The half brother of Art Arfons and a pioneer hot rodder has p***ed away at 96. http://bangshift.com/blog/walt-arfo...-car-lsr-record-holder-usa-speed-royalty.html There is getting to be quite a bench racing session in heaven these days, the old timers are leaving at a fast clip. Guess that's 'cause we kids of the 50s are old too.
I haven't been by there place in a while. I wonder if tis still there? I probably should go a snap some pics.... many house developments going in around there... R.I.P.
Condolences to Walt's family, it's true many of the greats of our world are checking out. One can only hope they are all on a heavenly salt lake 'pushing the envelope'. Doc.
What innovators Art and Walt were. I have an old Hot Rod Magazine around here somewhere from I think 1958 and there was a story in it about Don Garlits showing up at some drag strip and racing the Green Monster. I remember being a young kid and reading that and thinking it was the coolest car ever. RIP Walt..........you had a great run, both in life and at the track. Don
I raced that thing about 30 years ago @ Houston. It was (obviously) and exhibition. Well I learned one thing you can't beat a kerosene burner two out of three! Duh! There is a reason that they are the last race of the weekend... It still paid well, maybe 1250.00 or so.
R.I.P. Walt. You will be forever missed.... I got these from a buddy's dad and scanned them to my Flickr account.
The shop is still there. I saw Tim Arfons (Art's son) running a turbine powered FED at Quaker City a couple weeks ago. Not 100% sure, but I think he uses that shop. R.I.P. Walt
I would venture to say, you are correct. It seemed someone was in it doin something.... Home of the Green monster
Dale Arfons Dynamiting Service.......looks like all the Arfons lived a wild life on the ragged edge !!
Was Dale a brother or their father? Either way, what a family. Great memories of reading about their exploits over the years. Hope they're both unstairs and friends again R.I.P.
RIP Walt. I remember seeing the LSR car in NYC at the Auto Show when it held the Record. The car is in the Petersen now, sure could use a restoration. Bob
We were watching him check his spark plugs once and asked him how much they cost, He said " I just buy another motor, it's cheaper" It wasen't very impresive in the pits, sounded like a bulldoser ideling, But on the top end, you know why he has slicks on the front end of his 4 wheel drive.!
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