There’s always hot rod activity going on in Denver, especially involving flathead powered cars. So, I decided to start a web series focusing on early hot rods. 

I produced episode 1 “Dirt Drags” during the pandemic so it was a little tough to film but I managed to use footage revolving around guys getting their cars together for the Hot Rod Dirt Drags in Monte Vista. The main cars owned by Tom DeJohn and Kevin Loewen both have really nasty sounding flatheads! Hot rod legend Neal East talks about the importance of the Ford flathead and Colorado racing legend Pete Stringer shows you how to install a piston ring on a flathead engine. 

Episode 2 “Bandimere” was just released and features lots of flatheads racing at Bandimere Speedway. All the cars are part of the Vintage Drag Racing Association. Paul Dozoretz, Tom Hardy and Kent Hendershot race flathead powered cars and we talk to them about racing at Bandimere. Gene Palmer shows us his ’34 Ford coupe which has a rare set of Stephens flathead hemi heads that were manufactured in Denver. His set is the only pair on a running car. Matt Beranek bought a 1940 Ford coupe with a flathead that has been in storage in Denver since 1965 and we show him digging the car out and into the sunlight! 

Look for more episodes in the future of Denver Hot Rods on YouTube, Facebook and Instagram!

In Episode 2 of Denver Hot Rods we check out vintage drag racing at Bandimere Speedway with the VDRA, then we check out a ’34 Ford coupe with rare Stephens flathead heads. Then, we hone spindle bushings on a Sunnen Hone. Finally, we take a look at a barn find ’40 Ford coupe.

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