Art & Inspiration Cars with numbers (picture thread)

Hello,

How are numbers designated for the old days of drag racing? Mostly it was left up to the class designation and the local dragstrips. If one had a number already painted on the car, then there were accommodations to keep that number on the entry list.

Each dragstrip had their own numbering system and designations, so they knew that 21 A/A was not 21 B/G. Some spotters in the towers were trying to see the numbers on each car, to give them the correct reading on the E.T. timing slips and or elimination slips. So, numbers mattered.

Jnaki

We had several numbers planned for our own 40 Willys build and we just let it slide as we were not ready for the final paint and detailing phase of our 671 supercharged 292 SBC blower spec build. So, during competition phases, we had several numbers on the driver’s side window in white shoe polish given to us by the tech committed at the weigh station/tech inspection area of the pits.
on one day at the drags
on another day with the same 40 Willys Coupe
Many years later in 1964, here is a photo of our pit crew head, back in our 1960 year with his own B/Gas designation Willys Coupe build. He had painted his own gold leaf number on the side.

But, the tech inspection committee gave him a white shoe polish number on the driver’s side window, not 257.

The tech committee from Lion’s Dragstrip had their own official list which showed what class had which numbers. A/Gas, B/Gas, C/Gas and D/Gas for everyone.

Note:
1961-63
But, all numbers are changed for a big time event, such as the U.S. Nationals event.

When we saw Mike Marinoff's 1955 Chevy at Bakersfield during the 1960 season, it had his own designated number.
favorite numbers not withstanding...

For Mike Marinoff, his favorite number 21 from the 55 Chevy Bel Air days then put on his newish 41 Willys Coupe was changed to the NHRA Nationals numbering system. With so many different entries and competition classes, the numbering system was much different that allowing anyone with a number painted on the side to enter with said number. So, the 21 was taped over with the official NHRA 552 designation for B/Gas.
1962

 

Bonneville 2002 - all fresh and new!

 

# 92, #525, #88 by Bob Sickles Denver NC.

 

Actually, a lot told here . . .
For Bonneville -- 3076 (Chosen Number), D (Engine Class for 301" Chevy), ST (Denoting Street, the Type of Roadster), Roadster (Denoting the Category).

. . . and . . . I live at 3076 D Street.

 

I might have a new favorite race car.