Pat McNamara's 1928 Ford

1928 Ford Model A Pick-Up, originally built by Pat McNamara in the late 1940s and early 1950s. The truck is a true relic of California's early hot rod movement. Now owned by Greg Stokes of GMS Hot Rods in the North West Auckland region of New Zealand, the truck carries a rich history tied to innovation and speed. Photo courtesy of The Greg Stokes Collection.

Rear view of Pat McNamara's Pick-Up. McNamara started building the Model A pick-up while working for Lee Chapel at Tornado Speed Equipment. As an employee of a prominent speed shop, McNamara had access to cutting-edge tools and techniques of the time. Photo courtesy of The Greg Stokes Collection.

When Greg acquired the pick-up, it retained its performance pedigree with a flathead V8 equipped with 4 carburetors, a Harman & Collins magneto, a column-shift gearbox, and a Culver City Halibrand quick-change rear end—hallmarks of cutting-edge 1950s hot rod engineering. Photo courtesy of The Greg Stokes Collection.

A photo of the pick-up alongside Greg's Tom Prufer Cop Shop Coupe and his 1929 Ford Model A Closed Cab Pick-Up. Photo courtesy of The Greg Stokes Collection.

The pick-up's build evolved as it moved between Paso Robles and San Francisco, reflecting the spirit of the early hot rod movement. After years of dormancy at Squeak Bell's collection in Bakersfield, California, it found its way into Greg Stokes' care in New Zealand. Photo courtesy of The Greg Stokes Collection.

The truck still bears a San Jose Rattlers club plaque, prompting Greg to seek more information about the club and its connection to the truck’s history. Photo courtesy of The Greg Stokes Collection.

Lost & Found

1928 Ford Model A Pick-Up, originally built by Pat McNamara in the late 1940s and early 1950s. The truck is a true relic of California's early hot rod movement. Now owned by Greg Stokes of GMS Hot Rods in the North West Auckland region of New Zealand, the truck carries a rich history tied to innovation and speed.

Built for Speed: The Early Days

Pat McNamara started building the Model A pick-up in the late 1940s while working for Lee Chapel at Tornado Speed Equipment. As an employee of a prominent speed shop, McNamara had access to cutting-edge tools and techniques of the time. In the early 1950s, he enlisted in the Navy but continued his hot rodding pursuits, creating a mechanical fuel injection system—a groundbreaking and ambitious innovation for its era.

From 1952 to 1954, McNamara reportedly took the pick-up to Bonneville, running alongside the famed Tornado Streamliner. Known for its speed, the truck made a name for itself on the salt, further establishing McNamara as a visionary in the hot rod scene. When Greg acquired the pick-up, it retained its performance pedigree with a flathead V8 equipped with 4 carburetors, a Harman & Collins magneto, a column-shift gearbox, and a Culver City Halibrand quick-change rear end—hallmarks of cutting-edge 1950s hot rod engineering.

A Legacy Waiting to Be Uncovered

The pick-up's build evolved as it moved between Paso Robles and San Francisco, reflecting the spirit of the early hot rod movement. After years of dormancy at Squeak Bell's collection in Bakersfield, California, it found its way into Greg Stokes' care in New Zealand. The truck still bears a San Jose Rattlers club plaque, prompting Greg to seek more information about the club and its connection to the truck’s history.

Greg hopes to uncover more stories, photos, or details about Pat McNamara's innovations and the pick-up’s exploits. If you have any information about this Model A pick-up, its builder, or its history, please help preserve its legacy by reaching out. Contact Kustomrama at mail@kustomrama.com to share any leads or stories.