Way back in the November 2006 issue of Hemmings Classic Car, I presented a couple photos of an interesting homebuilt sports custom called the Little Jewel, with the following description from Don Garnett, of Lubbock, Texas, who sent the photos:
This homebuilt sports car was constructed in a backyard shop in Lamesa, Texas, in 1952 by Garner “Grandpa” Jones and Herman Lawhon. Starting with a 1951 Ford chassis that was shortened to 100 inches; the body was formed with parts from approximately twenty-seven cars readily available in the local wrecking yards. An Olds ‘Rocket’ engine was coupled to a 1951 Ford 3-speed overdrive transmission and rearend that was modified for drag racing. The car drag raced in West Texas and New Mexico, at least through 1956 and raced in Indianapolis in 1955.
Since then we’ve heard nothing from the Lost and Found readership. I haven’t heard anything from Don either, and it appears his emails to me have fallen down the memory hole. Hopefully he’s performed a beautiful restoration of the Little Jewel and added all sorts of uncanny details to the story of the car. Does anybody out there recall this car? And does anybody want to take a stab at identifying all 27 ingredients that went into this little stew?
As for the history of the car, I’ve yet to turn up anything on Garner Jones, but Herman Lawhon was, according to his obituary, a mechanic and one of the founding members of the NHRA. This tidbit may require some more digging…