Featured History 1953 P.V.T.A. Pomona Valley Timing Association Drag Races.

As most know I am a hound for historic HOT ROD photos (original photos, negatives & slides) and purchase what I can (hence watermark). I neither want to know or count how many I now have. Also I read and hunt out information as much as possible, preferably period literature as it is tends to be more accurate though not always 100% accurate, this partly where the fun is, gaining a clear picture of this period.

With that said I recently purchased a lot of photo contact sheets that were part of the P.V.T.A. Pomona Valley Timing Association, with this purchase it will send me down a new rabbit hole to learn more about the P.V.T.A. and their drag meets at Pomona, the how, why & who was responsible in founding them. Who were the key players etc

There are 135 odd photos, this is a sample, if you would like to see more photos posted I will, if this thread sinks, little to no replies, this post will be it, so if you want more of these photos posted.... engage, ie comment.
Thank you & hope you enjoy
Cheers!

Bean Bandits dragster

Bean Bandits running the Paul Schiefer T this was turned into the rear engine version in time for Bonneville 1953

Dawson Hadley dragster thanks @296ardun for ID

'Rounthwaite and McLaughlin “Thingie” under new ownership- flathead V-8 replacing the GMC 6'. Thanks to @296ardun for ID

Tom "Acmo" McLaughlin Hollywood Graham sedan GMC 6 Powered



'32 Vicky

Tom Morris Roadster 3csr

Dick Kraft roadster later rebuilt as Highland plating special.

ps will add more captions soon

 

Very cool! Thanks for posting!

 

I too like the older photos and save what I come across. Thanks so much for posting the pictures. They're so clear and I like that they take in more than just the cars. Not to say the backgrounds are more important than the cars, it's just they add to the overall vibe.

 

Very cool, the subject and the background are worth a look.

 

Thanks for the pics Jimmy. Do you know where these drags took place? Looks like a very nice strip of bitumen has just been laid and they even had a grandstand. Please post more pics as you can. Appears to be a very well organised meet.

 

Thank you for posting a great trip down memory lane. I'm almost old enough to be a teenager standing up in the stands freaking out.

 

Thank You Jimmy.
Lots to comment on.
Those Bean Bandits made some slick machine ( for the day ).
Dig those dungaree cuffs. Mrs won't let me ever.
After that rail streamline 6, turned to a V-8 ,,, those hay bales seem to be effective (?)
Next nine shots seem to be a work ( week? ) day.
Again that conversion 6 - 8 just before the shot marked '32 Vicky' shows some serious mods.
Halibrand, cylindrical tank, nice hoop roll bar, but check the hydraulic hand brake.
I want that steering wheel.
Then the crowds
That Dick Kraft T made the most beautiful HRM cover shot.
As a young enthusiast, I used to drool on that red roadster.
I always dug the look of the stocker bodies, Cpes + Sdns, minus the lighting.
Wow, Thank You Jimmy

 

Great clarity of some true vintage racers !

 

There are 135 odd photos, this is a sample, if you would like to see more photos posted I will, if this thread sinks, little to no replies, this post will be it, so if you want more of these photos posted.... engage, ie comment.
Thank you & hope you enjoy
Cheers!

Hell no, this post doesn't stink. PLEASE keep them coming. and thanks for posting.

 

Thank You Jimmy B.

 

Great stuff, @Jimmy B Keep'em coming! Dug the shot of the Tom Morris roadster.

 

That is the Pomona Fair Grounds, where the current Winternationals is held.

 

All Excellent Images And Clear....Appreciated...

 

Oh yeah... one has to love seeing the real thing, we must capture it all before it's wiped away. I vote more please!

 

Excellent. This is what I always hoped the HAMB was all about.
I have some original literature from the PVTA to the Tooele county in Utah about the PVTA sanctioning the Bonneville Nationals. Kinda interesting.

Mick

 

More photos, please ... lots more. These posts are why I love this place.

 

My neighbor was a member of the Pomona Valley Timing Association when was in his late teens. He had his plaque displayed in his garage when he lived across the street from me from 1971 to the early 90’s. He retired to Montana and we lost touch.

 

Ok guys next batch, Thank you for showing your interest and enthusiasm. I will try and resize the others today. I will also reply to your posts later today. Thank you!

Bandits dragster
Acmo's sedan bet he wished he had built a fender-less Hot Rod

Acmo's Graham sedan

Ray Brock and Tom Medley behind sprint car I recognise it just can't seem to place it

Larry Shinoda's Chopsticks Special '32 3w Became Don Montgomery's Fuel Coupe. Now restored & in 3-dog Garage in PA



This is neat, Randy Shinn's old T roadster, would eventually become rear modified roadster dragster.

Chrisman dragster

Good full shot of Acmo's Graham sedan

Allard no shortage of Sports cars in the lot. Nice near new Merc

Love the Rake on this '32 tudor

Bandits running the Schiefer T

Lastly two legends going head to head Creighton Hunter T vs the Ex Dick King T. Hill Alcala may have owned the Hunter T by now. Dick King T likely owned by Richard and Gary Seiden

 

These two didn't fit in last post

Paul Schiefer T run by the 'Bean Bandits'



:edit: added some extras still working on the rest

White bros. ex-Splading bros. T

 

place holder back with more later

:edit:

 

place holder

:edit:

 

Nice job, Jimmy. Keep them coming.

 

Thanks for more pics Jimmy.

 

Great photo's, not sure what it is about the black/white shots or even the bronze tone seen on occasion, in a nutshell I would guess it simply captures the specific moment in time with a true sense of realism as it were.

 

Thank You Jimmy B.
The street cars speak of '53. I was always under the impression that the majority of rail jobs were stark, body-wise. But you show us that the region held a lot of streamlined rails.
Great to taste the flavor of the sport ( quarter mile ) at that time period.

 

Amazing photos - great slice of history. Thx for sharing.

 

Up for the graveyard shift ...

 

more added, more later... enjoy!

:edit: more


used 100% alcohol to remove some of the wax pencil


Harry Duncan's doodlebug

 

Last batch



These were in the lot clearly they are later likely early 60s but is related to the P.V.T.A. so will include them. Thank you for looking Cheers!

 

Love ya work @Jimmy B