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In 1970 Joe Brunett and Marty Ritter with three other members asked permission to form the BUCKS COUNTY CHAPTER in Ft Washington,Pa.. Marty Ritter filed to incorporate on May 18,1973 as the Philadelphia Modifiers Bucks County. In 1975 the incorporation was sold to the original club in Phila. The Bucks County Chapter later formed the Mod'tiques of Eastern Pa. (ties between clubs is still strong today).
In 1972 the club was one of the founders of the MID ATLANTIC STREET ROD ASSOCIATION. (MASRA). The association is made up of clubs from Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Virginia. MASRA is our link to the NATIONAL STREET ROD ASSOCIATION (NSRA).
In 1986 Dave Rudan (Philadelphia Modifier Member) contacted Joe Sway and Bob Van Sciver proposed and old time drag event at Atco drag strip in Atco NJ. In 1987 we had our first event, a Yesteryear Drag , Rod Run and swap meet. In 1989 we went to a spring and fall format that we still use today.
In 1994 the club voted to change from street rod (pre-48) only club and allow cars (and trucks) up to 1959 in the club. It must be a running car (or truck) of show quality with some modification like engine, wheels, paint etc..
In 1997 the club incorporated as the Philadelphia Modifiers Street Rod Club.
The club believes in strong community involvement such as fund raising for MAKE-A-WISH FOUNDATION and many other good causes. We sponsor a Soap Box Derby car. We became an associate member of SEMA Specialty Equipment Market Association to help support them in the fight against government regulation like the "Clunker laws". It also keeps us informed on laws and other changes.
Over the years many articles have been written about the club. Like the article in
Rodding & Restyling in 1962, Rod & Custom in 1973, The Phila.,Bulletin on Feb.25 1997, Street Scene June '85, American Rodder August '92, Street Rodder Sept'94 - Russ Sift's car and the club plaque in Streetscene August '98....
March '95. TV show Prime Time did a segment on the 30yr reunion.
December 1999 The Philadelphia Modifiers were on the world wide web.
*On Saturday June 17, 2000 Russell Sift past president and beloved friend died suddenly of a heart attack. Russ thought of the Modifiers as his family not just a car club. He was one of a kind and will sorely be missed. (Photo of Russ from earlier times)
December 2002 brought two noteworthy events, a photo of Butch Pletcher's Rod was in Street Rod Builder Magazine, and Highway 61 made a diecast model of Jimmy Iver's Studebaker.
2003 -
One of our Life Long Members Tom Taylor passed away...He will be sorely missed.
........... Butch Pletcher's
1932 Ford Roadster had a big write up in Rodder's Journel.
..........Ray
& George Bowers received the Clubs Life Time Emeritus Award
2005-Club Celebrates thier 50th Year of Consecutive Years of Hot Rodding
President- Don Soult
VicePresident- Rich Anderson
Secretary-
Treasurer- Joe Klein
MASRA Rep.- Frank LaPolla
We are asking x members or anyone with historical info on the Modifiers to please contact us...Thank you