34 Fords in history here, but instead, would like to recognize them for their popularity and contribution to auto racing, in general, at least the closed body models, that were so popular in jalopy/stock car battles all across the USA during those early years of the hobby.
If you enjoy early coupe/sedan history, this book, by Luce is a must. http://www.hotrodhotline.com/feature/bookreviews/07jalopy/ (CJA photos in this story, from this book) When the popularity of early model stock car racing began during the late 1940’s/early 1950’s, most organizations/promoters adopted rules that allowed any 1932-42 closed automobile to be used. I suspect that the year 1932 was chosen since that was the first year of the Ford V-8 engine which had already proven itself in other forms of automotive competition. As such, the Ford V-8 became the most popular and dominant make and model in this form of racing.
http://autoracingmemories.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=41&pictureid=354
Auto racing has been around since the automobile had been invented. During the post war years (WW II) that which would come to be known as “stock car racing” would develop. 1948 appears to be about when the first of what most of us remember as the coupes (and sedans) of the fifties and sixties began. Coverage of this ‘new’ kind of racing by publications such as Speed Age, Motor Sport, and Popular Mechanics promoted interest throughout the country. During those years there were still many of these late thirties Fords being used for daily transportation. Affordable and easy to convert into a ‘racer’; just take out the seats, paint a number on the side and go racing. Very “stock” during those formative years, it was ‘anything goes’ from Crosleys to Cadillacs, sedans included. Even four door sedans were fair game, and many were used, until the advantage of 100-150 lb light coupes was recognized.
http://autoracingmemories.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=41&pictureid=348
However, there were always a few ’32 and ’34 Fords (and occasionally other makes as well) built to do battle with the rest. Except for the 106 inch wheelbase of the 1932 Fords, all Fords of that era rode a wheelbase of 112 inches. It didn’t take long to recognize the benefits of the ’33-34 Fords with their popular V-8 engine (1934 was the first rated at 85 h.p., thanks to a new carburetor) located behind the front axle instead of further forward over the axle as was the design beginning in 1935. Simply put, the weight balance was just better! The rules usually allowed any same make engine as long as it was from those same years, so it was a simple matter to swap in any of the 85 h.p. engines. These better engines positioned behind the front axle combinations proved popular and in just a few short years, they, as well as the 1932 models, would be the cars of choice in the jalopy/stock car bullrings of America.
Five closed body styles of the ’33-34 Ford were eligible for use as stock cars. Here, then, are some examples of each.
Courtesy of the Bob Lawrence Vintage Auto Racing Web Ring, http://winfield.50megs.com/cowley/links.html , The #4 shown here, a ’33 Fordor (Ford’s term for passenger cars with four doors), appears to be about as stock as they come except for the solid wheels. Not even a roll cage is evident, not uncommon during those start-up years. Gut it (except for a drivers seat), install an army surplus seat belt, lose the headlights and hubcaps, paint a number on the side and go racing. Flashy paint jobs were popular, and in fact encouraged by some organizations, but it appears that Willard left his in “factory” paint.
http://autoracingmemories.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=41&pictureid=360
Shown here at Orange Show Speedway in San Bernardino, CA, full bodied jalopies of the ’34 (and older) models in California only had a year or two left as they began evolving into narrowed and shortened super modified type cars. (Referred to as a ‘Sportsman’ at some tracks) In those configurations, the ’34 Ford would survive a little longer.
http://autoracingmemories.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=41&pictureid=346
Ford Motors produced more Tudor sedans than any other body style by a wide margin. (Some 400,000+ for the two years. Where did they all go?) It was the desired model for the average family. Seemingly popular at some tracks, there were very few ’34 Ford Tudors raced at Denver’s Lakeside Speedway. (Must have been more than enough old coupes available during this era) George Butland, who would become owner of Colorado National Speedway, was a character’s character! If you never had the opportunity to see him lighting off the fireworks at CNS, back when it was still dirt, you missed a slice of life.
http://autoracingmemories.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=41&pictureid=351
Tudor sedans were a popular choice on the west coast jalopy circuit, as shown here from Thomas Luce’s book. Exploiting the slab sides of these early coupes and sedans for sponsors was common in the CJA.
http://autoracingmemories.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=41&pictureid=357
The five window coupe was easily the most common ’34 Ford model seen on race tracks. Some 74,535 were produced by Ford in 1934, nearly triple the number of three window coupes. Taking advantage of new engine rules, Rocky Mountain Stock Car Racing Assoc. members Joe and car owner Don Stauter re-built the engine from the previous year to 146 h.p. over the stock 85 horse engine, moving them from the “B” Class to the upper end of Class “A”.
http://autoracingmemories.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=41&pictureid=355
Thanks to Buzz Wendzel for providing this early example of a thirty four Ford stock car that was driven by his dad Lou Wendzel in 1950. Lou was one of the founding members of the Wyoming Auto Racing Club. Unusual to find a color photo from this period. Simple in construction, these cars really were stock! Note the door handle still in place, and the wire wheels. Hood sides and grill were often removed in an attempt to cool the notoriously over heating flathead. Hefty front bumper protected the radiator, while fenders were trimmed for tire clearance. Some organizations eliminated fenders almost from the beginning.
