Meet Dave Tatom

At the age of 14, Dave Tatom built his first engine, a Ford Flathead, and at the age of 61 he's still building Ford Flatheads! By the age of 18, while attending Clover Park Tech & High School, he already had his FAA Aircraft, Engine and Private Pilot's License.

In the early 50's, while working for Joe Henderson and Tom Carstens in Midget race cars and sports cars, Dave became well known for his abilities as a mechanic and as a driver. By the late 50's, Dave started his first shop in Burien repairng Porsches, Ferraris, Mercedes, and sport race cars - specializing in the engine work. In the mid to late 60's, Dave became involved in an engine development program through Car Craft at Ford Motor Co. This led to the start of Trans Am Racing, in which he participated as engine and car builder, as well as driver.

Through the years, Dave has crewed on sprint cars, midgets, sport cars, Indy cars, hydro-planes and Bonneville cars. He's won many S.C.C.A. driving championships. He has worked with Vic Edelbrock, the Crowers, Barney Navarro, Bill Harrah and many others in developing better and faster engines. Dave specializes in Ford Flatheads and other vintage engines, and in the manufacture of upgraded parts for the Flathead.

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