Ron Ogilvie worked at Paul’s during the mid ‘60s prior to joining the team at Bill Thomas Race Cars, where he and I met some 46 years ago. Ron contributes regularly to DRO and had this to offer about his friend Paul Althouse: “Paul’s Automotive was started at its first location in San Dimas, in 1962. Soon after Paul met Bill Jenkins at the NHRA Winternationals and offered Bill a west coast headquarters at his San Dimas shop. Jenkins housed his cars there for the next 5 years.

After a good start, Paul moved into the former Foothill Speed Center location in Monrovia. During this time, he met Geno Redd who was looking to go drag racing after a successful career in go karts.  Geno ordered a 1965 Chevelle with a 375 hp 327 but was soon told ‘no can do, however, would you like a 375 hp 396 instead...?’ The result was a plethora of National Records for Paul & Geno, including a huge win at an AHRA Grand American event at Lions Drag Strip.

Paul’s Monrovia shop was complete with 400 hp Clayton Chassis dynamometer and did mostly high performance work for all the customers they could handle. Today, the entire operation is behind Paul’s residence in Covina where he still does work for several area enthusiasts.”

Irwindale Raceway, 1968: Another Paul’s Automotive built motor resided in the hard charging Christie & Fisher Camaro SS/E. Your writers did not race C&F because our car was SS/EA, but the motor and chassis requirements for the two classes were identical. In those early days, the 396 / 325 H.P. models were SS/E, while the aluminum head square port 375 H.P. engines were in SS/D.