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We are saddened by the passage of Paul Aldrich, one of the earliest drag racing personalities to volunteer for and serve on the museum’s board of directors. Paul’s passion for all things motor related was ignited by his father. His father was an automotive enthusiast with a collection of steam cars in which Paul worked on in his youth at the Wellesley, MA home garage.

Paul was a master restorer and creator of reproductions of early drag racing cars. Three of those cars have graced the museum’s display space the most important of which was the Bannister Bros Dragster. Built with junkyard parts that included a bus blower atop the flathead engine, the original dragster pushed into and over the 140 mph barrier. Aldrich’s tribute car is a faithful reproduction of the original. He is pictured with this car. Paul was a regular participant at the museum’s car shows and was a judge at the museum’s annual car show fundraiser in 2023.

In his professional life he was considered one of the top Rolls-Royce mechanics in New England and worked at Foreign Motors West in Massachusetts for many years. He was an original member of the modifiers car club and was recognized as the official Ty-Rods Hot Rod Club historian. Paul lived and breathed car culture each and every day. He was a loyal and trustworthy friend to many.

We miss Paul Aldrich. His quick wit and ready smile made Paul a pleasure to be around. We are unaware of any service information at the time of this posting.