Santa Rosa Street Angels

The Santa Rosa Street Angels is a car club which was established in 1952.

Original membership claimed approximately 100 members.

The first 6 founding members of the club; Ed Binggeli, Bob Consani, Frank Johnson, Aldino DalPoggetto, Eldon Bryhan, and Al Castelli. Their meeting place was at Bings Speed Shop on Santa Rosa Ave.

The City of Santa Rosa got the ok from the US Navy that the city may obtain a permit for the Drag Strip operation.

The grand opening was April 19th 1956, and that first Sunday 2,400 spectators, and 300 cars showed up to race.

General admission was 90 cents, and participants paid another 75 cents to race.

There was a total of 33 classes for all types of cars and a class for motor cycles.

Dick Berndt was the president of the Street Angels, and at the time the club had 60 members and they needed a small army of people to run the Drag Strip, so Dick started the RETA, Redwood Empire Timing Association.

The R.E.T.A. had 25 different car clubs from northern California, and a total of 600 members

The president of the Redwood Empire Timing Association was Ray Alpeter, also a Street Angel member, and the first flag man to start the races.

Half Moon Bay, Cotati, and Vacaville drag strip became the Tri County Drag Strip INC.

The small Street Angel patch with RETA on the bottom, was drawn up by Aldino Dal Poggetto, and Dick Berndt had them made. They were worn on the back of a lite weight jacket by any Street Angel working at the drag strip.

The Petaluma Pacers, Devils Darlins, Dualers, Millwinders, and Coachmen, just to name a few of the clubs that helped run the strip, were all members of RETA.

The Poster and Street Angel Patch are from the collection of Ed Dal Poggetto

The Rose Festival Auto Show was held on May 16th to the 20th, 1956. This was the first Hot Rod and Custom car show that was hosted by the Santa Rosa Street Angels, and the first ever car show in Santa Rosa.

The show was also sponsored by the Santa Rosa Junior Chamber of Commerce.

The master mind in getting this show off the ground was Dick Berndt, president of The Street Angels.

The club resurfaced in 2015 after a temporary hiatus, with a core group of approximately 30+ members, consisting of Heritage members, Legacy members (sons and grandsons of original members) as well as their close friends.

Activities include monthly meetings, sponsors of the 1st Sunday of the month Hotrods and Coffee, originators of the Monday Hotrod Lunch at Carr’s Diner, as well as other hotrod oriented events.

Kustomrama.com Historical link: https://shorturl.at/hwAY7

SRSA Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2126708234222302

Dinner at Mike Dolce’s Place!

Claude Boulware is the 2024 Mike Dolce Member of the Year. Thank you for all that you do!

A special shout out to Bill Serby for fabricating these awards.

Claude Boulware presenting Craig Owens with the ”Mike Dolce Member of The Year” award for all his effort spent photographing all things Hot Rod. Special thanks to Bill Searby for fabricating the award.

Craig’s photo gallery https://www.flickr.com/photos/51969439@N02/albums/

Member’s Cars

Bill Searby

1933 Ford 5-window lowboy coupe – I bought the coupe as a nearly finished car in 2014. It didn’t work very well, so I took it apart for a 1 year project where I moved the engine back 1 3/4″ in order to install a fan, changed the Transmission from an early Ford top-loader that leaked to a Borg Warner T-5 from an ’86 IROC Camaro and swapped out the original ’33 rear end for a 1968 Jaguar XKE independent. My 1 year timeline stretched to nearly 3 years! The engine is a 1960 Corvette 283 with 2-4’s and a solid lifter cam. The wheels are Halibrands.

Ron Gilbert

1930 Ford Model A with a frame off build in 2015. 350/350, 4 wheel disk brakes, QA1 all 4, 4 link, boxed frame, chopped and channeled, Ford 9″, Duntov 30/30 cam, solid lifters, Shelby Cobra seats, lexan moon roof, etc. etc.

