The Case:
A man in Benicia, CA owns a 1932 Ford roadster that, upon purchase, had an engine too powerful for normal driving. Our contributor suspects his car was used for dry-lake racing, a sport that had its heyday in Southern California in the 1930’s, and 1940s.
In 1932, although America was in the midst of the Depression, Henry Ford forged ahead, designing a new model ’32 car with the first powerful V8 engine affordable to the masses. Was our contributor’s car among the popular hot rods raced out at the dry lakes?
History Detectives high-tails it to California to investigate one of the most iconic hot rods of all time.
Related Content
Feature:
Technique:
Technique:
Related Links
Explore
-
Also in Depression and WWII: 1929-1945
Scottsboro Boys Stamp
Did a penny stamp help save the Scottsboro Boys from the electric chair?
-
Related Investigation
Satelloon
Could this three-inch square of metallic material be part of America's first satellite program?
-
Related Investigation
John Brown Pike
How did this metal blade spark violent tension between the North and the South?
-
Also in Depression and WWII: 1929-1945
Goering Gun
Did this shotgun belong to Hitler's right hand man?
-
Also with Tukufu Zuberi
Amos n' Andy Record
Is this aluminum record an early recording of the old-time radio series?
-
Also with Tukufu Zuberi
Lindbergh Engine
Could a 24-year-old have single-handedly built the engine for Lindbergh's plane?
Comments
This is a place for opinions, comments, questions and discussion; a place where viewers of History Detectives can express their points of view and connect with others who value history. We ask that posters be polite and respectful of all opinions. History Detectives reserves the right to delete comments that don’t conform to this conduct. We will not respond to every post, but will do our best to answer specific questions, or address an error.