The Motor Underground: Chinatown Confidential | Episode 2 | Street Gassers: Built, Not Bought

Eating, drinking, and walking through the streets of the oldest Chinatown in America starts to pay off in Stoner’s quest to find the mysterious “Underdog” ’56 Chevy Gasser: word starts to spread that he’s poking around and the American Born Chinese who built, raced, and lived their lives in straight-axle Gassers come out of the shadows to reveal their stories.
He also finds the hotrodder whose shop put the axles under these cars and gets a nuts-n-bolts lesson on how a gasser was built for the street when everything was built, not bought.
Hemmings is the ultimate destination for finding your perfect ride. Head to Hemmings.com and register to start your search today.
This Motor Underground episode - Chinatown Confidential Street Gassers - is the second of four episodes in this series.
Hemmings Content on Gassers
GASSER COLLECTION
www.hemmings.c...
RETURN OF THE GASSER
www.hemmings.c...
It Has the Nose-High Stance of a Gasser, but This 1951 Chevrolet Also Has Plenty of Rat Rod DNA
www.hemmings.c...
#hotrod #vintage #hemmings #classiccars #chinatown #sanfrancisco #norcal #vintagedrags #dragracing #musclecars #gasser #chevrolet #straightaxle

[@FmlyRat]

Hello.... My name is Rich. The week before the 4th of July 1969, I sold my 56 Nomad that I Street Raced around Sacramento area. The following week I started building my 55 Chevy 210 Post 2dr Gasser at age 19. I sold the 6cyl w/3spd overdrive. I cut the frame off at the cowl built a Chromoly subframe & installed a Chrome C.A.E. Straight Axle w/54 Chevy Car Spindles. Built a radical 57 292 (283) 12.5-1 Z28 Cam Doug Finder Well Headers, & 12" Hayes Aluminum Flywheel & Clutch, M-22 w/513 gears & posi out back. Best 1/4 was 11.224 at Sacramento Raceway in Sept 69. Remember, I was 19, working at a Chevron & paid for everything out of my own pocket. This was all 2 years Before the movie 2 Lane Blacktop. Now I'll be 75 at the end of this year. Enjoy life while you can. I enjoyed your KZbin Video. Rich

[@danielstoner2843]

Thanks, Rich! You got any old pics of that '55? It sounds so killer! It's amazing what you did back then, working at a gas station, and what that same car would cost right now. At the same time, what do you think the equivalent of that car would be today, for a kid working at a garage?

[@steveswhirld]

yeah rich , tell us

[@garygriffiths7664]

Hi- I'm Gary Griffiths. I created 'UNDERDOG', it was my 1st car ever - got it just before H.S. graduation in '63. It was totally stock 210 sedan / 265cc / 3-speed when I brought it. In '69 I sold it after I had it in the Oakland Roadster Show, and the car went off to S.F. Chinatown. When I sold it, it had 327cc / 4-speed / Olds rear end 488 gears / fiberglass 1-piece front end / plexiglass windows at times. Back in the mid-'90 I saw the car again up in Santa Rosa. My Mom had spotted the car up there and we when over to see it. It was in the driveway in a rural setting. At that time it had straight axle (wished I'd done that) and a replaced fiberglass front end were on the car. I talked with the guy there, and he said the engine needed repair - something like a rod or piston problem. I believe he had purchased it that way, and planned to repair it, and then sell the off to wherever he could - he mentioned something like Modesto. I know I struggled mentally with getting back 'Underdog' again, but decided not to try. I never would have guessed that 'Underdog' was so well known in Chinatown. What fun times and such a great treat for me to hear about the car now. Gary

[@BrianFong-ng2ur]

Gary, HI.. I am a friend of Ward, we were talking and its how we connected to dots between Dan and you.... We both worked at Monument Car Parts. I was one of the ones that is being interviewed. Owned the Brown 57 on a Tube.

