History Stock-S/S-F/X 1959-1966

That's Arlen Vanke's Hemi Cuda in it's first paintjob.
Joel

 

Glad to see this thread is still chugging along!!!

 

I knew that the car was familiar, but couldn't place it. Sure did need a repaint! These are Vanke cars that I remember.

 

Anyone who cruised the pits....................knows you looked for the CARS with the CLASS WINNER STICKERS, they were the MAC DADDY's of the track. Lets see some pics where the back windows or quarter windows were full of class win stickers.

My Brothers and I spent half of the race day looking for cars in "our" class, and then keeping track of their times, to make sure we won class. Oh that also meant having a fresh 5 gallon pail of water waiting for the car after a run.

I started this at age 6, and then ended at age 13. Dragway 42, Norwalk, and Thompson Ohio tracks.

 

I just bought a Feb. 1965 Hot Rod magazine for the articles on match-race stock cars and Richard Petty's 43/Jr. The match-race article is labeled Part II. When did Part I appear, and what was it about?
Also, does anyone have articles about the Petty Barracuda that were in other mags -- SS&DI and Cars were at least two of them -- that could be posted?
An oddball question: From my late, lamented teenage car mag collection I remember a two-page spread in one of the smaller, more obscure publications about a super stock meet or match race (I don't think it was a feature on a particular car) at what would have been a small unsanctioned track. This would have been in 1965, maybe late 1964. The one thing that remains vivid is a 63 Plymouth that was competing in this event with not much front sheet metal and what appeared to be wire front wheels. Really bizarre. I'd love to see that again.
Thanks.
Richard McFalls
doublehdragstrip.com

 

Richard,
I believe Part 1 of that Hot Rod piece featured Dick Landy's '64 AWB match racer Dodge. If I'm correct it shows a few pictures on the car and one is him doing a burbout in I assume his Atumotive Reasearch shop parking lot or on the street.
There were articles in most of the magazines at the time on Petty's "Outlawed" car when the first Petty drag 'Cuda was built. There were/are a series of Mopar PR photos that got sent out. One magazine that is little known was one called US-AS US Auto Sports. It had a Petty 'Cuda build feature and a good feature on the building of the Little Red Wagon. They were in different issues as I recall. CARS magazine or one of the NY based magazines had a feature also. I have a shot or two of the Mopar PR shots ... if I can find them I'll post 'em.
The '63 you are talking about is one I've been trying to learn about since it was published in '64-5 in SS&DI ... it was a humor page feature with no sensible captions and no credit as I recall. I never did learn anything on it. I suspect it was at the Summerduck or Lassiter Mountain strip. I think the Plymouth was a VA car so Summerduck is most likely the location. I think the wheels were pre-WW2, early Ford wires. Wild stuff that never got much ink back then.
Joel

 

The Hemi-wagon was crushed out in a junk yard, almost the same fate as the "Red Bandit" my dad owned. Luckely, the 63 plymouth was bought from a guy in derby, who sold it to a guy in missouri. Then sold to Charlie Byrd in wichita....he's been over the house

 

Joel,
Thanks for the info on the '63 Plymouth. That the article was a humor piece went right over my head, and I had forgotten that it was in SSDI.
Yes, the wire wheels looked like standard Model A equipment.
The "Part II" HRM article on match race stockers is the one that features Dick Landy (great information), and H.L. Shahan. It has this reference to the Part I article:
"You'll remember that last session we discussed the exotic crank combos that have resulted from these latest rumblings of drag racing, so this time, as we promised, there is more information on the setup of the actual cars, two, not one, interviews with top western tuners, plus an attempt to capture the feeling of what it's all about."
I have been looking a old HRM magazine covers on the HRM web site, but I can't tell which one it might be.
Richard

 

Richard,
The '63 Plymouth shots were a Photo Funnies feature or something like that as I recall.
My apologies for getting the HRM thing mixed up. I don't have all my old magazines anymore so alot here is going on memory where they're concerned. I find it telling that HRM did the feature focusing on two west coast builders/racers when the real action and origins of what that feature was about were coming from the Southeast. Alot of the southern match racers from those days talk of motors that they ran at times with a "big arm" ... stroker motors.
I may be mistaken but the other part of that feature had a picture of one of the fastback Novas of the day, unlettered I think ... not sure who's it was, Fritz Callier's maybe.
Joel

 

San Antonio's CKC Racing Team Cars...

PS: The CKC boys are alive and well. I was talking to JE Kristek a few weeks ago at his shop, while Fritz Callier, and Buddy Cortinnas both called him while he was giving me a lesson on the way he tuned Carter carburetors for more power. (Caller, Kristek, Cortinnas=CKC) The picture below with the front engine dragster with JE & Fritz was taken at his old shop, which just so happens to be about a block away from his "new" shop that he's been in since '68, you can see it in the background of the pic. God damn, that old man's memory is better than mine, and he's got some stories!

