Don Gallant’s 1927 T-Roadster “Gold Rush”

Lent by the Gallant Family & Don’s Speed Shop in Memory of Don Gallant

Don Gallant purchased this hot rod in 1953 from Albert Quagliaroli of Glastonbury, the same year he opened his Speed Shop on the Berlin Turnpike in Newington CT.  Don passed away in 2020 at the age of 90 and was still active in New England hot rodding until that time.  Don’s son Paul is now the caretaker of the car, and also operates the Don’s Speed Shop, now the oldest operating speed shop in New England.

Originally built on a 1927 Chevrolet chassis, the car was powered by a 1941 Chevrolet engine. It was exhibited in the 1951 and 1952 Hartford Autorama. The first Hartford Autorama was held in 1951, the car was pictured in the 1952 program.

Don rebuilt and modified the car, eventually installed a Chevrolet V8 engine with a 1939 LaSalle transmission. The best report “et” for the car at Charlestown RI drag strip in 1957 was 13.04 seconds. The car was actively raced and proved to a winner on the track and on the show floor!

The original Don’s “Atlantic” Speed Shop was located on the East side of the Berlin Turnpike. Many hot rodders stopped there and after the visit would speed out on to the Turnpike and check their speedometers as they passed under the bridge, an official one quarter of a mile away. Don moved to his present location on the West side of the Turnpike in 1958. He was a founding member of the Connecticut Street Rod Association, which is still a very active club today.

The car has been shown and used extensively since the 1950’s, on the Street and the Strip. This is an example of a very early New England Hot Rod that still retains its 1950s appearance.