Speed Trials

The Eugene Von Arx Special of California. Built in 1940 by Bungholers of Hollywood member Eugene Von Arx Jr., the Eugene Von Arx Special is a rare prewar custom roadster that fused dry lakes performance with high-end coachbuilding. Designed and hand-formed by Eugene's father, an alum of the Walter M. Murphy Company and Don Lee Coachworks, the body featured Art Deco styling, 1937 Chevrolet and 1937 Oldsmobile lighting, and a split Duvall windshield. The chassis was crafted by Frank Kurtis using twin 1939 Chevrolet frames, and the car was powered by a rare Riley OHV-equipped Ford flathead V8. It recorded a 114.4 MPH run at El Mirage in May 1942. In August 2025, this early piece of California hot rod history returned to the spotlight, offered at Mecum's Monterey Auction.

Speed Trials are organized events where participants test the top speed or timed performance of their vehicles over a set distance. Often held on dry lake beds, salt flats, or specially prepared tracks, these events have deep roots in hot rod history. In Southern California, early Speed Trials took place on the dry lakes of the Mojave Desert in the 1930s, organized by clubs such as the SCTA. The most iconic modern-day Speed Trials are held at the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah, where racers from around the world gather to push the limits of land speed.