Also in my garage: American classic cars and automobilia

| 17 May 2023
Classic & Sports Car – Also in my garage: classic American cars and automobilia

Seen from the outside, Paul Gommi’s garage, located near the port of Long Beach, California, offers no clue about the amazing treasures it conceals.

But once inside, the cars, the memorabilia and the vibe are evidence of our host’s interest in everything vintage – and Ford products in particular.

Paul’s life began, however, on the East Coast, where he found a liking for painting and studied fine art.

He then followed in the footsteps of his dad, a photographer.

Classic & Sports Car – Also in my garage: classic American cars and automobilia

Paul Gommi received a jacket for setting a record at Lion’s Drag Strip in 1971

During the 1950s and ’60s explosion of that very American motorsport of drag racing, Paul couldn’t resist getting involved with an Austin Bantam roadster.

He progressed to the ultimate Top Fuel class, winning 30 races on drag strips in 1963-’64.

His ability to tinker with anything mechanical then led him to help develop V8s for Carroll Shelby’s Trans-Am Mustangs, as well as the engines used in the GT40s at Le Mans in the ’60s.

Other accomplishments included working on a Chrysler 426cu in V8 programme, destined for drag and boat racing.

Classic & Sports Car – Also in my garage: classic American cars and automobilia

Part of Paul’s impressive collection comprises vintage engine components

Once in California, he also developed an interest in automobile history, leading him to chase old racing cars during the 1970s and ’80s, such as a 1934 Ford that competed on Bonneville’s salt flats in the ’40s.

Additionally, he became a fierce pilot behind the wheel of a vintage Top Fuel dragster entered in nostalgia races.

Both hot rods and stockers appealed, and Paul restored several Dearborn Award contenders – the event gathers the best Ford-based restorations in the nation every year.

Paul won no fewer than eight times, including with a 1933 prototype Ford roadster.

Classic & Sports Car – Also in my garage: classic American cars and automobilia

This classic Ford panel van has been used by Paul since 1972

From 1974 until he retired at an early age in 1986, he owned an advertising agency in a building located behind his house.

That same office is now part of his spacious garage, home to four 1930s Fords.

The place looks fantastic, thanks in part to period light fittings, enamel signs and even ancient tools, such as a valve-grinding machine.

An adjacent room is used by Paul to assemble engines and store parts.

Classic & Sports Car – Also in my garage: classic American cars and automobilia

Cabinets of toys for kids both young and old

One of the walls is filled with desirable vintage components, including various 1932 Ford grilles.

One of them is a rare Pine Winterfront piece, easy to distinguish for its vertical panels that could be kept closed for cold-weather warm-ups.

There are plenty of shelves and aged glass cases to accommodate trophies, plus photos of his former race and show winners, along with a selection of highly collectible accessories and components, from Ford scripts and tail-lights to licence-plate toppers, toys, about 20 gauges and 20 shift knobs, plus a jacket he received after setting a track record at Lion’s Drag Strip in 1971.

Classic & Sports Car – Also in my garage: classic American cars and automobilia

One of the rooms in Paul’s building is used to assemble engines

Paul still enjoys building his flathead V8s.

There are several sitting on stands, with the most impressive being equipped with a desirable SCoT supercharger.

Bins loaded with parts gathered through the years help him complete the engines’ assembly.

And then there’s the fleet of old Fords. The green panel van features neat ‘Paul’s Appliance Service’ lettering, applied shortly after being purchased new in 1932; Paul has been driving it since 1972.

Classic & Sports Car – Also in my garage: classic American cars and automobilia

Period light fittings and vintage signs decorate Paul’s garage

It keeps company with a 1934 cabriolet modified with pre-1950 parts only, together with a 1932 roadster, hot-rodded by a group of GIs in 1947.

Finally, the fourth car is a ’33 Tudor, with original paint and interior, which has been completed since our visit.

Surrounded by such automotive richness, no wonder Paul spends so much time in his garage.

Words and images: Stephan Szantai


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