History Early drag racing photos

Bobby Lagana at Island Dragway

 

I knew the caption came with the photo. Just setting the record straight. The captioner also labeled the red 34 coupe 35.

 

We are fortunate to have people such as Dean here to keep things accurate and correct.

 

Can you define Historically Grand?...that would be this Thread...Love that vintage pic uncovered @tywester1955...thank you...

 

Pat, yes it just wasn't fair that we couldn't get in the pit side. Only lived 2 miles away. It was great growing up so close. We knew all the back ways in. Went around the owners house came back through the woods only to have Duke (tech inspector) catch us as soon as we strolled in. He knew us from pumping gas at the Hess Station in Hackettstown. He would stop for gas there on his way up to the track. He told us to get lost in the crowd.

 

Wow, I remember Duke from my drag-race days in the early sixties. He was a fixture at Island Dragways for years -- a good guy.

 

Mentioned this to Mikey in a PM, but then thought it may be of interest to the larger group...

The car on the right, seen before perhaps, was one my dad and his buddies ran when they were roughly just out of high school. GMC six, tall tractor tires out back for better top speed, flat towed to the track, top made from cardboard because they were more competitive in the coupe class than the roadster class. Ran at Santa Ana, etc.... belonged to the Ambassadors club out of Torrance, CA.

I don’t care who you are, that’s cool.

Love to hear details about the other posts if you have them.

John

 

Thanks for the picture of my dad in the MQQNEYES Dragster. Here's the story-- Dean wanted my dad to drive the thing, and he did on a few occasions, but told Dean that he wasn't going to work on it.
Gary hated Chevys. And gasoline.
So after a few outings of the car popping, banging, farting, ect, Gary told Dean "I'm not driving it again until you put the blower on top where it belongs".
So Dean and his guys did just that and went to Pomona for the 62 Winternationals. Gary won Middle Eliminator over Ratican/Jackson & Stearns' Fiat.
After that event, Dean put the Potvin back on it and my dad never drove it again.
Here is a pretty rare photo of my dad in the car (in front of push car) at Pomona, courtesy of Lou Hart. Gary also drove the Devon, Moonbeam on a few occasions at Riverside, Long Beach and San Fernando as well.
Thanks

 

I knew Gary drove the dragster for Dean, but forgot about him driving the Devon. Thanks for the info.

 

And to have you here to keep me in line Tony!

 

Arizona 1965, Jack Ditmars Ford coupe.

 

The knowledge and experience on this site is, without a doubt, just simply amazing.

 

Here ya go..... I fixed it....

 

Dirty D 59/60

Sunday, Sunday, Sunday - let's go racing

 

Here's a few.

 

That's quite the dot connector @Almostdone...I believe I've seen, even shared and admired this Hotrod before and knowing there's a Hamb connection to any of these blasts from the past ups the coolness bar indeed...theres another similar Hotrod also with a Hamber connection here...thanks for sharing this...any more family heirlooms in film to share...we are always hungry for pics...

 

Another fun old photo from Old Dominion Speedway, Manassas, Virginia.

 

Great pictures everyone . Very interesting. The good old days when drag racing was real and had soul, sacrifice, blood , sweet, tears, hard work, and thinking outside the box. Making something out of nothing with your hands and what ever you could get. Fantastic!!