San Diego Prowlers Hot Rod Club, making Hot Rod History the 1940's
In the spring of 1947 several young San Diego area hot rodders got together and decided to build cars they could take to the dry lake beds east of Los Angeles and run for speed tests. It was a lot of fun and a lot of work.
This desire to build cars and help each other with their project cars, was the reason that the Prowlers formed as a club. In those days the only organization for this kind of speed running was the Southern California Timing Association. This was the start of hot rodding. Later toward the '50s, the Prowlers would join with others and form the Russetta Timing Association so they could run coupes and sedans in the speed trials.
This is an original program from 1948 for the El Mirage races. This has been kept it excellent condition by our club historian Andy Bekech. This program looks like it was bought yesterday. There are 3 of the Charter Member Prowlers listed in this program. Bill Carpenter, Rich Sawyer #2 and the late Frank Wilkinson #7. Where would you get a program like this today for 25 cents? Below will be the pages in this program.
Bill Carpenter listed here with the "A" Coupes.
Rich Sawyer with the "C" Coupes
And the late Frank Wilkinson with "B" Streamliners. See anyone else you recognize?
Quite a keep sake wouldn't you say?
Here you see Frank running his roadster. Sadly, Frank passed away on Good Friday, 2005. Frank was one of our Charter members. We still have one active Charter member, Jim Carnahan and a few others locally and in other states.
Great shot of Franks motor that he was running at the lakes.
This is Cliff Crane at the lakes in 1948
Some were running 4-bangers that came with the cars. But soon we decided to start using more powerful engines. The V-8 was becoming the "rage" and they soon made their way into our cars. Of course, we had to hand fabricate all of the brackets, adapters, and mounting hardware. But it was worth it. A 4-banger is nothing compared to the sound and feel of a V-8.
When we weren't running at the dry lakes, we got together and drove the cars all over the county. Driving together was more fun. It was also a good idea to go with a buddy who carried tools, just in case. We began to call these trips together "cruises".
Here we are in front of the store at Palomar Mountain. We made this trip so often that some called it our first clubhouse.
L-R Gene Nichols, Hoot Gibson, Ed and Bob Stewart, Harold Speltz and Norm Urban
Dick Wilson (member #1), started it all at the Prowlers. Although not very active today, he still has his original Prowlers Car Club Jacket. Photo taken in 1947. See news section under Prowler run to Pine Valley, 4/9/05. Yes, Dick is working on another hot rod and soon, we hope he will become an active Prowler once again.
Prowler meeting with some guests Jan 13, 1949 at Frank Wilkinsons house. There are 22 members present in this photo.
Another great shot of the members and their gals at a club outing in 1949.
This is Charter Member # 1, Dick Wilson's 1st roadster in the late 1940's.
Dick Wilson's "A" Ford roadster and his newly built channeled pickup yet to be chopped.
This is from the late '40's.
Here's Dick with his pickup from picture above after chop job.
This mean look'n coupe belonged to Charter Member #2, Rick (Dick) Sawyer. Great shot of Dick sitting in his '32 5 window coupe waiting his turn for a run at the dry lakes in late 1948.
Charter Member, Chuck "Hoot" Gibson's '27 "T" roadster at the dry lakes, circa 1948. "Hoot" was the first of 4 Prowler members to own this roadster. The 2nd was Carl Burnett and the 3rd was Bob Smith. This is the same car that was on the cover of the 1958 March issue of Hot Rod Magazine when Bob got through with it. Take a moment and look at our "Prowlers on magazine covers" in the history section. It's interesting to see the change from racer to show car. The 4th Prowler to own this historic roadster is John LaBarre. John is almost finished with a complete rebuild - can't wait, John!
Another shot of Hoot with his roadster at the club picnic in 1949.
This great shot was just given to us by our latest new member John LaBarre. This is a shot of Hoot Gibson sitt'n on one of his rods "horse'n" around. I don't think you'd catch any of the rodders today sitt'n in this position on their ride. Thanks for the picture John and welcome to the club.
Charter member #4 Bob "Stubby" Even at club picnic in 1949.
Charter member #9 the late Gordy Wells in the late 1940's.
3 Charter members, Bob Stein #13, Cliff Crane #25 and Bill Franken #6 at an S.C.T.A. meet on April 25, 1948
Dick Bartlett, Charter Member with his '39 Ford coupe at the Russetta Lakes meet on Sept. 12, 1948.
Here's another Charter Member Dick Bradford with his 1940 Ford convert. at the S.C.T.A. meet on April 24 & 25, 1948.
Charter Member Bill Carpenter with his '34 Ford. This was taken Sept. 12, 1948 at the Russetta Lakes Meet.
Lakes starting line. As you can see Lakes meet drew very large crowds. This photo is circa 1948.
.
Leaving the starting line looking east at the dry lakes, circa 1948
The following shots are a great history of Charter Member #16 John Brown. These are some truly great and priceless pictures showing just how hot rodding began and that the Prowler members were definitely some of the "Rod Fathers Of Hot Rodding".
Johns 1st rod that he built in 1947. This was also the car that he joined the Prowlers with.
Here's a great shot of John standing next to his roadster. Looks like John was a pretty classy dresser too... check out the saddle shoes!
