Projects The Original "Purple People Eater" dragster 1957

Ahhh yes the Dunville Slow Pokes...started in 1956...they were actually the very first club to host a NHRA santioned event in Ontario around I think 57 or 58.....maybe your dad is in the picture of the club members.

 

Thanks Stogy for the help brother to answer quickchangeV8's question. Your right about your insight on the "Purple People Eater" quickchangeV8.... the body back then really stood out at the track and it was 109" wheelbase which was also ahead of the curve back then as alot of the early rails had 100" or less wheelbase. Check out this early Ontario rail job.... it ran a Packard motor ...the Tecumesh Valve Lifters built this and it ran at Kohler in those early days from 1956. Love the way the battery is just strappd to the frame rail...lol.

 

@Fast Elvis...Thank You for bringing some of the Hotrod/Race/Custom contributions of Ontario/CA to our attention...its great to see...and you're quite well versed in that history...

 

I've always loved the early years of drag racing but growing up so close to where it started in Ontario certainly helped. Here's a few more cool pictures of those early drag racing days at Kohler Dragway in Ontario when the "Purple People Eater" dragster ran.

 

Dropping the "Purple People Eater" off at the body shop..... Richard Hilton (Rich Refinishing A/B) another long time pal and ELTA brother will work his magic on bringing the old fiberglass body back to it's former glory.

 

...Damn that's Cool stuff...Elvis please enlighten Stogy...on the Kohler Dragway Location...
I mentioned Cayuga thinking it had changed its name but I think I have erred on that...

Questions about the last set of pics the racer with the 39 Ford Hood...what front suspension is under that?

Last question the T Roadster...is that just a rad with no shell or otherwise? Thats a real awesome mean business Hotrod too...Where is it Now?

Keep the History rolling @Fast Elvis
this threads Rockin'

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Kohler Dragway was a old WII training base and is located near Cayuga Ontario..... Kohler Dragway soon went after 1962 to have a number of different names... like Super Boss Dragway, 1320 Dragway, Cayuga Dragway Park and today its known as Toronto Motors Sport Park.

 

A few more random pictures of the old "Purple People Eater" dragster over the past year.

 

I was reading about the fiberglass body on the "Purple People Eater" website and noticed this
"Several of us were acquainted with Ron Coleman who was in the business of making fiberglass canoes. We had looked in at his shop and had observed the process of making a fine durable canoe."

Up until a few years ago my parents still had the canoe my dad bought from Ron Coleman ...I would guess he bought in the late 70's early 80's.....My dad worked at Joy manufacturing and Coleman's was a block or two away.
When it was sold it was still in great shape and I am sure Ron Coleman's input on building the body was why the body held up so good after all these years.

 

Okay this so over the top. Yes my Dad is in that club photo and has his club plaque to this day. I believe he has that club photo. There are still members around. They had their 60th reunion a couple years back. Thanks so much for all of this.

 

Every year up this way, at the War Plane Musuem by Hamilton, they host a drag racing show and many times over the years the Slow Pokes C.C. have a display. The club still have their 32 Ford sedan that they raced back in the 50's. A really good bunch of guys. Your Dad was a part of that first wave of Ontario hot rodders that got drag racing up and going 41rooderz, you should be proud of your dad. You come from good stock and I see the apple didn't fall to far from the tree....lol..... is your Dad still here in Ontario?

 

An exciting undertaking to be sure!
I am thrilled to see such a unique car
Restored! Look forward to seeing her complete!

 

I am late to the party. Just went threw the whole thread . WOW!! Fantastic. Congrats Mark on this historic undertaking . You are a real hero saving this important piece of drag racing history.

 

Thanks El-Kabong...much apreciated brother....I see you have a rare and early 58 rail.....any pictures? Sounds like a match race some day....lol. For your enjoyment ...here's another classic early Ontario rail that the Brantfrod Piston Pushers ran back at the same time the "Purple People Eater" ran. Doug Woodley was the driver and is still going strong today at 85. Comes out to our ELTA Big Go Drags in his model A. He's on the front cover of this early 1961 Drag News issue.... he was a very good "Shoe" in his day in B dragster class.

 

Fast Elvis I just posted this pic with a link in @bgaro's thread as it really looks a lot like what he's creating...

Is this at Kohler?​

 

Too kind Mike....thanks...just very fortunate that my hunt turned up the old dragster and the owner was happy to let me take her home to restore. I did also find a second rail sitting in the same field. Here's a early picture of this next project... it's the Gray Yanocko "Flying Carpet" dragster which was one of the first nitro cars at Kohler going back to the late 50's using a 1948 A90 Auston 4 cyl. motor running low 12's. Here's a picture of the rail from around 1958 .

 

Here's another picture (colour) of the car in action at Kohler Dragway running the "Zoro" dragster.

 

Too Damn Cool that is...thanks @Fast Elvis...your thread is again a real historic journey...priceless stuff.

Do you by chance know what motive power it had?

@bgaro check this out...​

 

Wonderful story and a great job on the car.

 

I may be wrong but I thought it might have been Olds power Stogy.

 

Thanks Mike....just trying to keep the history alive.

 

Some guys don't like being photographed..........

 

Lol....at least most of the the guys back then were happy to pose with a smile.

 

its funny to look back how simple it was to go racing and have fun. you could build a car and have fun, without the stress, and deep pockets. and now its who has the most money, and who can tune the best computer!

 

Those were the days Rich....build your car in your laneway or home garage or club shop on your budget/smarts. Then show up to have fun and learn some new tricks from other racers in the pit's. All you had to do is get your car thru those early saftey lanes. When I spoke to some of those original track officials from Kohler Dragway.......they would chuckle about when they ran the saftey lanes the biggest thing that they check was retorking those lung nuts on the wheels. A wheel coming off was the biggest thing most of them would worry about....lol......but then some of the old racers would tell me, after racing that day, they had one hell of time getting their wheels off due to the safety guys torquing them way too tight....lol.

 

really kool pics! my first trip down a dragstrip was 1n 68, at age 15 with moms 63 ford. I borrowed it from the garage. the only thing tech was worried about was getting the 10.00 out of my hand! things have changed. I know the guys in your pictures were having fun! the top classes nowadays are not having any fun, because there going to dam fast!

 

I hear you Rich......thats why at our anual ELTA Summer Bash & Big Go Drags.....it's run what you brung...heads up racing where there's no trophies or preasure to win only put on a great show and have FUN all weekend for the crowds. I find most of the hardcore racers that show up are so relax because they don't have to pull valve covers off to find another 1/10 of sec. to beat the other guy between passes but to relax and hang out with friends, family and take in the event.... alot more smiles all weekend.

 

Nice history lesson of Hot Rodding in Ontario. You mentioned to my brother and I to come over to the ELTA meet before, looks like a good time.

 

This year it's our 15th year of the doing the ELTA Summer Bash and Big Go Drags.......it's always a fun weekenend brother. I know last year people started showing up at St. Thomas Dragway on the Tue. night for the Friday evening start....lol.....if ever think about coming..... we are known for our wonderful hospitality. Here's a few pictures from last summers ELTA Big Go.

 

Dad's in the U.S. .I was talking to him and he remembers your car and some of the names on "the faces of Kohler", Purples driver. He was talking about the Brantford Piston Pushers, London Modifiers etc. Something about Mellenbacher and wondering if you have heard of the name Don Swanson. There is a story or two about putting on the first NHRA show.