http://autoracingmemories.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=41&pictureid=356
Makes sense to use a Ford dealership to sponsor a Ford race car, and long time sponsor Davis Ford was no exception. That dealership would become Bob Jones Skyland Ford the following year and continue as a major sponsor at both Lakeside and Englewood Speedways in the Denver, Colorado metro area. 1955 would also see Sam switch from his long use of the 98 number to #29 and would race ’34 Fords for a few more years until finally changing to the growing popularity of the ’32 Ford.
http://autoracingmemories.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=41&pictureid=352
Devils Motor Club members (Sidney, NE) Chuck, and brother Bob Lafler in #77, both switched to ’34 Coupes for the 1952 season. They would consistently run in the top five. By the end of the season, a few others had switched to this model as well, and in 1953, it was evident at this and many other tracks that this was the direction to go. The ’34 Ford was here to stay.
http://autoracingmemories.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=41&pictureid=353
There would only be a couple more ’34 three window Fords in competition for 1964 at Lakeside. By then, most had switched to the ’32 and model ‘A’ bodied cars. Interestingly enough, ’33-’34 Chevys and Plymouths continued on into the next decade at this track, and with success. ’34 Fords had been driven to the track championship twice, Don Dunlap in a five window in 1954, and Keith Lane driving a three window the previous year. (Can be seen under the “Vern Grams” profile)
http://autoracingmemories.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=41&pictureid=349
Not many 1933 Victorias were raced because, well, there just weren’t many produced. Fewer than five thousand, compared to some twenty thousand ‘34s came off the assembly line back then making them more rare today and pricey if you can even find one. Note the bustle, not as pronounced as on the ’32 Ford, but still there. For ’34, the bustle was replaced with a sloped trunk area and employed an opening trunk lid for the first time.
http://autoracingmemories.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=41&pictureid=347
I first saw this ’34 Victoria when he towed it to Sidney, NE for a race. Painted lavender and orange, both the back light and passenger door windows have been opened up, a common practice in some parts of the country. Note the flatter ‘trunk’ area. Another example of this model can be seen under the “The ‘Golden Chariot’ and Ed Mailo” profile.
http://autoracingmemories.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=41&pictureid=350
MODEL “44”
Given the depressed economy during these years, Henry Ford thought that the public ought to have the choice of a smaller, less expensive V-8 automobile. A model that surely would have been popular was designated the Model “44”. With scaled down bodies on a wheelbase of 105” (compared to 112” for the Model “40”, and 106” for the ’32 Ford) coupes and sedans, as well as open body models were planned. My guess is that this car on a 105” wheelbase would have been immensely desirable for jalopy/stock car racing. (And hot rodding in general.) A few smaller V-8 engines were built for trial use, (Could this have been the forerunner of the V8-60?) Imagine swapping in a ‘larger’ 221 cu. in. engine! (In fact by mid 1933, Chevrolet did produce a scaled down model on a shorter, 107” wheelbase, called the Mercury series, but Chevys just never developed the popularity of the Fords in stock car racing.) The down side is that only 60,000 units of the Model 44 were planned by Ford, and of course some of those would have been open models, limiting availability by the time stock car racing became popular. Bank closings and a strike at one of the plants during these hard times contributed to delays in production until finally Ford pulled the plug. Ah! What could have been!
EPILOGUE:
An encouraging note for those who still like the early coupe and sedan jalopy/stock cars is that there are several US and Canadian vintage racing organizations that still race these cars. Some are built new, but many are derelicts that are found and given new life. Just a couple of those associations are, Ozark Vintage Stock Car Racing Assoc. at www.ovscra.com , and Midwest Vintage Auto Racing at, www.fmtcs.com/web/mvar These plus the site shown under the photo will give you even more links than you’ll have time for. Sort of makes you want to keep your eyes open for one of these old warriors next time you’re up in the hills or stumble across a distant auto graveyard.
http://autoracingmemories.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=41&pictureid=359
DESK TOPPING THE ‘34
For those who would like to model a ’33-’34 Ford stock car, there were several scales and body styles produced in plastic and resin over the years. MONOGRAM made a 3-window coupe/cabriolet in 1/24th scale. In 1/25th scale, ERTL and AMT both offer a 5-window coupe, Revell has a 3-window coupe in their Snap Tite line, but needs to be un-chopped to model as a stock car, and AURORA offered a double kit of two 5-window coupes. At least a 3 window coupe and a Tudor are available in resin from Big Donkeys Resins. Several 1/32nd scale models are/were available; PYRO offered both a Victoria and 3-window coupe, LINDBERG had a 3-window coupe, and MPC a sedan delivery that can be re-configured into a Tudor sedan fairly easily, or with a little more work, the Fordor sedan. Finally, Matchbox offers a 3-window coupe. Packaging doesn’t say, but appears to be close to 1/43rd scale. Again, it would need to be un-chopped.
http://autoracingmemories.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=41&pictureid=358