Alan’s interest in cars started at age 14. At 16, he bought his first car, a $50 1932 Ford 5-window coupe. This started him on a long line of ‘32 Fords which he continued to buy, sell, and rebuild – 105 in total that he still has registration slips for.

Alan joined the British Columbia Custom Car Association (BCCCA) in late 1953 and served as secretary in 1954.

While at university in the mid ‘50s, Alan had a small shop area in his dad’s  building where he modified cars and built a deuce roadster, that did 130 mph plus at Bonneville. Alan also did a stint in the mid ‘50s working as a helper in the Barris Custom shop in Lynwood, California. Alan tells of his competition experience including early drag racing at Abbotsford airport and being crew and back-up driver for a car at Digney Speedway.

In 1955, Alan formed a New Westminster based club called the WESTRODS, becoming their first president. He found a patron in Bill Hughes of radio station CKNW, who provided a place to hold their meetings. The club grew to about sixty members.

ALAN CRUICKSHANK - Inducted 2006

Pioneer - Hot Rod, Custom Car and Drag Racing

By Larry Braine, 2006

A young Alan Cruickshank

Alan designed the Westrods crest, jacket and bumper plaque, examples of which he still has today, along with the original ’32 Ford grille and shell from his first deuce. While in the Westrods, he owned modified 1934 and 1932 3-window Ford coupes. The Westrods joined the British Columbia Hot Rod Association (BCHRA) in 1958, Alan was secretary to BCHRA for two years.

In 1958, Alan opened Western Custom Auto in Queensboro, later moving to a newer location in New Westminster, where he remained until 1969, doing engine swaps, specialized mechanical and body customizing and

speed equipment work. Eventually, the pressure and demands of the work became too heavy, so he sold his business, moving on to his new love, since 1964, aviation.

Alan was a commercial pilot for several years and owned a few of his own planes, including a modified float plane and a high-performance retract-able. He flew the Roadeo and Air Show North American circuit one season.

In the 1970s. while his family was growing, Alan reduced his hotrodding activity, and got into real estate. His automotive interests turned to collecting vintage cars, especially one-owners from the 1940s, ‘50s and ‘60s. He ended up with 29 stock and original cars (half of them Cadillacs) He still has many today that he takes to shows, does movie work, and participates in public events.

Alan has never lost the automotive attraction, fun, and fascination.

Alan has been a member of the Greater Vancouver Motorsport Pioneers Society since its inception in 2001.

Today, he lives in, and is restoring, a 1888, 8000 sqft, New Westminster heritage mansion.

Alan with one of his collector cars