We recently traveled to Montville, New Jersey, to visit Radir Wheels owner Rich Conklin, who’s restoring the Dorman-Koopman AA/Street Roadster. The blown Hemi-powered Deuce went through several iterations before it was mothballed in the ’80s, but it’s best known for its mid-’60s #496 guise as seen in this snapshot from the Tom Davison collection. We believe this was taken at the ’65 NHRA Springnationals in Bristol, Tennessee.
For over 15 years New Jersey hot rodder and Radir Wheel company owner Rich Conklin has been gathering parts to restore the famed Dorman-Koopman ’32 Ford AA/Street Roadster. Originally built in Michigan, the car epitomizes the wilder drag roadsters of the '60s with its towering stance, thunderous blown Hemi and show car detail. Recently Rich finished the rolling chassis, and we had the opportunity to photograph it before the body is bolted to the frame. Look for more on this bitchin' roadster in the not-so-distant future.
Here’s the Dorman-Koopman roadster’s chassis today, as restored by Rich. After the car was retired from the drag strip, it was put on the street around 1970 and then parked a decade later. The last owner, Bob Newman, used the body for another hot rod project and sold the rest to Rich in 2000. He’s assembled all the missing pieces (a Brookville steel body will replace the original) and is close to wrapping up the complete restoration.
