The Ralph Schenck Streamliner
The Ralph Schenck Streamliner was owned and raced by Albata car club member Ralph Schenck. Ralph built the car in 1939, and it first ran in 1940.[2] It recalled Barney Oldfield's Golden Submarine that was designed in 1917.
Ralph's streamliner was powered by a Chevrolet four cylinder engine that Ralph had previously used in his modified. In 1940 it turned 126.93 mph. According to Albert Drake's book Flat Out, the car was allegedly driven on the streets during WWII.[3] In 2016 Terry Baldwin told Kustomrama that Ralph never put lights or a license plate on the car and drove it on the street or to work.[2]
In 1948 Quarter Milers club members Heinrich and Seaton raced Ralph's old streamliner at an SCTA meet, where it ran 112.07 mph.[4]
The Ralph Schenck streamliner was later owned by Culver City Screwdrivers member Bob Arner. When Bob owned the car, it had the name "69'er" painted on to it. While Bob owned it, the streamliner was called "The Screwdriver". Later on it received flames, painted by George Hale. There are rumors about Von Dutch painting the flames, but that was not the case according to Terry Baldwin.[2] The flamed version was featured on the cover of Hot Rod Magazine July 1950.
Sometime after the streamliner was featured on the cover of Hot Rod Magazine July 1950, Bob threw the body away. Terry Baldwin rescued everything that was left, and over a period of 12 years he rebuilt it. The rebuilt version of the car made it's debut at the 2010 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance.
Magazine Features and Appearances
References
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