Again amazing. Ak Miller in there also. You can feel the family joy. What a dangerous track, that took some serious driving. Makes Bonneville look like soap box derby.
Historically, Bonneville has been a much more dangerous event. Pikes Peak has "only" had 7 fatalities in their 109 year history. Meanwhile, I believe Bonneville has had some like 10 in the last 25 years or so. The mountain’s no picnic... especially back in the ‘50s and ‘60s when guardrails were rare and brakes were a suggestion... but the truth is simpler and meaner. Speed kills. Always has. Always will.
What stands out to me is DECORUM. Everyone dressed to the nines. Many wearing white — and not caring if their clothes get dirty. Appearing ‘put together’ was just as important as being there. I was born in the wrong era.
Awesome, awesome pics! Two of the folks in the sedan are Bobby Unser's first wife Barbara and his dad Jerry Sr. Not sure of the guy on the right but he's in a couple of the other Unser pics......including giving Jerry Sr. the "rabbit ears".
Man, can it get any better? Yeah, pure gold. Actual slices of hotrod history. And I'll repeat what's already been said: Somehow, some way, there needs to be a collection of these in a printed volume. Premium coffee table book, softcover magazine, maybe even Jalopy Journal #4. Don't care. I'd be one of the first in line to buy one.
My mom had a saying when talking about roads like that ........"that's where the cat licked his ass"!
Having driven up at a snail's pace a few times I can't imagine the rush you get from racing up. As to the Unsers they own Pikes Peak. There is a great display from the Unser museum at Speedy Bill's museum in Lincoln. The museum in N.M was given to Speedy Bill's museum a few years ago. The display is fabulous. Thanks for the pictures. If they were taken in '61 the Corvette was brand new.
The Jalopy Journal
