Though
large organizations, especially the National Hot Rod Association,
had Virginia members, it was the smaller local clubs that gave “motorheads”
a strong sense of identity and the opportunity to meet frequently
with other car buffs in their communities. The earliest hot rod clubs
in Southwest Virginia were the Gas Gobblers (Roanoke, 1950), the Virginia
Wheelers (Roanoke, 1953), the Ridge Runners (Abingdon area, 1955),
and the Appalachian Motor Club (Abingdon area, 1955). In the 1950s
over 30 regional car clubs formed in the region. Through plaques,
jackets, patches, window decals, and license-plate holders, drivers
proudly displayed their club affiliations.
Most clubs catered to hot rods and drag racing. They officially met
in private garages, gas stations, community halls, and even police
stations, but each club also had a public place—typically a
gas station or a drive-in restaurant—where members gathered
informally. Drivers seeking a late-night street race would cruise
by these local hang-outs to find challengers.
Car clubs shared tools, garage space, and know-how, thus passing on
traditional mechanical skills. Expenses were paid by dues and money
raised through car washes and dances. Concerned about the public attitude
toward hot rodders, some clubs sent speakers to local civic meetings.
Members also carried “courtesy cards” which they gave
to stranded motorists they helped on the highways.
In Southwest Virginia, numerous car clubs formed as more drag strips
opened, and some clubs became involved in drag strip operations. The
Roanoke Dragsters ran the Roanoke Drag Strip, the Lakeview Dragsters
ran the Lakeview Drag Strip (Henry County), and the Quarter Milers
ran the Oak Level Drag Strip (Henry County). The Eastern Auto Club
Council, an umbrella organization involving several clubs, was formed
in part to provide further help in running the Roanoke Drag Strip;
EACC members included the Loafers (Salem), the Eliminators (Salem),
the Road Rebels (Welch, West Virginia), the Ridge Runners (Roanoke
County), and the Dixie Rebels (Roanoke).
Many Southwest Virginia car clubs died out in the 1960s. By then Ford,
Chrysler, and General Motors were making muscle cars for the young
male market, and the car builders and racers of the 1940s and ‘50s
had jobs and family responsibilities. Today car clubs in Southwest
Virginia have seen a new vitality, due in part to retired men who
were once involved with cars of the 1950s.
VIRGINIA
HOT ROD CLUBS
This list is a work in progress, and names and pictures will be added
as they are received. If you know of clubs or have memorabilia, please
contact the BRI so that we might add to our research.
Click on the underlined clubs to view plaques,
courtesy cards, jackets and photos.
ALEXANDRIA
Accelerators
Continentals
Custom Louvers
Escorts
Gearjammers
Imperials
King Pins
Nomads
Oiler’s
Originators
Speedos
Universals
Valve Floaters
ANNADALE
Satan's Playboys
ARLINGTON
Road Ravens
Satellites
Terrapins
Traction Masters
The Road Knights
ABINGDON
Appalachian Motor Club - 1956
ASHLAND
Prosecutor - 1960's
BASSETT
Quarter Milers
BEDFORD
Igniter’s
Thundering Turtles - 1960
BLACKSBURG
Stockers - 1962
BLUE RIDGE
Ridge Runners - 1960
BOTETOURT CO.
Botetourt Dragoons - 1960
BRIDGEWATER
Pace Makers - 1958
CHARLOTTESVILLE
Charlottesville Rev-Masters
Charlottesville Road Runners
Downshifters
Pacers
CHASE CITY
Virginia Stockers
CHRISTIANSBURG
Scavengers
Untouchables
Flying
Wheels
CONCORD
Falling River Rapids - 1961
COVINGTON
Gear Grinders
CROZET
Angels
DANVILLE
Thunderbirds
DINWIDDIE
Flywheeler’s - 1960's
ETTRICK
Push Rods - 1960's
FAIRFAX
Rod Benders
Tach Twisters
FALLS CHURCH
Travelers
FRANCONIA
Cruisers
FREDERICKSBURG
Eagles
Snowmen
