Exploring Rassey's Historical Race Shop: Hot Rods and History Ep. 1

We take a deep dive into the history and ingenuity of the Rassey Family and their contributions to Indy racing, including but not limited to the Thimble car and Quarter Midgets. The Rassey workshop is a lost piece of history stuck in time.
We want to thank Rassey for taking the time to let us explore his workshop, and tell us the history of this incredible place. Please be respectful to Rassey and his family.

[@user-yn4pf6wv6s]

I just stumbled on this very interesting video. About 30 yrs ago I was able to purchase a 1/4 midget race car from a neighbor . The neighbor had no information about the little car , but after telling a friend about my acquisition , he immediately said that my car is a Rassey . I contacted Chuck and I got the tour of the shop just as this video showed . Chuck even came out to my house to see my car . What a great find to see this video, and relive the events around my visits to the Rassey's shop , and to hear Chuck tell his stories . I did not know they made their own tires, of which my car has a full set ! I cleaned up my car , and with the help of a couple friends , mounted my Rassey on the ceiling of my den /man cave .Thank you HotRodsAndHistory.

[@markbrown-us4xe]

These guys were really reaching and getting results.
I feel so humbled but am glad I'm from Michigan.
Thanks Chuck.

[@charleshaggard4341]

Thanks to you and guys like you that a documenting these old racers before they are gone.

[@jeremygoodson2046]

Very cool! A lost art..young engineers take notes!

[@911shamrage]

Brilliant piece of history, makes an engineers heart beating faster. Thanks for sharing!

[@jasongillin7644]

Good job Tony! Very informative. Keep em coming bro.

[@charlesoleson6616]

That is so cool the history is so interesting and the process of getting the rods made and the " R and D " you have mentioned is fascinating and creativity is of building there own slicks is great content thanks

[@77Sunsetstrip]

Thanks, I really learned a lot. I grew up in Long Beach and witnessed all kinds of innovations in the Hot Rod industry. Most of the guys cut their teeth at Douglas Aircraft during WW2. Young guys and old learning and growing in the aircraft industry and spilling out into the budding Hot Rod and auto racing industries. Keep up the good work!

[@tonysimpkins8135]

I'm glad you enjoyed it, and here's the other thing about Long Beach and Douglas aircraft actually interviewed Lynn Yackle which was a hot rodder from the area that went on to work for NASA through Douglas aircraft and was a very first person to draw the plans to the space shuttle. Lynns past on but I have his story maybe will do his story. I just happened to talk to Fran Hernandez's son to day sound like will do his story which ties into the Rassey story Fran is the one that worked on the tether car when was the reason for top fuel stay tuned.

[@valjeanmarcoe1255]

Thanks Chuck

[@clifffoltz651]

Very awesome video, thanks for sharing !😊

[@SteveBraithwaite]

Very interesting Tony.
Your knowledge of automotive history is fantastic and it's great that you are sharing it through these videos.

[@woodyhampton9661]

Appreciate the history! Great video!

[@daviddjerassi]

WOW absolutely un real lost treasures being re found thank you all at HR&H.

[@user-zm4vq8oi4s]

Place is a racing time capsule ❤it

[@ianjones4071]

Outstanding work, keep it up cheers

[@ericohara2582]

So much cool stuff here, what a good thought about handshakes too, that really got me thinking.... sub’d

[@garyfetzer1071]

I race 1/4 midget in late 60 using the continental engines ,in both stock and in aa they were great engines ..very cool to see some of this stuff.

[@70sport37]

Great history !

[@NewRiverRoots]

What great video thank you!

[@sidcostello7532]

very cool video. Don't let this stuff disappear without sharing it on video or print.

[@buzzedalldrink9131]

Hi Tony I’m a first time viewer thanks to a TH-cam recommendation. I’m your newest subscriber. Super interesting ! thank you and keep up the good work!

[@daleolson3506]

Great job

[@user-dq7gi9io1f]

Interesting when you were panning the picture of the entire crew at INDY and there was Henry Ford kneeling down in the first row,while you were looking for Clark who....??? Great stuff indeed,keep up the good work.

[@Vigilant_Guardian]

thank you Chuck,, and HR&H

[@Mercmad]

Chuck and his Dad are like the US versions of Colin Chapman and Lotus .

[@teamshem3853]

Hope they have good locks on that place.

[@ringo196]

Men like Razzy and Colin Chapman were engineers and innovators

[@MrX-zu2qe]

Great time capsule of the past no computers just brain power pencil and paper.

[@alexjohnson1612]

The tether cars are amazing 200mph, the American Pickers found a guy with some, they ran on diesel not nitro methanol.

[@garneauweld1100]

Post-war Indy cars were built in Los Angeles and I have the poster to prove it.