The Eugene Von Arx Special

The Eugene Von Arx Special is a one-off dry lakes roadster hand-built in California by coachbuilder Eugene Von Arx Sr. for his son, Eugene Jr. Built in 1940, the car features a custom chassis by legendary race car builder Frank Kurtis and a hand-formed steel body inspired by Art Deco styling. Powered by a rare Riley OHV-equipped flathead V-8, it represents an early fusion of classic craftsmanship and land speed performance. Photo courtesy of Mecum Auctions, Inc.

Eugene Von Arx Jr. with the Special in an fenderless configuration. Sporting a short-sleeve sweater, slacks, and a pipe, Von Arx Jr. lifts the hood to reveal the specially built 221 CI flathead V-8, topped with ultra-rare George Riley overhead-valve heads. Photo courtesy of Mecum Auctions, Inc.

Photo courtesy of Mecum Auctions, Inc.

An older man, possibly Eugene Von Arx Sr., takes the Von Arx Special out for a drive, seen here without its top in a relaxed street setting. With its sleek body lines, distinctive Duvall windshield, and custom front end, the car reflects Von Arx Sr.’s background as a classically trained coachbuilder who had honed his craft at Walter M. Murphy Co. and Don Lee Coach & Body Works. Photo courtesy of Mecum Auctions, Inc.

A side profile of the Eugene Von Arx Special captured without its top, showing off the elegant proportions and flowing lines of its hand-formed body. Photo courtesy of Mecum Auctions, Inc.

The Eugene Von Arx Special pictured on the dry lakes, race-ready and bearing number 47. Built for high-speed competition, the car was campaigned by the Bungholers of Hollywood during the early 1940s SCTA meets. On May 8, 1942, it recorded a top speed of 114.4 MPH at El Mirage, running in the overhead-valve class with its rare Riley-equipped flathead V-8. This period marked the final stretch of dry lakes racing before World War II brought organized events to a halt. Photo courtesy of Mecum Auctions, Inc.

Another photo of the car taken at the lakes.

A striking head-on view of the Eugene Von Arx Special parked on a palm-lined California street. The photo captures the car’s unique Art Deco-inspired grille made from chromed naval brass extrusions, flanked by 1937 Chevrolet headlights. The period California plate and curbside setting place this shot squarely in the postwar era, showcasing the roadster’s blend of early performance heritage and custom elegance. Photo courtesy of Mecum Auctions, Inc.

A rare view from behind the wheel of the Eugene Von Arx Special, showcasing its elegant and purposeful dashboard layout. The panel is fitted with a full set of original Stewart-Warner gauges. Photo courtesy of Mecum Auctions, Inc.

The Eugene Von Arx Special parked beside a modest garage, likely during its early years of street and dry lakes duty. This rear three-quarter view highlights the custom sloped decklid, small taillights, and flowing rear fenders. The candid setting offers a rare behind-the-scenes look at where California hot rod history was quietly being shaped. Photo courtesy of Mecum Auctions, Inc.

The Eugene Von Arx Special parked curbside with its hood removed, offering a clear view of the rare 221 CI Ford flathead V-8 topped with George Riley overhead-valve heads. Photo courtesy of Mecum Auctions, Inc.

A rare glimpse of the Eugene Von Arx Special in a two-tone configuration, captured in traffic during the 1940s. Sporting contrasting black fenders and a single center-mounted bumper guard, this version highlights the car's evolving form as it saw regular street use between dry lakes runs. The photo offers a vivid snapshot of Southern California's early hot rod and custom car scene. Photo courtesy of Mecum Auctions, Inc.

This is how the Eugene Von Arx Special appeared in July of 2025, when it was advertised for sale by Mecum Auctions. Restored to its former glory, the roadster retained its signature hand-formed body, split Duvall windshield, and tan soft top, showcasing the craftsmanship of Eugene Von Arx Sr. and Frank Kurtis in a timeless black lacquer finish. Photo courtesy of Mecum Auctions, Inc.

In July of 2025, the Eugene Von Arx Special was consigned to Mecum's Monterey Auction, scheduled to cross the block on Friday, August 15th as Lot F97. Offered with no reserve, the early dry lakes roadster carried a pre-auction estimate of $70,000 to $100,000. Click here to view the official auction listing on Mecum.com.

A close-up of the signature grille, crafted from hand-formed naval brass extrusions and polished to a mirror finish. This Art Deco-inspired detail, designed by Eugene Von Arx Sr., exemplifies the level of coachbuilt sophistication that set the roadster apart from typical dry lakes racers of its era. Photo courtesy of Mecum Auctions, Inc.

Detail of the front end, featuring a 1937 Chevrolet headlight nestled against the hand-crafted grille. Photo courtesy of Mecum Auctions, Inc.

The period-correct 1941 California license plate adds an authentic finishing touch. Photo courtesy of Mecum Auctions, Inc.

Photo courtesy of Mecum Auctions, Inc.

A close-up of the distinctive split DuVall windshield, an iconic styling element often seen on early customs and lakes cars. Photo courtesy of Mecum Auctions, Inc.

Wartime reminders still grace the windshield. A period-correct "Remember Pearl Harbor" sticker sits beside a government-issued “A” gasoline ration decal, both powerful symbols of the car’s early history and the era in which it was built and raced. Photo courtesy of Mecum Auctions, Inc.

Inside, the cabin is trimmed in rich Lincoln bronze leather upholstery, echoing the refined craftsmanship of the hand-built exterior. Photo courtesy of Mecum Auctions, Inc.

A wide-angle view of the cockpit reveals its purposeful, race-inspired layout. The dash is fitted with a full array of original Stewart-Warner gauges, vital for monitoring performance on the dry lakes, and includes a vintage Western Timing Association tag, a badge of its racing history. Photo courtesy of Mecum Auctions, Inc.

