Pat McNamara's 1928 Ford Model A Pick-Up

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 New Zealand, the truck is currently located in Bakersfield, California, where it is being brought back to life in Pat McNamara's memory. Together with Sean and Anna Clason, and with the help of Squeak Bell, Greg is working to get the pick-up running again to attend events such as the RPM Drags and the Antique Nationals. 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.

Prior to his passing, Pat McNamara lived in the Bakersfield area, where his granddaughter, Kelly McNamara, inherited the truck. The pick-up was stored for years at Squeak Bell's place in Bakersfield, where he safeguarded it for Kelly. In 2023, Greg Stokes acquired the pick-up after first seeing it in 2022. 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.

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. Photo courtesy of The Greg Stokes Collection.

Photo courtesy of The Greg Stokes Collection.

Photo courtesy of The Greg Stokes Collection.

Photo courtesy of The Greg Stokes Collection.

The chassis photo accompanying the story likely dates back to the mid-1950s, further connecting the vehicle to its golden era. 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 New Zealand, the truck is currently located in Bakersfield, California, where it is being brought back to life in Pat McNamara's memory. Together with Sean and Anna Clason, and with the help of Squeak Bell, Greg is working to get the pick-up running again to attend events such as the RPM Drags and the Antique Nationals.

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.

A Legacy Preserved

Prior to his passing, Pat McNamara lived in the Bakersfield area, where his granddaughter, Kelly McNamara, inherited the truck. The pick-up was stored for years at Squeak Bell's place in Bakersfield, where he safeguarded it for Kelly. In 2023, Greg Stokes acquired the pick-up after first seeing it in 2022. The truck retained its historic character, 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.

For Greg, these cars are more than just machines. "The backstory of the car and the people is what makes all this so special," Greg told Sondre Kvipt of Kustomrama in November of 2024. Now, he hopes to bring the pick-up back to life to honor McNamara's legacy and preserve its place in hot rod history.

Do You Have Information About Pat's Pick-Up?

Greg Stokes is searching for additional details about the truck, its exploits, and Pat McNamara's innovations. The truck bears a San Jose Rattlers plaque, and Greg would love to learn more about the club and its connection to the pick-up’s story.

If you have any photos, stories, or information about Pat McNamara or this Model A pick-up, please help preserve its legacy by reaching out. Contact Kustomrama at mail@kustomrama.com to share any leads, photos or stories.