Bernie’s ’32 Ford is highlighted...
Bernie’s ’32 Ford is highlighted in what was acceptable racing trim for 1947—before the cages and other necessary safety equipment were required. The misguided who purposely create crudely constructed hot rods thinking that’s what Bernie’s generation built or raced would be laughed out of town. In the SCTA’s official program of the Second Annual Hot Rod Show held at the National Guard Armory in 1949 were these words: “A poorly built or carelessly put together roadster would not be allowed to participate in the time trials conducted by the association and it is doubtful that the application of the owner of such a car for membership would be given serious consideration.”
Like a flash the years flew by with a business to run, three children to raise, and—boom—it was time for Bernie and his brother to sell the business. “We were just getting old and Morey wanted to move to Tennessee.” (Morey relocated to McKenzie, Tennessee. Oh, and Morey has had his ’39 Ford since 1940; of course, it went with him. These guys don’t get rid of anything!)
“That’s when I began working on the roadster. Helen (Bernie’s wife) [died] in 1989, and after that it was a long time before I could go into the garage and work on the car.” But Bernie did and had Gil Ayala, the legendary half of custom car builders, the Ayala Brothers out of L.A., work the tin. “My roadster was the last car [Ayala] worked on before he died,” Bernie recalls. He then rejoined the California Roadster Club (he was a member in the ’40s) and set out to enjoy his retirement after years of hard work.