[@snake_eyes_garage]

This video is gold. Thank you for introducing us to the Chinatown hot rod culture, and helping to preserve these memories

[@Friscorockhead]

What a time to be alive. Those guys are true car guys. No Summit Racing catalog, just pure ingenuity. Lots of respect for them.

[@danielstoner2843]

That is SO true. Al's Automotive invented that tube axle/bar rearend combo when there was nothing else but cash on the barrel-head and a day in the shop...

[@KRIC]

Dave Tanamora was a great guy who is truly missed . Underdog lives !

[@danielstoner2843]

You're absolutely right on both counts!

[@wed3k]

Ive met him once at my shop, cool cat.

[@martincardone5727]

Chills seeing Dave, glad to see a nod to Ken Dong. Ken pin striped, tear dropped and scalloped every car my dad owned (including my mom's daily driver, a 72' VW square back.) Tradition carried on to me. It was really cool to hang out in Ken's Foster City garage while he striped my truck and hear Ken and my dad talk of the old days.

[@danielstoner2843]

That is SO cool, Marty--I had no idea!

[@martincardone5727]

@@danielstoner2843 I was worried that Ken wouldn't be mentioned, I don't know why, but a story about SF rodders and especially Chinatown, wouldn't be complete without Ken Dong. He's a story on its own. The stories he told, priceless, he probably had his hands and art on most of the cars of that era.

[@danielstoner2843]

@@martincardone5727 we were talking with his brother, Richard, but his health took a turn and we never got to dig into that part of the story. But you're right--we need to find out more about Ken!

[@stevenlee7120]

Thanks for being a fan of my Uncle Ken. He inspired me my whole life and miss him a lot.

[@terrystewart2070]

I grew up in (and still live in) the town that was called Clearlake Highlands. It's on Clear Lake, and about a hundred miles north of San Francisco. THE place for gearheads to hang out and work was Denham's Chevron, right on our main drag, Lakeshore Drive. The "Highlands" was a jumpin' place all through the 50's and 60's. Took me a while, but I got Emerson (Denham) to finally hire me to work at the Chevron in 1964 when I was 14. I was in heaven! All the fast car guys hung out there. We were open until 9, but Emerson would let us stay as long as we wanted, use the lift, tire machine, everything, as long as it was all cleaned up and ready to open at 8 the next morning. Our version of the gasser type you are looking for here was owned by Miles Zackman, and yes it was a straight axel 56 Chevy 2 door post, painted purple, and called The Grape. Weekends during summer the town was jammed with hot rods from the bay area, and they all wanted Chevron Custom Supreme 104 octane gas (insanely expensive at 39.9 a gallon BTW), only available at the station I worked at. It was an awesome time and place to grow up. Glad I lived it!

[@betrevryday1]

Yes I recall how regarded Chevron Custom Supreme 👍

[@wed3k]

I'm moving to lakeport and love all the hotrods

[@liljoeDC]

Our Family spent every summer up in Clearlake since the late 50s. My Brother and I would watch all the cars cruising Lakeshore Drive. Lotta great memories.

[@RonNorman-ie1nv]

I live in Lansing Illinois there was a street called Broadway in Indiana back in the day the cops used to let people race stop light to stop light. 1974 I was 5 years old my first love was not a woman but a candy apple green 57 Gasser

[@danielstoner2843]

PLEASE tell us you have pics of that green apple '57 Chevy! Assuming it was a Bel Air?

[@RonNorman-ie1nv]

@@danielstoner2843 I'll ask him

[@kobewade8709]

Dont forget Doty Rd!

[@georgestemple3310]

Stop by bluetop I would imagine

[@dogsense3773]

At ocean beach there's a car show 3rd Sunday of each month, there's a Chinese guy about 40 who comes from the east bay in a grey 55 Chevy straight axle car that was his father's car back in the 60s 70s that was painted yellow when dad had it in san francisco

[@danielstoner2843]

That car is a main feature of this series: Car Wong and TJ Eng’s ‘55…the only original Chinatown tube axle car we’ve ever seen in-person!

[@KRIC]

Saw it at Jimmy's last year and talked to the owner , great story !