Virginia Stockers
FRONT ROYAL
Rakers
Royal Rebels
GUM SPRINGS
Coasters - 1960's
HAMPTON
Golden Gears
HENRY COUNTY
Lakeview Dragsters
HARRISONBURG
Conquistadors
HERNDON
Road-Sirs
Track Bruisers
HOPEWELL
Thundering Turtles - 1950's
VA. Rebels
LEESBURG
Eliminator’s
LOUISA
Protestors - 1960's
LOVETTSVILLE
Midnight Angels Auto Club
LYNCHBURG
Nomads
Progressives
Ridge Runners
Road Rebels
Rod Bender’s - 1957
Tappet Busters
The Duelers
MANASSAS
Advancers
MARSHALL
Skibby-Honcho
MARTINSVILLE
Old Dominion Street Rods
MATTHEWS
Untouchables
MCLEAN
Tri-Carbs
MIDDLEBURG
Chopper’s
MIDLOTHIAN
Joker’s - 1960's
NEWPORT NEWS
Road Angels
Wheels Motor Club
NORFOLK
Camtwisters
Fiestas
Kustoms
Road Angels
Tidewater Street Rod Association
Virginia Gents
Virginians, The
PEARISBURG
Road Angels Hot Rod & Cust. Club
Valiants
PETERSBURG
Coachmen - 1960's
Push Rods - 1960's
The Rodders - 1956
PORTSMOUTH
Portsmouth Street Rod Association
Road Angels
Road Runners
RADFORD
Old Dominion Rodders - 1957
Ridge Runners - 1955
RICHMOND
Confederate Customs
Asphalt Angels - 1957
Churchhill Road Runners - 1960's
Cluster’s - 1960's
Coachmen - 1959
Dixie Gents - 1956
Dixie Knights - 1956
Downshifters - 1960's
Emerald Eagles - 1960's
Fender Benders - 1960's
Igniters
Little Eliminators
Mugs, The - 1960's
Paladins - 1960's
Road Burners - 1960's
Road Knights - 1960's
Road Saints - 1954
The Road Sparks - 1959
Roarin 20 Car Club - 1961
Shafters Auto Club - 1961
Shreters Kustom Club - 1961
Sleepers - 1960's
Slicks - 1960's
Timers - 1960's
Virginia Creepers - 1954
Virginia Kustoms Auto Club - 1961
ROANOKE
Dixie Rebels
Drag Links - 1963
Engineers
Four Aces - 1957
Gas Gobblers - 1950
Hanging Rock Rods
Idlers - 1961
Roadmasters - 1960
Roanoke Dragsters - 1958
Roanoke Valley Street Rods
Star City Hot Rod Club
Star City Street Rod Assoc.
Virginia Wheelers Auto Club
RUSTBURG
Dueler’s
Falling River Rapids
SALEM
Eliminators - 1960
Loafers
SHENANDOAH
Satan’s Road Angels
SOUTH BOSTON
The Tinkers Rod & Custom Club
SOUTH HILL
Chevy’s
SPRINGFIELD
Drifter’s
Springfield Strokers
Universals
STEPHENS CITY
Night Angels
Ramblers
SUFFOLK
P Nut City Customs
TENTH LEGION
Rumblers
THORNBURG
Cam Twister
TIMBERVILLE
The Rebel’s Auto Club
Wheelers
TROUTVILLE
Virginia Rebels
VIRGILINA
Roving Rebels
WAYNESBORO
Blue Ridge Street Rod Association
WINCHESTER
Ex-Hausters
Hoppers
Moonlighter’s
Night Hawks
Southern Sportsmen
WOODBRIDGE
Hot Heads
YORKTOWN
Scorpions
VIRGINIA REGIONAL CLUBS
Northern Virginia
Kingsmen
Saracens
New River Valley Street Rod Association
UNKNOWN LOCATION
Draggin' Wagons
Drifters
Swanks
Virginia Kustoms
Virginia Rod and Custom Club
Synchronizers
MULTI-STATE
CLUBS
Virginia/Maryland/DC
Klutchmen
Capital Street Rods
Virginia/Tennessee-Bristol
Idlers
Mountaineer Street Rods
Creepers
Road Angels - 1954
Virginia/West Virginia-Bluefield
Road Runners - 1958
King Pin Kustoms - 1955
Headers
Virginia/North Carolina - Independence/Sparta
The Crusiers
BORDER
STATE CLUBS
West Virginia-Pineville
Black Diamond Timing Association - 1956
West Virginia-Bluewell
Drifters
West Virginia-Beckley
Famous 40's
West Virginia-Welch
Road Rebels - 1957
West Virginia - Princeton
Gear Grinders
ASSOCIATIONS
AND
THEIR AFFILIATED CLUBS
Eastern Auto Club Council
- Roanoke
Dixie Rebels - Roanoke
Ridge Runners - Blue Ridge
Road Rebels - Welch, WVA
Eliminators - Salem
Loafers - Salem
Richmond Timing Association - Richmond
Virginia Creepers
The Road Saints
Virginia Sport Riders, Inc.
Dixie Gents
(Are
you nostalgic for your old club’s plaque? O’Brien Truckers
(508-248-1555, www.obrientruckers.com)
makes custom auto club plaques as well as reproduction plaques from
the original ‘50’s and ‘60’s patterns.)
Chapter
6 » Some
Southwest Virginia Hot Rod Terms
