Dragster For sale - Sandman, Doc & I....

Wow what a last 24 hours this has been. Thanks to Sandman I have closed another chapter in the Fall Season of my life. You see the rail he posted "For Sale" is a very old part of my family. My father and Uncle ordered this ch***is in the Spring of 1957 and took delivery of it in the January of 1958. They proceeded to finish the car and raced it through the early 1960's before it was hung in the shop. I was 13 years old in 1968 when I was allowed to bring her down and begin prep to make her mine. The early 354 Hemi was built by Ernie Hashim and remains in my possesion today. I raced the car through my high school years and as allowed to, but the books always came first, sports 2nd to say the least and racing was always in the background but a true p***ion.

In the early 1970's the untimely death of my Father at the age of 48 and 6 weeks later the p***ing of my mother at age 42 left some exterme bills that needed to be handled and I being the oldest Male it feel on my shoulders, with a younger Brother and Sister to raise....the car was sold and from what I recall went to Riverside California. I attempted many times to find the car and always fell short as it was in Long Beach then West Valley Utah and then disappeared off the face of the Earth.....Sandman had it.

Always in my mind was the thought of owning and racing it again....sometimes things just don't play out the way we had hoped for. I have and still own more than my fair share of cars, believe me I hear it everyday from my Wonderful yet more than Understanding Wife......daily...LOL

In January 2005 at the Turlock Swap meet I was struck by a golf cart. Since I have had two major operations in attempts to save the leg, both which were far less than succesful. With the grace of God and the skills of Dr. Ed McPherson from USC I have been a "Test Case" for a 4th generation knee implant. I'm still having very serious issues with learning what my limitations are and probably always will. Everyday is a struggle to walk but it sure beat the alternative of being the co-star in a Disney Pirate movie, if you get my drift here.

The last 24 hours have reunited the history of the Rail and closed a chapter in my life with just one phone call to Doc, of which a single questioned was asked"Will you race this car?" He replied "Yes".

This closes a very tear filled day, by my wife and my self along with our family as this was one of the last links to my Father and family as kids growing up here in Bakersfield.

Sandman I appreciate your straight forwardness in the Sale of the car and every attempt that you made to preserve it as a period correct true "Race Car". You are a "Craftsman" in my book and I look forward to the day we can meet. The offer to come here to Bakersfield and set roots is always open ...you have my word!

Doc, we have talked and I think will have a bond from here out in putting this , "Your Dragster" back to the track with it's History. You have my promise to be on the plane to see you Pilot it the first time out...I wouldn't miss it for the world....My Father who p***ed away on December the 12th would have wanted it to be this way.

My appreciation to "All" the HAMB for this opportunity in my life and a "Very Merry Christmas to All and Your Famlies" Dave Halle[/U][/B]

 

WOW - that is awesome. CONGRATULATIONS, and keep us posted on the progerss, both on you and the dragster.
God Bless.

 

Yes, congrats and thanks for the inspiration...God bless you and your families, and let's see that thing on the track soon!

 

What a great story.

 

It is good to see things are coming together for you. The story was a nice tribute to your father, one of which I'm sure he would be very proud of. How about sharing a few pics if you have them?

 

Great story, please, please keep us informed on any progress. And by the way do you have any old photos of your family racing the dragster?

Sean

 

wow, this is about as touching a story as i have heard in i dont know how long.

i think its in good hands, and i think your dad is smiling down today.

thanks for sharing

 

Scoot,

It will be my honor to be the custodian of such a great piece of history. I love the fact that we know where this car came from and where it is going. I'll do my best to make you and your dad proud. You may come see her anytime, and you will always have first right of refusal if she ever changes hands. My brother will go get her for me this weekend while I'm at work. I look forward to sharing more of this awesome history with you in the future.

Doc.

 

For any of the guys who have never dealt with Dave aka scootersnpie he is a top notch guy and a true blue hotrodder. He has helped me out with the purchase, storage , aand shipping of two bodies from Cali to S.C. He even delivered one of the bodies to the Bakersfield NSRA show so my boss could haul it back to South Cakalaki for me. Top notch guy. Good to hear a story with a happy ending for a great guy. Later
Shane T.

