History Early drag racing photos

Dave, here is a shot of Pappy Hartman's car, it would be earlier, as the A/R designation.

 

Jack Wayre and Glen Wards "Sort Shot1"

 

Love that Bob Sorrell tinwork !

 

thanks, Marty

 

1957 Bill Collins 1951 Oldsmobile along with Bobby Langley's Scorpion FED

Hello,

I was doing some research on Bobby Langley and came across two hits for my Friday Art and historic stories. We saw the 671 supercharged version of Bobby Langley’s “Scorpion” dragster in 1959 at Riverside Raceway. It was one of the biggest drag race events in early drag racing history.

My brother was mad because we missed the first Bakersfield Smokers March Meet in 1959, so he specifically said we were not going to miss this big So Cal event. Most of the top drag racers from the East/Midwest were coming out to challenge the Westcoast/Arizona racers in a huge all day event.

Speaking of my brother, his first car at age 15 was a pale yellow 1951 Oldsmobile two door sedan. So, this search paid off in another similar 51 Oldsmobile sedan, but modified to some extremes. Bill Collins was responsible for the creation and it was quite a sight to see, especially in color.

old Friday Art

https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/friday-art-show-8-27-21.1239551/#post-14177707

Jnaki

The searches led to the Kustomrama website and of course, the history was there in all of its glory and adventures.

Bobby Langley FED 1959-60




Older Friday Art

 

Man - o - man what a line up......maybe 1956 or 57 with that 56 or 57 Golden Hawk and 56 Chevy. The Stude should still be running that Packard motor but wonder if that Merc has an Olds in it by now ?

Get picture posting again 40 Ragtop down !

 

That should have read "Great picture posting again 40Ragtopdown" !!!!

 

Looks like a 56 with the short fins, and you are correct on the Packard engine. In '57 they went to the Supercharged 289.

 

Marty - do you think that would have been just a heads up race and not a cl*** race or ? The car weight might have been close but the Stude with the Packard motor had a few cubic inches on that Chevy.

Lawrence

 

Dad had a '56. Yup, bolt-on fibergl*** fins to the '53 quarters. It was fast. 352 ci. Didn't say quick, but he did have it up to 125 mph one time. Brakes were horrible. But many consider the Golden Hawk instrument panel to be one of the most beautiful - right up there with the Auburns. Also notable was the angle of the windshields and A-pillars of the two cars. R.I.P. Raymond Loewy.
That '56 Chev better have the Power Pack option if he wanted to win.

 

Arlington WA.

 

Were those taken at the old Dragway 42?

 

I'm not positive but it sure looks like it.

 

Jim Rockstad and Kenney Goodwill in pits, Ignitor 1971, Firebird Raceway.

 

Kenney Goodell ^

 

Thanks Dean!