Jerry’s first car was a grey Model A Ford. In 1952 he was driving a lowered 1935 Ford and joined the British Columbia Custom Car Association (BCCCA).

In the mid 50s Jerry drove a variety of mildly customized Fords and Mercurys, but his favourite ride was a 1932 Ford 3 window coupe which he channelled and modified.

Jerry was active in the BCCCA’s club committees and served as enter-tainment chairman in 1955, helping to raise money for BCCCA at various events.

1955 was a memorable year for Jerry. In February he was honoured with a Safe Driving Award by the Vancouver Traffic and Safety Council. In March he won the Class B Drags in his ‘32 Ford at Abbotsford and in July won the BCCCA reliability run and Go-Whoa (a timed acceleration/braking contest). In October he was awarded the trophy for the Most Winning Drags. Also in 1955, Jerry and good friend Andy Grange built and raced The Big Threat, a ‘47 Crosley pickup with Ford V8 power. In 1957 they re-powered The Big Threat with a Chrysler Hemi.

The same team of Andy and Jerry

JERRY ABRAMSON - Inducted 2003

Pioneer - Hot Rod, Custom Car and Drag Racing

By Larry Braine, 2003

The Big Threat, 1956  (Larry Braine collection)

Gerry Abramson

provided club members with many laughs over the years with their unique style of humour.

In 1958, Jerry was elected presi-dent of the BCCCA. He stayed active in the club until 1960 when he moved to Los Angeles for three years, continuing to work there in automotive parts. He returned to Vancouver in 1964 with wife Val to settle down and raise a family.

Jerry continued in the parts busi-

ness, but this time it was the recycled variety, and he is still in the business today.

Jerry took up flying in 1969, and over the years has owned three planes, a Navion, a Cessna 172 and a Cessna Skymaster twin engine.

In 1980, Jerry organized the first BCCCA reunion, “Remember the 50s”, with a committee of original club members.

He continued to build specialty cars. In the 1970s, he built an Excalibur replica with Ford V8 engine, and in the 1990s a Gatsby roadster with Buick Grand National turbo power. His cur-rent toy is a 1929 Model A coupe with Chevy 409 power which he completed in 2002.

Jerry continues to support and contribute to motorsport events.