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

The first time I ever went to a dragstrip I was 12 yrs old and didn't even know what it was, I asked me friend "how long did the pit stops take" anyway he had a brand new black 62 Chevy Impala dual quad, 4 speed, posi traction 409. He ran S/S with Atlas Bucrons. Slicks ran SS/S this was June of 62, man where those the days.

Pat

 

No, I left for the Navy before he started it...got back just as he finished the first one (it even had door handles), but never traveled with him.

 

That property also was the home to Clark Foam on the east side of Hilborn just before Forbes Rd. Clark was responsible for 99.9% of all the surfboard blanks used by board makers until Clark abruptly closed up shop and crushed all their molds; sad day for surfers in the early 2000's. A magical corner to say the least.

 

Hey HPG,
Yes, Clark Foam was right next door. That was an old shop. It was sad to see that happening for the industry. Even though it was a long way from Long Beach, it was fun to go there to pick up your own blank and experiment with your own shapes. Our contacts in the surfboard shops and industry allowed us to go there to buy a longboard blank(s).

At the time in 1961-62, being out of drag racing, we were trying to get those heavy longboards to turn quicker with the use of masking tape ridges on top of the tail, and some from underneath, near the front of the fins. The idea was to have the board turn and not push so much water over the top. The other idea was to channel the water underneath the board, away from the middle, as it was turning. The double layer masking tape was a temporary solution.

Our foam blanks from Clark Foam were shaped with a indented layer underneath creating the needed channels. Some of our friends did the same with small ridge on the back, near the tail. Both ideas seemed to work on the waves when glassed. But, the glassing and sanding was the killer for us "clean and neat" freaks. We both hated the "itch" from the sanding between coats.

By this time, I was able to order a Phil Edwards Model from Hobie in Dana Point. When it arrived, it was number 4. Now, it did not matter what we had planned for the faster turning boards with those channels and ridges on the Clark Foam blanks. This Edwards Model was the fastest board I ever rode and it was the quickest turning board, ever. On a wave, if I got to the trim (planing) spot on the board, it took off and actually caught people on various parts of the wave.

Jnaki
When we picked up the early foam surfboard blanks, my brother and I actually went to the Hilborn office building up on Cabot Rd. You can quit drag racing, but it is difficult to take the drag racer out of two guys that have been involved from the early teens !!! It was an impressive place as we recall.

 

Here's one more.

 

Thanks Knuck, they really bring back memories.

Pat

 

wood front

 

The Howard Cams "Twin Bears" digger at the Detroit Nationals in 1960

Roo

 

Very cool loudbang -

For a sorta friend, I'm on the hook for getting information for the info on the body - 8 Cycle cam stuff. Now I have to find Donnie.

Note - Anyone notice the left side engine mag. ??!

Mike

 

Try 909-563-431eight

 

Left engine was in backwards. So that the ring gears meshed and turned correctly without a reverse rotation engine.

 

Rich -

"Backward"
Just once, no plural "s" required.
And yes, I know, I've seen the car semi-apart.

This was just to point it out to others..!

Mike

 

Spelling. Again? What? Is this a spelling forum? 'Cause without spell check I would never be able to post at all. What ever slips through just let it go.

 

Nice to see this thread stirred up a bit. Thanks to all who contribute. Early Bremerton WA. Jerry Ruth. Headed there tomorrow.

 

Stellings and Hampshire in the near lane

Roo

 

Sour Sisters--Safford, Ratican and Gaide

Roo

 

Bobby Langley and the Scorpion

Roo

 

Good morning,
Well known Northwest racing family. Walt and Bucky Austin on the left.

 

Bobby Langley Scorpion before paint in the left lane.