Prowler Cars on Magazine Covers
The Prowlers like their hot rods. Everyone knows that, but others must too because the San Diego Prowlers had their cars on the cover of most every major Hot Rod magazine in America during the 1950's and 60's. Unfortunately, most cover cars today are the pro-built, mega buck verities that are sometimes hammered into a hardly recognizable form - that's if it's a metal car. Something has been lost forever, we fear.
Here are a few of the memorable ones.
Here's Bob Urquart (#65) and brother Norm (#58) on the front cover of the 1962 October issue of Hot Rod Magazine showing off his De Soto powered "T".
In February of 1964, Ed Thompson (member #38) consented to have his beautiful 'Blown' 1927 T roadster on the cover. What a great car!
A First!! 4 Prowler cars on the of the 1968 December issue of Rod and Custom Magazine. From top to bottom, Bruce Hamliton (#87), active member Bob Wolin (#86), Curt Holmquest (#72) and R&C's best appearing car trophy winner member #84 Gary Rickles.
This is a special article from the 1999 issue of American Rodder regarding the fantastic turn out of over 281 hot rodders and their rides for the Lee Bright Memorial Run to honor Lee after he passed away in 1998. Lee had been a member of the Prowlers for over 36 years and was well known for his various low ride'n fast run'n rods. Everything from High Boys, Tubs and sedan deliveries such as the famous "Mother Trucker". Lee was also known as the "Muffler Man" for his great muffler shop with the logo of "No Muff Too Tuff".
Ed Thompson's (#38) '27 "T" roadster with flat head engine shows up on the cover of July 1958 issue of Car Craft magazine. Fellow members seated are Rusty Case and standing is Dave Butlemer member # 36.
Member Bob McCoy (#25) the famous artist, race car driver and cartoonist has his flamed '40 Ford sedan on the front cover of the 1956 October issue of Car Craft magazine. Bob's '40 sedan may well be the most photographed car in magazine history.
This is Andy Bekech's (#32) '32 Ford Victoria which he still owns. If you look in some of our other history info you'll see this ride when it was being raced on the flats. Andy is still an active member of the Prowlers and is our club historian. Thanks to Andy we have all these great shots and information from the past.
Heres "Sailor Bob" with beautiful wife Bonnie on the front cover of the 1958 March issue of Hot Rod Magazine. Bob Smith (#102) had this '27 "T" Roadster. This same car was owned by 2 other members of the Prowlers, Hoot Gibson and Carl Burnett. Bob is still an active member today and has another '27 "T" along with his '32 roadster. See Prowler history from the 1950's. Fast-forward almost 50 years. Today, the proud owner of this hot rod is Prowler member, John LaBarre who is committed to having this historic roadster on the road soon after a thorough rebuild. Can't wait, John!
Marty Moore has a great showing on this 1959 issue of Car Craft magazine. Marty owns 3 '39/'40 Fords. A convertible, Sedan Delivery and this '40 "Shop" pickup. All his cars are outstanding and he still owns all three today. See Prowler history from the 1950's.
Tom Madruga's (#53) 1929 Ford Roadster in the 1961 issue on pages 34 and 35. In this Article it mentions " 3 years and $3,400 has been invested". That was the good ol days!
John Dougherty's (#73) seldom seen '29 Ford "Cabriolet". John is a retired school teacher and he still returns to the yearly reunions !
Middle row first car on the left is Pete Morrow's '29 Ford Roadster on the 1960 June issue of Car Craft magazine. Pete is an active member to this day.
Below is the article that was in the magazine above.
The article above reads as follows;
Pete Morrow, an active member of the San Diego, California Prowlers is the owner of this '29 Ford roadster painted in brilliant Huntsman Red lacquer finish.
Black pleated, rolled Naugahyde with white trim graces the interior bucket seats. Dashboard was constructed from the center grille bar of a '57 Chevrolet pickup truck.
Lowering of sleek rod includes, zeed frame of 10", dearched springs-2", dropped axle and 8" channeling. Pontiac taillights and wire wheels added.
Power plant for Morrow's '29 is a hopped up '57 Chevy mill with triple carbs, Corvette cam. Extensive use of chrome on engine, firewall is enhance, adds show points. Small headlights are motorcycle lamps mounted to the deuce radiator shell. Wheels give unusual appeal. '32 Ford chassis has '40 Ford rear end, brakes and spindles, stock steering. Shocks are Monroe. $3,500 is invested.
Glenn Tuttles '32 Ford roadster as a cover car. This is the roadster that Monte Hale later owned when he joined the Prowlers on his first tour.
1997 was the Prowlers 50 year anniversary. American Rodder Magazine gave us a great 6 page spread in their 1997 May issue.
Thanks American Rodder. We really appreciated this article.
It was a real honor for the club to share the same issue with the famous artist/hot rodder/race car driver and former Prowler, Bob McCoy.
In this picture we have one of his great oval track drawings which I'm sure was drawn from memory of the experience. There is also a picture of his '40 Ford sedan and his 217 mph track "T" roadster.
What a rodders history this gentleman has. What's so fantastic about this guy is he can not only really do the racing and rodding but he can put it on canvas so it can be saved for history.
This is a great shot of Andy Bekech the clubs historian standing next to Bob McCoys great lakes runner the "Red Hawk" from the '90's. If you look in some of our history sections youl'll see where this is not an unsual place to find Andy. He's spent his time behind the wheel of his own out at the Paradise Mesa Drag strip. Thanks again for the shot Andy!
Terry Coe "TC" had a great article in the 1974 February issue of Street Rodder on this '36 Ford Coupe.
Lee Bright and Danny Brent showing off their '29 Ford Sedan Deliveries. This was an article from 1001 Custom and Rod Ideas magazine.
Just like Lee this is just one of many of the rods that Danny has built.
Heres another one of Lee Bright's Sedan Deliveries, a '40 Ford. This was an article in one of Street Rodder magazines.
This was a great write up in the Oct. 1977 issue of Custom and Rod Ideas on Marty Simonides' '27 T pickup which he still owns today and looks just as beautiful as the day he finished it.
This is the cover for the April 1955 Hot Rod Mag. At the bottom there's a great shot, left to right of Joaquin Arnett, of the "Bean Bandits" Club and our own Ed "Axel" Stewart at Paradise Mesa drag strip. We don't know who the third one is but it sure is a great look'n coupe!
Great cover shot of Danny Brent's '34 Ford 2dr. Sedan. This was in the 1976 May issue of "1001 Custom and Rod Ideas" magazine .
Finally in 2005 Ken and Wendy Polesky's '33 Ford Sedan Delivery came forward to take "Best Homebuilt" at the 2005 Del Mar Goodguys show. Ken's '33 Delivery then entered the running for "Homebuilt Heaven" at the Del Mar Nationals and competed against a year's worth of "Best Homebuilt" award finalist's. The winner was chosen by online voter's and Ken walked away with that honor as well. Members are truly proud to have Ken's award winning Delivery in the Prowlers. This just goes to show that there are still a few of us still putting rods together in our own garage's. Below are some of the articles on Ken's great award.
This article was in the 2006 GoodGuys Yearbook.
Great article from 2006 July Rod and Custom
This article was in the 2006 July issue of Street Rodder.
