Ask the Expert

On this page, you can ask a personal question of our Expert of the Month by clicking the red line below and typing out your question. PLEASE LIMIT QUESTIONS TO HOT ROD HISTORY AND TRADITIONAL BUILDS. Within approximately two weeks, we will post on the website our Expert's or Pioneer's answers to as many questions as we can handle. This will be in the form of an audio message that everyone can listen to and that can best be heard on a PC with a sound card. Thanks for participating!

The dry lakes were Art Chrisman's proving ground and, with his brother Lloyd in a ‘34 Ford coupe, they exceeded 140 mph before World War II. After the War, the Chrisman Garage in Compton began producing serious competition machines. Art became one of the five charter members of the 200 MPH Club driving Chet Herbert's “Beast”. His success on the drag strips was, for a time, unrivaled. In 1955, at Bakersfield, he went 140 mph in the famous “No. 25” that had originally belonged to Leroy Neumayer. Art and team built the Hustler I, powered by a 392-cid Chrysler engine, the first car to reach 180 mph. Throughout the 1950's and 60's, Art competed with the best fuelers in the sport.

    Do you have a hot rod related question? This month's resident expert is Art Chrisman.

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Browse through our Q & A archives
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Category: Other
Tuesday April 7, 2009 by Al Ybarra     Category: Other     Expert: Jim Miller

Question:
I was wondering if you could put me in contact with some one who would have information about a photo in the Bob Morton collection. It is photo BM002 and mentions Reiff & Wells. Norwood Reiff was my friends wifes grandfather. I would like to talk to someone about the photo and anymore they may have. Thank you very much for your help. By the way. what a great site you have.

Answer:
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Tuesday April 7, 2009 by Bob Payne     Category: Other     Expert: Jim Miller

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

Answer:
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Tuesday March 17, 2009 by Bud Randall     Category: Other     Expert: Jim Miller

Question:
hi i'm hoping and wondering if you or anyone in your contacts may have info on my grandfathers (Bud Vess)car i found 1 picture in the photo gallery photo number 96 under the listing of hotrods. i do know that a picture of his car was in the very first hotrod magazine, but nothing was said or written about him or his car. if you can help me with some or any info it would be greatly appreciated

Answer:
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Monday September 15, 2008 by Leighton Rawlings     Category: Other     Expert: Jeano LaCoste

Question:
Hi, I am an Australian who has been in the Hot Rodding scene since 1959 when I purchased my first Hot Rod, a channeled 1933 Ford 5 Window Coupe, I have it back in my garage at this time, ready to be restored back to 1959 specifications. Enough of myself, my question is regarding the advertised "Deuces on Disc" video (February 2008 edition of Rod and Custom magazine page 15). It is noted that this video is available through the American Hot Rod Foundation website and the Petersen Automotive Museum website, I would like to obtain a copy of this DVD but can not find it listed on either site. Could you advise me on the correct proceedure, or site listing, so that I may be able to secure myself the said copy. Looking forward to your reply. Leighton J. Rawlings. Victoria. Australia.

Answer:
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Friday April 28, 2006 by Zoltan Szabo     Category: Other     Expert: Dick Bertolucci

Question:
Have you ever thought about teaching or just showing the things you are famous of?

Answer:
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Friday April 28, 2006 by Jim Luke     Category: Other     Expert: Dick Bertolucci

Question:
Dick, This is Jim Luke from Roseville Ca. A while back I saw a truck that had a metal Bertolucci, Sacramento license frame.. Do you happen to have any more available? We have a mutual friend named Harry Blecca that I have asked to check with you but now that this is available to me I thought that I would e-mail you also. I have always been a fan of your cars and attached a picture of mine that I think would look even better with one of your license frames on it. Thanks for taking the time to read this. Jim Luke

Answer:
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Thursday April 27, 2006 by Eric Perkins     Category: Other     Expert:

Question:
I would like to find some real old ISKY stickers for my 27 t coupe, any help would be great. Thanks for your time

Answer:
Reproductions may be available in the future, untill then...Ebay?


Monday April 24, 2006 by Roy Pagnini     Category: Other     Expert: Ed Iskenderian

Question:
Mr. Iskendirian I recently talked to you on the phone about Eddie Edmunds and you said you would look and see if you perhaps had any information about him. I was wondering if you have had a chance? I recently talked to Glen Volz from Salem Speed Shop and he said to say hello..... Thank You

Answer:
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Tuesday March 21, 2006 by Jocko McNeal     Category: Other     Expert: Jocko Johnson

Question:
I'm curious as to how you got the name Jocko. I got it from my dad and most paople for the last 20 or so years don't even know my real name (Laurence). I've read quite a bit about your exploits in early drag racing as well as land speed racing. It's an honor to meet you and thanks in advance.

Answer:
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Thursday March 16, 2006 by Mike Rose     Category: Other     Expert: Ed Iskenderian

Question:
I just wanted to know more about your T. The famous Isky T. I was wondering if you Z'd the frame in the rear? I know I read that, it has, I believe a 57 chevy rear end with the spring in front of the axle. I'd just like to know as much about the car's chassis as possible. I am building my first hot rod, a steel 22 T roadster and would love to have a similar look. Thank you, -mike

Answer:
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Wednesday March 15, 2006 by Mark Sweeney     Category: Other     Expert: Tommy Ivo

Question:
I was just looking at a shot of you taking the corvette of one of your early trailers/trucks for your dragsters. It must have been about twenty feet up and the tracks looked a bit rickety. Ever get spooked taking it down (or putting it up) after a long night?

Answer:
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Wednesday March 15, 2006 by LUX BLUE     Category: Other     Expert: Tommy Ivo

Question:
Did you really fill The Snakes room with ice from the hotel ice machine?

Answer:
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Tuesday February 21, 2006 by Steve M      Category: Other     Expert: Dick Guldstrand

Question:
I have a '79 Corvette with a stock rear suspension plus a 330 pound fiberglass rear spring and aluminum plates to firm up the rear crossmember. I have looked at the various 6 link rears and your 5 link but they seem to be too much for my street driven car. My wheels are 17 inches with modern low profile tires. Would I see a handling improvement if I were to lower the inside mounting point for the rear lower control arms by 1/2 to 1 inch with no other changes?

Answer:
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Tuesday January 31, 2006 by Royal Shifter      Category: Other     Expert: Blackie Gejean

Question:
Blackie, me and my family and all the Royal Shifters wish you a speedy recovery and hope you are able to get back to what you do best. We all thank you for being at our club round-up with Henry Astor last season and hope we all can do burn-outs with you again.

Answer:
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