cool. hopefully you will keep us updated over here. as there is a nice contigent of vintage race car addicts and operators here.
Yes, I'm Alex mac Gillavry. R.C. has been very helpfull. I'm very gratefull for that. I've owned it for a while now, and I thought I'd have it running by now. But as more Info on it keeps getting uncovered, I'm glad I've held off on it a bit. There is plenty of old do***ention to know there was a Mercedes Powered Morgensen Special. Like entry lists, a For Sale Ad, and one period Photo. But if possible, I'd like to find out what happened to it after Tracy Bird raced it. I've already promiced to take R.C. for a ride in it once its done. And he is welcome here any time to come check it out. And if you are ever in my neck of the woods, feel free to come see it too...
Forgive my quick list previously as the forum keeps collapsing on my reply before I can answer you. Typing fast..... "as why would 2 be being rebuilt.[/quote]" It, Mk II, has been rebuilt countless times and is still undergoing that process even after you seemed to have seen it.
Alex, thanks for the offer. RC and I would love a look. Glad you are uncovering more about it. Great photo. I see so much resemblance to Mk I. I also hope to hear of the history you uncover. Did Morgensen have anything to do with the ch***is or did the same man that welded up Mk I have anything to do with it? Thanks...
Boyd Hough ( sp ) must have been involved... Most of the welds on the ch***is are absolutely phenominal. And he was known for his welding abillities... Some of the later modifications are crude in comparison. I'm really looking foreward to getting started on this car. And trying to find out more of its history has been fun too. Got to talk to some really cool people that were involved in Racing around here, in those days. And I want to do right by this car, when I restore it.
I got myself somewhat involved here over the Maybee Spl. See part 2 I let the original founder of the car know there was an article that missed a few things. In a way it all comes full circle as he was the one that finally identified the body on one of my cars. He is the foremost expert in fibergl*** spls. and the reason why forums such as this help those involved in vintage cars and hot rods. Max was in a very big way a forefather to all in tying these two dissimilar groups together over fifty years ago. To that I give great thanks...
Alex, I see that you know your history. Boyd was a god. He taught Max to weld and Max, to any that would take the time to ask, credited his skills and knowledge to Mr. Hough. Welding was not Max's strong suit. He could stick weld with the best but with the torch it was crude at best. Boyd and some that did the critical welding on certain facets of Ol Yellers were the best. I can only say that I may equal their skills, but never surp*** them. Forgive my ignorance of protocol in dealing with forums on the web. I tend to not talk about anyone unless they are aware I am doing so. You confirmed you have spoken to those involved so I realize they would not mind.
Yeah, Boyd Hough is somebody I really would have liked to meet. And **** Morgensen. And Max Balchowski.... Eventhough there is no real direct link between Max and the Morgensen/Bird Spl. there is some sort of a common spirit there... I have huge respect for these guys.
You have, just look at Boyd's welding. It's his legacy. Not many have that gift. I find I have to weld with my eyes closed to get it to resemble what was normally done then to get p***ably close. There is a link with all American spls. without one key man that has the ability to make it happen the others that follow surely would be taken on a different path. You mention very important men in the day that, without, Max would not have created his series of cars. Another that is forgotten that Max respected was Ken Miles. In <st1:country-region><st1lace>England</st1lace></st1:country-region> I mentioned this to those that did not understand how these cars came to be and to run so well against what the best in <st1lace>Europe</st1lace> had. They did not realize the commonality between the cars and even that the link created between these divergent continents of thought was in fact a kindred spirit you allude to. When I get a car that has that amount of skill in the shop I feel I have touched the builders soul. So, in a way, you have met them.
[quote=Ol Yeller;23437 As you can see many problems with losing data on replies. Second post on subj. Boyd Hough... You have, just look at Boyd's welding. It's his legacy. Not many have that gift. I find I have to weld with my eyes closed to get it to resemble what was normally done then to get p***ably close. There is a link with all American spls. without one key man that has the ability to make it happen the others that follow surely would be taken on a different path. You mention very important men in the day that, without, Max would not have created his series of cars. Another that is forgotten that Max respected was Ken Miles. In <st1:country-region><st1>England</st1> </st1:country-region>I mentioned this to those that did not understand how these cars came to be and to run so well against what the best in <st1>Europe</st1> had. They did not realize the commonality between the cars and even that the link created between these divergent continents of thought was in fact a kindred spirit you allude to. When I get a car that has that amount of skill in the shop I feel I have touched the builders soul. So, in a way, you have met them.
It was great that Ryan "headlined" my original post - this is an fantastic car that shouldn't be forgotten. A couple of quick comments: 1. Back when this car was fresh, a friend went to Riverside Raceway with his dad to watch some roadracing. They had a good spot on the track at one of the tighter corners and told me how Old Yeller would come roaring into a turn, brakes on full and sliding all over the place, how the driver would somehow get it all turned around and then, engine screaming, blast two long black marks onto the asphalt, tire dust everywhere. It did this every lap - wish I had been there! 2. It would be wonderful to see a HAMB'er make something close to this, it wouldn't even have to be a full-on replica. I know folks here are usually pretty down on kit cars, and given their incredible skills I don't blame them. But - for those of us with uh, er, the lack of the necessary fabrication skills (I don't see myself hammering out an Old Yeller body), shop space, etc., I would love to see one of the better replica Cobra firms produce some of these. The world doesn't need yet another Cobra copy and this would be a great way to diversify the product line.
Why would one want to do this as there were IX originals. All different and with many innovations that changed over time. There is only one of his ch***is that did not come under the knife for "improvements" for "safety" which in reality was and is a method to bring the car into modern racing specification. This is done for many reasons but one truth is it is mainly done to "quicken" the car for an owner that does not possess the skills the drivers had in the day. Max was building a continuation car at the time of his death that was and is to be his legacy to his design and his thought process of how his cars were really built. This project was started when he was re-united with one of his ch***is and he realized and remembered viewing this time capsule that his work was not recognizable any more. To even try to build a replica without Max building it is impossible. There were too many variants and peculiarities in all the cars that were erased when they were "restored". To do so one is not building or driving a Balchowsky spl.
The Jalopy Journal
