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Gerry's Garage Talk: A Visit with Dennis Harris of Hot Rod
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Posted by nwv_admin Mon Nov 8, 2004 08:08:00 PST
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0 responses 0 comments Greetings, fellow street rodders,

This week I interviewed Dennis Harris, who started Hot Rod Garage in 1999 after 27 years in the oil industry.

I met Dennis through my friend Roger at the NSRA Street Rod Nationals over three years ago. I had just finished my 1937 Ford two-door fast-back sedan, and Dennis invited me to come by. I thought I knew the Rosedale area, but had a hard time finding his shop at 6734 Charity Ave., Bay 10, a half mile north of Rosedale Highway near Allen Road and Jomani Drive. Here's a tip for getting there: the shop bay is located in the third row of the shop buildings on the northwest corner. Think of it as a street rodder's treasure hunt!

After building several street rods for friends, Dennis decided to start his own business. Right now Dennis has several projects under construction. One that is of special interest is a 1936 Chrysler Imperial Air Flow two-door sedan. Only about 250 of the two-door style were manufactured. The wheel base is longer on the Imperial sedan than on the standard Chrysler Air Flow models. This particular Air Flow was owned by the famed Howard Hughes tool company, which specialized in oil tool and drilling bits and equipment. There still are signs of the Hughes Oil Tool decal on the passenger side door. Dennis found the car several years ago but the owners didn't want to want to sell it at that time. Then after several years, the car came up for sale and Dennis bought it.

Dennis has several other interesting cars in his shop, one of which is a 1951 Crosley. The Crosley company was known for making radios, not cars. In the 1950s, Crosley tried to make inroads into the automobile industry with several small cars. The body now sits on a Model "T" truck rails with a Ford 9" narrowed rear end, narrowed 10" Chevy 350 engine, Chevy 350 turbo transmission and a 1940 Ford 4" dropped axle. Also, the front end is narrowed 18" and will sport a spinner on the front.

One of the most interesting things on the 1951 Crosley was the front-sported spinner. The spinner was bought by people who owned earlier models of the Crosley and then attached to make the car appear to be a 1951 model. This coupe was one of four model cars that Crosley produced. There was also a station wagon, a sedan, a convertible, and a roadster known as "Hot Shot." The engine had 23 horsepower and boasted getting 60 miles per gallon of gas. This Crosley will be his shop car when finished.

Dennis is working on some other cars, too, including a 1968 Camaro 327 S/S Rally Sport, a 1951 Ford "Shoe Box," a 1953 Studebaker coupe and a 1970 Datsun Roadster. Look for future articles on his Hot Rod Garage cars.

Dennis does custom work on street rods, classics, and muscle cars, complete restorations from frame up, to small jobs of all kinds. He says to call him and he can help you with problems you have and guide you to the correct parts. He also can order almost any part you need. His phone number is 661-323-7060, and don't be afraid to ask directions to his shop!

I also wanted to let you to know about Precision Speed and Machine, a new business that will have its grand opening on Nov. 20th from 10 am to 2 pm with food, drawings and manufacturing and sales representatives on hand to answer questions. Precision Speed and Machine is at 12816 Jomani Dr., about a mile north of Rosedale Highway and Allen Road. Phone 661-589-4611.

Until next time,
Gerry

E-mail me at gwbyron2@yahoo.com

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