Funny how those same cars, even the modern daily drivers in the background are still the main focus of "our" hobby over 50 years later, I wonder if the guys there had any idea? I wonder if those cars will be as highly sought after in another 50 years or even if the interest in any automotive hobby will be what it is now or was then.
Always loved watching those Gassers back in the day.......along with the Altereds, Modified Productions and real Funny Cars (altered wheelbase cars).
Ryan, Thanks for putting on this video for everyone to enjoy. This was the first time I went back to Lions to film our friend's (Atts Ono) debut of his immaculate 40 willys. I had not seen the dragstrip since our explosion and fire of our car in 1960. Sorry for not getting a clear race shot of Atts' car. I was below the tower taking movies of the race, when all of a sudden some guy walked up and yelled for me to get the %$$#@ out of the area. Gee, I thought my pit pass allowed me to go anywhere... Please enjoy this film, I had fun filming it. If you have seen my earlier Lions movies, you will notice that the big names have now changed their cars, sponsors, and motor power. Things change in 4 years... Thank you, Jnaki
Hey Low Once the ' Funnys ' started to take over the gassers lost their ranking , and started to fade So in 68' after 4 yrs of running my 37' it as time to get out, as they were going to the smaller - chopped tops etc Had a good time when it was the real deal, just like you see on the tape DND
Ryan, thank you for posting and @jnaki Thank you so much for being there and preserving this history! Great stuff!
Ain't that the truth. I did not want to stop running my legal street roadster. But the drastic rule changes for '68 took it right out of competition. I did not want to go to a tube frame, and loose all the pieces that made the car street legal, so I parked it. Many racers from that era did not quit because they wanted to. "No Hot Rods Allowed" indeed.
Glad you agree with me Dean as our 2 street class really changed then , many guys think that it was the same later on but not so We sure lost out cause they were great for a few yrs, least we had the fun and memories of those cool times DND
Hello Willys 36, These photos you posted are nice and it is always good to have photos of your build, but they are not at this all Gasser meet at Lions in 1964. These are at the Winternationals as the banner suggests. This meet at Lions showcased the "new-ish" gassers from all over So Cal at the time. If your car was there, I am sorry I did not get any action/pit shots of the car. I was really there as a courtesy to my friend, Atts Ono. I was not taking movies for publications and history, although, 52 years later, I guess it is one for the historical archives. Thank you, Jnaki
You caught me!! These are pics of Winternationals that my sister cut my car into. My car was finished in 1995, just a little late to make the '64 races. As her art instructor advised her. "Never tick off someone who know Photoshop!"
I think I was at the '64 Winternationals, Lyons was my hang out for years. Nothing fancy, mostly brackets.
Hello, If anyone has an old Popular Hot Rodding or an old Hot Rod mag laying around, look at the build of Atts Ono's immaculate, red, 40 willys. Post some pics if you can...I am sure everyone would appreciate it. Seeing it up close and personal in his garage was a treat for me. He was truly a master craftsman. Besides being a master craftsman, he was an outstanding basketball player with tremendous Division 1 skills if he wanted to continue playing...but, he was a true drag racer and builder. Thanks, Jnaki
I was only eight at the time but I started check sing out the magazines around that time. I remember the Gassers at Mission Raceway and a few Altereds, etc. Great times indeed. One question though, was that '33(?) Willys sponsored by the Olympics or what?
No the 33 was Sponsored by the S&S racing team out of falls church, Virginia. They got permission to use the Olympic Rings. The 33 was owned and driven by KS Pittmann
Wow, thanks guys for posting this !!! It's the $ilver Dollar Before it was lettered up at 1:30 on the video, looks like it could be the same day it beat SWC!!
The Jalopy Journal
