O.K. Illinois, Indiana, and Wisconsin (and beyond) trying to locate this 1957 Chevy Gasser later turned C/Altered. Car was from Aurora, Illinois and ran at Oswego, Rockford / Byron, U.S. 30 Gary, and The Grove. Called Commanchero (yes I know the correct spelling only uses one "m") and as you can see in the pic's it has a couple unique features. Most noticeable is the way the quarters are cut for the slicks with a square shape, and also it has a Black Vinyl Top which is pretty rare on a race car. Car was run by Wagoner & Patton. These pic's are from 1967ish and show how it looked last before being "lost". In earlier years it raced without the Gold Fogging and lettering, all green and possibly brown primer before the green. In the time frame of these pic's it ran a big block. Hilborn Injected L-88 427 set back. I would also love to locate one of the jackets. So if you have any info, stories, pic's or leads please post them up. THANKS
Very nice looking car, but it was probably an Altered. Too much engine setback, and rear wheel too forward to be a legal gasser. --- Steve ---
Can't say I agree on the wheelbase being stock. Look at the relation of the center of the wheel to the rear quarter window. Not a 100% exact comparison due to angle of the pic and wheel offset, but it looks like there is a fair difference to me. Good luck on your quest - I hope you find it!
It is a way-cool-race-car for certain, I don't remember seeing it at any of the tracks we raced at, but I hope you find someone that knows.
Neat car, hope it survived. We have to remember, many old race cars got parted out because (totaled or not) the drivetrain ended up in another project. There would be no hiding that body/chassis though if it sits in a garage; square wheel wells, altered wheelbase, front axle, no door vent windows (plexi side glass?),etc. The wheelbase is definately altered. The leading edge of the slicks are at least up to where the upper quarter trim meets the lower trim if not the quarter window dip. Interesting to note the car is spelled "Commanchero", while the jackets are spelled "Comachero"(one 'm' and no 'n').
^^ It's always good to see one of my pics even if I didn't post it. ^^ I took this either the fall of '68 or the spring of '69 at Oswego Drag Raceway. I read somewhere that the front clip was seen in a wrecking yard years ago.
The reason I originally posted this is because the second from the right, the redheaded guy in the jacket picture was the father of someone I know. His dad died a little before he was born and never knew his father. His name is on the rear quarter panel. He always wondered what may have happened to the car and hoped to find it. It turned into something pretty unique so I thought someone on here may have known some of the guys or the car. He has more photos going back to the beginning when it was in primer and just starting to be built but the car changed so much over time I just posted the last dated pictures he had. He would still like to know any info on what happened to it so thanks for bumping it back up. I'll tell him about the front end when I see him. Its another clue for now. Thanks
I read the following two entries on Facebook this morning: "Believe it was Tom Beckem's car. I recall that front end sitting in a junkyard in the 80s. I showed this picture to my brother, he is sure it was Toms at one time." "I think Larry Wagoner is correct. Someone else might have bought it after Larry's death."
Not certain by the photo's if the vinyl top is real vinyl, smooth or pebble finish, or if in fact it might be the spray on type finish. However during the early years Richard Petty used the pebble finish on his Nascar mo-par entry creating quite a list of opinions such as...... if dimples can propel a golf ball can it help on the super speedways ? would it cause unwanted lift at speed ? was it only a tech inspection diversion tactic ?????
Love the car, team, uniqueness etc. But being an english major and a team owner, I would have wanted my team to be in matching uniforms to the car lettering.
Yes, Erik is Larry's son who neither ever got to meet. I haven't seen him in a while as his wife cuts my hair and it's much to long now. If I get over there for a hair cut soon I'll bring this up and show them. I don't have or do the Facebook thing. Thanks.
I'm not a Facebook guy, either. A friend let me know about the "Oswego Drag Strip Facebook Group" that was open to lookers without having to be a member. He knew I was trying to find pics of another car, a '66 Chevy II 2 dr sedan named "Barbarian". Not much luck with that but got to see and remember "Commanchero". That car knocked me out at first sight. If you get the chance, ask your friend if he remembers "Draggin' Mouth", another '57. Another one that gave me a charge as a kid. I was able to get pics of both cars at Oswego on the same Sunday. Looking back at the pics on that site reminded me how kool it was to go to the strip in the late '60s. I very seldom get that feeling these days and haven't for quite a while. *Edit* - I just ran across this pic of "Commanchero" racing "Barbarian" at Oswego. I had to do some major clean-up but worth every minute.
I feel a little foolish here. The photos I've seen on Facebook, and posted here, were put on Facebook by Erik Wagoner, the son of the car's owner, Larry Wagoner.
Hi Fellas, I just wanted to thank you for sharing this piece of our history. I’m Larry’s oldest daughter and for those that don’t know he died at the very young age of 27. My sister and I were 4-6 and his only son, Erik, was born three months after his death. If anyone has any other pics or video. We would love to have it. I did find a utube video of a race if you guys want to search drag race Comanchero. Again, Thanks so much!! Kari
I should have added, we lost everything in the housefire that took my Dad’s life. We only have a few pictures that others gave of over the years.
According to the stories I’ve been told about this car, it was buried in a hole years ago somewhere around Steator, IL. I’ve also been told that guys have followed the legend and dug where it was supposedly buried and were unable to locate the body. If the car still exists, it’s likely not above ground.
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