Projects The Drury, Fowler, Holmes and Kugel belly tank Lakester Rebuild

@Marcia - My research indicates that Ron Benham {i.e., not Bedham} ran:

• The #98 "Master Washer & Stamping Co. Special" CX / Modified Roadster (with a 204.5 c.i. Pontiac Tempest engine) at the 1961 Bonneville National Speed Trials:

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• The #72 "Benham Hurley Wooley" E / Lakester (with a 181 c.i. Pontiac Tempest engine) at the 1962 Bonneville National Speed Trials:

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• The #34 "Blair's Speed Shop" E / Lakester (with a 181 c.i. super-charged Pontiac Tempest engine) at the 1963 Bonneville National Speed Trials:

5' 2" Burke LeSage {i.e., not LePage} piloted the "Baby Whale"


The "Baby Whale" on its record setting run


Ron Benham with his record setting "Baby Whale" E / Lakester​

That all stated, I'm not sure if Mr. Benham constructed his E cl*** Belly Tank Lakester ch***is from scratch . . . or if he fabricated them from a Belly Tank with previous Dry Lakes history . . . ???

 

The tin seems quite thin to be belly tank material. The nose and tail are one piece, not split in half like a tank would be.
Jerry said Ron built it. I would like to know what year.

 

I'd guess Mr. Benham started building it in late 1961 or early 1962 (since it first appeared at the '62 B'ville Nats).

@Dean Lowe knew Ron well.

Perhaps Dean can shed some light on what year Benham fabricated his "Baby Whale" E-cl*** (181ci Pontiac Tempest powered) Lakester . . . which ran as the #72 "Benham Hurley Wooley" entry in '62 and as the #34 "Blair's Speed Shop" entry in '63 (when it bumped the E/L record up to 213.747mph).

 

Frank built a new frame piece to add some support. Then he drilled out the water drains on the block and rethreaded them.. View attachment 5866316

 

Chains to hold the ****pit cover open.

 

Hand lettered by Wild Willy Witman!

Great job!!

 

We took it to the drag track and got some nice pictures. The big lesson we learned was that we shouldn't try to race it without trying to get it higher in the air. It drags to much and I don't want to beat it up anymore. think

 

Congrats on the Milestone @Marcia drags as in to low to the ground? Were you the Pilot?

 

Past using taller tires that could get really involved I suspect.

 

Dang ****py roadways...back to the salt! Are the tires the size from the good ole days?

@Marcia were the original panels under there all s****ed up?

 

Hay, where did that Red Mustang go?

 

Yes, I'm the driver. In the garage it looks like we have about 2.5" clearance but it flexes, up and down under speed.

 

Would it have done that in the past...or did some support get removed...

heavier engine have something to do with...it sure isn't you...

I guess you can add structure selectively...

 

We're not sure of their tire size but we can certainly put taller tires on it.
The body panels were in green primer when we got them. No s****e marks.

 

Drury stretched it 2 feet in 1964. We added more support, we're using the same engine. We're just not going to race it anymore. We're going to try something with the suspension. As long as I can cruise around the parking lot, I'll be happy.

 

Mods can have dramatic effects...I understand,,,hopefully what you're proposing gives it enough that you can run it as you were trying to...

 

Here's some more pictures from 1964. The young fella is Jerry Kugel.Jim Taylor holding the canopy.

 

I wrote up a timeline for the 260 Lakester. We know where its been it's entire life.

 

We put the taller tires on the back. That looks better!

 

We worked on the parachute mount. I think we're ready to display at Bruce Larson's open house on the 11th. Of November.

 

The Lakester was a big hit at Bruce Larson's open house. We talked for 8 hours straight, about Bonneville, Landspeed racing and the history of racing in general. We have a few more shows in January, can't wait!

 

We made up few Vintage T shirts to celebrate the Belly Tank going back to Bonneville after 60 years.
The white Bonneville Nationals or the gray distressed Flying Seven Vintage racing.
Men's or Women's V neck.
Send me a private message.
Get them in time for Christmas.

 

Here is a video I took of Marcia running the car at the 2023 Harvest Event at Loring. Unfortunately it was very windy so the audio isn't the best.

 

We're at the Dragfest expo in Lebanon, PA. There's a lot of people that are excited to see a Bonneville Lakester. Another great weekend, talking about old cars and speed.

 

How was the event? Would love to see some coverage

 

If you go to Facebook, Dragfest - Indoor Drag Racing Showcase, there are lota of pictures. I didn't take many.

 

The Motorsports show starts the 19th, this Friday. It's in Oaks PA.
The Piston Powered Autorama is the Cleveland the first weekend in April. We'll have the Belly Dancer at both of these shows.

 

Marcia, fantastic work! Glad you restored 260! Hugh Drury is my father. I have more photos, his helmet, and the trophy. Drop me a line!

 

I sent you a private message. I would love to talk to you on the phone.

 

EJ found some old pictures on line.