From start to finish all parts are quality checked and held to high specification standards. Pete and Jake’s Hot Rod Parts Turns 40
After WWII, G.I.’s who were used to flying fast planes, driving powerful tanks, jeeps and trucks came home, stripped their old Model A or ’32 roadster of it’s fenders, upgraded their engines and headed for the track, abandoned air strip or the salt flats to fulfill t
heir new found need for speed and power. That was the beginning of the hot rodding movement as we have come to know it. Pete Chapouris & Jim “Jake” Jacobs, longtime friends, began building and testing hot rod suspensions and parts out of necessity. Other than the local junkyards there were no off-the-shelf hot rod parts to be had. Pete & Jake took on the challenge to change that. Out of this friendship and collaboration Pete & Jake’s Hot Rod Parts was born. Starting with their revolutionary 4 Bar® suspension system Pete & Jake tested these parts on their own hot rods: Pete’s “California Kid” and “Jake’s Coupe.” Through thousands of miles of road testing on these two vehicles, they perfected the 4 Bar® system eliminating the twisting and caster changes associated with stock suspensions. These innovations lead them to experiment in other areas of hot rod suspensions. By 1974 they had a line of parts that was gaining notoriety among the hot rodding crowd. Pete & Jake knew that their parts would change the way hot rodders built cars. By standardizing the 4 Bar® system and making it work on the Ford chassis without modifications they simplified installation and setup. They also provided technical help and instruction sheets opening hot rodding up to a whole new market. Something that was rare at that time. What started in a humble garage was to blossom in 13 short years into a leader of hot rod suspension parts for the 1928 through 1948 Ford enthusiast. Driving this all was maintaining proper frame and suspension geometry to ensure safety at any speed. By repurposing Mustang and Vega steering boxes the draglink became parallel to the frame eliminating awkward movement and improving steering response. When urethane became widely used in manufacturing, Pete & Jake utilized it’s unique properties to replace the old GM vulcanized sleeve and rubber bushing system in their 4 Bar® systems. This allowed the hardware to be standardized to 1/2” from the old standard of 9/16.” Urethane also lasted longer and required less maintenance. Once Pete & Jake’s began selling their parts they expanded the line into spindles, pitman arms, steering arms, bat wings, brake systems, motor mounts and rear suspensions. They produced their first catalog and the rest became history. In 1986 Jerry and Peggy Slover took over the operation and kept the name of Pete & Jake’s, moving operations to the Midwest. The Slover family and their dedicated staff has continued to manufacture the finest suspension parts on the market. By refusing to compromise on quality they have continued to honor the Pete & Jake’s name. All parts are proudly made in the U.S.A. After moving to the Midwest, Pete & Jake’s continued innovating with the introduction of Viper Aluminum Alloy coil over shocks in 1986. Up to this point hot rodder’s had to repurpose Jaguar coil over shocks. Pete & Jake’s brought to market a coil over shock that had both nitrogen gas and oil filled cartridges. By keeping the tires firmly on the road, rods were able to have better performance and comfort. Pete & Jake’s also began manufacturing a new line of complete hot rod chassis based on Ford specifications. All stock mounting specifications were incorporated so that both metal and fiberglass bodies could be mounted. High quality standards were set and maintained through the use of precision welding jigs and standardized templates just like Henry Ford did it. In 1999 Pete & Jake’s acquired the Super Bell Axle Company. For many years Super Bell had been the complimentary part of Pete & Jake’s success. Super Bell Axles and other suspension parts like the Super Stopper brake systems have long been known for their high quality and durability. Customer service from the beginning was top priority for Pete & Jake. Jerry, Peggy, Jason, and Tina and their highly trained staff of experts have continued this tradition. Over the past 40 years between 18-20 comprehensive catalogs have been produced. Today that catalog contains 68 pages stuffed with parts and technical information. Pete & Jake’s website is a vast go-to resource for today’s hot rodder. From a full online catalog to dozens of technical and instruction sheets, Pete & Jake’s has continued to serve the hot rod community with the best in parts, technical information and customer service. Today if you call Pete & Jake’s you’ll receive the best in customer service and attention to detail, possibly from Jerry or Jason themselves. Whoever you talk to, they will gladly talk you through your project and offer advice based on years of experience in the industry. Pete & Jake’s takes pride in what they offer and are constantly looking for ways to improve and bring to market better quality products that will serve the hot rod customer. When there is a need, Pete & Jake’s will do whatever it takes to fill it. Pete & Jake’s looks forward to many more successful years serving the hot rodding community. To the Pete & Jake’s family of employees, you the customer, are their family too. Visit the website at: www.peteandjakes.com often for upcoming 40th anniversary events, specials and announcements. The Pete & Jake’s family are planning a lot of great things for the coming yearlong celebration. Don’t miss out.
