Building a Hot Rod in November 1964: The Beatles Came to America in February of That Year, Cassius Clay Wins the Heavy-Weight Boxing Championship Over Sonny Liston. And I was Eleven Years Old…
Date: November 1964
My five older brothers built something similar or akin to what might be called a “Rat Rod” today. The origin was a 1951 Studebaker…using the frame, which had been shortened by three feet, the original engine and transmission.
In the following photos are my brother Jimmy, who was driving, I’m in the middle with the “cool” cowboy hat, and my brother, Phillip.
My older brothers, Richard, Jimmy, Ronny, Donnie and Phillip, worked on fabricating “The Bug” as it was called. I was a bit too young, and mostly just enjoyed watching. Sometimes I would assist by handing them wrenches or anything else they might need.
Improvements were made over the next year with the installation of a mid-50’s Chrysler Hemi engine, which had much more horsepower than the Studebaker.
The sad looking tires, especially the front white-walls would eventually be changed out with some better looking wheels. Additions would also be made to the body, however, still constructed of wood panels. With a larger budget, many improvements could have been made, but….
My brother, Donnie, being in high school drove the school bus in the background, which was an early 1950’s model Chevrolet.
An astronomical telescope purchase in 1963:
It was my brother Jimmy, who had already purchased (at the time of the photo) a 60mm f/15 equatorially mounted refractor from Sears, at a cost of $100. This would be the equivalent of $835 in 2019. An expensive telescope for sure.
Two years later, I would begin using this telescope to observe deep-sky objects (galaxies, nebulae and star clusters) and a lifelong interest in astronomy would follow, even to this day.
Roger Ivester
Improved budget, greater skills and abilities, my brother Phillip would become a race car and engine builder. He would also go on to win an incredible 164 drag racing events. with multiple drag cars.
The following photo was made in September 2019:
rogerivester.com 