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Once upon a time...
Once upon a time...
there was a bunch of young guys in Portland, Oregon who loved hot rods - and that's how it all began. Much of those early hot rod times and the details of early hot rodding in general are discussed in the writings of early Road Angels member, Al Drake, in his many published books and articles on the subject. There were few national or local publications about hot rodding at the time and without Al's diligent efforts of listening to oral histories from individuals of that time, collecting thousands of pictures and memorabilia and documenting everything, many of us today would not have such a clear connection to those pioneering days of the hobby we now enjoy. That is why, in part, Al has been made a lifetime member of the Road Angels
This recently discovered 1951 Speed Cycles official show program (signed by legendary Rolla Vollsted!) references the 1948 beginning of the Northwest Timing Association and the role the Road Angels played in it. The club re-formed again in 1951 and soon after they were part of the origination of the Columbia Timing Association (CTA) which is included in many of their logo items today.
Original club plaque design - still used today. Background color was to be black - this one broke the rules!
While the Road Angels were one of the earliest organized hot rod clubs in Portland and the northwest, there were others formed around the same time in the area. Hot rod clubs back then were generally made up of members from a specific area. The Road Angels were grouped around Southeast Portland and met frequently at the Il Travatore Restaurant near 52nd and S.E. Foster in Portland. Members were young - ranging in age from 16 to 24. Most were single and all were guys. Some of their gals tagged along but it was mostly all about the rods, racing and running around.
The Road Angels name was decided on during an early meeting of the group. Those early days saw a backlash from the general public who believed all hot rodders were delinquents and trouble makers - "outlaws" as the press frequently called them. So after realizing that the "Road Devils" wouldn't help their image, the group decided on the name "Road Angels". Instead of a horned devil they used a cloud with a caricature of a track roadster as their logo which still exists today.
The early days of the club were filled with meets and races. A wide variety of hot rods were built and raced at a couple of area airports turned drag strips. The Columbia Timing Association (CTA) was formed and the group was off and running. From their beginnings in 1951, club members were very active building cars, racing them and spending time together driving around the city - occassionally taking them on cruises around the area.
As families were created and grew, the club gradually diminished until it disbanded in late 1956. Some members continued their interest in cars while others later ventured into motorcycles and race boats. Many eventually returned to hot rodding as their children grew up and they had more time to return to the hobby they always loved.
An early '50s photo of the Road Angels on a cruise & picnic at the Oregon coast
Early evolution of club attire shows the "devil" changed to an "angel" and the eventual cloud and track roadster logo - still used today
Capturing the start of a run by two early '50s hot rodders in Scappoose, OR
Early Rambler and later Road Angels member, Ray Van Dorn, sets a record speed of 137 mph at the Scappoose, OR airport drag strip
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