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Misc Forums => LSR General Chat => Topic started by: Bebe on March 01, 2012, 01:58:03 PM

Title: Any history help for this Roadster/Lakester?
Post by: Bebe on March 01, 2012, 01:58:03 PM
Hi all,

My name is Bebe. My Dad is Don Canepa of Watsonville CA. Some of you may have known him. Well, I'm sorry to say, he passed away in January. However, he left us some seriously fun stuff.

We are struggling with identifying this Roadster/Lakester and some folks over at the H.A.M.B. suggested that this site would be helpful in piecing together the history of it.

I would be most grateful for your assistance or direction.

What I know:

It's Yellow :)
It's a #36 car
It may have been built by Carl Kershing (sp?) in Salinas
It may be a 1926-27 model T with a 23 turtle deck - louvered
It may have been run in Bonneville in 55--56-57
It's not for sale :)

We are hoping to find photos or stories about it. Our plan is to possibly put it back together, as it was my Dad's project he did not get to complete.

(http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a240/HummBeeBe/Canepas%20Automotive%20Estate/IMG_4573.jpg)

(http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a240/HummBeeBe/Canepas%20Automotive%20Estate/IMG_4571.jpg)

(http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a240/HummBeeBe/Canepas%20Automotive%20Estate/IMG_4562.jpg)

(http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a240/HummBeeBe/Canepas%20Automotive%20Estate/IMG_4556.jpg)

It's a basket case now and we have most of the parts. The Wayne Head for it is registered at 12 port history on inliners, that's where we got the information we have now.

We are excited to get started on it.

Thank you,


Bebe
Title: Re: Any history help for this Roadster/Lakester?
Post by: Tman on March 01, 2012, 02:37:16 PM
Glad you made it over here! This board moves a little slower due to size but I am sure you will get some answers from this crowd!
Title: Re: Any history help for this Roadster/Lakester?
Post by: 38flattie on March 01, 2012, 03:12:02 PM
Hey, it's the rootbeer girl! :-D

Welcome to the board, and good luck on your search. Shoot Glen a PM-if he doesn't know, he can probably point you in the right direction.
Title: Re: Any history help for this Roadster/Lakester?
Post by: Bob Drury on March 01, 2012, 07:28:36 PM
  Bebe, the first thing you need to do is call Gary Cope who lives in Auburn, a long time Bville racer and record holder with a GMC motor.
  Gary is a great guy (don't tell him I said that) and his phone number is ........ get this, (530) 8898GMC.
  p.s. His other great love (besides his beautiful wife) is Early Olds motors which is the 8898 in the phone number.
  double p.s.   He is a beer moocher, so be forwarned.............. :-D :cheers: :-D
Title: Re: Any history help for this Roadster/Lakester?
Post by: 55chevr on March 01, 2012, 08:31:55 PM
BeBe,
I sent the link from the hamb to Glen ... now he can see it first hand ... Joe
Title: Re: Any history help for this Roadster/Lakester?
Post by: Glen on March 01, 2012, 08:40:41 PM
Joe, I will get to it right now the house and my office is tore up getting ready for new carpet so I can't get to my files.
Title: Re: Any history help for this Roadster/Lakester?
Post by: 55chevr on March 01, 2012, 08:44:48 PM
Glen - you have earned the reputation as the historical expert on all things Bonneville ...
Title: Re: Any history help for this Roadster/Lakester?
Post by: Bebe on March 01, 2012, 09:58:42 PM
Hey, it's the rootbeer girl! :-D

Welcome to the board, and good luck on your search. Shoot Glen a PM-if he doesn't know, he can probably point you in the right direction.

