Santa Monica California Car Road Race Track 1915 Real Photo Postcard

The GAKO on the side of this vintage race car likely refers to Elmer Pop Gako, a significant figure in American sprint car racing during the early to mid-20th century. Gako was a renowned car builder and mechanic, primarily active from the 1930s through the 1950s, creating his own Gako Special cars that competed successfully on dirt tracks across the Midwest and California. These vehicles, often characterized by their sturdy construction and powerful engines, were emblematic of the period's grassroots motorsport.