Ed Dal Poggetto

Legacy Member

1934 Ford Deluxe Coupe

Engine is a 1934 221 inch Flathead V8 with a stock 34 transmission and stock rearend with 411 gears. Car was restored in 1985.

Bill Searby

1940 Willys Pickup – I bought the Willys in 2002 from a guy who lives 100 miles due north of Niagara Falls. It is an old drag truck that still has the drag race suspension. The engine is a 302 Ford with single 4 barrel, Performer cam and intake. The trans is a C4 automatic and the rear end is ’57-’64 Olds. The paint is Candy Apple Red lacquer painted in 1975. Wheels are Cragar SS from the 70’s.

Ed Dal Poggetto

Legacy Member

1931 Ford Model A Roadster

1940 Mercury engine, bored and stroked. Transmission has 25 tooth Lincoln Zepher gears. Rear end is 1946 Mercury with 378 gears. Wheels are 1940 Ford 16″. Front end is 1932 dropped axel. Frame is 1932 with 1940 brakes. The car was built from spare parts in 8 months, around 20 years ago

Craig Owens

I’ve had the 56 since July, 2019. It has a 350 Chevy engine with a Muncie 4 speed and a 9″ Ford rear end.

Craig Owens

I’ve had the 29 Model A pickup since March, 2013. It’s on a boxed original Model A frame with Super Bell 4″ dropped front axle, narrowed Camaro 10 bolt rear end, and has a 327 Chevy engine with a 350 turbo transmission.

Craig Owens

The 55, I’ve had since 1977. It has a 454 with a Tremec 5 speed and a 9″ Ford rearend.

Craig Owens

I bought the 30 Model A coupe in Feb, 2006. It was completely stock when I bought it other than having 40 Ford hydraulic brakes. It’s on a Pete & Jakes’s 32 chassis with a 350 engine, 350 trans, and a 9″ Ford rear end. I guess that makes it a 709.

Claude Boulware

Heritage member

“1964” Ford Falcon Sprint”

I purchased the Falcon in 2014 from the original owner. It had only 73,000 miles on it and was completely original.

Sprints were top of the line for Falcons and came with a V-8 and a T-10 four speed transmission. The 260 c.i. engine now has a cam, headers and two Edelbrock four barrel carbs. It has been lowered 1 3/4″ in front and 1″ rear.

Steve Bowker

1937 Ford Coup. Owned for 12 years. 502 Chevy engine 700r transmission. Custom frame , disc brakes all 4 corners, tubbed and channeled.

Bud Gatto

I purchased this All Steel 1937 Ford Coupe in Puyallup, Wa in 2013. Built in 2004, it has a Pro-Built Chev 355 with 4-Bolt main and has been recently upgraded by Tyler Performance with a 680 Quiet Fuel Technology carburetor (hot rod series), new hoses & gaskets, thermostat and polished Edelbrock Performer intake manifold.

Bud Gatto

This 1935 Ford Roadster, one of 4,800 built, was previously owned by Kenny Dyches and Street Angels member, Jay West.
Kenny provided the mechanical upgrades including the Mustang front end with disc brakes, 9″ rear, new fire wall and much more.
The car includes a 1940 Ford dash with Dakota Instruments, leather upholstery by Cool Customs and paint, body work and pin striping by Harry and Kurt Straus.

Jay West

This is my 1941 International K-1 Panel Truck. Being a ‘41 it is quite rare (only 40 or 41 were made!) It is powered by a 4.9 liter Ford I-6 & an A40D trans. I did all the fabrication to install the motor & a FatMan M-II front susp. and the upholstery. Paint was done by Zappelli’s Auto Body in Rincon Valley.

