Indianapolis Hot Rod & Custom Car Show 1950

An ad for the show that was published in The Indianapolis Star, Thu, May 25, 1950.

Dean Causey's 1939 Ford convertible, reportedly one of the first customs built in Indiana, was clocked at 120 mph ahead of its appearance at the 1950 Indianapolis Hot Rod and Custom Car Show. Shown with the car are Carl Miller (design), Morris Duke (paint), Causey (owner/builder), and Oscar Brizendine (upholstery). The engine was built by Ralph Potter. This image was published in The Indianapolis News, May 19, 1950.

J. Marvin Webb’s Model T from Anaheim, California, on display ahead of the 1950 Indianapolis Hot Rod and Custom Car Show. The striking purple lacquer job, applied in 100 coats, made it a crowd favorite. Published in The Indianapolis News, May 27, 1950.

An ad for the 1950 Indianapolis Hot Rod & Custom Car Show, published in The Indianapolis Star on May 28, 1950. Highlighted entries included Rudy Makela’s custom Cadillac “WOW” and Bob Hamke’s local hot rod, which would compete alongside Bill Niekamp’s AMBR-winning roadster from California.

A promotional ad for the first annual Indianapolis Hot Rod and Custom Car Show, published in The Indianapolis News on May 29, 1950. Featuring “Miss Hot Rod of 1950” posing with J. Marvin Webb’s award-winning entry from California.

A newspaper clipping from The Indianapolis News, published June 1, 1950, reporting on the winners of the first annual Indianapolis Hot Rod and Custom Car Show. Donald L. and William J. Cunningham of Indianapolis took top honors in the custom-built division with a 1940 Mercury-based build featuring a swivel seat, cocktail bar, and TV screen. Other standouts included R. L. Makela’s handmade Cadillac 'WOW,' Dean Causey's 1939 Ford, and J. Marvin Webb’s award-winning 'Lucky Mercury' from Anaheim, California.

The first annual Indianapolis Hot Rod & Custom Car Show was held May 28–31, 1950, at the Manufacturers Building at the Indiana State Fairgrounds. Coinciding with the legendary 500-mile Memorial Day Race, the show attracted car lovers from across the country and marked Indiana’s first large-scale gathering of hot rods, custom cars, and sports machines.

Background

Motor enthusiasts in town for the 1950 Indianapolis 500 were treated to two major automotive events at the fairgrounds: the Second Annual Antique Automobile Exposition (May 26–30) and the debut of the Indianapolis Hot Rod and Custom Car Show, which ran from May 28 to May 31 in the Manufacturers Building. The event was billed as “America’s biggest and finest” hot rod and custom car show, featuring 35 handmade entries from across the U.S., including top show winners from the East and West coasts.

Show Highlights

The exhibit was open daily from 11 A.M. to 11 P.M., offering visitors a look at some of the most cutting-edge custom craftsmanship of the time. Features included:

• Free television demonstrations by K & B Electric Service of Beech Grove
• Music by the Harlin Brothers Hawaiian Band
• A sports car popularity contest, with prizes donated by Beech Grove merchants

Featured Cars

One of the show’s most talked-about entries was a custom car nicknamed “WOW”, built by R. L. Makela of Indianapolis. Based on a 1942 Cadillac, the car featured a handmade body and was praised for its sleek, curvaceous design.

Another standout was “The Lucky Mercury”, entered by J. Marvin Webb of Anaheim, California. Originally a Model T, Webb’s entry was radically transformed into a hot rod with a deep opalescent purple lacquer finish. The car boasted a Mercury engine capable of 200 horsepower after hot rod modifications.

Awards and Winners

Custom Car Division (Hand-Built Cars):

• 1st Place: Donald L. and William J. Cunningham (Indianapolis) – 1940 Mercury with a 1950 Lincoln engine, built at their garage on Warman Ave. Featured swivel seat, cocktail bar, and TV screen.
• 2nd Place: R. L. Makela – Cadillac “WOW” with a handmade body
• 3rd Place: Dean Causey – 1939 Ford with a removable top and full-race engine

Hot Rod Division:

• 1st Place: J. Marvin Webb – “Lucky Mercury,” Anaheim, California
• 2nd Place: William A. Niekamp – Long Beach, California
• 3rd Place: W. H. Waddill – Flint, Michigan

Sports Car Division:

• 1st Place: Phil Hill – Black Jaguar Roadster, Santa Monica, California

Other winners included:

• Bob Boone, Indianapolis
• Jack D. Madison, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
• Robert Magenheimer, Indianapolis

Judges

Judging was handled by a mix of local business leaders and racing personalities:

• Felix T. McWhirter
• Joe James, driver of the Bob Estes Special
• W.D. Bassett, President of Starr-Brand Corporation

Promotional Activities

The show was widely advertised in Indianapolis newspapers, using headlines like “See America’s Biggest and Finest.” Images featured the WOW Cadillac and Miss Hot Rod of 1950 posing with Webb’s entry from California, adding glamour to the occasion.

In a colorful editorial by Herbert Kenney Jr., hot rods were described not as “jalopies,” but as “real works of craftsmanship.” The article explained the lingo of the hobby, from “full house” engines to “belly pans” and “chopped tops,” offering readers an inside look into the growing hot rod movement.

Cars Attending

Bob Hamke's 1927 Ford Model-T Roadster

Dean Causey's 1939 Ford Convertible