Ask the Expert
On this page, we hosted a feature whereby hot rodders could ask a personal question of our Expert of the Month via e-mail. The Expert, most often a pioneer, would answer the question over the telephone to us, and we would then post an audio clip on this page (see below). Unfortunately, we have had to end the feature, primarily because most of the pioneers did not want to answer a question “off the cuff”, but wanted instead to think it through, write it out, and then read it. We felt we were asking too much of them. In addition, many questions we received were not about hot rod history or traditional builds, but more about a muscle car or street rod (or even a question better put to Click and Clack!). So we were forever writing e-mails to say, “sorry, we can’t ask them that one.”
At any rate, we now have a nice archive of questions, many answered by the pioneers themselves, and we hope you will find this fun and useful.
Thanks to all rodders who participated in Ask the Expert!
Browse our Q & A Archives
Latest Postings
QUESTION
Hello Mr. Xydias, I wanted to attatched a photograph of a 1934 Ford Cabriolet that belonged to my Uncle. I am unable to attatch the photo because I dont know how to convert it to JPEG however the car has a VERY interesting history and im trying to find out its origianal builder history and Im hoping the story may jog your memory. If it does please let me know and I will somehow get you some photos. I have several. This car was given to my Uncle by HIS uncle Sam Snead of the golfing fame. Sometime in the later 40's My mom , Grandmother (Sams sister) and my Uncle went to Hot Springs, VA to visit Uncle Sam at his home there. My Uncle being a young boy 16-17ish was of course admiring the car. Legend has it that Uncle Sam said " Buddy? Ya like that Hot Rod" Which Buddy quickly answered " Hell Yea" Then Uncle sam said take it home its yours." Uncle Buddy drove the car for a long time and when he was drafted, my mom drove it to work everyday in the early 50's. The car was sold in the mid 70's to some fella in NJ, I think? Anyway, to my question. Do you have any recolection of such a car. Legend has it that Uncle Sam aquired the car in California and had it flown to Roanoke, VA. It had a Eddie Meyers flathead with all 1941 Lincoln suspention, Trans, aircraft guages and 39 ford tail lights. I appologize if you are not old enough to have been apart of this car but I was told that you used to have a cabriolet in front of your shop years ago, so I thought I would start with you. My mom gets upset whenever she thinks about my Uncle letting the car get out of the family. No one really knows the true history of the car and I think it really needs to be found and told. How often do you hear a story about Hot Rods and sporting legends such as Sam Snead. Thanks so much for your time.. Sincerely, Todd Day Stanley, VA
ANSWER
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QUESTION
How exactly would you describe a Gasser?
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QUESTION
Dear Sir, I am a hot rod history junkie and love to hear old stories about the how and when of the beginings of this stuff. One car in my particular inteest is the fabled 777 streamier from Denver, Colorado built by Bill Kenz at the Kenz and Leslie V8 shop. My questiopn to you is what relationship did you have to Bill Kenz? I am trying to gather anough infomation to wrtie a book about the Bill and Roy. I hope that you do not mind sharing any information with me. Thank you- Mark Karol-Chik
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QUESTION
In trying to cut down on friction , what is your thoughts on running ATF in a muncie transmission and a quick change rear end ? This is for a Bonneville application. THANKS
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QUESTION
I would like to know where John Athans Model "A" is. I thought it was at Wally Parks museum,but when I called there the young lady I spoke to said she thought it was still at the Smithsonian. I am trying to plan a trip to see this car and several others. Any help you could provide concerning the location at this time would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance. Morris
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QUESTION
I am interesred in what info, if any on the first rear engine D roadster or top fuel car built or when it first hit the drag strip. I believe I have quite a bit of info. on this subject.
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QUESTION
Does anyone have any information on the 32 roadster pictured on page 92/93 in Robert Genat's book " the birth of hot rodding". Any info at all would be appreciated...Thanks
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QUESTION
What's up fred? This question is not for you in particular, I've been trying to contact someone from the Emperors car club in California. My pops used to be in the club about 15-20 years ago, he lost contact with them and I've had a hard time trying to track them down. I've heard their still around, but havent been able to varify. I would greatly appreciate any feedback or info. Thanks a lot!!!!!
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QUESTION
Sorry to intrude, to use your web site for this - but I dont really have any other way to address it. I found Julian Doty's name associated with an aircraft project I was interested - and it goes back many years. I would like to contact him - perhaps you can help. What I want to ask of Julian is is in regards to an SE5a aircraft - I hear he had some hand in scratchbuilding an aircraft - and I would like to ask if he knows anyone that may have the plans, diagrams, schematics - from that effort. Thanks so much Bob Payne
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QUESTION
DO YOU HAVE ANY INFORMATION AS TO WHAT HAPPENED OR ANY PHOTOS, OF THE FATAL CRASH OF LES RITCHEY. aT FONTANA DRAG STRIP ON MAY 2 1966.
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QUESTION
I was at a car show last night (April 25th) and a guy there told me that Stuart Hilborn had passed away. Is this true?
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QUESTION
Hello; Do you know if Al Segrini is still racing, and if he can be contacted? Thank you; Marty Ulman
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QUESTION
I'm helping out on a Bonneville car with an injected alky flathead and was wondering if the addition of a "dial-a-jet" to the fuel system and an O2 sensor would be advisable to change the fuel mix during a run if the tune was not perfect at the start? I have no experence with the salt but think that that's something that coul save a run.
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QUESTION
Hwo was the frst person to juse 4-link on a frontaxle and when
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QUESTION
I believe my grandfather, Harry David Atwood, was involved in hot rod racing in Utah in the 1930's. (Perhaps earlier?) Where would I search for information about this?
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QUESTION
I was told the term hot rod started when on the way to dry lakes rodders stopped their cars on top of a long grad to cool the motors down. That was at a filling[ gas station] someone at the station made the comment here come those hot rods again referring to the motors.
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QUESTION
On page 22 of 57 there is a question about the Ala Cart. I listened to the answer expecting to hear that the Ala Cart is now stored in the Petersen Museum "vault" as that is where I saw it two weeks ago. Is that another "Ala Cart"?? It seemed to be the one that I saw "back in the day" -- but, of course, as we grow older memories fade and it could be a "rendition" of the pickup called the Ala Cart -- Thanks for the forum -- it is pretty cool to read lots so much history - Bob Amaral
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QUESTION
how and where did drag racing actualy start?
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QUESTION
my father set a world record on 9-27-1970 @ rockingham international dragway in the stock class/ dsa is there any record of this????
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QUESTION
Anyone know where i can find period Photo(s)/Artical of a Hot Rod Model A FORD Briggs Sedan built up in the 50's 60's. I have one i built up in the late 70s and would like to redo it in early style copying a vintage machine.
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