Full circle. The 1934 Ford race car we hauled out of the woods is running! The J-2 made its debut in the World of Wheels car show in Birmingham, Alabama this weekend. After decades spent at the bottom of a "holler" deep in the Alabama woods, the race car was rescued and returned to the Massey family. Mike Massey, son of Sam Massey, one of the former drivers of the car back when it toured the dirt bullrings in the late 1940s and 1950s, spearheaded the efforts to restore it back to its racing roots condition.
I got the unexpected news while walking through the woods. Ironic, since the voice on the other end of the line was calling about the 1934 Ford race car that the Junkyard Life crew hauled out of the woods in 2016. Mike Massey called to let me know that the old "J-2" family heirloom had been fully restored.
Back in time
A quick look at the restored ’34 and you see a period correct race car from the 1950s with the flat head V8, black paint, and a few dings and imperfections.
"We left a few dings in it because these cars weren't show cars back when they raced," Massey said.
The car is lettered as it was when the Massey brothers raced it with the "Massey" name and "J-2" number. The body was heavily reworked due to decades of decay and racetrack abuse. The rear section including window was replaced with metal from a 1935 model.
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| The Massey family has been racing for many decades. They thought all the original race cars were gone. The rescued ’34 is a welcome sight in their shop. |
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| Massey & Sons Garage, Locust Fork, Alabama. |
Whatever it takes
The truth is that these auto racing pioneers raced whatever junk they could bolt or weld together. Spending as little money as possible in most cases. Some built race cars from wrecked daily drivers that were headed to the junkyard because they were cheap and plentiful. In the 1940s and 1950s, a few dollars could buy you a body and chassis from an "old" – at that time – 1930s-era vehicle.
The look would not be complete without a Ford Flathead V8. Massey did not disappoint. The engine is loud as it should be for a race car.
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| Ford Flathead V8 rumbles the floors in the 1934 Ford race car. |
The Massey family urged Mike to put the car in the World of Wheels show. Some may scoff, but I agree with their choice. I think there is no better time to share the car and this chapter of the story.
A dream and a lot of work can take you anywhere you want to go.
— Junkyard Life
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| A display shares story of the 1934 Ford's rescue at the World of Wheels car show in Birmingham, Alabama. |
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| Modern rubber Hoosier racing tires are one of the obvious differences from the 1950s tires used on the ’34 in its racing days. (Compare width to tires in photo below.) |
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| Sam Massey stands next to the 1934 Ford race car in this vintage photo. His son, Mike, restored the rescued race car back to original 1950s condition. |
THE RESCUE: 1934 Ford Race Car in Woods
The five year ordeal to secure permission and ownership
THE BUILD: 1934 Ford Race Car
A follow-up on the Massey family restoration
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| A dream can start in the woods with a shovel, a chainsaw and a tow rope. Thanks for reading! |
Send us the word and we’re on the way!
Email Jody Potter at junkyardbull@gmail.com