 

Ronnie Sox / Sox and Martin 'match-race' Dodge Colt ... sometime 'mid-70s at Cecil County, MD

Enjoy!
... Steve

 

"Ronnie Sox / Sox and Martin 'match-race' Dodge Colt"

In 1983 I was asked by Dave Bishop (Competition Photos) to do some product photos for TCI since he had a scheduling conflict. I flew to Memphis and was met at the airport by Bill Taylor. Bill had moved the operation to Ashland, MS and we had about an hour ride so there was lots of time to chat.

We were talking about Ronnie Sox when Bill told me that he had built a Powerglide for Ronnie's Colt. I didn't understand why Ronnie would want a Glide and Bill explained that Ronnie ran a lot of 1/8th mile tracks in the Carolina's and a Lenco was too much. Two speeds was all he needed.

Hard to imagine the things lasted at all since there were no aftermarket reinforced cases or gear sets.

 

I'm making one more try at identifying this '61 Belair Sport Coupe. I bought it almost 30 years ago. It came out of the Philly area. The upper side panels were once painted brown, gold and red. I've sanded all the obvious places but haven't found any lettering.



It has this weird looking fish creature on the door. I was wondering if there could be a Musser Bros or Fisher Chevrolet connection?



For comparison..........




It must have been raced as a small block car because it has a 6.17 posi in it. Blue interior. Any help or memories would be greatly appreciated. I have many more photos if you'd like to see a particular area.
Thanks,
Verne

 

Jr. Stock wiz Frank Jordan (PA) ran a car just like that for a season or two. I sold him the car (sans engine/tran) around '74 ... I had painted it (GM's) 'Blue-toned White' but I forget what the orig. color was. The interior was Blue.

Frank was a meticulous builder, and I'm sure you'd see signs of that craftmanship. He configured it 170HP (2bl) 283/glide for (I think) Q/SA (21 lbs per HP).

About the time he built it NHRA finally discovered 'the vacuum-leak trick' and 'clamped down' on (Intentional) vacuum-leaking 2bl cars ... then most of those cars disappeared.

As to the rear ... 'maybe,' but I think those cars ran 4:88s or 5:13s.
Cheers!
... Steve

PS: Frank probably wouldn't have lettered the car ... he was an 'understated,' 'class act' kinda guy!

 

Thanks very much Steve The original color of this car is Jewel Blue, seen where the side moldings were removed. I bought the car in '79 from Jack Olcott, who bought it from Joe Koch.
Other features of the car include a home-made heater delete, Air-Lift bags in the rear coils, an extra upper rear control arm, trunk mounted battery and a S/W electric pump under the back. There are holes in the top of the dash for a tach. The car was last set-up for an automatic. It also has an Impala steering wheel.

One other tidbit that might help is some damage to the top of the left rear quarter. Joe told me that a wheel came off a trailer and landed there. I'm not sure if that was when Joe owned it or before.

Is Frank Jordan around? I'd like for him to take a look at the car. Also, since you owned it, perhaps you have a record of the VIN to compare. The last 3 digits of the VIN of my car are 648.

This sounds like a strong lead Steve. If you can connect more of the dots, that would be great!

Thanks
Verne

 

Gosh -- that's pretty 'scary.' That firewall sure looks familiar! If I did that job the edges would be smooth and all the corners rounded nicely, with the very-thin alum-stock 'covers,' secured with 1/8" pop rivets ... but then, 'most' guys took 'care' on those firewall heater-hole pieces back then.

When I sold Frank the car, 'body-wise' it was read-to-go Jr. Stock ... 283/Glide racing. Last time I saw the car (@ a WCS meet @ Englishtown) I was busy and didn't have time to chat, BUT I do remember a prominent (fuel or electrical), plug-in-connector-type device on the R/R portion of the trunk lid. Frank was a small-detail guy like most of us were ... no telling what it was, BUT the HOLE might still be there!

Haven't seen Frank for 30 yrs. You might want to re-post your query in the NHRA Junior Stock thread--> http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=201085&page=13

Cheers!
... Steve

 

"home-made heater delete -- The car was last set-up for an automatic"

On closer inspection of the firewall photos, I see too few screws/pop-rivets holding those heater block-off panels in place ... seems not to be my work. Also, based on the presence of the clutch 'hanging' pedal, looks like it had a stick originally. Car I was refering to, started life as an automatic.

Cheer!
... Steve

 

Yes, this car started life as a 3-spd. Also, there is no hole in the deck lid. I thought we were getting really close there, but I guess the hunt is still on. Thanks for your input.

Verne

 

"Thanks for your input.
Verne"

My pleasure Verne, but I still think you should consider posting you query on the Junior Stock thread--->

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=201085&page=13

Cheers!
... Steve

 

boy i havent seen old "watergate exxon" in centuries. leon and eddie miranian. cool and i was getting excited for Verne in his quest to identify the 61. maybe another lead will payoff.