That's right! And you better not stiff me on the Tommy Knockers  :cheers:

This is getting really exciting  :-D
Title: Re: Any history help for this Roadster/Lakester?
Post by: Bebe on March 01, 2012, 10:05:11 PM
  Bebe, the first thing you need to do is call Gary Cope who lives in Auburn, a long time Bville racer and record holder with a GMC motor.
  Gary is a great guy (don't tell him I said that) and his phone number is ........ get this, (530) 8898GMC.
  p.s. His other great love (besides his beautiful wife) is Early Olds motors which is the 8898 in the phone number.
  double p.s.   He is a beer moocher, so be forwarned.............. :-D :cheers: :-D

Good! we have lot's of Beer  :cheers: I'll give him a call.

Bebe
Title: Re: Any history help for this Roadster/Lakester?
Post by: Bebe on March 01, 2012, 11:17:19 PM
Can I ask a 'dumb" question? since I have only seen this car in the trailer...is it a rear or front engine?

It looks front to me...but I don't know what the hole is for in the read deck lid.

I have a bunch more photos, I'll post them.
Title: Re: Any history help for this Roadster/Lakester?
Post by: Bebe on March 01, 2012, 11:23:22 PM
(http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a240/HummBeeBe/Canepas%20Automotive%20Estate/IMG_4568.jpg)

(http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a240/HummBeeBe/Canepas%20Automotive%20Estate/IMG_4563.jpg)

(http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a240/HummBeeBe/Canepas%20Automotive%20Estate/IMG_4560.jpg)

(http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a240/HummBeeBe/Canepas%20Automotive%20Estate/IMG_4561.jpg)

(http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a240/HummBeeBe/Canepas%20Automotive%20Estate/IMG_4559.jpg)
Title: Re: Any history help for this Roadster/Lakester?
Post by: Peter Jack on March 01, 2012, 11:36:04 PM
Front engined. The hole in the deck is probably for a fuel filler.

Looks like you have a really nice start for a restoration project.

Good luck with it! :cheers: :cheers: :cheers:

Pete
Title: Re: Any history help for this Roadster/Lakester?
Post by: Bebe on March 02, 2012, 01:04:56 AM
Question is - Preservation or Restoration....?
Title: Re: Any history help for this Roadster/Lakester?
Post by: Peter Jack on March 02, 2012, 09:01:13 AM
Why not assemble all the parts you've got before you make a decision? That way you'd know what parts you need and the scope of the project before you start a full restoration.

Peter
Title: Re: Any history help for this Roadster/Lakester?
Post by: Moxnix on March 02, 2012, 10:24:17 AM
Preservation.  But that's just my opinion.
Title: Re: Any history help for this Roadster/Lakester?
Post by: 55chevr on March 02, 2012, 10:44:31 AM
A term used in antiques is "sympathetic restoration".  Means minimum restoration to functional.
Title: Re: Any history help for this Roadster/Lakester?
Post by: speakfordadead on March 02, 2012, 11:05:08 AM
My vote too is preservation....   :mrgreen:
Title: Re: Any history help for this Roadster/Lakester?
Post by: Bebe on March 02, 2012, 11:07:14 AM
Why not assemble all the parts you've got before you make a decision? That way you'd know what parts you need and the scope of the project before you start a full restoration.

Peter

We talked about that just last night, put everything together, buy anything that's missing, and then blow it apart and restore it.

We also talked about building an additional cage that will pass tech, (upgrading what ever needs to be) and getting it back out to Bonneville.
Title: Re: Any history help for this Roadster/Lakester?
Post by: Bob Drury on March 02, 2012, 12:16:22 PM
  Bebe, I think updating the car is beyond consideration.
  The car would need a new "everything" including chassis.  These cars rust not only on the outside but from the inside of the chassis out.
  The car deserves to be restored either to "original as raced", or as a static display (it would be in my living room).
  At that point if you have the "bug" bad enough, build a new updated simillar car that looks just as good and has all of today's safety features.
  Then line the new car up at Speedweek and "GO LIKE HELL"!
  In the mean time keep us posted, ask all the questions you want and come to the salt and/or dry lakes and find out why your Dad and the rest of us have given our all to make it every year........  Bob :cheers:



Title: Re: Any history help for this Roadster/Lakester?
Post by: Dynoroom on March 02, 2012, 12:47:10 PM
This car started out like yours. The customer wanted to race it and this is what it turned into. Not what you want I think.

