Features VINTAGE SPRINT CAR PIC THREAD, 1965 and older only please.

Same here. Wayne Landon, Art Braithwaite, Bob Seelman, Brian Tyler, and others I met while living/working in Michigan. Also, the black #5 sprint car belonged to the late Chuck Wokson from Rogers, MN. He offered to let me drive it at an Oldtimers' event in Bemidji many years ago but it was built for a much larger driver than me (most were ) so I passed.

 

I just received a package in the mail from Dennis Unger, a longtime racing photography who now lives and works in Washington, D.C. He sent me eight CDs with photos on them, a lot of old stuff and some later reunion stuff. There's some duplication, but it's a treasure trove. It'll take me a while to sort through it, but I'll be posting some of it on here as soon as I can.
He also sent me two DVDs with a LOT of Pennsylvania and elsewhere sprinters on them. I've made my way halfway through the first one.

 

Here's one example of Unger's work. The Sterling Plumbing sprinter at Duquoin in 1963.

 

Roger McCluskey in the Konstant Hot sprinter at Salem in 1963.

 

Damn IndybigJohn!! PLEASE.. KEEP BRINGING THEM!

JD

 

Holy Crap !!! That might be the best pic I've ever seen of the 56. Was Jim H. the only driver in the early 60's ?, Or did anyone else run it ???

 

I'll try to do some more tomorrow, Josh. I've got some he took last year at the Columbus (Ind.) reunion of cars you've probably seen already.

 

Here's a couple from that same day at Salem of which I am very, very proud. I didn't know these photos existed until I ran across them on a vintage site (they've since disappeared from there), a year ago, and they are one of the reasons I wanted to get in touch with Dennis. Chuck Engle (I believe) in the car shown had bounced off the fence coming out of the second turn. The fireman didn't know about alcohol flames being invisible, and was just standing there. I saw the heat waves coming off the tank and off the left rear tire, where fuel had apparently spilled. The driver put his hand on the tire, then yanked it back and reached out for help. Without thinking, I ran over and grabbed the shoulders of his driving suit and yanked him out of the car. Singed the sleeves of my brand new DA Lubricants jacket doing it, too. I guess I was young (not yet 25) and a little reckless in those days. My wife took one look at the photos and said she'd been trying to tell me I looked kind of dorky without a beard.

 

GOOD STUFF INDYBIGJOHN, keep'em coming please..

 

Some restorations from a recent EMMR reunion. From top to bottom, the McNamara 73, in my opinion one of the prettiest sprinters ever, the Traylor offy, Dizz Wilson's "Ole Yeller," and the Moore Hal. If I'm not mistaken, that's the Flyin' Farmer, Tommy Hinnerschitz, in the cockpit. Thanks to Dennis Unger.

 

I agree!
I want to see more!!!

Esp. large size like that pic of Herk at Duquoin!

 

http://www.flickr.com/photos/millerracers2000/2774538061/sizes/o/


Here is a 1953 Hillegass that was at the WGOT convention last weekend.

Big John,I took a bunch of pics of the Traylor #9 and #55 last weekend at Latimore.
I`ll post them on my flickr webpage and links to them here!

The late Johnny Thomson drove # 9 and was my all time favorite driver!

Big John-I would love to see that photo you have of #9 in a larger size!!!!

 

If I have it in a larger size (I think I had to downsize it), give me an e-mail at indybigjohn@roadrunner.com and I'll try to send it to you. Also got a couple of others.

 

Thanks- I sent you an e-mail.

 

Here is a link to some photos from the 2008 Williams Grove Old Timers gathering at the Latimore Valley Fairgrounds.

Photos by David McCardell

http://www.pbase.com/davidm2/wgot_convention

 

David... Great pics!

 

Was at Allentown Pa when the IMCA sprints ran a day show during the fair. The track had been changed to cinders and all the cars had their nose pieces sandblasted on the starts. Bobby Adamson I believe was driving this car and did roll over on the front stretch on of the days.

 

QUEEN CITY IN THE HOUSE... Welcome great to see more locals here..Thank's for the link. Ryan

 

very nice stuff..
thanks
Dave

 

This is great. Seems like the more photos that get posted, the more keep coming. Great photos, Dave.

 

Want to see a GREAT photo of a Vintage Sprintcar ? Do your heart good !!
Visit, www.historicspeedway.com Homepage.
Enjoy !

 

I agree! Great site!!

 

Since things are slowing down here a bit,here is a little something for the sprint car fans to look at. A set on the Sam Traylor Spls .

http://www.flickr.com/photos/millerracers2000/sets/72157606870513372/

Taken At the WGOT at Latimore Valley Aug 16-17,2008

 

Ok, I'm not as schooled in these great old racers as the rest of you are. I do remember seeing them lined up to enter the track at the county fair when I was a kid. In Oct. of 1977 "1000 Rod & Custom Ideas" had a reprint of an article from the August 1933 issue of "Modern Mechanics and Inventions" on the building of a big car by Don Campbell of Cincinnati. It was called C-8. It had a 56" tread with and a 91" wheelbase. The article had what appeared to be a very complete set of plans. It always sparked my imagination. I started to build one about 4 years ago.

Here's the radiator shell I built out of the rear corners of a '29 A sedan and some scraps from around my shop.



As I said, I don't have the backround like those I see posting here, but this is a real fun project.

Ron

 

That nose looks great to me. Just like they did back when.

 

Looks great! That "thick flange" style frame is correct. Keep us posted on the progress.

JD

 

Hey there YOUNGSTER (RON), man are you stalking me.... Killer stuff see you on another web site real soon.....Ryan

 

I knew you'd catch me sooner or later. Project 'TKO' should be a roller by this time next week. Check the site for an update. I got a tank and straps. You interested? If so PM me.

Ron

 

ok guys, I need some info, as you have seen in previous posts I built a recreation of an old looking champ/sprinter with stuff I had laying around & some stuff I scarffed up off the hamb site. again it's not a restoration and alot of the pieces may or may not be correct but thats how it ended up and it gets the point across to the "average Joe". I followed your advice and went with a 3" exhaust, turned out great! I made the intake & exhaust during my lunch breaks at work. he's my question : what would somehting like this have run(mph) on a paved oval back in the 1930's-40's ect.
I ended up using a '31 ford banger engine/trans, it's all stock but to the "local yokal car show tire kicker" I'd like to tell him what somehting like this would have ran (assuming it was hoped up with bolt ons). would this thing have broken 100 mph???
I'm on vaction next week and plan on putting the body in primer with paint soon to follow. so far the hardest thing was making the alum cowl, it's amazing what PVC pipe a wood mallet ,custom wood dolley & alot of beating can do
Paul

 

Looks real good Shadow! 100 MPH would be quite possible. depends on the tack.. possible on "The hills"..


Lot of good stuff showing up. I've had my head down putting in some long hours! Check out the gal I was dancing with at 2:00 AM last night. I think her name was Bridget... or bridge something!







The "Walker special" Almost ready to be pulled off the table.



It came of the table today, and I started on another.

I'll post more tomorrow night. I'm worn out!

JD