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

About to be in motion (thats me on the right tire) I know its o/t

 

What's the story on the body modifications? Is that early fiberglass?

 

I'll try. The car was actually owned by Chuck Stolze (owner of the S&S parts Co.). When Stolze closed his business in 1972, he sold much of the inventory to Frank Harris, a former employee, who opened a speed shop of his own. He also bought the Opel GT. He campaigned it for several years on the match race circuit, under the Stone, Woods, Cooke (not Cook) Banner with the S&S Racing Team logo. This helped greatly with match race bookings. By the mid-70's the car was pretty much worn out and the gasser days were winding down. The frame under this car was the original frame from the Mazmanian Football Austin. KS got that car from Big John and ran it in 1968-69. He then discarded the Austin body, modified the frame, and installed the aero Opel GT body. Frank Harris sold the car to someone in the Western Maryland area who stripped it for all the good parts and pieces.
I met a guy at the Thompson Ohio Gasser Reunion a few years ago that said a buddy of his bought the Opel GT body over 20 years ago, put all new fiberglass on it and new tin in it. It is now supposedly a bracket car somewhere. The frame is long gone. All of this is hard to verify unfortunately. Once these old cars are modified extensively, it is impossible to identify anything.

Dave

 

I'll try. The car was actually owned by Chuck Stolze (owner of the S&S parts Co.). When Stolze closed his business in 1972, he sold much of the inventory to Frank Harris, a former employee, who opened a speed shop of his own. He also bought the Opel GT. He campaigned it for several years on the match race circuit, under the Stone, Woods, Cooke (not Cook) Banner with the S&S Racing Team logo. This helped greatly with match race bookings. By the mid-70's the car was pretty much worn out and the gasser days were winding down. The frame under this car was the original frame from the Mazmanian Football Austin. KS got that car from Big John and ran it in 1968-69. He then discarded the Austin body, modified the frame, and installed the aero Opel GT body. Frank Harris sold the car to someone in the Western Maryland area who stripped it for all the good parts and pieces.
I met a guy at the Thompson Ohio Gasser Reunion a few years ago that said a buddy of his bought the Opel GT body over 20 years ago, put all new fiberglass on it and new tin in it. It is now supposedly a bracket car somewhere. The frame is long gone. All of this is hard to verify unfortunately. Once these old cars are modified extensively, it is impossible to identify anything.

Dave[/QUOTE]

Thanks Dave,
I was told (some time ago) that Frankie still had the car stashed somewhere. Your account makes sense. Hey, I saw you, briefly, at the 'Gators but, when I got back by the booth, you were gone. Mike

 

That is a great looking set up. Too bad it did not work the best. Here is a youtube video of the restored Mooneyes dragster with the same set up I posted today. Its worth a look see also has awsome sound !!!!!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yxQTVM_8NsY

 

Here is a video at Greatlakes Dragway. It has about 5 spots with the Flying Dutchman 68 Charger. Its a great video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sx8yzZHLFLM

 

Any picts out there from late 70's early 80's of 66-67 Chevy II Nova's with wheels up action? I remember E-Town at Summer Nationals when several Deuce Nova's would come to the line, 5-speed's, high winding small blocks, and wild wheel stands through 1, 2, and 3rd gears!

 

Joel,I tried your profile to see your L.I. photo's but all that comes up is 7 pics titled cars. My cousins raced at those tracks in the '60's and early '70's . I went to Islip and NYN a few times,but only remember that TR-4 and that Mustard brown Road Runner from your Islip shots. What were the sanctioning bodies for Islip and Westhampton?

 

Rocket -

That note was from me - Dog427435 -check my profile page - I've added more - I've got 150 shots there now.

 

Thanks. I keep the slide bar to the right so I can see the full picture and did not see the source.

 

Dave....I was in Westover the other day and it looks like Frank's shop closed. He took on partner a few years ago to get out of the day-to-day operations, but that may not have worked out. Bought a lot of last minute parts there over the years and am sorry to see it gone.

-Lee
Atomic Radio
www.atomicpinup.com

 

I looked at all 150 pics. Thanks for taking the time to share, I love those cars!
I check this thread daily, sometimes more than once. It's the best.

 

If you haven't already, check out this thread:
http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=352138

 

Carlsbad 1966

 

West Hampton was an NHRA track, National was AHRA. Islip was a NASCAR track for a while but I think wound up as an AHRA track.

 

Westhampton-NHRA? Dedicated to safety.

 

This may be one of the oldest photos ever taken at Indianapolis Raceway Park. I found it in a program from 1961, the first full season. According to the caption, it was taken at the first drag race ever at IRP, in the fall of 1960. I've been told that was a local race organized by a local club, possibly the Cluster Busters.

 

And for those of you, like me, who like to collect images from the past, here's the original IRP logo from the cover of that program. I cleaned it up a bit...

 

Another photo from that 1961 IRP program. The caption identifies it as the Pacemakers Hot Rod Club of Middletown, Ohio...

 

I just want to remind all the drag race fans, that it's time to step up to the line.
No shows are not an option.

Royalshifter's in, so should you...