Love early Roadster drag cars. I wouldn't mind if my own evolved into a more race inspired roadster. I plan on running a Chromed Roll Bar and maybe a Hot 331 Hemi someday. I actually wouldn't mind getting the nose up in the air a bit but have not really gotten that deep yet. Who know? I sure do love them though!!!!!
Early days, c1961 at Riverside: 1968: Love crossed-up shots like this: Willie pushing it through for the win:
Pulling up an old thread with a question - anyone know any history on this one? The Big Bad T, likely out of the northwest somewhere...
Hello, Up close and personal gives one a bird’s eye view of, “What it feels like to be like Willie Borsch…” When I was wandering around the custom prep area of the original, Lion’s Dragstrip Museum Grand Opening, I stumbled upon several “eye popping” developments. One was the famous dark maroon Modified Roadster/Altered of the Borsch-Marcellus fame. The Borsch Roadster getting ready for a show display... The famous “Winged Express” WITHOUT the wing and a sight line in front from the seat. "Pssst...Hey... lets put the driveshaft back in and squirt some fuel in the injectors. We can leave some burnout tracks without anyone su****ious during the lunch break. Everyone will all be gone to lunch and no one will be the wiser...!!! HA" Realism, but far fetched...although those Altered/Modified Roadsters can be run in any place, once they are set up again... "If only..." only a little smoke..."The Winged Express" in tire blazing action... The build in 1960 onward was ***isted by Howard Johansen (of Howard's Cams), Don Reynolds, Phil Johnson, Dale Young, and Jerry Hyatt. The car's 392 hemi was built by Jim Harrell (of Jim's Auto Parts). Jnaki It was fun to see what Willie Borsch sees prior to rolling up to the starting line. But, in this case, the drive shaft was missing. I found out that due to regulations for displaying drive-able, but static, drag racing race cars, the drive shaft removal prevents accidental movement of any kind, due to unforeseen cir***stances. YRMV The Borsch Roadster at rest, hanging out with friends…at the Lions Dragstrip Museum. Note: The latest museum positioning at the starting line set up display. ready for action… Then, the real life memories come rolling in the air while gazing across the tarmac…
Since the boss posted about Hop Up, I wandered over. I won't link the pics directly, but give them the traffic instead. https://www.hopupmagazine.com/blog/2023/8/23/4zx82xz2x2lssyhsqwthcxkn15kqlq
Just some fun facts; The Pure Heaven car was rebuilt by Bob Nylander with the help of Leon Fitzgerald. They found all of the original parts (engine and all) and it was painted by the original painter. The car ran 205 @ 7.43 at Sacramento. Rod Hynes and Howard Haight both drove the car, with Howard doing the most. The Bowers and Paris 440 car was put back together by Jerry Rushing who just happened to be a crew member when he was a teenager. When Alvin Marcellus showed the car and signed autographs, he would always sigh his name, the cars name (Winged Express), and "Willie too". Mike Boyd was a great driver. Al kept Willie's ashes in the car.
Mike Boyd was who I saw drive it the most. Great guy. https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/mike-boyd.1257310/
The Saboteur. 427 ,in-out box , olds rear , Loughe ch***is with coolant flowing through it , Front disc brakes , Was my friend Chris Fraser.
You could always tell Mike was driving, he casually put both hands side by side at the six o'clock position on the Crown bus steering wheel and proceed to turn the rear tires to snot. Anything on fuel, he could drive well.
I was so tied up with the pictures; I completely forgot to thank @jnaki for taking such clear pictures of the AA/FA's and sharing his thoughts...Great job ! Sorry @jnaki
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