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 with Tukufu Zuberi
Seth Eastman Painting
Is this painting a true depiction of Native American life from one of the premiere painters of the American West?
-
Also with Tukufu Zuberi
Liberia Letter
Does this letter help to trace one freed man’s dream to return to Africa?
-
Also in Depression and WWII: 1929-1945
The Disappearance of Glenn Miller
In 1944, bandleader Glenn Miller boarded a plane for Paris and was never seen again. What happened?
-
Related Investigation
Szyk Picture
Could these be early drawings of America's most influential political cartoonist?
-
Related Investigation
Creole Poems
Does this manuscript contain words of love or illegal acts of rebellion?
-
Also with Tukufu Zuberi
Dempsey Fight Bell
Is this the bell that sat ringside at the world's first boxing superstar's legendary match?
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.