Santa Ana Creepers at the 1957 NHRA Nationals Oklahoma City, Oklahoma - Jewels From The Archive

We don’t know the history or the whereabouts of the Creepers Car Club of Santa Ana, California, but when we found these photos from the 1957 nhra Nationals we came unglued. The super-sleek and downright badass little digger you see here is lettered proclaiming it as “The Creeper”. Upon closer inspection, the club plaque reads “Creepers Santa Ana”.

After pondering for a few minutes it dawned on us that this crew from California had done what many others had to attend the Nationals that year—they drove across the country dragging a wild machine behind them. Their hope was to break a speed record or win a trophy with The Creeper.

These guys must have looked like a bunch of misfits as they made their trek. Camaraderie, skill, coolness, and the need for speed bonded this group together. This is definitely what a hot rod/custom car club should be about. If the characters involved didn’t wake up every middle American town they breezed through, then their little Austin sedan and its crazy paintjob definitely did! Man, we sure would like to hear the stories of this adventurous group and their Mailliard Automotive–sponsored asphalt rocket! These speed freaks accomplished what they set out to do at the 1957s Nats; they took first in the “B” Competition Class!