Born in Vancouver in 1931, Jack Williams has been involved in motorsport almost his entire life.

 Jack’s first car was a 1927 Nash with a crude but functional roadster body that he fabricated from wood and sheet metal. In 1950, he purchased a 1949 Ford sedan which he chopped, lowered and frenched. It featured a full custom paint job and upholstery and was powered by a chromed up 1937 Cadillac V12 engine. He showed it at the first Pacific International Motorama held at the Kerrisdale Arena, receiving the Phinney/Sedman Memorial Trophy, the top honour awarded at the show. He also drag raced the car.

 Jack joined British Columbia Custom Car Association (BCCCA) soon after it was incorporated. Jack was also involved in the struggle to re-open Mission Raceway Park and remains an active member in the club and serves on the club executive.

Jack was busy in the mid 1950s; he moved his shop from the original site to 16^th Avenue. It was here that George Wazney brought him a 1951 Chevy to customize. George sold the car to Cort Elliott. Cort enlisted Jack to continue working on the car; this car won many awards and was featured in several magazines.

JACK WILLIAMS - Inducted 2001

Pioneer - Hot Rod, Custom Car and Drag Racing

by Dave Tarvin, 2001 – edited by Tom Johnston, 2004

Syndicate Scuderia dragster at Mission  (Jack Williams collection)

Jack Williams, 1955

In 1958, Jack built his first and only drag bike. The stretched frame featured a BSA front end and a 500 cc J.A.P. engine. The bike turned 11 seconds at 106 mph in the quarter mile.

In 1960, Jack decided he would go back to cars and began his involvement with the Syndicate Racing Team, and his most famous effort the Syndicate Scuderia Top Gas Dragster.

Later he teamed up with Barrie McKenzie to transform Barrie’s rail into a blown and injected hemi-powered 1200 lb. screamer. With Barrie driving and Jack concentrating on engine building and pit operations, the car was

a success, running a best of 7.99 seconds at 185 mph.

The last of the blue and gold leaf Syndicate cars was a 1940 blown Chrysler powered Willys gasser.

Jack retired from racing in 1970 to spend more time with his family Jack continues to work out of his shop on Lane Street, Burnaby,

Jack decided in 1986 to blow off the cobwebs from the original Syndicate Scuderia and give it a complete restoration in time for the Expo 86 car show. Jack and the Syndicate can still be seen at local nostalgia drag races.

Through the years, Jack and his wife Gerry have maintained a deep friendship with everyone they have come across, often inviting many of these people to the various affairs they often hold at their home.