 

I think Mark might of had a handful of runs on it, this ****s it's leaving Texas, but now knowing the history of this dragster, wow.... I'm speechless...

 

WOW!!! The power of the HAmb again. Man I know this is a emotional time, but Man this was your dad race car, then yours and you have been looking for it for years. You have all the do***entation, the history, the pics, everything. Is money the reason you are not getting this?? If so the Dirty's can throw in a $100.00 a piece to see that you get it. I would sell all my cars to get my dads race car back.
I say this because I feel you heart has been talking in your post and I can feel that this chapter does not need to be closed. The intensity of the day of the reuniting of the two of you would be so impressive to speak lightly. I know Doc will take care of it and is a great guy but is that wear you really want it to go or do we need to help. I know what I would do expecially if you have been looking for this car that long.

Rusty (the Dirty's)

 

Dave, What a story... Doc seems to be a great guy from the little contact I have had with him on the HAMB.. He kept pressing me to buy some wheels I had..(I still got em)....I think it would be great to have a piece of your dad's legacy back.. But, the car needs to be run... I finished a car that a local guy inherited that his brother started building before he died.. I bought the incomplete project and started thrashing. At the next car show, I gave the guy a ride and offered to let him drive it... I can't even explain how happy he was to see it on the road knowing that is what his brother wanted... Sometimes we need to let go for the greater good... EVILT

 

doc, we'll see this in august at mokan, right?

 

I was watching this in the cl***ifieds.....cool story.
Any chance this'll make it to the HAMB drags????

 

flat out, awesome.

 

Great thread,Great story, Glad you finely found it,Glad DOCs going to race it.

 

Dave,
As you know I generally do not post except ehen I can possibly help, BUT you are a stand up guy ( list slightly to one side) with a great story and I am personally so ahppy that you have completed the journey ( with still more to come), You are the person that deserves a happy ending.
Your friend Max Sr.

 

People like scootersnpie , sandman and Doc sure cl*** up the HAMB, dont they?
Cl*** act all the way around guys.

 

THE HAMB. **** DISNEYLAND. this is by far the coolest thing i have seen on here.

 

WOW, This left a tear in my eye, and left me speechless. This place constantly amazes me.

Go Race it!

 

Man...you have me wanting to be there the first time Doc takes it out. This is truely a great story!

 

I love good stories. I do hope to see this car at the Hamb Drags...

Don

 

Awesome!

 

As most of you guys know,I'm a road racer. We don't do standing starts so I've got a little learning to do to be any good in the quarter.As soon as we get the car home, I'm gonna see what needs to be done to p*** tech and get it safely on the track. I don't plan on letting any moss grow under her tires, so Mokan and the HAMB drags sound like a great idea. I need to try and figure out an overall schedule as I need lots of lead time to get off at work. Once again,I am in agreement with the Dirty's. I asked Dave a couple of times if he was sure it was okay for me to get the car. I almost feel funny about owning it, but he really wanted it to see some track time as that is what it was built for. If I thought it was for a lack of funds, I'd buy it and just send it to him. I'm sure this is not the case (have you seen Dave's cars?). Dave will always know where the car is and he will not have to pry it from my hands if he ever decides he wants it to come home. Mark has also been great to work with throughout this whole venture. Now, if any of you guys got some tips on getting this old girl teched and up to snuff, let the PM's begin.

Doc.

 

What a great story. ONLY ON THE HAMB!

 

This whole story is cool. Unreal. Only on the HAMB.

Looking forward to seeing this on the track at Mokan.

 

It never ceases to amaze me how an object made out of rubber, steel, aluminum and paint can elicite the emotions it does. Just listening to the story unfold I was tearing up like it was part of me. It's just one more example of how the bond between man and machine is REAL, and how, collectively, the HAMB gives us a forum to express that bond.
My best wishes to all who are involved in this venture and I hope "the rest of the story" will be shared for all to enjoy.

Frank

 

The rail in question... first shakedown run at DOTD 2005.

 

That is a sweet lil' rail! The story behind it is even better though!