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

I always thought it was rather loco around here at some of these shade tree strips, but I've heard stories about AHRA and Div IV also. Some of what I've seen here on Hamb from out of Texas makes it obvious we weren't alone.
I have to admit, this Green Valley photo probably trumps anything I've ever seen. Tom S. in Tn.

 

Tom I think that was during the burgeoning funny cars years where the spectators and promoters were clamoring for any full bodied car that featured these radical departure from the rules. A lot of guys could go from racing trophies only to making some $ in match races by just butchering up thier car, adda set of Hillborns and 25%-bammo a funny car. This was even prevelent here in So-Cal where a lot of guys were showing up in death traps. Gutted out Chevelles and Belvederes, crudely modified and hacked, but still in demand. A lot of leakers. In fact my dad and I found the eary years of FC lacking as it was not uncommon to have out of 10 cars, 2 that were hard runners, 1 or 2 that were consistent but a good second off the mark. And the reast couldnt make a full pass if their life depended on it. The Runyon's, Charlie Wilson, Charlie Allen and Bill Reick were the strong main liners who were fast all the time. It wasnt really until 1968 that the fields here were filled with good strong, quality built cars.[/QUOTE]

I clearly recall a particular 64' Fairlane Thunderbolt done that way.
In retrospect, we had it too good back then. Tom S.

 

I remember this car well, John Archambault (not sure on spelling) had a 1957 sedan delivery called Hydrophobia before that and later a T altered that he ended up running brackets with. I believe he was a school teacher in the Philadelphia area, walked with a limp. Anyone know if he is still around? Anyway back to the car, it was a very good running Hemi, he raced against my pop a lot at Maple Grove in the early 70's. It always looked good and ran good

 

That car made dreamers out of millions of VW owners. A friend had the truck a few years ago, might still own it. The car I think is gone. I saw it whip a '68 435 hp Corvette best oout of three at York in '68.

 

A guy with the last name Crabtree was running Fiberglass Trends in the City Of Orange (California) until he passed away a few years ago. His son Matt took over. Not sure if he is still doing business.

 

This is awesome, no matter how many times I see it.

 

The guys down here in Texas and anywhere for that matter that drove those cars where pure drivers and truly did it for the love . Man those guys could drive and where fearless .

 

Now this is what this threads about.....very cool shot!!!!

 

I clearly recall a particular 64' Fairlane Thunderbolt done that way.
In retrospect, we had it too good back then. Tom S.[/QUOTE]

Here in the east there were many, many altered F/X type cars that ran great run after run from '65 on. The frequent, large open competition S/S-F/X meets would run for a weekend with few breakdowns. It was the altereds and dragsters that were rarely making competitive, two car passes. There were many cars like the Beverly's Bee running and evolving from week-to-week.
Joel

 

Exactly.
Joel

 

Does anyone know if AHRA records/results from their larger 1962-67 meets exist? Any contacts?
Thanks.
Joel

 

I would love to find out where "Dollar Don" Haight is, and what he is doing nowadays...He used to raise purebred dogs, and hit every major VW show in the US, and he had some "unobtanium" VW stuff...

 

My Dad and I have Art's firesuit and mask, I've been looking for a photo of this car and came up empty. Thanks for posting!

 

Thats Ron Leslie Of Kenz and Leslie here in Denver out at Rocky Mountain dragway.That must be in 65 or 66, by 67 he had a Ford Cammer in it.









In Fact Ron is getting elected to the Colorado Motorsports Hall of Fame this year.

http://coloradomotorsportshalloffame.com/cmhof/inductees-by-year/2012-inductees

Heres a pic of Ron and his Father with their early 60 -61 dragster



Most of these pics are from the Bob Garamone collection, that last one came off the Hall of Fame website, I believe from Rons collection.

 

Who's photos are these? I sure would like to post them over on the Ford FE site.