The HAL powered Lakester is typical of cars being built in the 1940’s and 1950’s for speed runs on the dry lakes in Southern, California. HAL engines, powered cars all the way up and down the West Coast and at El Mirage and Muroc which is now part of Edwards Air Force base.

• Harry Hosterman better known to his friends as HAL, started as an engineer for Goodrich companies. Based out of Akron, Ohio Harry sold a lot of his stuff on the West Coast builders looking for a leg up on the competition..
• Hal built conversions for engines based on Model T, Model A and B blocks like the one that powers our Lakester.  At the end of the Ford 4-cylinder engine period, Hosterman designed his own 4-cylinder block using a crankshaft and rods for purpose built racers like our Lakester.

• The Lakester has a Ford Model B 4-cylinder engine with a DOHC conversion that is capable of pushing the car to speeds over 100 miles per hour.  
• The HAL DOHC engine sparks fuel from the dual Winfield carburetors with a Bosch magneto.
• The streamlined hand formed single seat body is all racer without headlights or even a single taillight for the street.
• The wire wheels are original issue Kelsey Hayes 16 inch wire wheels that are wrapped in period correct Firestone racing tires in the back and vintage All State tires up front.
• The front axle is a straight out of a 1942-1948 Ford with the square flange spindles, which have larger diameter bushings allowing the builder to lower the cars without rubbing.
• Equipped with a 1937-1940 Ford 3 speed gear box, it connects to a Model A banjo rear end and three series gear ratio.
• The center steering gear is a Ross variant that has been widened to accommodate the single swing arm steering that is attached to bolt together period correct frame.
• The tall chrome hand brake on the left of the car actuates the 46-48 Ford rear fluid driven drum brakes assemblies.