Racing model owned by Western Auto Supply Co.

[wrpepp]

Hello forum,

I've been researching the history of the Western Auto Supply Co. which was headquartered in Los Angeles in the 1920s-40s. In looking through the 1921 California Automobile Registrations, I found this listing.

Reg No: 249431
Name: Western Auto Supply Co
Address: 911 S Grand Los Angeles
Make: Ford
Type: Racing
Year: 19
Engine number: MVD10195
Co No: 19

This is the first mention I've seen that Western Auto sponsored a racing car. I've looked through newspaper databases and other online records, but haven't found any other mention of the company connected to racing. Could I get some help here? I like to start with an explanation of the unusual engine number and any other special features of racing models. Are there any specialized sources where I might find details of the car's career in racing?

Thanks

[kevinf]

Just a guess, but the engine number may be a number assigned by Motor Vehicles. It happens frequently now days when a vehicle has no vin number and the state assigns one. Not sure why they would have issued a vin back then unless it was never titled in 1919 and only raced for those two years. Then titled in 1921 when the MSO, (Manufactures Statement of Origin) was no longer available.
I see from your name, this may be a genealogical search as well?
We had a Western Auto store in the town I grew up and it was the source of many fond memories,
Good luck,
Kevin

[ThreePedalTapDancer]

Western Auto Supply Co sponsored and advertised racing activities. Their signs could be seen at racetracks throughout the country. Here is a photo of 1920s view of a race at Ascot Speedway in El Sereno, California. Notice the signs on the hillside above the track.

https://homesteadmuseum.blog/2023/11/26 ... -part-one/

[ThreePedalTapDancer]

Early Western Auto sponsored race car photo. Eddie Meyer Jr listed as driver of the Rajo Special in a later 1924 race program.

https://homesteadmuseum.blog/2024/01/20 ... uary-1924/

[wrpepp]

I see from your name, this may be a genealogical search as well?

The name is not a coincidence, but my focus here really is the company. Western Auto (Los Angeles) was acquired by Gamble-Skogmo in 1939 and when operations were moved to Minnesota in the 1950s, it appears the entire archives of the LA office was dumped. We now have little knowledge of the LA office beyond what can be dredged from old newspapers. So, I poke around here and there for bits of information.

Here's tidbit that might be of interest. These two listings for the same car:

California Automobile Registration (1917)
No: 140420
Name: Pepperdine George
Address: 1201 Los Palmos, Hollywood
Make: Ford
Type: Tour
Fac No: 95067

California Automobile Registration (1921)
Reg No: 485019
Name: Western Auto Supply Agency
Address: 911 S Grand av Los Angeles
Make: Ford
Type: Tour
Year: 15
Engine number: 95067

In 1916, George Pepperdine moved from Kansas City to California, driving his 1915 Model T at least as far as Denver. (I think it went by train over the Rockies.) Several years later, he was apparently still using that car to tool around the West on inspection tours of his stores. He must have put a few 100K miles on that car. I'd sure like to be able to trace the history of it.

[John Codman]

Western Auto also sponsored Darrell Waltrip in NASCAR from 1991 to 1997.

[Norman Kling]

I know a little bit about Western Auto and Pepperdine. When I was in my teens in the 1950's I used to go to the Western Auto Supply in Glendale, Ca. 2 doors down the street was Pep Boys. Both stores carried parts for Model T's and Model A's. I, at that time had a Model A. You could go right in and buy a rebuilt engine or a new or rebuilt carburetor, coils points condensers etc. Western Auto also had a catalog.
Concerning George Pepperdine. Pepperdine University was named for him. One of my dad's cousins attended the original Pepperdine College which was near U.S.C. south of Hollywood. They have since moved to Malibu. One of my Uncles once dated the woman who later became Mrs. Pepperdine.
That's about all I know about Western Auto and Pepperdine.
Norm