[@jamesdalton7191]

What a trip that this video popped up in my feed. I know Brian and Bill. Bill told me that story about cutting school to have the front axle installed at Al's. 😁🏁

[@BrianFong-ng2ur]

Hi James.. this is Brian... 🤪

[@dragonhead08]

Thanks for making this video. My father in law was the guy/car in front of Mason auto. We lost him way too soon so he never got a chance to share his stories with our boys. This is a great way for our boys to learn about their Gung Gung’s story.

[@馬伕]

Your kids would be proud of Grandpa!

[@BrianFong-ng2ur]

Hi.. That was my photo of him and Allan in Mason Auto. I knew your father and we might have meet at one of get together for him after the accident. I also shot the photo of him in his 56 in front of his house, I helped him pick up the car from Al's after he had some work done on it. I stayed connected with him while he worked in Concord Chevy and other Car Dealer. He always helped me with parts.

[@billlevassiur5891]

Great respect to those in that era of street gassers

[@vettejoevette]

I lived those days in the early & mid 1970s. A&W inWestlake was a big hangout as it was close to brotherhood. It was mentioned that someone trailered in a rail. I was there and saw that. I had a 55 Chevy silver and maroon two tone. Street raced every weekend.

[@danielstoner2843]

OMG--you got any old photos from those days?

[@vettejoevette]

@@danielstoner2843 I wish I did. There were so many cool cars. 68 Road Runner called the "Hustler" comes to mind. Dennis Baca had a TR6 with a Chevy small block in it.

[@RonNorman-ie1nv]

I was born in February of 1969 I grew up with my brother who had some of the baddest street cars he's well into his 60s and I'm 55 and I have plenty a really good stories

[@danielstoner2843]

Recording those stories is soooooo important: cars can rust into the ground or wrecked, so we gotta preserve the legends and then share them with everyone...

[@onazram1]

This was great, could watch all day..

[@murdoc6501]

Fantastic story telling, and sharing of true overlooked hot rod history and the community that quietly built legends! Well done Stoner, and thank you! Keep moving forward and excited to see where the Motor Underground goes next!

[@danielstoner2843]

This is what the "underground" in The Motor Underground is all about!

[@countryboyscooter3402]

I'm Gen-x but I would love to have grown up in those days in the hotrod culture! ✌️❤️🤘🇺🇸

[@chrishenniker5944]

It was Gen X kids who revived traditional hot rodding.

[@BrianFong-ng2ur]

For someone who was there.. I''d wish I could go back ! LOL

[@jamesonpace726]

See now, this is truly excellent stuff from a time gone by, but maybe not gone entirely....

[@danielstoner2843]

We agree--hopefully, this series will inspire more tube-axle cars being built!

[@telstarlogistics]

This is a fantastic story. Wow.

[@scottmoto]

The Hot Rod Revolution was a wonderful series. THIS series is proving to be wonderful as well.

[@danielstoner2843]

Appreciate the kindness! TMU is all about recording the stories of these RULERS that we just don't see anywhere else...

[@LunarOutlawsGarage]

loving the series!

[@FmlyRat]

Do any of you remember Big Willie from Los Angeles area that drove a new Hemi Cuda(?)... He had his storry in Hot Rod Magazine. He was quite influential with Street Racing.

[@crustyoldoffroader7436]

I remember his Charger Daytona. I still have that magazine kicking around here somewhere

[@danielstoner2843]

Big Willie Robinson and the Brotherhood Of Street Racers...yeah, he might be a hero to a few of us... ❤

[@Jordanrhart]

Too cool! I’m an east bay guy and have never heard these stories.

[@justinw_tbss_dadvan9447]

Love this story

[@johnboydTx]

Fantastic Episode 👏👏👏👏 Happy Motoring ✌️🤠🍻

[@darlenegeorgeboyd8493]

Reminds me of a 55 Chevy here in Tucson called Nocturnal.

[@fittingracing354]

Love this!!! I Miss being able to spend time in the shop with my Grandfather Al Fitting and learn the right way to do things. Because of that I am carrying on the Fitting tradition of engineering, fabrication and welding.

