History Drag cars in motion.......picture thread.

Gordon "Collecting" Collett

 

This is the car that Steve had built while he was commuting between the US and Australia where he drove Huff's Long car. It is probably most famous as the last front motor car to win the US Nationals (the infamous burndown with Big). Steve was still trying to find this car when he suffered the anyuerism that eventually took his life. It was pretty much a twin to my car except that mine started life with a late hemi (but never raced that way) and Steve had a 392 in his prior to the 426 seen in this photo.

Roo

 

This shot is most likely from 1969 as the Pat Dakin driven G L Rupp fueller in the background does not yet have the canard wings. The paint on the Collett car also suggests the same year as the final paint job in 1970 was much more attractive (and actually more like the single engine car in the other photo in the original post)

Roo

 

Raymond and Preston are still friends to this day and Preston currently races this car in the NDRL's 7.0 class


Roo

 

Today is Keeling & Claston "California Charger" driven by Rick Ramy DAY

 

Ramchargers

Noice-?-Levy

 

Good thing. That is about the ugliest paint design I've ever seen!

 

Dean,
Tell us how you really feel!

 

Noice, Paculli and Levy. AA/GD out of Van Nuys, California (and a long way from home in this shot from the Nationals (1969?) at IRP). Bob Noice drove and Steve Levy tuned although Noice is also listed as crew chief. Levy also partnered with Norm Wilcox running a 426 powered AA/GD (California Sun) and then a 392 powered double in 1970. Also note Tommy Allen in the background with Huff's Woody Soapy Sales car

Roo

 

I finally found another shot of this car that shows the driver's helmet (barely) and it IS Chuck Kurzawa. Here is the shot (from WDIFL). Incidentally, that is the late Bob Mayer in the Speedmasters car in the far lane.


Roo

 

Wow ! You certainly know your cars, owners/drivers and years. You are correct. It was shot in 1969 at the Nationals. Thanks for the response.
...Craig

 

Craig,
your photos are great images of a wonderful period in time. If you have any more please keep posting them.

Roo

 

Roo
Whenever I see those rear notched tubes on zoomies I often wonder what the first unnotched set looked like after the unexpected tire growth.

 

Roo,
I have a lot more that I've been "sitting on" for a long time. Now that I've retired I'll dig some out from time to time.
They're pretty amateurish ...not the professional starting line pics.
...Craig

 

Probably has a roadster body for Saturday night.

This is so cool -- but may have killed the MR and CC classes.

 

New England Dragway top gas dragster action, Doyle & Roberts quickest and fastest top gas car at New England ever 7.54 196.50

 

Craig,
most of the "professional starting line pics" have been seen so much that they don't excite as much as they did the first time around. Your stuff is killer and shows much more of what it was really like back in the "trenches". I look forward to seeing more of your shots.

Roo

 

Definitely "The Unsinkable" Kelly Brown in what may be the Dean Engineering fueller (before the full body).

Roo

 

Rochester NY area guys know this car. Joe Malone's Marshall Law Falcon. Raced since new, was "restored" in the 80s, but it's been MIA since the early 90s. I spotted it once, around 94, nobody seems to know where it is now. Heard it was junked, but who knows. Guys are looking for it.
I'd love to find it, or just know it's around if someone has it.

 

Terry Mills, Lake Oswego, Oregon. Later shots with injection. The name on the B/C car was "Scandal". The body shell was last seen in Tom Willford's estate sale.

 

Apart from the fact that this has been posted twice in 8 days I am frustrated in that I can't identify either of these Top Gas cars.

Roo

 

Posted the photo a few days ago and forgot to post some specs. Direct drive car, 301 cu.in. Jhans pistons, Racer Brown roller cam, home ported 283 heads, 471 blower. and 5 97 carbs. Went 150 after moving blower to top mount and adding another 97. As a young pup I made many a run at the Terre Haute strip, but them lanes were very narrow. The car was restored by the family and can be seen at some oi the cackle fests. Photo swiped from another site. Please forgive.

 

Yep, did not add up for me either and that is why I am still in the dark Denny.

Roo

 

John and Jerry's Long car--the last time that I saw it, it was hanging over the jig at Don's shop

Roo

 

Maybe its just me turning 60 and all, but 190 in a rail would take about half an hour to let go of the seat.
Another hour to get rid of the taste of vinyl.
At least a day to stop smiling.