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1947

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Paul Schiefer's 1925 Ford Model T Roadster of San Diego, California. Schiefer was a member of the San Diego Roadster Club. He started racing his roadster in 1947, and it became one of the few cars campaigned on the lakes and the strips that, within a decade, saw its first-year top speeds on the dry lakes exceeded by its later 1/4-mile ETs.
A photo of Blackie and Amos Torosian with Blackie's roadster taken in Fresno, California in 1947. Clean Gene Sadoian was 14 years old the first time he saw Blackie in his cut down black hot rod in 1948. " The driver was a scary looking guy with cut off t-shirt sleeves. He looked at me and smiled. I saw gold leaf letters on the side of car—"Blackie". He did a burn out for me, I was forever hooked." Photo from The Clean Gene Sadoian Collection.
The Bob Berkshire Roadster of Tarzana, California. Bob built the roadster after returning from WWII, and the first photos of the car started appearing in 1947. Back then he was a member of the Idlers car club. Sometime between 1947 and 1950 Bob moved to Dallas, Texas fo engineering school, bringing the roadster along.
Bob McGee's 1932 Ford Roadster was built in 1947
Jim Papworth's 1932 Ford Roadster of Culver City, California. Jim was a member of the Culver City Screwdrivers, and the roadster, that he bought in 1947, was his first car.
Robert Fulton's 1936 Ford sedan convertible of Hollywood, California. Robert owned the car from 1947 to around 1949.
Bill Henderson's 1939 Mercury Convertible of Los Angeles, California. Bill bought the Merc when he was 14 years old. In the mid to late 1940s he worked for Barris Kustoms, and they taught him how to customize cars, while he was working on the Merc. This photo of the car was taken around 1947.
Jim Kierstead's 1939 Mercury Coupe of Inglewood, California. Jim's Mercury was restyled by Barris Kustoms, and it is rumored to be the first 1939 - 1940 Mercury coupe that the Barris Brothers chopped. The build was started in 1945 and completed in December of 1947.
Dick Owens of Redondo Beach, California, had this 1940 Mercury convertible restyled by Barris Kustoms after returning from WWII. A veteran of the Battle of Guadalcanal, Dick came home, married his girlfriend Betty, and got right into the booming custom car scene. According to Betty’s brother, Harold Johnson, Dick already had the Mercury in 1945, and it was in grey primer at the time. Sam Barris handled the chop, sometime between 1945 and 1947, giving the car a sleek, lowered profile. The running boards were removed and replaced with filler panels, the license plate was recessed into the trunk, and a padded Carson Top was added by Glen Houser. The car also featured fender skirts, and Hollywood Flipper hubcaps wrapped in blackwall tires. Photo courtesy of Tina Bergeson.
After serving in the Marine Corps during WWII, Lawrence Garrison moved to Quincy, Massachusetts, in 1947, bringing his passion for custom cars to the East Coast before hot rod and custom car magazines spread the movement. Based on a self-penned design, Larry transformed this 1940 Mercury into a sleek, low-slung masterpiece. He channeled the body, sectioned the hood, and chopped the windshield to achieve a streamlined European-inspired look. Full fadeaway fenders, nosed and decked bodywork, and push-button doors added to its elegance, while 1947 Buick bumpers and spun hubcaps gave it a distinctive flair. Larry built the car entirely himself, fabricating parts, stitching the Spanish leather interior, and even installing hydraulic window lifts. His Mercury wasn’t just a showstopper. It was a symbol of how custom culture was spreading across America. Luckily, the car has survived, and today it is currently located in Norway. Photo courtesy of Paul Garrison.
Barris Kustoms was still finding its footing when George Barris' 1941 Buick won top honors at the first Hot Rod Exposition Show at the Los Angeles National Guard Armory in January 1948. That victory changed everything. Completed late in 1947, the Buick, with its chopped top, fadeaway fenders, Cadillac grille, and deep maroon paint, became a symbol of Barris’ craftsmanship and helped establish them as top customizers. Understanding the power of publicity, George started photographing his work, ensuring Barris Kustoms stayed in the spotlight. When Hot Rod Magazine launched in 1948, Robert E. Petersen reached out to George for photos, leading to features in magazines across the country. Soon, customers weren’t just coming from Los Angeles, they were bringing cars in from the Midwest and East Coast, eager to have a Barris-built custom of their own. Photo from The Jerry Fassett Collection.
A 1947 Chevrolet Convertible that notable Maryland/Washington, D.C. customizer Bud Unger restyled in 1947. This was the first car ever that Bud customized.
The 1947 Kurtis-Omohundro Comet, designed by Frank Kurtis and built on a 1940 Ford chassis, was a pioneering postwar American sports car. Featuring a lightweight aluminum body it represented an innovative blend of American engineering and European-inspired design, standing out as a significant yet rare piece in automotive history.
Robert McClure's Custom of Denver, Colorado. Built by Robert, the first version of the car was completed in 1947. It rode on a Buick chassis.
The official program for the SCTA sanctioned event held May 25, 1947.

<-- 1946 - 1940s - 1948 -->

In 1947 Gene Winfield opened his own shop Windy’s Custom Shop.


Dry Lakes Racing

The opening event for the 1947 season time trials sponsored by the Southern California Timing Association was held May 25, 1947 at El Mirage dry lake. For the 1947 season, the S.C.T.A. ran under a new system of Competition Classes. American Production Automotive Engines were still required as a basis for the engine construction, but the competition was divided into two body types with four class in each. The cars were classified either as Roadsters or Streamliners. The classes were then divided according to total Engine Cubic Inch Displacement.[1]


Hot Rods Built or Completed in 1947

The Bob Berkshire Roadster
Paul Schiefer's 1925 Ford Model T Roadster
Kazar Simonian's 1929 Ford Roadster - Later known as Tom Pollard's 1929 Ford
Bob McGee's 1932 Ford Roadster
Jim Papworth's 1932 Ford Roadster


Custom Cars Restyled or Completed in 1947

Ed Ohanesian's 1940 Ford
Jim Kierstead's 1939 Mercury Coupe
Jimmy Summers' 1940 Mercury
George Barris' 1941 Buick Convertible


Sport Customs Built or Completed in 1947

Robert McClure's Custom


Sport Cars Built or Completed in 1947

1947 Kurtis-Omohundro Comet


Hot Rod and Custom Car Clubs Established in 1947

Culver City Screwdrivers


SCTA Time Trials of 1947

El Mirage May 25, 1947


References




 

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