 

I taled to Doug Fleharty a few days ago. the originator of Douglas Speed in Silver Spring. he raced a 61 called "mister Resister" w/ big inch Z11 power setup by Ronnie Sox in burlington. (and not at Sox Sinclair service)
Doug has an amazing memory but no computer.

 

Bob, that was me with my '65 Chevelle 220/283 'M,' and then* (*after NHRA's +5 HP 'Factor') L/SA car @ Cecil sometime in '76 or '77.

I used one of Lee Sherman's ('Little Howard' built) engines as well as his glide and convertor at the time. Lee was very-close to Kenny Koonce, Leon, and Eddie back then and ran under their 'Watergate Exxon' 'banner' -- Lee (R.I.P.) asked me to do the same. At the time this photo was taken I'm pretty-sure Lee was running Kenny's old P/SA '66 convertible.

PS: What ever became of Gary Ledbedder's "Rough Ride" / 'Beer Boys' '56 Pontiac? And ... did you recognize 'Jake,' 75/80's cigar-chomping 'flagman' in the pic of my Pontiac?

Regards,
... Steve
* Lots more 'Stocker Stuff' @--> http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=201085

 

i remember Kenny Koonce. my friend and boss (superior transmissions) at the time Jack Weller bought the house from him in wheaton. that's where we built the "proud american" 58 vette he bought from Chris Lang as the "Malco Super Vette" we ran in it in the "wild bunch" with Tommy Howes, Camp stanley, Nelson Grimes, Denny Brightwell and Elmer Wachter. my dad and uncles raced the "Bounty Hunters" from Banning Dodge.
this sunday nov 2 at mason dixon is the "Lee Sherman stock and super stock race" will you be there? I will. here is my car to look for. please stop by and intro yourself.

 

Bob: Thanks for the info on the "Lee Sherman Stock and Super Stock Race" -- I didn't know about it. Wow, what a tribute to a great guy. If you see *Linda (Sherman) *AKA "Madam X" ... please say 'hi' for me. BTY, I posted the link (to the race) on the Junior Stock thread-->
http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=201085&page=17

Regards,
... Steve

 

Hey guys since you're mentioning all of these 75-80, D.C. area guys maybe you can help me. I'm looking for Matt Fenton. He ran the Hill&Sanders Ford T-bolt and later ran Dyno Don's '64 Comet with Ivan Jordon. Any info would be appreciated!!!

 

Hi Guys!
... Greetings from the 'Junior Stock' thread.

We've just started compiling a 'list' of car owners/driver from 'around the hay daze' of 1962-to-1972.

The 'list' is intended to include any bona fide *lower-stock class. *No SS, FX, or A/S - A/SA cars.

We're 'havin fun' with this -- it's simply a 'peer-driven and monitored' list ... no 'documentation' necessary.

If you'd like to add a name ... Great! Just post some info on the thread. And (althought it would be nice!) ... no PIC is nec. The driver/car doesn't need to be a 'super star,' like some on the list clearly are.

All we ask is that it was a 'gen-U-wine' NHRA 'Junior Stock' race car that 'campaigned' for a couple of seasons!

Link to the thread--->
http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=201085&page=18

For your 'viewing pleasure ... the current (10/29/08 1:00 PM EST) list is cut 'n pasted below.

George Cureton (56 Chev)
Jere Stahl (57 Chev)
Joe Allread (57 Chev)
John Barkley (57 Chev)
John Dianna (56 Chev)
Bob Lambeck (57 Chev)
Warren & Register (57 Chev)
Matthews & Bender (57 Chev)
Jim Waibel (57 Chev)
Wayne Walker (57 Chev)
Bill ('Spider') Spanakos (55 Chev)
John Archambault (57 Chev)
Frank Iaconia (57 Chev)
Ed Beyer (56 Pont)
Ed Hamberger (56 Pont)
Gunning Bros. (57 Chev)
Jay Wheatley (57 Chev)
Wheatley Bros. (55 Chev)
Wayne Jesel (56 chev)
Carmine Rotundo (55 chev)
Cal Method (57 chev)
Marv Ripes (57 chev)
Bo Laws (57 chev)
Steve Perrault (56 Pont)
LaVerne Benner (55 Chev)
Gary Ledbedder (56 Pont)
The Patrick Bros. (57 Chevy)
Doug Mentzer (57 Chev)
Pat Riccardi (57 Chev)
Mc Masters & Gunning (57 Chev)
Malone, Rodiquez, and Kennedy (57 Chev)
Paul Everett/Gordon Tindall (55 Chev)
Alex Jarrell (56 Chevy)<!-- / message -->

 

some of the local Mryland guys i remember are Jim Sartwell, Bob Luck, Don Royster, Gene Barnhart,Gene Calhoun, Hubert Buttry and Buddy Purdum. hope this helps your list.

 

Thanks Bob!
Do you remember George 'Smitty' Smith?

... Steve

 

Steve,

I remember a "Smitty" that drove a gold/black '57. Is that the same person?

 

Wally Booths 66 Chevelle