[@danielstoner2843]

I told Bill that now I gotta build a car around a set of Al's bars and tube!

[@BrianFong-ng2ur]

Al was a great guy.. always treated us Chinese well. And we gave him lot's of work though out the years ! He did my 57' ! 😊

[@Dirtbagdaryn]

I really wish you would just post this as a full documentary instead of pieces. The suspense is too much for me lol

[@chinatownboy7482]

Each segment is monetized separately by the KZbin algorithm. That little bit of revenue helps to support creating the content.

[@danielstoner2843]

chinatownboy is right: we set these episodes up to help build an audience so we can keep doing this work and people see it...but thanks so much for the props--we appreciate you!

[@evelynjungseto5845]

@@danielstoner2843 So is there going to be episode 3? I want to know if you ever found the car! Ha Ha.

[@danielstoner2843]

@@evelynjungseto5845 you'll have to keep watching!

[@evelynjungseto5845]

@@danielstoner2843 you’re killing me…

[@ZeGermanHam]

Really loving this series! Great story and production all around. More like this please!

[@mikel7296]

Round 2., of the Knock out tale...The historical story continues...

[@danielstoner2843]

...it really does...

[@briankeith4872]

Thanks, I was born 64 & grew up tick tock, Carol ave culture! , great history.

[@danielstoner2843]

Let's go get donuts at Silvercrest...at 2am!

[@mikel7296]

@@danielstoner2843 Dang! Dan If you know about Silver Crest, you might as well be a true local. Kudos to you! Not only you look the part, you live it. 😊

[@danielstoner2843]

@@mikel7296 Greatest compliment EVER!

[@mikel7296]

@danielstoner2843 Dan, to one as you(tell it like it is , who live the part to tell the part as it is, all story telling has is points to make it sell as that what social media does for materialistic gain, I rarely Comment, when I do, there's a real good reason for me to do so. As I was present at the premiere of this, I was impressed with it's content and how it was shed to light. It was told like it is, with the people to back it. With all content in this day and age from social media to the news the facts are stretched, to sell content., not so in this case. I can truly see that it's well told and done, I know you do this for Hemmings, but your content is true to be a car guy, and in your blood,..ie the Gotelli story, your acquisition of the old school race motor in your personal project as an example. On a funnier note are you Richard Rollins twin brother? He fast n loud, but your Tried and True😂. Keep up the good hard work, your getting somewhere with what u do👍

[@danielstoner2843]

@@mikel7296 hey, for $20, I'll sign Richard Rawlings' name on anything! But truly--I appreciate the kind, heartfelt words. Means a LOT...

[@RonNorman-ie1nv]

My brother was 16 years old had a 68 Chevelle SS he ended up pulling the original 396 and put an experimental 428 it was made for a royal bobcat my oldest brother was racing a hemi cuda with dual quads hanging out of Missed a gear deep into the red line spun the bearings my brother said the motor never ran right after they turn the crank and put new bearings in the bottom end

[@A55-s9d]

San Francisco has many tales waiting to be told. The Cobras in The Bayview. SFM on 24th. Frisco Choppers. All of The Pinoys from Daly City. Dito's Motors and Gotelli's Speed Shop in South City.

[@danielstoner2843]

Gotelli’s: watch the first season of TMU-“The Stoner T” Frisco Choppers: Rudy and Wayne are on the short list! Cobras: Hell yes!

[@charlesdalton985]

Great historical perspective - thank you for this and definitely looking forward to learning more. ~ Chuck

[@tjgomez4055]

Back in the day, I had Al, install a straight axle for my 36 Chevy

[@danielstoner2843]

Got pics?

[@THROTTLEPOWER]

Enjoyed!!! 🤜🤛

[@FmlyRat]

Can anyone out there tell me how I can post my photos here showing my 56 Nomad, 55 Chevy Gasser & my 69 Chevelle SS 396 4spd from 1968-1969?