The cockpit featured a large-diameter steering wheel and a column shifter with period-correct white knob. Photo courtesy of Mecum Auctions, Inc.

Photo courtesy of Mecum Auctions, Inc.

The rear view of the Special highlights the clean, tapered lines of its hand-formed decklid and flowing fenders. Photo courtesy of Mecum Auctions, Inc.

Photo courtesy of Mecum Auctions, Inc.

Photo courtesy of Mecum Auctions, Inc.

A close-up of the hood latching system, secured by dual leather straps and spring-loaded tensioners, a classic dry lakes racer touch. Photo courtesy of Mecum Auctions, Inc.

Photo courtesy of Mecum Auctions, Inc.

Under the hood lies a 221 CI 21-stud Ford flathead V-8, upgraded with ultra-rare George Riley overhead-valve conversion heads, one of only six sets ever produced. Photo courtesy of Mecum Auctions, Inc.

Built for both beauty and performance, this powerplant helped propel the car to 114.4 MPH at El Mirage in 1942. Photo courtesy of Mecum Auctions, Inc.

The hand-lettered “Riley” script on the valve covers nods to the legendary speed parts innovator. Photo courtesy of Mecum Auctions, Inc.

The polished intake supports dual Chandler-Grove carburetors. Photo courtesy of Mecum Auctions, Inc.

Featured Story - Prewar Custom

The Eugene Von Arx Special is a one-of-a-kind prewar custom roadster built in 1940 in California. A unique fusion of dry lakes performance and classic coachbuilding craftsmanship, the car was created for land speed racing on California’s dry lake beds and stands today as an early example of the creativity and skill that would later define the hot rod and custom car movement.

The Bungholers of Hollywood

The car was constructed at a time when the popularity of speed trials on dry lake beds such as Muroc, Rosemond, and El Mirage was growing rapidly. In 1937, a group of young enthusiasts formed a club called the Bungholers of Hollywood, a name derived from the tap hole found in a wooden beer keg. One of the founding members of the club was Eugene Von Arx Jr., son of a classically trained coachbuilder.

Coachbuilt by a Master

Eugene Von Arx Sr., Eugene Jr.’s father, was a craftsman who had trained at the prestigious Walter M. Murphy Company in Pasadena and later worked for Don Lee Coach & Body Works in Los Angeles. Don Lee’s custom body operation had previously absorbed Earl Automobile Works, whose founder’s son, Harley Earl, went on to become GM’s first design chief.

With this deep background in coachbuilding, Von Arx Sr. undertook the task of building a completely hand-formed body for his son’s racing car. The streamlined, Art Deco-inspired design featured a one-off front end, unique doors, and specially contoured fenders. The front fenders were mounted to the wheels, and turned when you turned the wheels. 1937 Chevrolet headlights, 1937 Oldsmobile tail lights, and a chromed grille made from half-round naval brass extrusions added to its refined appearance. A split Duvall windshield, black lacquer paint, and a tan soft top completed the body.

A Chassis by Frank Kurtis

The chassis and suspension work was entrusted to Frank Kurtis, a respected race car builder who had also worked for Don Lee. Kurtis fabricated the chassis by combining two 1939 Chevrolet frames and designed a lateral spring-mounted suspension system for high-speed stability.

Riley OHV Flathead Power

Under the hood, the Von Arx Special was powered by a 221 cubic inch 21-stud Ford flathead V-8 engine that was fitted with rare George Riley overhead-valve heads—one of only six known sets, with just four still in existence. The Riley-branded valve covers were a distinguishing feature. The engine also featured a polished intake manifold with twin Chandler-Grove carburetors and a custom underbody exhaust system. Power was delivered through a Ford 3-speed manual transmission, and Chrysler front brakes were installed for stopping power.

Racing History

In order to race on the dry lakes under the SCTA (Southern California Timing Association), membership in a sanctioned car club was required. The Bungholers met that requirement, and the Von Arx Special became an active participant in the prewar dry lakes scene. On May 8, 1942, the car achieved a top speed of 114.4 MPH at El Mirage, running in the overhead-valve class. This performance was likely one of the last officially timed runs before WWII halted all SCTA activity.

Interior and Detailing

The interior featured Lincoln bronze leather upholstery, custom-made door panels, and a full set of original Stewart-Warner gauges mounted in the dash. A Western Timing Association timing tag, large-diameter steering wheel, and a vintage column shifter with a white knob. The car rolled on small-diameter wire wheels with OEM-width treaded tires.

Legacy

Unlike many stripped-down race cars of the era, the Eugene Von Arx Special represented a high level of design and craftsmanship. Built at the dawn of the SCTA’s organized events, it foreshadowed the postwar rise of professionally built hot rods and custom cars. With its blend of speed and elegance, the car stands as an early and important piece of California hot rod history.

Crossing the Block at Monterey 2025

In 2025, the Eugene Von Arx Special is making its return to the spotlight, crossing the block on Friday, August 15th at the Mecum Monterey Auction. A rare survivor from the prewar dry lakes era, and a coachbuilt one at that, it is offered with an estimated sale price between $70,000 and $100,000. This is a rare opportunity to own a historically significant vehicle that helped lay the groundwork for the California hot rod movement.

Unfortunately, not much is known about the car’s history between 1940 and its recent rediscovery. The consigner purchased the Von Arx Special out of Tennessee in a very sorry state and undertook a full restoration to return it to its original specifications. The intervening years remain murky, leaving a mysterious gap in the timeline of this one-off custom.

Click here to view the official auction listing on Mecum.com.