Nelson Morris' 1932 Ford

Celebrity Colleen Townsend poses with the giveaway 1932 Ford at the first annual Hot Rod Exposition in 1948. Photo by Hot Rod Magazine

Nelson's timing tag from El Mirage October 31, 1948. Nelson achieved a top speed of 103.80 MPH at the event. Photo courtesy of Shane Murphy.

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1932 Ford Roadster owned by Nelson Morris of the Long Beach Dolphins Car Club. Nelson's roadster was the first giveaway roadster at the first annual Hot Rod Exposition in 1948. During the three-day event a 1932 Ford was built and given away. A junk roadster was disassembled and rebuilt by a team of hot rodders led by Lou Baney, an active member of the Gophers Car Club. The team consisted of members of the SCTA Road Runners such as Harvey Haller, Bill Burke, and Rulon McGregor. Everything on the car was built on stage including paint, chrome and upholstery. The car was built using parts from many of the show advertisers. One of the best parts on the car was the Kinmont disc brakes. The car was finished as the show ended, and Nelson Morris was the lucky winner of the first Door Prize roadster.

Magazine Features

Hot Rod Magazine March 1948
Hot Rod Deluxe September 2009