Jay West

Here is a 1932 Ford Fordor sedan, a 1932 Ford Deluxe Coupe (aka 3-window), & my A-V8 roadster.
I’ve owned the Fordor for 27 yrs. It has an ALL ORIG interior & is powered by a 305 Chev/Powerglide trans. (The 305 is dressed as a ‘55 Lincoln). The frame is original but modified with circa 1979 Pete & Jakes 4-bar susp.
The 3-W is an original Henry Ford car with a CornHusker chassis. I got it on the road in 2008. The motor is a ‘49 Merc bored/stroked to 284” & the trans is a T-5. The interior is a re-pop from LeBaron-Bonney circa 1978. Paint done in 2008 by Zappelli’s.
The roadster is a ‘28 Model-A body on a highly modified ‘32 frame. I got it on the road in 2000. The motor is a ‘46 Ford bored to 258”. The trans is an S-10 5-spd & the rr is a ‘35 Ford with 3.54 gears. It was painted in 1997 by a fellow in Upper Lake. Upholstery was done by Jack Buchanon in Healdsburg.

Jim Uboldi

1951 Ford F-1

The engine is a 302 Ford with a Cruise-O- Matic Transmission. The rear end is a Dana #50. It has front wheel Disc Brakes, running chrome wheels with 225 70 15 tires on the front and 255 70 15 tires on the rear, It is painted Black with a black upholstery and black bucket seats. The bed and rear fenders have shortened 6 inches. The builder is unknown. It needs a new engine and paint, but It’s just fun to drive

Rick Vercelli

41 Ford pickup

350 Chevy engine with a 350 Turbo-hydro transmission and a 9 inch Ford rearend. Wheels are 15” steel with Firestone Radials. It has a beam front and leaf rear suspension. Brakes are Wilwood front and rear. The frame is stock. Summit hotrod primer over the original paint with black tuck and roll upholstery. Upcoming modifications: dropped front axle, with reverse i-springs, new shock kit and spindles, 16” steel wheels and Coker tires.

Rich and Tweedy Olson

1960 Austin Healy BT7-3000

Owned by Rich’s Uncle who drove it in the 60’s The car sat for 35 years before I took ownership with the help of our son, Dean, we installed a 5-Liter Ford Roller motor with T-5 transmission and stock rear end. Rebuilt stock from suspension, but added Billstean shocks all around plus installed a roller, stereo, Vintage Air, and rack and pinion steering. We added 15” chrome wire wheels and Falcon tires. Black and red exterior, black and red interior by Moss Motors.It took five years to restore, and added a rarefactory hard top.

Rich and Tweedy Olson

1965 Buick Skylark GS

It has a 435 cubic-inch nail head engine with tremec five-speed transmission with Ford 9-inch Posi and 350 ratio. I added stock 15 inch Riviera wheels and BF Goodrich tires. I added tubular A frames and sway bars front and rear, with power disc brakes. Painted it stock blue-green paint and added new stock upholstery. We added power steering, Vintage Air, 2 X4 carbs and MSD distributor. We bought the car in 1965 and drove it 7 years, sold it and found the car in Ukiah 43 years later. It took three years to restore.

Carl Portscheller

56 Chevy Bel Air two-door hardtop.

327 with roller cam and lifters, Holley Sniper fuel injection, 700R4 trans.
We bought the car in November 2020. Put on a Holley Sniper fuel injection in January 2021. After an electrical fire caused by a short in the steering column, complete rewire in July 2021. Bought a rebuilt 700R4 and swapped out the Turbo 350 in May 2022. All done with the help of friends. The body, paint and upholstery was completed by the previous owner.
We’ve taken it to Oregon twice for Graffiti Week in Roseburg, and we just completed the Hot Rod Power Tour West 2023.

Roger Acquistapace

It all began in 1970 when I first laid eyes on the sleek design of the Chevrolet Monte Carlo. Once the 1971 model hit the market, I couldn’t resist buying one from Pelini Chevrolet in Sebastopol, CAMy prized possession featured an impressive configuration:

In 2000, I decided to restore it, but as time passed and technology evolved, it turned into a remarkable RestoMod project.

Replaced the original engine with a 1994 Chevy 350 Small Block (5.7 liters) from a truck with a 4-bolt main.

