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.
I need to put on a vinyl record of "The Sounds of Pikes Peak International Hillclimb" while I scroll thru the pics. So amazing.
Thanks, Ryan. I'll second the idea of a book of these pics. Wonder who the unfortunate soul was that got upside down on the switchback? Looks like help is on the way.
I'm amazed at the number of spectators scattered up what looks to be a steep unsteady climb. I'm sure the view was worth it, too. Thanks for sharing, again.
What a great batch of superhistorical images! I felt the flying dirt and heard the Offy's roar. Thanx for a great time!
On a side note, this is an interesting history of Louis Unser (and brothers Jerry & Joe) inspiring Spencer Penrose to create the race and their hill climb careers through the years. https://ppihc.org/behind-the-wheel-louis-unser/
My wife and I drove up there last week in a late model. I can’t imagine racing up there when it was a dirt road. Great pictures!
FWIW, the third car to reach the top of Pikes Peak was a Brush. They had from 7 to 10 horse power depending on the year. It took 8 hours to reach the top.
Boy, those front diffs shouldn't break! I remember riding up Pikes Peak in '53 or so with my Dad in his (now mine) Model A; surely in 2nd going up and down.
Shit! Sorry man......I get carried away on this topic (thrive on it actually), been around it most of my life. I'm sure you can still cover this a lot more thoroughly and eloquently than my little borrowed snippet. The early years of this event needs to be covered ad infinitum as it's starting to go the way of the buffalo.....EVs are starting to dominate now. Don't ban me!
Almost missed this thread. Thank You Ryan This whole series has really brought us to a place of knowledge. Growing up all I had to witness was an occasional car bumper sporting a sticker. "THIS CAR CLIMBED PIKES PEAK" Then the wonder of just how that went. THANK YOU ( and of course Tom Cobb )
All of his photos were amazing. What date was the Pikes Peak climb held? I noticed in one photo there's a 1962 Pontiac in the background, so it must have been later in the year?
The Jalopy Journal
