| 1932 FORD ROADSTER |
| Will be showing this summer at: Saskatoon 2002 SUPERUN (Praireland Park) August 2-4, 2002 |
| Owned by: Ron and Dennie Bjerke 138 Spinks Drive Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada S7H 4G7 Phone: 306-955-2868 |
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| "PINEAPPLE PRINCESS" |
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| "PINEAPPLE PRINCESS" |
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| Built in Calgary, Alberta by Glen Smith between 1950-1960 364 Hemi - Magneto - 4.71 GMC Blower - B+M Hydro Transmission - Old's Rear End - Hand Rubbed LACQUER (Gold Metalflake) Appeared in: 1. BENCH RACER - (car of the month - Feb, 1962) 2. ROD + CUSTOM - Mar. 1963 3. CALGARY HERALD - Sept. 3, 1963 4. OLD AUTO'S - Page 15 - Mar 3, 1997 5. CANADIAN CLASSICS - Feb. 2001 |
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| AN EARLY CANADIAN STREET ROD... |
| "Pineapple Princess" came on the scene in the early 60's. A name derived from the chrome 'hand grenade' which is used as a gear shift knob. Today, this fine old roadster is unusual in the fact that it is almost exactly as it was, when it was completed by Glen Smith in 1961. The running gear exists of a 1934 Ford frame which has been Z'd in the rear, while the front end utilizes a 3" dropped axle. The nerf bars are made from old Ford steering shafts. Chrome was not spared on the chassis or any other part of this machine. Body work was done by Lionel Powers, with no filler used. The chrome windsheild frame has been chopped 3" to acheive a low effect all around. The solid white rolls and pleats were stitched by Glen and his family, and is still in the roadster today. A remarkable peice of upholstering. The dash is set off by a full set of Stewart Warner instruments. This unit is powered by a 1953 Chrysler New Yorker, Hemi, bored to 364 cubic inches. The pistons are 8.2 to 1 Forgetrues. The cam is a Isky E-2 and the Hi-Rev kit was also supplied by Iskenderian. A Scintilla Vertex Magneto replaces the stock ignition, and a '61 Valiant alternator replaces the original generator. The intake manifold is a Crager blower manifold which mounts a 4.71 GMC blower. The whole assembly has been balanced. '56 Chrysker truck heads have been fully ported and polished and fitted with sodium cooled exhaust valves. Exhaust headers were built by Glen Smith. Horses are transmitted to the '54 Olds rear end through a B & M Hydro stick. |
| The gold paint is metalflaked. It reguired 3 pounds of gold flake and 3 gallons of clear lacquer. Hand rubbed 35 times. A difficult job taking 6 weeks and was done in a barn. The paint job was a first in the Calgary area at the time. Today, the Princess is one of the few left with a gold metalflake. Ron Bjerke purchased the roadster in 1974, while living in Quesnel, British Colombia. Ron and his wife drove it for 2 years. In 1978, Ron moved to Saskatoon, and shortly thereafter a deal was made to trade the Princess for a 1959 Corvette. But in 1996 the Bjerke's found the Princess near Canora and were able to repurchase it and bring her home to Saskatoon. Although attempts were made by her fans to bring her back to her birth place in Calgary, the Bjerke's will be keeping the Pineapple Princess in Saskatoon. |
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| Page from the March 1963 ROD & CUSTOM |
| The Pineapple Princess in Girls Clothing Advertisement (left pic) (Who were these girls??) |
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| A nostalgic look back to a Street Rod, built, well ahead it's time, and which remains the same today. |
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| for video on the "Princess" and upcoming car shows and racing events for Saskatchewan and area |
