'50's 60's So. Cal. machine shops
08-20-2019, 11:02 AM
#1
Racer
Thread Starter
'50's 60's So. Cal. machine shops
Anyone familiar with a late '50's early '60's LA area engine builder/machine shop Sowens & Pfaff or maybe Sowens & Pfoff?
08-20-2019, 07:17 PM
#3
Race Director
Can't recall this one...........but we all knew about TRACO. 
Larry
Larry
08-20-2019, 07:26 PM
#4
Team Owner
I actually dont recall that one! Strange for me!
08-21-2019, 02:17 PM
#7
Le Mans Master
You don't know TRACO?
They were in Culver City right next to Dick Guldstrand Engineering and they built Dick's engines. I think they also did some of the Grand Sport engines. I used to live a couple blocks away in Culver City.
They were in Culver City right next to Dick Guldstrand Engineering and they built Dick's engines. I think they also did some of the Grand Sport engines. I used to live a couple blocks away in Culver City.
Last edited by toddalin; 08-21-2019 at 02:22 PM.
08-21-2019, 02:20 PM
#8
Le Mans Master
I don't know about a complete build, but some of the best porting work is/was done by Flow Technology in Garden Grove. They did the heads and intake on my '64 in the 80s. They are now famous for doing the LA Street Racer crowd.
08-21-2019, 04:32 PM
#9
Race Director
I remember talking to B&M brothers about building a racing auto for my 69 AMX. After they stopped laughing, they said send your transmission and $500 to them. They would do it when they could and then send it back. All fine, except the AMX was also my daily transportation. Decided to chuck it all and install a (factory) BW Super T10.
Larry
Last edited by Powershift; 08-21-2019 at 04:34 PM.
08-21-2019, 11:28 PM
#10
Team Owner
Dont know that machine shop (Sowens/Pfoff)! My family used Reath, Valley Head, Blair’s, Hank the Crank, Crower, Traco, and a few others! I never thought to go to Mondello, but they were another known outfit, especially for the Heads. I have a set of their heads that came with my race car!
Last edited by TCracingCA; 08-22-2019 at 12:53 PM.
08-22-2019, 12:39 PM
#11
Team Owner
I was one of the young guys Travers tolerated! I would sit and visit with him, listen to his stories, as he worked! I still have the T-Shirt he gave me! I do know the name Pfaff, not Pfoff!
Last edited by TCracingCA; 08-22-2019 at 12:53 PM.
03-19-2021, 03:21 PM
#12
Pfaff and Sowins So Cal racers
Dave Sowins and Paul Pfaff built racing engines in the 50s and 60s
Held multiple records in 58, 59 and 61.
After the forming of the NHRA, they moved from drags to boats and off road racing.
Paul is still active in So Cal, Dave(my dad) passed in 2005.
Held multiple records in 58, 59 and 61.
After the forming of the NHRA, they moved from drags to boats and off road racing.
Paul is still active in So Cal, Dave(my dad) passed in 2005.
03-19-2021, 10:40 PM
#13
Team Owner
They also had a Pfaff & Sowins Automotive at 3928 234th Place, down in Torrance which is now residential in behind Martin Chevrolet.
I was trying to see if I have a picture.
Simpson Drag Chute was down that way, along with a specialty header outfit called Davis Headers.
Last edited by TCracingCA; 03-19-2021 at 10:53 PM.