Tacoma Toppers

From Kustomrama
Jump to: navigation, search
Vern LaCoursiere's 1949 Ford coupe of Tacoma, Washington. Vern is a member of the Tacoma Toppers car club. The Ford was his first car, and he bought it and restyled it in [1957

, when he was 19 years old.|link=Vern LaCoursiere's 1949 Ford]]

Vern LaCoursiere's 1950 Ford convertible. The Ford was Vern's second car. Restyled in 1959, all work was done by Vern when he was 21 years old.
Chuck Johnson's 1952 Ford Victoria of Tacoma, Washington. Chuck was a member of the Tacoma Toppers, and the Victoria was has first car.
The 1964 Pacific Northwest Motorama was held November 6 - 8, 1964 at the Tacoma Armory in Tacoma, Washington. The show was presented by the Tacoma Toppers car club.
The 1965 Pacific Northwest Motorama was held November 5 - 7, 1965 at the Tacoma Armory in Tacoma, Washington. The show was presented by the Tacoma Toppers car club.
Vern LaCoursiere's 1941 Chevrolet convertible was part of the Tacoma Toppers club display at the 2015 Northwest Rodarama in Pyallup, Washington. Photo courtesy of Tom Tufte.
Chuck Johnson's 1956 Ford F-100 truck was also displayed at the Tacoma Toppers club display at the 2015 Northwest Rodarama in Pyallup, Washington. Photo courtesy of Tom Tufte.
Old club photos displayed at the 2015 Northwest Rodarama in Pyallup, Washington. Photo courtesy of Tom Tufte.
An old photo of Vern LaCoursiere's 1953 Mercury displayed at the 2015 Northwest Rodarama in Pyallup, Washington. Photo courtesy of Tom Tufte.
Old club photos displayed at the 2015 Northwest Rodarama in Pyallup, Washington. Photo courtesy of Tom Tufte.
Old club photos displayed at the 2015 Northwest Rodarama in Pyallup, Washington. Photo courtesy of Tom Tufte.
A photo of club member Dick Page displayed at the 2015 Northwest Rodarama in Pyallup, Washington. Photo courtesy of Tom Tufte.


Tacoma Toppers is a car club from Tacoma, Washington. The club was founded in 1951.[1] In 2015 Joe Hammerschmith told The News Tribune that you had to work hard to get in the club; "They had strict rules and regulations; your car had to have three modifications custom-wise to get in. And you had to be a pretty nice guy. Some guys had the car, but their reputation wasn’t quite there."[2]


According to Lance Lambert there were about a dozen bigger, active car clubs in Tacoma in the 1960s; "They would put on dances and car shows, often to raise money for charities. The Toppers were Lincoln High School, The Steeds were Stadium and Wilson. All we did was cruise between Frisko Freeze and Kings Drive-In. It was see and be seen. Frisko was Stadium’s hangout, Kings was Wilson’s territory."[2]


Members

Chuck Johnson
Chuck Traaen
Danny Hall
Dick Page
Geno Ames
Jerry Harris
Joe Hammerschmith
John Grimm
Tom Richardson
Vern LaCoursiere


Club Cars

Geno Ames' 1932 Ford Roadster - Deuce of Spades
Danny Hall's 1940 Ford Coupe
Vern LaCoursiere's 1941 Chevrolet Convertible
Tom Richardson's 1949 Ford Convertible
Vern LaCoursiere's 1949 Ford Coupe
Chuck Traaen's 1949 Mercury
Vern LaCoursiere's 1950 Ford Convertible
Jerry Harris' 1950 Mercury
Chuck Johnson's 1952 Ford Victoria
Joe Hammerschmith’s 1957 Chevrolet Nomad


References




 

Did you enjoy this article?

Kustomrama is an encyclopedia dedicated to preserve, share and protect traditional hot rod and custom car history from all over the world.




Can you help us make this article better?

Please get in touch with us at mail@kustomrama.com if you have additional information or photos to share about Tacoma Toppers.


This article was made possible by:

SunTec Auto Glass - Auto Glass Services on Vintage and Classic Cars
Finding a replacement windshield, back or side glass can be a difficult task when restoring your vintage or custom classic car. It doesn't have to be though now with auto glass specialist companies like www.suntecautoglass.com. They can source OEM or OEM-equivalent glass for older makes/models; which will ensure a proper fit every time. Check them out for more details!

Do you want to see your company here? Click here for more info about how you can advertise your business on Kustomrama.


Personal tools
Help us
facebook