Ron was one of Vancouver’s first hot rodders in the late 1940s. His rod was a 1932 Ford Coupe which was chopped and channelled and featured a highly modified Mercury V8. Ron raced the car at Arlington and Abbotsford drag strips.

Ron’s unique hot rod and his en-thusiasm was an inspiration for many young performance car enthusiasts. Ron hung out with friends Bob Phinney, Jim Giberson, Chuck Robinson and Graham Fraser, Jr. at the well-known “Crat” restaurant at the corner of Fraser and Kingsway. They talked about the idea of starting a car club.

These men were part of a core group that was responsible for the form-ing of the British Columbia Custom Car Association (BCCCA).

RON VAUGHAN - Inducted 2001

Pioneer - Hot Rod, Custom Car and Drag Racing

by Larry Braine, 2004

Ron Vaughan’s 1932 Ford Coupe  (Larry Braine collection)

Ron Vaughan, 1952

Ron was a charter member of the BCCCA and served on the executive committee. He also served on the Timing and Safety Committee. Ron enjoyed the BCCCA Gypsy Tours to the Okanagan.

Ron was very active in the early days of drag racing at Abbotsford Airport. He built a unique drag race machine from an aircraft belly tank; Cal-Van Accessories sponsored the Mercury V8 engine.

Ron retired from hot rodding and the BCCCA in the late 1950s