Once a year we make the trek down to Birmingham to a local hangout that's been around for years. What started out as a local garage in 1944 by the Sanflippo brothers after returning home from the war, was later incorporated in 1946 and became the legacy known as Rocco and Cheater's Speed Shop Inc. In 1954, younger brother Dominic joined the company after returning from the navy. They were friends to all the big names in all types of racing. Many Grand National, now Cup racers, were their customers along with Indy owners and drivers. Lots of drag racers too. They knew how to market and buy parts AND they also had connections to all the manufacturers of the 40's thru the 60's. With this being the case they always had lots of stock. Their motto was "You can't sell from an empty wagon!" In the late 70's, second generation (Rocco and Cheaters' nephew and Dominic's son) Sam took over the company and now he is grooming HIS son Anthony for the helm.They had a machine and fabrication shop in the back of the speed shop and also had a garage up the street from the present location. Bobby aka K9racer has been friends of these guys for many years. Thanks to Bobby, we were allowed to come in and scour over the many, many parts in the 100x100 building. This truly is one of those once-in-a-lifetime experiences you only hear about or read in magazines. Imagine seeing 250 complete exhaust systems for cars of the 30's,40's and 50's leaning in the back of a speed shop, along with shelf after shelf of brand new stock that hasn't been touched in years. Wheels still brand new in the box stacked everywhere. I could go on and on about what we saw and there's more i've already forgotten than what I can remember. I'll let the pictures do the talking and maybe I can talk Alan into a trip back down there for a more indepth story for the magazine. The history of Rocco and Cheaters has been well documented and is a story that NEEDS to be told.
***UPDATE***
The Rocco and Cheaters' story is in Car Kulture Deluxe #17.
CHECK IT OUT!!!
