Prowlers Car Club History
San Diego Prowlers making Hot Rod History – The 1960’s
In the 1960’s the Prowlers continued to be the Club everyone knew about. Whether it was racing, cruising, shows and just having fun – we did it all, with class.
The group here from left to right back row is, Dave Hayward (member #52), Bob Urquhart (member #65), Joe Perronello (member #68), not known, Gordy Kolberg (member #56). Bottom left is Ed Thompson (member #38). Group in the middle front row, Everett Nicholas (member #57) and Allen Parker (member #64). Back row, Norm Urquhart (member #58) and Merle Rhodes (member #66). The numbers following the names are their member numbers. By the way, this picture was taken in the old Electric Building in Balboa Park and the Prowler banner in the back ground hangs in our club house to this day.
Ed Thompson’s (#38) ’27 Ford roadster with blown Hemi engine. This rod was shown in the June issue of Car Craft magazine in the late ’50’s.
This is Dave Shaffer member #55 with his orange ’34 Ford 3- window coupe with a Chevy Corvette engine. Dave still has this ’34 and is in the process of returning it to original. In this picture he is displaying a trophy he won at the 1960 “Ted Bentley” Motor Sports Show held at the old “Great Western Building” which has now been torn down.
One hell of a way to celebrate the first club picnic by roll’n your rod! But things happen. This is Johnny Vinta’s ’25 T after he rolled it at the Otay Lakes Prowler Picnic in ’69.
This is a great shot of 7 of the club cars outside Hoover High School in July of 1967. From left to right, John Mogarts ’40, Tony Grotto’s ’31sedan, Bob Wolin’s ’31roadster, Bruce Hamiltons ’29 roadster, Lee Brights ’29 roadster pickup, Mike Hemis’s ’27 T roadster pickup and Bruno Cirello’s ’34 sedan.