When there were far fewer people around, far fewer laws and regulations, when the legal speed limit was 75 mph, when gas was cheap, when driving was a pleasure, if you owned a hot machine you could point the grill down an empty road and go!

Matranga’s 1940 Mercury

Nick Matranga’s 1940 Mercury was a stunning example of custom bodywork when it was introduced in 1950. The chassis was lowered front and rear, and the top was severely chopped. The quarter windows slid in and out on channels. The car created a style that is still being copied today, although it was destroyed in an accident a mere six months after it hit the road.
Copyright 2010, Albert Drake and Flat Out Press.
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Garlits T-Bucket

In 1989 I went to the Nostalgia Nationals in Michigan. I parked, got in the gate and walked around a building. As I turned a corner a T-bucket hot rod came toward me. In a flash I snapped this photo. The camera was totally manual and I had no time to focus or adjust it, but the photo came out well. The guy is "Big Daddy" Don Garlits, and he’s driving a clone of his first hot rod, a ’27 T bucket with a hot flathead. He was towing his Swamp Rat I.
Copyright 2010, Albert Drake and Flat Out Press.

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Roadster Racing Association of Oregon Timing Tag

 
This is a loyal reproduction of the Roadster Racing Association of Oregon (RRAO) Timing Tag from the 40s and 50s.

Bob Winters told me he made this tag in 1938, but RRAO, which governed track roadsters, was not formed until 1946 and lasted until early 1950s.

Black on aluminum, with some relief, this tag measures 1 1/2" x 2 2/1" and comes pre-drilled for mounting to your dash.

Reproduction Roadster Racing Association of Oregon Timing Tag...$10 (free shipping in the US).

Columbia Timing Association Timing Tag

 
The Columbia Timing Association (CTA) was an Oregon / Northwest organization that timed drag races and straightaway runs. It existed from September 1951 until the 1960s.

This is a reproduction of the original timing tags. Screw or affix to dash or firewall for the finishing touch on era rods or customs. Give as a gift to a rodding buddy!

Like the original, this tag is red on aluminum, measuring 3 3/4" x 2 1/2". Undrilled.

Reproduction CTA Timing Tag...$10 (free shipping in the US).