Bearing Busters of Berwyn

The program from the 4th annual Bearing Busters Rod & Custom Show held March 15, 1959.

Rich Vachata's 1936 Ford Convertible of Berwyn, Illinois. Rich was a member of the Bearing Busters of Berwyn, and the other members in the club helped him build the car. The first version was completed in 1959. In 1960 fellow club member Dave Puhl gave the car a scallop paint job. This version of the car was named the Beach Comber.

A car show plaque from the 1962 Bearing Busters Rod & Custom Show. Photo courtesy of Wally Shatkus.

A plaque from the 1963 Bearing Busters Rod & Custom Show that Wally Shatkus has in his collection. Photo courtesy of Wally Shatkus.

Rich Vacata's old club jacket. Rich still had the jacket in 2014. Photo courtesy of Richard Vachata, Jr..

The Bearing Busters was a car club out of Berwyn, Illinois. The club was founded October 10, 1952. They organized their own show called the Bearing Busters Rod & Custom Show. In 1959 Ronald Smith was the President of the club. According to the souvenir program for their 1959 show, the club was then called the Bearing Busters of Berwyn and La Grange. According to Wally Shatkus, the little caveman used in their logo is from a Walt Disney show about auto mechanics.

Members

Bill Scamen
Bob Borvansky
Bob Fletcher
Bob Linn
Bob Stevens
Chuck Brieschke
Dave Puhl
Dave Shuberg
Greg Dean
Jerry Frintner
Jim Pelton
John Malik
Otto Mayer
Pete McHenry
Rick Malik
Rich Vachata
Robert Mundis
Roger Harney
Ron Hansen
Ronald Smith
Walt Strutz
Wayne Motts

Club Cars

Rich Vachata's 1936 Ford Convertible