Jack Carpenter's 1941 Chevrolet Convertible

A photo of Jack and his Chevy that Don Cox snapped in Carlsbad, California, during an Oilers gathering. Bill Junge confirmed with Bup Kentner that the guy in the orange and white jacket is Jack Carpenter, and that's his chopped 1941 Chevrolet Convertible. Bup said, "Unless I'm mistaken, we were messing around on the dry wash, which is now the lagoon in front of the La Costa development." Photo from The Robert Genat Photo Collection.

Don Cox took two photos in Carlsbad that day. This is a Photoshop by Bill Junge where he merged the two photos. Photo from The Robert Genat Photo Collection.

Another photo of Jack's Chevrolet that Don Cox snapped. This photo shows the car as it appeared after he had painted it. Photo from The Robert Genat Collection.

A photo of Jack's Chevrolet taken after he returned from WWII. Jack told Bill Junge that his mom took the lowering blocks out and raised the car up while he was in the service. Photo courtesy of Bill Junge.

Jack Carpenter's Oilers membership card from 1949. Jack was one of the original members of the club. Photo courtesy of Bill Junge.

1941 Chevrolet Convertible custom owned by Carlsbad Oilers member Jack Carpenter of Oceanside, California.

Early Years and the Formation of the Dukes of Oceanside

Jack was one of the original members of the Carlsbad Oilers, but before joining the club in 1946, he was a member of the Dukes of Oceanside. When Fred Thomas interviewed Jack for his book Car Club Memories, Jack told him that he and a group of friends formed the Dukes while still students at Oceanside-Carlsbad High School in Oceanside, California; "At the time they were playing baseball for a team sponsored by a menswear store. The owner was left with a quantity of white Fedora hats, which he couldn't sell. In an effort to get rid of them he offered them gratis to the players. The guys readily accepted the stylish hats." According to Fred's book, several choices were considered when it came to the name of the club. "Then one member suggested they be called the Dukes, as the Fedoras made them look like royalty. No further discussion was needed."

Jack's Automotive Ventures

Jack's first car was a Flathead-powered Ford Model A. A 1937 Plymouth Coupe followed before Jack purchased the 1941 Chevrolet.

Custom Modifications

Don Cox took a photo of Jack's Chevy at a Oilers gathering in Carlsbad. At the time, Jack was working on the car, and it shows it with its stock color, running primer spots. Modifications at the time included a chopped Carson Top, ripple bumpers, dual spotlights, an antenna, flipper hubcaps, and blackwall tires. It did not run fenderskirts in the rear. Before Jack went into the service, during WWII, the car was given a shiny black paint job. Lowering blocks gave the car a proper stance.

Navy Service and Modifications Performed by his Mom

Carpenter's Chevrolet was entrusted to his mother during his Navy service. She made some modifications to improve the car's ride quality, much to Jack's dismay. The lowering blocks were removed, and the fender skirts were taken off. These alterations altered the car's appearance, leading to mixed feelings upon Jack's return.

Carlsbad Oilers

Late in 1943 the Dukes of Oceanside disbanded. In 1946, after he had returned from the service, Carpenter joined the Carlsbad Oilers, a prominent car club known for its involvement in the emerging drag racing scene. He also pursued a passion for aviation, learning to fly planes on the G.I. Bill. In 1951, he acquired a used twin Cessna known as the "Bamboo Bomber." This aviation adventure led him to a competition that the fledgling NHRA was held at the Muroc dry lake near Victorville. They landed at the end of the course by the timing booth and parked nearby, and Hack's plane appears in car magazine photos from the event.