The Jim Papworth Photo Collection

A photo of Jim Papworth's 1932 Ford Roadster. The roadster was Jim's first car, and he bought it in 1947. He ran it without fenders and running boards. The windshield was chopped, and it featured a shortened front bumper. The cowl lights and door were shaved, and headlights from another car were mounted lower down up in the nose. Jim eventually sold the car and bought a 1932 Ford 3-Window Coupe. When Jim bought the car, it was powered by an engine that was later than a 1937 Ford, as it had center head water take-offs. The car was in gray primer, and Jim told Kustomrama in 2013 that he did nothing to improve it while he owned it. Photo courtesy of Jim Papworth.

A photo of Jim Papworth's 1927 Ford Model T Roadster. Jim bought the roadster in 1948. It was already channeled when he bought it. It came without an engine and transmission, so he built an engine and a transmission he could use for street racing. Later on, he decided to modify it for dry lake racing. Jim ran the roadster in 1948 and 1949. Top speed in 1949 was 129.56. Photo courtesy of Jim Papworth.

A photo of Jim’s 1927 Ford Model T Roadster and a Screwdrivers '32 Roadster taken at a dry lakes event in 1948 or 1949. Photo courtesy of Jim Papworth.

Jim racing his 1927 Ford Model T Roadster at a 1948 or 1949 dry lakes event. Photo courtesy of Jim Papworth.

A photo of Ed Olson in Chuck Quesnel's 1927 Ford Model T roadster. Janet Olson is the girl behind the car in the jacket. According to the caption on the back, this photo was taken at a 1950 Rosamond event. Photo courtesy of Jim Papworth.

A photo of Jim Papworth working on his 1932 Ford Tudor Sedan in his driveway. Jim ran the sedan in the B-Class in 1950. It was chopped and fully fit with a belly pan. Photo courtesy of Jim Papworth.

Bob Calahan's 1939 Ford Convertible Sedan at a dry lakes event. The top has been chopped, and the car has been fitted with a padded top. Other modifications include removed running boards. The number on the doors indicates that the car has been raced at the event as well. Bob was Jim Papworth's partner in the 1932 Ford Tudor Sedan. Photo courtesy of Jim Papworth.

Kustomrama Photo Archive - Jim Papworth

Jim Papworth, a dedicated member of the Culver City Screwdrivers, embarked on his automotive journey in 1948, bringing with him a passion that would see him through the late 1950s. His automotive saga began with the acquisition of 1932 Ford Highboy Roadster in 1947. Cloaked in gray primer, this initial purchase remained untouched, a raw canvas of potential. However, it wasn't long before Jim's ambitions evolved, leading him to his next project: a 1932 Ford 3-Window Coupe. Stripped of its fenders and sporting a dropped axle, the coupe offered a challenge at speeds over fifty, prompting Jim to seek a vehicle better suited to his racing ambitions.

In 1948, Jim's quest led him to a channeled 1927 Ford Model T Roadster, a car that came to him devoid of both engine and transmission. Undeterred, Jim constructed a powertrain from the ground up, tailoring it for the burgeoning street racing scene. Yet, his vision for the car didn't stop there. Inspired by the competitive spirit of the times, he transitioned his focus to dry lakes racing. The roadster, under Jim's meticulous care, hit the lakes in 1948 and 1949, achieving a breathtaking top speed of 129.56 mph in its final race.

The journey didn't end with the Model T. Jim's passion for Ford's designs drove him to purchase another 1932 model, this time a two-door sedan that came straight from the showroom floor, untouched and ripe for modification. But the pinnacle of Jim's automotive endeavors was his acquisition of a 1934 Ford 5-Window Coupe in 1950. This car, destined to become more than just a vehicle, saw the engine from the Model T roadster reincarnated within its frame. With headers crafted by the renowned Sandy Belond, the coupe was transformed into Jim's ultimate date car, a symbol of his enduring love for the roar of engines and the thrill of the race.

In a generous act of sharing his rich history and the spirited shenanigans of his heyday, Jim Papworth has donated scans of photos from his personal collection to Kustomrama. This valuable contribution allows enthusiasts and historians alike to immerse themselves in the vibrant legacy of car customization and racing culture through the lens of one of its avid participants. The Jim Papworth Photo Collection serves as a digital museum, chronicling the evolution of personal and competitive automotive modification, and stands as a tribute to the innovation and camaraderie of the era.