[@betrevryday1]

Please share ‘em 👌 Google how to download to KZbin is best. Thanks for sharing 😊

[@colinchung9722]

i would try and contact hagerty

[@jeffchecchio5026]

Great video!!! Love the story 😊

[@FmlyRat]

Yes I do. I wish that I could find the car. How can I send you the pictures?

[@timbock5527]

Love it i'm in socal 68 years old and love those old chevys have a four door i want to build.

[@RonNorman-ie1nv]

My brother was beating the hemi cuda going into 4th gear the car hung up in neutral and overreved the engine

[@simplekustomsbyeddiepapand1838]

Thanks for the ride ¡

[@TheInfamousHotRodFarm]

Hell yeah my brother 🔥💪🏾🤠🕸️

[@hendo337]

I am slightly suspicious of his 12s claim, with everything working perfectly, the car dead hooking and optimal gearing, it takes a 2800lb car with 300hp net to run a 12.2@110mph. Stock those old 327s were rated 300-375hp gross, with either a 4 spd or a powerglide, skinny tires, a wimpy 10 bolt. It would have taken enough work that it wouldnt be totally fair to call it dead stock anymore.

[@ZaqCapone]

I thought the same thing when he said that.

[@chinatownboy7482]

Forget about it. He's an old guy, drinking beer, telling stories from 60 years ago. That car's long gone.

[@danielstoner2843]

Car legends are best when people tell their stories around beers and campfires...

[@mikel7296]

Regardless, any story told has its ups and downs, part of story telling, regardless. It's a great story, reflecting a time in history shedding light on "Asian Car guys" of the 60/70's Era, not too often Asian's are in the spot light nor want to be. So, this story is a very well told. Dan, his crew, the cast did an amazing job at telling it. Alot of times, stories are distorted in order to sell it, not so in this case, as it's true to live with real characters who lived it. Glad it was told the way it is, Dan/Hemmings, did a great job in the research( we don't see the hard work behind the scenes, but it's reflected in the series. When the other 2 parts play on , you'll know what I mean. A great story from the past that reflects an Era, where "Asians" played a part in the car culture. Which is seldom noticed or given credit.

[@KevinSan88]

Aw, we’re all car guys here and we’ve all told equally tall tales about our own cars 😊

[@turkishmurphy]

Cool history

[@GreggGonzalez-ei1gu]

Awesomeness 👍

[@knutbkristiansen]

Awesome video buddy

[@Pablo-fj8rv]

Alright Alright Alright. ❤

[@kevinwilliams7979]

Great job kiddo, is there more of this story coming soon?

[@danielstoner2843]

Two episodes down, two to go!

[@oldrustycars]

Stoner is the Anthony Bourdain of the car world.

[@b00sted_SS]

Badass video!!

[@nessie42786]

Hey Dan, it’s Jerry again. Did you ever find that bar with a racecar hanging on the wall in SF?

[@danielstoner2843]

Sure did--it's in the Richmond District and I wanna own that bar just for the coolest feature EVER!

[@nessie42786]

Thats awesome. I’d love to see that place soon. Did you catch my comment on part one? I have a few photos from that period in SF. His 55-56 were both built that style frames and fenderwells all painted Chevy Orange. Headers hanging out. Always with a padlock and chain hanging out out of the grill. Above above the exposed frame with no splash apron or bumper. I wish you could’ve met my dad. Even on his deathbed. He still knew the city like the back of his hand.

[@MrGlenLouie]

Frizzies bar on Geary has a fuel bantom hanging on the wall for many years, glad it’s still there

[@danielstoner2843]

@@MrGlenLouie Shhhhhhhhh...

[@brianfong3954]

Used to go to Frizzies back in the day for drinks play pool and the pinball machines. LOL 😁

[@TomJones0065]

Oh WOW, My Favorite Car is a 55 Chevy, sense I was a kid. I had my chance to get a 56 from my land lord years ago, BUT he screwed the pooch on Getting it back from a Tow Yard. They were getting a title on it, and he pissed them off and I Lost my chance.. Yes YES I WAS SO PISSED!!! I heard about this CAR long ago.. But lost the trail.. AWESOME!!!

