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All in the Family (Chris’ Historic Roadster)
When Chris Julis and his sister were small kids they rode in the rumble seat of their dad’s Deuce. Dad, John Julis, has been in the street rod industry for many years as a manufacturer’s rep for a number of major street rod companies and has enjoyed 24 years of roadster driving.
As he likes to say, “Life is too short to ride in a closed car!” Now, Chris is a grown man and thanks to the generosity of a good friend, dad and him can now caravan to events in a pair of Deuces. Below you will find the story, as told by John, on how a father and son were able to live a real life dream with a historic roadster. Stories like this only come around once in a lifetime and, if they do, they never happen to you or anyone you know. This is the story of a chance meeting and a gift of a lifetime. Forty Ford Day in Southern California always brings out a unique mix of hot rods, custom cars and eccentric people. The summer of 1996 was no exception. Long-time friend and with baby steps every weekend and holidays. He kept us both focused by a constant reminder that Gene was watching over us and guiding us through the rough spots.
The car started and ran in 2006 and we broke in the cam, but then were beset by an oil leak that had us changing components to attempt to get it resolved. We finally contacted Ed Martin Garage in Riverside, California. They specialize in hot rods and classic cars, plus race a Bonneville roadster. The oil leak had them buffaloed for a time, but eventually discovered we did not allow enough engine breather. Repairing that, we were on the road. The first trip was up and down our street, then a 12-mile round trip to a Sunday brunch. Our first “event” was Fathers Day in 2008. The first overnight was the NSRA Western Nationals in 2009 at Bakersfield, California. A chance posting on the Society of Land Speed Historians in March of 2009, filled in another piece of history on the roadster. A racer named Jack Mickelson raced a flathead Deuce to second place in Class C in 1947. After that Jack had sold the car to Don Francisco, the same Don Francisco that Gene Scott purchased the Deuce from in 1959.
Another strange twist has Jack telling us that Wally Parks of NHRA drove Don over to pick up the car when he sold it in 1948. It is the coolest to have a son that is into hot rods, an understanding and supportive wife, and a friend like Gene Scott whose generosity allowed a father and son to live a real life dream.