1947. John's 2nd from the left.
John's the 3rd from the left here. Check'n out the back drop, looks like this was a regular park'n spot for John. Looks kinda like some of the stores here in El Cajon where this rod would look just great on a Wed. night.
The next couple of pictures are of John's next custom job. Man what'a sweet little '36 3 window coupe. Beautiful inside and out.
I'm going to find out who this other little hot rodder is. When I do I'll add his name. This little guys in a couple of these shots and I think he ought to be recognized for hang'n out with the right group. Heck for all we know right now he maybe one of the top customizers of today. Found out who the little guy is, he's Johns little cousin Don Walrod. Boy is that a rodders name or what. John says Don was always hang'n around. Don became a truck driver.
Thanks goes to Andy Bekech the clubs historian for finding out who this little guy was.
In 1948 John had this 1938 Ford coupe. Check out the skirts, spots and the white walls. What great days those were!
Even in black and white this baby shines! Great job John.
By 1949, John was back to a Hi-Boy roadster with this '31 Ford. Note the custom grill shell. No big and littles here. John was in El Centro when this picture was taken.
By 1949, John was building a 1932 Ford sedan. The yard in these pictures tell a lot! John tells us the final look of this sedan was a 4" chopped top painted metallic midnight blue. This sedan was sold immediately on completion and he never got any finished pictures. Man, that's gotta be a heart breaker. John says he felt this was his best one. I don't know John - they all looked like show winners to me!
John found the club was still going in 2003 and is now a regular at the Prowler annual picnic.
And here's a great shot of our Charter Member #16 John Brown as he stands today. He still has his "original" Prowler jacket and regularly attends our annual Old Timers Picnics. Not to bad for 56 years and he can still get in it. Good go'n John!
Thanks for the great walk through time John. Still kinda wondering what your next rides gonna be? Thanks also goes to Andy our historian for getting these great shots to us for the web site.
Heres a great shot of Milt Mitsingas with his '36 Ford coupe.
Here's Ed "Axel" Stewart in his '28-'29 Ford roadster just outside of Temecula Calif. This was taken on an out of the way country road that was found so that all the "Hot Rodders" could race. The rodder to the left is Willie Pebbles. This photo was taken in the late '30s or early '40s.
This was Ed's shop truck before is was flamed. Ed's on the left. Unknown friend on the right.
Always a smile on Ed "Axel" Stewarts face. Lakes picture from the '40's
Ed pumping up the right rear tire before his lakes run. Bob "Lil Axel" Stewart, his son, on the far left. This is from 1947.
Ed waiting in line at El Mirage Dry Lakes to make a run.
Great shot of Axel coming right off the line.
Another great shot of Ed's rod taken at the El Mirage Dry Lakes.
Ed "Axel" Stewart with his famous roadster back in 1948.
Heres a great shot of Ed's roadster while at the lakes in '48. This was set to us by Roy Cariola. Thanks Roy!
Great shot of Ed "Axel " Stewarts High Boy Roadster at the lakes in the late '40's. Bob (Lil Axel) standing behind the roadster with sunglasses. Note the driver at the left in the cloth helment!
Great picture of Ed with his '32 Ford Hi-Boy roadster at El Mirage Dry Lakes. Ed was a member of S.C.T.A., R.T.A., San Diego Roadster Club and the San Diego Prowlers. Ed owned Stewarts Speed Shop too.
Here's a picture of Ed and Bob's Speed Shop. The 39 convertible is owned by Marty Moore to this day.
Ed's shop truck at Paridise Mesa Drag Strip. Ed's truck has been flamed with them "Wild" flames. Unknown person at right. Taken early '50's
Ed's son, Bob "Lil Axel" Stewart, still owns his Dads famous '32 Ford roadster, as of 2005.This picture was taken in June of '02. Bob has painstakingly restored the car to the way it looks today. Ed and Bob were both members of the Prowlers Club. We want to say thanks to Bob Stewart for all the family pictures he gave the club.
Thanks goes out to Frank Lurry for the following shots.
The "Wha' Hoppin Special" built by the Downey Bros. here in San Diego. This turned into Clark Geffe's Roadster. We're not sure where this shot was taken but if it was in color you'd think this rod was here today with its style.
Man what'a great shot of the timing tower at El Mirage Dry Lakes. Could that be J. Otto Crocker's Clocks with him on the end ?
Just look at all the Hi Boy Roadsters !! Note the S.C.T.A. tower in the back ground. Thats the same tower as in the previous pictuer above only this time its got'a umbrella. It can get really hot in the summer months there.
Wow, what'a crowd !! So many great roadsters, Henry Ford would be proud ! Note the military style ambulance at the right.
Dry lakes crowds in lines leading to the starting line. You know this was an S.C.T.A. meet as only open cars ran in the early years of S.C.T.A.
At the El Mirage starting line! The timing stand is in the back ground. You know this photo was taken in the early '40's for the WWII bomber leather A-Z flights jacket and the flee's lined leather flight cap being worn in the foreground.
1947 S.C.T.A. meet right at the starting line. Check out those timing lights hang'n across the starting line.
Ed "Axel" Stewart's Hi Boy Roadster, looks like he's going through some sort of inspection. If you check out the guy to the left, he has some sort of arm band on.
Nother shot Ed's '32 roasdter. Check out the cool taunto cover.
Once again want to thank Frank Lurry for sending us these great pictures of the past our web site wouldn't be the same without guys like this.
