History Early drag racing photos

1959 Lion’s Dragstrip

Hello,

The top two non Hemi modified roadsters in the USA racing against each other. The original Hunter Oil red roadster (Creighton Hunter/Hill Acala) including the original Moon Eyes painting on the side versus an early version of Jess Van Deventer’s record making Modified Roadster.

The top racers at the time were Tommy Ivo, Sidewinder, Dragmaster, Kenny Lindley, Lefty Mudersbach and the Howard Cam Twin. Throw in Mickey Brown and Gary Cagle and it was difficult to get the headlines in the weekly Drag News reporting. But, these smaller classes of competition continued weekly to battle it out at Lion’s Dragstrip and other So Cal dragstrips all within an hour or two of each other.

Jnaki
Gary Cagle-Herbert Cams Special on the large TV monitor staging for his timing, pre eliminations run.

My 39 minute long old drag racing films of Lion’s Dragstrip being shown on the 80 inch wall TV monitor (above and behind the red roadster) during the original Lion’s Dragstrip Museum Grand Opening.

After plenty of accolades, the Hunter-Hill Red Roadster ends up on full display with only a detail show and shine wax job. Everything is original and the red roadster looks as if it is still ready for a full blast down the local dragstrip. YRMV

 

Ed Donovan’s supercharged, nitro Offy, I think it ran a best of 180 mph in the mid-eights. Ed began his career as a machinist at Offenhauser and benefited from his friendship with draftsman Leo Goossen when he started Donovan Engineering.

 

Hello,

With Jack Chrisman driving, the Ed Losinski FED powers down the Riverside Raceway Dragstrip. As noted, the safety rules for racers were in place. Early drag racing venues had rules, but with a pit pass, one could almost stand on the starting line for filming or covering your ears and hope nothing goes “kablooey.”

In December of 1959, my brother and I were with some Long Beach teenage friends at one of the largest gatherings of the top racers invited to race each other at a cold, all day event at the Riverside Raceway location. We already knew the sound of the Ed Losinski FED with Jack Chrisman driving.

I was standing on the fire up staging road and facing some drag racers coming my way. Not only was it loud, but a little scary without a telephoto lens. It was right at the end of the road leading to the starting line area. Talk about loud and possible impending doom…Yikes ! So, the sound of a blown hemi motor sounded like awesome, but, the lady in the blue pants probably thought the world was coming to an end!!!

But, at Lion’s Dragstrip in early 1959:


Jnaki


The Losinski-Chrisman Hemi FED after another push start down the track, later on during eliminations. The race group coming back from a push start down the track and circle back firing up the motor was another way to start the race.

My brother also knew the familiar sound of the Losinski-Chrisman supercharged Hemi motor as it rolled by his black 58 Impala waiting in the staging area for their own class elimination race. (right side of photo with his finger in the air…) So, noise is in the “ear of the beholder…!” YRMV

 

Fremont Drag Strip Milpitas Vette .

 

Hello,

A while back I spent several weeks trying to draw the cool streamlined FED of the Daddy’s Auto Body Group from the San Fernando Valley portion of So Cal. Not only was it colorful, but researching past history brought up some information for those interested in drag racing history.

Back when the Tommy Ivo group was starting, it was known that the Buick motors, big and powerful with carbs or later on Hilborn Injection would end up in someone’s project. In 1957, Daddy’ Auto Body was such a recipient. The colorful yellow full streamlined FED was pretty advanced for the times. There were only a few race cars that were streamlined. Let alone, a full body streamlining with a canopy.

Kenny Safford moved to dragsters from stock car racing. He experienced the thrill of their performance at the wheel of Don Johnson’s streamlined, Daddy’s Auto Body top gas car. That first ride in 1958 hooked Kenny on driving. (from that experience, in 1960 he teamed up with Don Gaide and then Don Ratican to run as the famous Sour Sister’s FED )
Jan 5, 1958 Pomona
Daddy’s Auto Body winning the A/Gas Dragster class. Look who won the A Street Roadster Class!!!
It was a Road Kings outing at Pomona Dragstrip January 5, 1958.
1958
* means class record

Jnaki

Here is a great story on Daddy's Auto Body, Buick powered dragster from 1958. They were very successful in So Cal and then ideas started flying around in the San Fernando Valley.


More Information for the Buick powered FED:


Up pops version two of Daddy's Auto Body dragster:

This time with an Ivo stroker motor (including the famous Tommy Ivo, up swept individual header pipes...) in Daddy’s Auto Body FED, and some new colors... YRMV


late 1958

 

Is that a shock? like in a rear suspension?

 

The Greek?