With a passion for anything with tires and an engine, and a palpable entrepreneurial spirit, he launched his first business in his garage. “I was working as a machinist making rear ends for chicken carts. I made a deal with Mr. Taylor that I would go out and buy rear ends on the weekends. I’d buy an old Ford for $5 and sell it for $15. So that’s how Currie Enterprises started.” His side work building axles expanded to the street and track scene, and in 1964, he opened his first brick-and-mortar shop.
His sons began working with him as machinists in their early teens. Paying them piecework for what they built rather than by the hour, he taught them how to be efficient without compromising quality. During the following decades, Currie Enterprises became a household name in the drag racing, hotrod, and Jeeping communities, synonymous with premium axles and components.
Frank was in the game for more than just a quick buck; he was an enthusiast at heart, spending his weekends Jeeping in the backcountry and participating in rock, desert, and drag racing events, including building a custom roadster for Bonneville, driving it out to the salt, and after going over 200 miles per hour, driving it home. His mantra of supporting clubs, organizations, and events was handed down to his sons, and the Currie name continues to be ubiquitous on sponsor rosters.
Many say a person’s legacy will be defined by the quality of character and the impact they had on others. Overhaulin’s Chip Foose said Frank was, “a man whose contributions helped shape the industry into what it is today. His innovation, craftsmanship, and unwavering passion for performance set a standard that still influences the industry.”
When asked about his secret sauce to success during a 2011 interview, Frank said, “Quality is what I strive for, and taking care of the customer. Treat every customer as your friend, because he is your friend, and we want him to come back. I’ve done this all my life and pounded it into every one of my sons’ heads.” Frank passed away in 2016, but conveying this message was a job done well. Multiple generations of Curries continue to embrace his professional ethos, as well as playing in the dirt and on the track the world over.