Bore increased to 355 cubic inches (5.82 liters), and the engine was meticulously balanced and rebuilt.

Upgraded various engine components, including Flat Top pistons, Grant Piston Rings, and Vortec heads with Manley stainless valves.

Fuel injection was modernized with an EZ-EFI system for improved fuel efficiency.

After 18 years of hard work, my Monte Carlo has transformed into a masterpiece, and I plan to enjoy driving it for the rest of my life. The future holds exciting possibilities, but for now, I’ll savor every moment spent with my beloved 1971 Chevrolet Monte Carlo.

Roger Acquistapace

1932 Ford Pick up

Bought new in 1933 and has been in the family ever since. In 1960, we installed a 1956 Olds V-8, juice brakes, and a 1939 Ford transmission. The body was sanded and primed and the seat was recovered. It was also converted to 12v.

John and Rochelle Berizzi

Dave Whitehurst

1954 Ford F100

’69 Mustang 429 with a C/6 trans. 8″ Ford rear end, ’68 Volare front torsion bar suspension, power disk brakes. Truck sits on American mags.

Nick Houmis

1941 Plymouth. Flat head six cylinder with overdrive

Nick Houmis

1960 Imperial. This was my High School car. . Very comfortable car, rides great on the freeway. Has all the options including a factory installed record player that plays 45s. 413 cid with a torque flight.

Nick Houmis

1973 Triumph TR6. 5 speed , Weber carburetors , headers with dual exhaust

Rene Peron

I bought this 1946 Dodge pickupThanksgiving Day in 1971 and have been driving it for 53 years. When I retired in ’06, I tore it down and then powder coated the bare frame. And for the next 3 years I rebuilt it for the third, best and last time! Keeping it a “Dodge in a Dodge”, I got an ’02 Dodge aluminum 3.6L. V6 and the driveline too. I kept the stock 5 speed trans. with the .73 overdrive, but needed a rear end wide enough to clear the frame. Found a ’94 Jeep 3.6 rear end to do the job. With help from Kenny Dycke and Pat Herfel , we partially boxed the frame, changed to an IFS Mustang front suspension, Wilwood pedal assembly, Flaming River sterling wheeled and column. Added a mechanical rack and pinion steering, and a custom 22 gal. stainless gas tank from Rock Auto. I cut and installed the American walnut bed boards with stainless strips. Maaco did the paint. Don Pabros did the leather interior and I installed all the “engine turned” panels in the interior. It’s a great daily driver!

Mike Buegeleisen

Legacy Member

1932 Ford Roadster

This Roadster has been around Santa Rosa it’s whole life. It was owned by Dick Mcdonald from Sebastopol who bought the car from the original owner. As my father would ride his bike home from school, he passed Dick’s Roadster that was parked in front of where Dick worked. Eventually he met Dick and had many a conversation about the Roadster.. My father kept track of the Roadster through out the years, and after a couple of years of asking, he was able to buy the car in 1984. The car was taken apart but it was a solid core. A 1932 Roadster was my fathers dream car. Throughout the years he was able to finish a few things on the car but it was still in pieces when my father got Dementia.. In 2011 I put the Roadster together with all the parts we had, and in the condition the parts were.. Since that time my wife and I have been enjoying the Roadster with many miles and memories under our belts, and many more ahead of us. The Roadster has a 255ci Flathead, a 1939 3 speed transmission and a 39 Columbia 2 speed rear end. My father, Allan Buegeleisen became a member of the Street Angels in 1954. He is always close to us as we enjoy the Roadster.

Greg Leonard

32 Ford Sedan.

All new suspension, new blueprint 350ci crate motor, new vintage air. The car was originally built for one of the Graton Boys car club members in the 1980s.

