THE HIGH-GEAR HOT-SHOTS
Membership: Drag, Frederick "Flash" Foster, Hub, Rodney "Rod" Randall
Purpose: Hot rod buildng and racing
Affiliations: Tommy Arthur, Hap Conroy, Joe Davis, Mr. Digges, Frederick Foster Sr., Happy Harry, Mr. Jamison, Mr. Lane, Mr. Mackenzie, Officer O'Malley, Bud Patterson, Mr. Pettigrew, Sandra, Dr. Van Buren, Mr. White, Billy White, Dr. Winterhalter
Enemies: Ben and two other thieves
Aliases: None
Base of Operations: An unidentified town in the USA
First Appearance: Young Men I#21 (June, 1953)
History:
(Young Men I#21) - Frederick "Flash" Foster was riding his bicycle with his friends Rodney "Rod" Randall, Hub and Drag when they noticed a fancy sportscar and started talking about getting their own car. Being from a wealthy family, Rod suggested simply getting a new car from his parents but the others wanted a car they would all have a sense of investment in.
Soon, the four friends decided to form a hot rod club, dubbing themselves "the High-Gear Hot-Shots." Against Rod's wishes, the club voted to only work on Ford cars, not Cadillacs. They started a treasury fund with $15.60 and started shopping for a car they could renovate, but even with their modest expectations they couldn't afford a used car from Happy Harry. Flash tried to convince his father to let him renovate his old car, but his father refused. Impatient, Rod got a new sportscar from his father.
Flash chanced upon a 1926 Ford Model T owned by farmer Mr. White, who sold it to him for $5. With the help of car mechanic Joe Davis, the Hot-Shots began rebuilding the Model T into a hot rod they dubbed "Puddle Jumper." Unfortunately, when they finished their work, Officer O'Malley declared he'd never permit them to take it on the road, declaring it a safety hazard.
After learning Mr. White's son Billy was ill and needed medical care from the specialist Dr. Winterhalter, Flash took the Model T out to bring the doctor to Billy. Officer O'Malley tried to stop Flash on the highway but when Flash explained his errand the policeman let him continue. Billy's life was saved and this convinced Officer O'Malley to permit the High-Gear Hot-Shots to drive their hot rod.
(Young Men I#22) - One Saturday, Flash drove the Puddle Jumper in a hot rod race but came in 4th. Realizing the Puddle Jumper wasn't fast enough to win competitions, the Hot-Shots decided to completely renovate their car, transferring the engine into the body of a Crosley they'd obtained from Mr. Jamison, a car-wrecker.
The Hot-Shots hoped to have the refurbished car ready in time for the race the next month, which had a $500 prize, but Flash doubted he'd have enough time to complete the work due to his newspaper route. Rod was aware that Flash's father was sick and needed a $500 operation but was sworn to secrecy. Rod insisted he, Drag and Hub would take turns helping Flash complete his route so that they'd be able to compete in the race.
On the day of the race, Flash drove the new car, dubbed "the High-Gear Special" and won the race, despite suffering a tire blowout because the other Hot-Shots replaced the tire in just 15 seconds. Rod insisted Flash claim the entire cash prize, claiming he, Drag and Hub had intended for him to have the prize. Drag and Hub went along with him.
(Young Men I#23) - Flash and Drag raced in the High-Gear Special at Mr. Digges' hot rod race and won. After the race, Mr. Pettigrew invited the Hot-Shots to jojn his hot rod race in Pineville. On the day of the race, Mr. Pettigrew was short-staffed so Drag operated the ticket office while Flash and Hub raced in the Special.
Ben and two other men robbed the ticket office during the race and Drag ran on the track to alert the others. Forfeiting the race, all four Hot-Shots rode in the Special in pursuit of the robbers' car. The robbers tried to force the Special off the road but lost control and hit a tree. When the police arrived and congratulated the Hot-Shots for catching the robbers, the Hot-Shots were surprised to learn the robbers had been armed with guns and could have killed them.
Comments: Created by an unidentified writer and Ed Moline.
Profile by Prime Eternal.
CLARIFICATIONS:
The High-Gear Hot-Shots should not be confused with:
images: (without ads)
Young Men I#21, page 1, panel 3 (main)
YOung Men I#22, page 2, panel 1 (supplemental)
Appearances:
Young Men I#21-23 (June-October, 1953) - unidentified writer, Ed Moline (artist), Stan Lee (editor)
First posted: 09/09/2026
Last updated:
09/06/2026
Any Additions/Corrections? please let me know.
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