"cheater"
"cheater"
Meet Cheater
A 1929 B-Class Street Roadster, with a little '31 thrown in for good measure, kitted out for a successful run at the drag strips of Illinois and Missouri in the '50s and '60s. She was run by the Huey boys (of Huey Lumber, Arenzville Illinois) for several years, then retired to a storage building, where it spent the next fifty-odd years. All of the current paint, Dutching and door graphics are original to it's race era. Even the original full moon racing discs were still in the trunk. We did hose the dust off, but otherwise left the original details as is, as much as reasonably possible. The paint, the roll bar, the upholstery, and much of the running gear are rare examples of original patina. None of that faux-patina crap here; this is genuine wear and tear, that only comes from age. Ample power comes from a vintage 316 gasser.
The Early Years
The Early Years
We're lucky to have known and met a number of folks who were intimately familiar with Cheater, from the former owners, to drivers, crew, family, and friends. We always get a kick out of hearing stories from those who remember "the good ol' days." Click on the thumbnails below to take a closer look...
Out of "the Barn"
Out of "the Barn"
This is what Cheater looked like the day we finally exposed her to the sunshine for the first time in about 50 years. A bit dusty, and a few mice calling her home, but otherwise just like she was left so many years ago. Explore the slideshow below to see more...
Into Sam's Shop
Into Sam's Shop
Not far from Cheater's original home (in Arenzville Illinois) Sam Surratt's shop outside Beardstown became Cheater's new stomping ground.
Cheater Rides Again
Cheater Rides Again
Cheater first re-appeared in public at a White Hall Drag O Way reunion, and boy was it a kick to see the looks on the faces of the old timers who hadn't seen her in some fifty-odd years. Soon after, Cheater travelled to Maquoketa, Iowa, for Vintage Torque Fest. We were honored to get a great indoor display location, adjacent to the infamous VonDutch XAVW. Some old timers came by to show us some vintage Cheater photos and share some memories, which definitely made the trip worthwhile!