Paul McKnight

1939 Ford Standard SedanTudor

350 Edelbrock intake, Holley 4 barrel, Ceramic Header, Tuned Exhaust, Walker radiator w/separate transmission cooler

Rear end 3.0 Ford 8 inch, American racing 15 in. Wheels, BF Goodrich radial T/A. Mustang independant suspension, power rack and pinion steering

Power disc/drums brakes, boxed frame, early 60s paint, 60s upholstery

Sway bars front and rear

Air conditioning

Mark Emmett

1955 Oldsmobile Holiday

Paint: Tim Sala

Chrome: Sherms

Upholstery: Chris Plante

Glass: Will Rafe

Transmission: Santa Rosa Hydromatic

Remainder of work done by Mark Emmett

Chuck Spratling

454 small block, 615 hp

Roger Thompson

Heritage Member

1950 Chevrolet

Blueprinted 355 with Isky cam and a 700R4 transmission, power disk brakes, 1957 posi rear end, Dakota Digital gauges, Tci Rack and pinion and American Torque Thrust wheels.

Dennis Kurlander

Legacy Member

1929 Model A Truck

283 Corvette motor with a Jag rear end.

George Cleek

Heritage Member

Greg Geide

1940 Ford Woodie purchased in 2020. 350/350, Mustang 2 and a 9” rear end.

Greg Geide

1956 Nomad purchased 31 years ago. 265 with a power glide stock drivetrain.

Greg Geide

1969 3/4 ton Suburban. Purchased 28 years ago. 350 with a 4 speed stock drivetrain.
Seat belts for 9 with the 3rd seat. Restored it at the time and was my wife daily driver during our kids elementary school years. Now it gets limited use towing our 1958 Airstream trailer.

Greg Geide

1965 Mustang Fastback. Purchased this

year from my dad. 289 with an automatic stock drivetrain. My dad owned this for 20 years. It is a GT replica.

Greg Geide

1969 VW Bug. Purchased this year. Original one owner car. Stock. 92,000 miles.
My stepdad is the original owner purchased by him late in 1968.

Ed Dal Poggetto

Legacy Member

1933 Ford Deluxe 4 Door Sedan. The running gear has been updated, using later model ford parts, like if you wanted to Hot Rod the car, pre 1955. Engine is a 1946 to 48 59A flathead V8 Ford. Transmission is a 1939 or later top loader box. Brakes are 1940 Hydraulic. Steering box is a 1953 to 56 Ford pickup. Tube shocks front and rear. 4 inch dropped axle. Front and Rear springs have had the spring eyes reversed. 16 inch Kelsey-Hayes wheels. Tires are Firestone. Bias-Ply, Front 550 – 16. Rear 700 – 16. And there you have it, Grandma’s Sedan turned into. a early 50’s Hot Rod.

Jacob Moors

Legacy Member

Jeff Engblom

I have owned this car since 1976. It is a 1969 Fiat 124 sport spider. Autocrossed with this car for 35 years with the Empire Sportscar club.

Dennis Hegg

67 Camaro balanced big block, 5 speed transmission, sub frame connectors, electronic ignition, QA1 front end kit and some other upgrades.

Tony Bernard

Heath Beaven

71 c-10 fleet side short bed pickup truck.
454 Big block Chevrolet, 700r4 overdrive transmission, posi traction Rearend, custom interior with custom stereo system, under bed gas tank, carpeted bed with custom tonneau cover and house of color three stage paint job !

Terry Burson

Tim Tauzer

Built from three different trucks, mustang two, narrowed 9”, Daisy mags all the way around, 12” rubber on rear. Five bars in grill, bumpers pulled in,

Air bags with compressor on board, T’s seat. 351 Cleaveland 4V with throttle body injection. Driven total of 9 ½ miles ! 10 years under construction.

Tim Tauzer

This was Tim’s beautiful truck after the Glass Fire in 2020.

Bob Davis Jr

1963 corvette split window 525 HP 360cu Built by Bailey Brothers Dart small block Dart heads comp star crank titanium rods Pro flow fuel injection, 5 speed Transmission, Sharks bite full coil over suspension , 4 wheel disk brakes, rack and pinion steering