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

1959 NHRA Detroit Nationals. Seen here Doug Cook, who later drove the famous Stone, Woods, Cook A/GS Willys, driving his C/Gas '37 Chevy up against Jeg Coughlin Sr. in his D/Gas '55 Chevy. Both were class winners at the National event..

 

Jim Morris Turquoise Street Roadster Pickup

Hello,

This was the normal battle of the roadster pick up class winners. Jim Morris’ Buick powered RPU versus Junior Thompson driving Jim Cassady’s T Roadster. The latter being the safe bet to win it all, but I was able to record an upset of sorts to the street roadster class.

We usually saw the black T Roadster of Jim Cassidy with Junior Thompson win everything in the class.


But, from my far away position on the spectator’s side fencing at Lion’s Dragstrip, I recorded history in the making. A victory for the aquamarine blue RPU leading the usual class champion by a two car lengths in a close race at the end.

Jnaki

Jim Morris has always been associated with Buick motors in his drag racing hot rods.

Drag Cars In Motion:

 

Early pic of Dave Wren wheeling his B/MP '58 Plymouth.

 

Hello,

One of the most prolific Gas Coupe/Sedan Class racers is/was Junior Thompson. I knew of this car from the early days and reading about how they won in the Nationals race in OKC. The sedan was a product of a Westside of Long Beach hot rod shop called “Speed Engineering.” The place was located several blocks away from our house and owned by Tom Mc Ewen and Ronnie LeGrand. (A couple of Bixby Knolls hot rod racers.)

We followed the Junior Thompson Studebaker, as it gave us plenty of ideas for our future hot rod build.

If we had continued to start the build of the Model A Coupe we bought, my brother and I had discussed many different options for a go fast set up and build. One idea we got from Junior Thompson’s Studebaker build from the McEwen/Legrand “Speed Engineering Shop” near out Westside of Long Beach house was a Paxton supercharger on a SBC motor. That was the power in the black 41 Studebaker sedan build in 58-59.

Jnaki



I captured a good action film with the original Junior Thompson Studebaker sedan in 1959 Lion’s Dragstrip, during the Summer. I combined it with the Original Studebaker sound from September 1959 from a purchased LP album December 1959, digitized.


One of the most consistent Gas Coupe/Sedan Class winners at So Cal dragstrips…Drag Cars In Motion... YRMV

 

Picture below was one of his cars in either '64 or '65 (Hamb frienly). He continued on to run funny cars (not Hamb friendly years).

 

Perfect Street Car!! That's the look I'd be Hitting if I built a Mercury Cyclone!!

 

Now THAT Hemi is set on KILL!!

 

A little more in depth.......


6sally6

 

That is one of the Barilloro twins at the front of the car,

 

Hello,

A late evening capture of the first time the public witnessed the black Willys Coupe from the Stone, Woods, Cook Group. The day was hot and full of all kinds of Gas Coupes and Sedans hoping to win their class for this prestigious all Gas Coupe and Sedan drag race at the 1964 Lion’s Dragstrip show. It was the first of its kind staged anywhere.

The Stone, Woods and Cook Willys Coupe had turn overs for various reasons. The latest version had a Hemi motor and obviously the whole class was headed that way. The speeds were approaching 140 + and it was due to the progress of additional speed parts, better tires and of course, the hidden power developed from the big Hemi motor.

Lion's Dragstrip 1964
In April 1964, the new lighter-weight Willys, informally referred to as Black Widow because of its black paint scheme was fitted with a fiberglass front end, as well as various other lightweight components to make the most out of the new rules.

Since I was already invited by our friend, Atts Ono to unveil his finished SBC 40 Willys Coupe, I wasted no time in filming other races and racers. The black SWC coupe was a surprise. "Drag Cars in Motion" circa 1964.


Jnaki

While the year progressed, the black SWC coupe did something no one else had done in the Gas Coupe ranks. Topped 150 mph in the quarter mile. A drag racing first!!!

Like all other SWC coupes, this one had something going for it and started the whole competition class wars.

 

Jacks Auto Parts Twin - this blower drive system used on another twin.

 

Zane Shubert

 

Apologize for the water marks.