Axle Busters of San Jose

John Neece and Ray McDonald proudly wearing their Axle Busters of San Jose jackets, circa early 1960s. John joined the club around the time he graduated high school, but work quickly took priority, and he only made it to one meeting before becoming, as he put it, a “working stiff.” While he never got to build a custom or hot rod of his own, he cherished the friendships and the jacket that connected him to the scene. According to his nephew Tracy Zimmermann, the tragic death of fellow club member Eldon Heinrichs in 1962 may have made it even harder for John to stay involved, and he quietly stepped away. But the bond to the club and its people never left him. Photo from The Tracy Zimmermann Collection.

Leroy Heinrichs' 1947 Plymouth Club Coupe of San Jose, California. Built by Axle Busters of San Jose member Leroy Heinrichs in the mid-1950s, this 1947 Plymouth was restyled in a late-1950s custom fashion. Shaved trim, frenched 1952 Ford headlight rims, electric solenoids, and a custom grille gave it a clean, modern look. By 1957, the coupe wore a scalloped paint job, likely applied by Leroy’s uncle, Bob Heinrichs, and appeared in the San Jose News, where Leroy valued it at $2,900. Later the same year, Leroy sold the car to Louie Stojanovich.

Leroy Heinrichs' 1955 Plymouth of San Jose, California. Leroy was a member of the Axle Busters of San Jose, and he had Joe Crisafulli restyle and paint the car at his River Body Shop in 1957.

The Axle Busters was a car club from San Jose, California.

Members

John Neece
Leroy Heinrichs
Ray McDonald

Club Cars

Leroy Heinrichs' 1947 Plymouth Club Coupe
Leroy Heinrichs' 1955 Plymouth