Originally I did not want to ask this question on the open forum for fear of it being somehow rude. I sent a PM to Jeff Norwell about it but did not hear back and that could be because I did something wrong with the PM process.
So here goes.
A number of years ago my friend Brooke DeShaw passed away. At the time he was working on a Model A sedan with a small block Ford on a Horton Chassis. I am not sure what the state of the car was at this point but Brooke's wife June sold the car to Duke Brown.
I met up with June recently in Phoenix and the topic of the Brown Brothers came up. I was not sure if they were still with us or not and thus my hesitation to ask. So if anyone can give me an update that would be appreciated. I told June I would try to find out.
Brooke was a pretty good drag racer in the 60's. He had an F/S Chevrolet Impala that was originally campaigned by Park Lane Motors in Sarnia. He then bought the original Model T Pack Rat that Roger Miller owned and raced as a BB/A. I am not sure if Brooke bought the car from Roger or the Brown Brothers but I think the front mounted blower engine ended up the Brown's Fiat. Brooke raced the car as a B/A car during the time he had it and was sponsored by Performance Improvements. The last I saw the car it was still orange and called the "Avenger" it had a fuel injected small block in it. Brooke raced the car out of the Roadmates Car Club and we used to travel with Bruce Wilkes who had a Model A B/SR. Last I heard that car was apart and was going to be restored.
Apparently the Pack Rat 1 car is still around and has been converted into a street rod. Brooke's sons have looked for the car to no avail. No idea what happened to the Model A either.
The Potvin front mount blower engine has resided in the ELTA shop up until Rick Proctor took it home last fall. Rick also owns the original Miler/Gregory Fiat that ran the motor at one time.
Doug, I have spoken to Rick in the past about the car but thank you in any case.
I really wanted to know about the Brown Brothers and thanks to Bob T for the update.
Rochie thanks for the information on the motor, I had assumed that it was sold with the Brown's Fiat but obviously not if Rick has it. Interesting as to what happened to the BB's Fiat, no one seems to know. It was a very pretty race car but I cannot recall ever seeing it actually run. I know I have no pictures of it.
I am a Roadmate member. Yes, Duke and Tony are still with us. Duke has the usual age related problems. Tony spends his winters in Florida and Duke usually goes to visit for a month or so.
They are still enthusiastic car guys and have the twinkle in their eye for cars.
Duke no longer builds cars but Tony still tinkers with them every now and then. I think he enjoys the chase.
Both great guys that I admire.
Yes, they originated from England.
There is a lot of history in our club house. Drop by and visit some time. There are always interesting projects on the go.
I am a Roadmate member. Yes, Duke and Tony are still with us. Duke has the usual age related problems. Tony spends his winters in Florida and Duke usually goes to visit for a month or so. They are still enthusiastic car guys and have the twinkle in their eye for cars. Duke no longer builds cars but Tony still tinkers with them every now and then. I think he enjoys the chase. Both great guys that I admire. Yes, they originated from England. There is a lot of history in our club house. Drop by and visit some time. There are always interesting projects on the go.
Welcome back to the forum Al! How's that '40 pickup coming along?
Thanks for all the input guys. Had a great conversation with Jeff Norwell and it is good to know that, even if they are struggling a bit, the Brown Brothers are still with us.
That Roadmates club house was a magically place when we were kids. You never knew what might be parked outside, getting a peek inside was even better.
Times changed from the late 50's and early 60's, to get to the Roadmates was no easy task for us. The Queensway did not go through at the time so we had a choice, walk our bikes along the CP main line and ride down Dixie or perhaps take the shoulder of the QEW which was a whole lot faster but a little risky on a bike. The good old days!
Again loved the pictures Pint and a Pound. The Fiat was a great looking race car.
Yes, we still have the cornroast. I will send a notice as we get closer to the date. (first weekend in September)
The truck is coming along slowly. I only have weekends to work on it. Had a bit of a set back with the chassis.......another story for another time
