1946

Bill Burke's P-51 Belly Tank is known as the first Belly Tank Streamliner racer. Bill was racing on the dry lakes long before the war started. While stationed in the South Pacific during WWII he saw potential in using a Belly Tank as the body for a dry lakes car. Shortly after returning home from the war he built his first Belly Tank Streamliner. In 1946 he raced his brand new car. Burke was the first to run a belly tank in the "Streamliner" class and ran at both El Mirage and Harper Dry Lake. The first Bill Burke streamliner used a small 165-gallon steel wing tank from a P-51 Mustang. The car was a front engine design, and a bicycle seat was welded to the torque tube for driving. Photo from The Howard Gribble Collection.

Phil Remington's Modified was completed in 1946. At the time, Phil was a member of the Santa Monica Low Flyers.

James Stewart's 1931 Ford Model A Roadster of Long Beach, California. In 1946 James joined the Long Beach Dolphins car club with a few of his friends. He raced the roadster at El Mirage.

Norm Milne's 1931 Ford

Sebastian Rubbo's 1936 Ford Roadster of Massachusetts. Sabie started working on the roadster at age 23, in 1945. He had just gotten out of the Navy, and was inspired by the cars he saw racing at the dry lakes near where he was stationed in Southern California. The build was completed in 1946, and Sabie drove it all over the country for the next 42 years.

John Sal Cocciola's 1938 Chevrolet Convertible

Arthur Lellis' 1939 Ford Convertible of Los Angeles, California. Restyled by Art at Art & Jerry Custom Shop, the build was completed in 1946.

Jerry Moffatt's 1939 Ford Convertible of Los Angeles, California. Restyled by Jerry at Olive Hill Garage, the build was completed in 1946.

Mel Falconer's 1939 Ford

Bill Spurgeon's 1939 Mercury Coupe

Jimmy Summers of Hollywood, California, built one of the most influential customs of the 1940s, a radically restyled 1940 Mercury. Channeled 6 inches and lowered a total of 8 ½ inches, the Merc featured reshaped fenders, a sectioned hood, and a hand-fabricated grille reminiscent of a 1939 Buick. It sported a chopped windshield and a tan Carson Top, giving it a sleek, elegant profile. Restyled in 1946, the car’s first iteration was finished in a stunning Ruby Maroon lacquer, applied in 60 coats, and meticulously polished to perfection. In May 1947, Popular Mechanics featured the car, bringing Summers’ craftsmanship to a nationwide audience. According to the article, Summers hand-built about one car per week for customers, solidifying his reputation as one of the era’s premier customizers. Photo from The Jimmy Summers Collection.

Maximilian King's 1940 Mercury convertible of Morristown, New Jersey was first restyled by Meekers Body Shop in 1946. In 1959 Korky's Kustom Shop restyled the car further for current owner Ray Henyon.

The Rotzell 46 is sport custom built by Ed Rotzell of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The build took 3 months, and it was completed early in 1946.

Forey Wall Used Cars was located at 10792 Long Beach Boulevard in Lynwood, California. Started in 1946, the lot was run by Forey Wall and his partner Al Sulminoff. Forey had some custom cars for sale in the lot, but not that many. In 1955, Forey and his brother Glen would open up Wall Custom Cars in South Gate, a dealership specialized in selling and buying custom cars. Photo from The Glen and Forey Wall Photo Collection.

Sam Barris falls victim to theft. On July 21, 1946, The Sacramento Union reported that custom car parts were stolen from Sam Barris' vehicle while it was parked near 15th and L Streets in Sacramento. Thieves stripped the car of its fender skirts, hubcaps, and three white wall rings. Photo courtesy of The Sacramento Union.

<-- 1945 - 1940s - 1947 -->

Dry Lakes Racing

In 1946, Randy Shinn became S.C.T.A. Season Champion for his achievements on the lakes that year.

Bill Burke and the First Belly Tank Streamliner

Bill Burke's P-51 Belly Tank is known as the first Belly Tank Streamliner racer. Bill was racing on the dry lakes long before the war started. While stationed in the South Pacific during WWII he saw potential in using a belly tank as the body for a dry lakes car. Shortly after returning home from the war he built his first Belly Tank Streamliner. In 1946 he raced his brand new car. Burke was the first to run a belly tank in the "Streamliner" class and ran at both El Mirage and Harper Dry Lake. The first Bill Burke streamliner used a small 165-gallon steel wing tank from a P-51 Mustang. The car was a front engine design, and a bicycle seat was welded to the torque tube for driving.

Custom Cars Built or Completed In 1946

John Sal Cocciola's 1938 Chevrolet Convertible
Arthur Lellis' 1939 Ford Convertible
Jerry Moffatt's 1939 Ford Convertible
Mel Falconer's 1939 Ford
Bill Spurgeon's 1939 Mercury Coupe
Jimmy Summers' 1940 Mercury Convertible
Maximilian King's 1940 Mercury Convertible

Hot Rods Built or Completed In 1946

James Stewart's 1931 Ford Model A Roadster
Norm Milne's 1931 Ford
Sebastian Rubbo's 1936 Ford Roadster

Modifieds Built or Completed in 1946

Phil Remington's Modified

Streamliners Built or Completed in 1946

Bill Burke's P-51 Belly Tank

Sport Customs Built or Completed in 1946

The Rotzell 46

Used Car Lots Started in 1946

Forey Wall Used Cars