Enjoy your project.
Title: Re: Any history help for this Roadster/Lakester?
Post by: 38flattie on March 02, 2012, 12:48:59 PM
We talked about that just last night, put everything together, buy anything that's missing, and then blow it apart and restore it.

We also talked about building an additional cage that will pass tech, (upgrading what ever needs to be) and getting it back out to Bonneville.

Bob's a smart guy, and the car will need a LOT of work, and a LOT of parts replaced, to run at Bonneville.

I'm going to have to disagree with Bob, though, and say that I think the idea of restoring/building the car for Bonneville is great! Good luck
Title: Re: Any history help for this Roadster/Lakester?
Post by: Bebe on March 02, 2012, 10:30:33 PM
Wow - thanks!

It's hard to say at this point what we will end up with, but we will definitely find out more as we get into the project. All original parts assembly will be first up I imagine.

Thanks all for your advice.

Title: Re: Any history help for this Roadster/Lakester?
Post by: SPARKY on March 02, 2012, 11:10:48 PM
 :cheers: :cheers: :cheers:
Title: Re: Any history help for this Roadster/Lakester?
Post by: maguromic on March 02, 2012, 11:56:46 PM
Cool roadster!!! Looks like a Norden center steering box. Tony
Title: Re: Any history help for this Roadster/Lakester?
Post by: Bebe on March 23, 2012, 03:57:28 PM
Joe, I will get to it right now the house and my office is tore up getting ready for new carpet so I can't get to my files.

Bumping to the top....does anyone have the souvenir programs for Bonneville 55-57?
Title: Re: Any history help for this Roadster/Lakester?
Post by: Nortonist 592 on March 23, 2012, 04:23:42 PM
I saw this originally over on the HAMB and immediately fell in lust.  I can't explain why but it struck something almost to the genetic level.  Were it mine I would try and do a sympathetic restoration.  Not with the idea of running it on the salt competitively.  The rules have changed too much and to meet them with that car would require a complete change of character.  But it could be brought back to original and a runner.  So much of our history is lost or thrown away, to do anything but bring that car back to the way it was would be a sin.  Whatever you decide to do, good luck.  I for one will be eagerly following this thread.
Title: Re: Any history help for this Roadster/Lakester?
Post by: dw230 on March 23, 2012, 11:20:08 PM
For programs and related stuff try Jim Miller.

Jim is on the board of the American Hot Rod Foundation: www.ahrf.com.

 He specializes in Bonneville and dry lakes history. I have seen a very comprehensive collection of programs, entry lists, results, magazines, etc. in his home. He is single because a woman would not allow his filing system in her home.

Contact Jim at: miller212.842@sbcglobal.net

DW
Title: Re: Any history help for this Roadster/Lakester?
Post by: Bebe on March 23, 2012, 11:30:49 PM
Thank you.
Title: Re: Any history help for this Roadster/Lakester?
Post by: Bebe on March 27, 2012, 06:56:03 PM
For programs and related stuff try Jim Miller.

Jim is on the board of the American Hot Rod Foundation: www.ahrf.com.

 He specializes in Bonneville and dry lakes history. I have seen a very comprehensive collection of programs, entry lists, results, magazines, etc. in his home. He is single because a woman would not allow his filing system in her home.

Contact Jim at: miller212.842@sbcglobal.net

DW

I sent him an e-mail...no reply yet, is he out on assignment?
Title: Re: Any history help for this Roadster/Lakester?
Post by: dw230 on March 27, 2012, 07:54:23 PM
I haven't talked to him for a while. I do know he is caring for a very sick friend, terminal, and may be busy. He'll get back to you.

DW
Title: Re: Any history help for this Roadster/Lakester?
Post by: Bebe on March 27, 2012, 08:02:52 PM
Thank you, I'll be patient - prayers to Jim.