CHARLIE HAMILTON Charlie Hamilton out of Maynardville, Tennessee, is one busy young man. Charlie just turned 25, but he’s been in the 29 Below program for six years, a County Supervisor, an elected member of the School Board, races a Vintage Gasser and, oh yeah, he’s the Tennessee State Advisor for NSRA. Charlie first showed up in his ’52 Ford F100 he bought at age 14 to be his first vehicle. Charlie rebuilt the suspension, added gauges to the interior, kept the red patinated paint with graphics from Calvin Signs, and outfitted the 216 straight six with an Edmunds intake, an Edmunds header, dual 97s and an Offy valve cover. Charlie still daily drives his ’51 and still has tons of smiling enthusiasm. He wanted me to be sure and thank his father (Sam), his mom (Julia) and his girlfriend (Destiny).
Charlie’s ’67 Ford F100 Styleside pickup looks good in blue over white, a slick gray stock interior with extra gauges, and the original Ranger badging for a Ford pickup (it’s the legend the little Ranger pickup was named after). There is a ton of cool here, but my favorite part is the Ford FE engine with dual quads on top.
If Charlie isn’t working taking care of county business, street rodding, or working in the garage, he’s out racing his Gasser that was exhibited at the Nationals South the last few years.
REBECCA BERKHEIMER Rebecca Berkheimer out of Thomasville, Pennsylvania, fell in love with her ’64 Buick Skylark when she was eight. Luckily her father (Brian) had enough of playing Barbies and bought it as a father/daughter project from the original owner. Rebecca invested her Christmas money and later money from side hustles and part time jobs to get the Skylark running and looking right. The factory paint and bodywork has been touched up by friend Brad Bechtel, the original interior looks almost perfect after some love and she added front disc brakes with an appropriate power master cylinder. The father/daughter duo added a set of Weld wheels with Mastercraft rubber and the original Buick 300 engine is running great. Rebecca mentioned she might change to a small-block Chevy because parts for the 300ci engine are becoming rare. I suggested she keep the old 300 there are several sources for parts (the forum V8 Buick.com and the retailer TAPerformance.com are great starting points).
KURTIS HOLLER Kurtis Holler from York, Pennsylvania, is having nothing but fun in his ’48 Jeep CJ2A he bought from a family friend. Kurtis straightened out the body and laid down the flat green paint. The suspension has been upgraded with slot mags wearing Maxis rubber, the interior features Corbeau seats and the Chevy 307ci engine is backed up by a three-speed tranny.
MARCH 2025 67
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