[@leroychan3288]

Was that Bob Wong the same who owned and ran Chevron service stations?

[@raygee9648]

The person who was incorrectly identified as Bob Wong is Bob Gin

[@leroychan3288]

@@raygee9648 Thanks, I can now give up that thought and move on.

[@chinatownboy7482]

I liked his uniform shirt. A guy actually dressed to work on cars.

[@AliasHSW]

From what I understand the Fremont racing strip is now the Tesla (ex-NUMMI) factory location.

[@danielstoner2843]

it's close by: the Tesla factory is the old GM plant...

[@dogsense3773]

Gm - Toyota- tesla, I have a 97 Toyota Tacoma that was built there

[@chinatownboy7482]

Before Tesla acquired it, it was NUMMI. New United Motor Manufacturing, Inc. The last time that I was there, Tesla had a "test track" on the premises. It's at the end of Contractor Road.

[@AliasHSW]

@@chinatownboy7482 the test track can still be seen on satellite view

[@larrydavis1648]

Rest in Hot Rod Heaven Dave

[@mikel7296]

"RACE IN PARADISE "

[@sheckydiamond7533]

12 years old. Trying to steal a soda.

[@danielstoner2843]

There is do or don't do. There is no try. 😁

[@paulygood6665]

🛞💨🏁When the guys rolled out to the peninsula it was the stomping grounds of the Famous NHRA Drag Racers “The Gotelli Brothers “ There speed shop was on El Camino down the street from EL Faro Tacos witch is still there 🌮

[@danielstoner2843]

Yep--Gotelli Speed Shop not only served the San Francisco Bay Area, but really changed the hot rod world in so many ways. Watch the first season of "The Motor Underground,: The Stoner T" for more history of Gotelli!

[@paulygood6665]

@@danielstoner2843 ohhh right on. I will look into that. Being out here in Vacaville I’m somewhat close . I commute to the city for my work

[@sherrylockhart305]

B!c,k in the day it was fun lol😅

[@jrsgarage7623]

Dan stoner has the coolest last name

[@danielstoner2843]

Like I always say: fun at a bar, but it gets you held up at TSA…

[@jrsgarage7623]

@danielstoner2843 I can about imagine..😆

[@retrotom5346]

Great stories I would call these cars street freaks not gassers. They have more of that high roller look about them than a gasser look.

[@danielstoner2843]

You're not wrong! I think these cars really ran that thin line between gasser and street freak, but I don't think there's a wrong answer in this topic...

[@retrotom5346]

​@@danielstoner2843seeing the 56 Underdog at the end that does look like a gasser. The gassers running nhra were mostly low at this point because traction & tech had improved & most of these cars are too high for gas class rules but yes in that era the jacked up cars prob did well on the streets. I do like the high roller street freaks they capture that time in car culture quite well.

[@BrianFong-ng2ur]

Yes, they were a hybrid car that was born out of the Gasser of the 60's. My 57' was raised up at one point, but then I had Al's build me a set of lower springs with reversed end to lower the car down. My car is the Brown 57' in the videos. It handled great. I drove it everywhere, streets, highways and mountain roads. Had 15x7 mags with F70's tires.

[@retrotom5346]

@@BrianFong-ng2ur awesome nice car.

[@jpshirley438]

Growing up i had a legend of my own in seymour indiana i had a black camaro called black thunder i outran every cop in jackson county from city to county and state i slowed down recently

[@betrevryday1]

Fascinating !!! Well done ( I’m terming ) Documentary , on an era and subject that should be celebrated and shared. Extremely rare photos be sure and keep the reminiscing interviews coming. 1960’s- 70’s 🫶

[@danielstoner2843]

You're right--very few people have ever seen these old photos! We searched far and wide for old filmstrips, but it doesn't seem like anyone had a Brownie camera or anything like that back then. But we had people and a stack of photos, so off we went!