some never seen before old sprintcar photos, 1940

A guy stopped in my shop the other day, saw the old sprinters I was working on, and said "I got some old pictures of cars like these, I found in my dads stuff when he died"
So.. I said, "bring em on". He thinks they are from Greenville ohio. He might be right on the actual "Racing" pics on the straight a way. (Looks like a horse track.. check out the telephone poles lining the infield!! Safety first!!) but, the pit pictures, I'm very sure are the famed "Jungle Park" The stands look like it, as well as the deadly trees that lined the track and grounds.. and in one picture you can see a pagota shack.. I've seen this lil building in Jungle Park pics before...
Anyways, there pretty cool. I always enjoy pics I have'nt seen a bunch of times in all the history books.

In the "Line up" pic, the pole setter snd the guy behind him have Miller style grilles.. Good cars. This is not a line up of "Junk". These cars would have been a big ticket race...

Enjoy.

 

Thanks for posting those.

 

WAY COOL!!! Thanks
Tim
MBL

 

I think your right about the Jungle Park Pics.
I believe the number 2 car is the City of Roses spl, that was driven by Vern Trester. These old pics are real prizes---thanks for the show

 

very cool pics , thanks for sharing..

 

CITY OF ROSES SPL!!! Thank you! I was trying to remember that! I have a pic of that car in a book called "Rim Ridders" but the book is loaned out right now. in that book there is a detailed shot of the logo.. very cool!

Thanks!
Joshua Shaw

 

I don't think it is the horse track look at the banking - Thanks for sharing!

 

those are great ! I like that trailer.

 

I agree that the grandstands and trees sure look like Jungle Park. The number 69 sprint bears a strong resemblance to one that was here locally (Tampa, FL) and owned by Jimmy Franklin of Franklin quick change rearends. The number 2 City of Roses was probably the fore runner of the famed Bardahl Deuce Offy of Hector Honore's. Pana, Illinois is known as the City of Roses and Hector, from there, named his racecars that even with the Bardahl sponser and change over to black paint jobs.

 

cool pictures,i dig the old trailers the used to tow the cars

 

Here is Hector in the City of Roses sprint car and a small replica.

 

those are some of the best vintage pictures I have seen in a while.. Thanks!

 

wow..

wish you had a photo of those guys "loading" the trailer..

great shots..thanks

 

totally kool! wow!

 

The # 69 car does indeed resemble Jimmy FrankLAND's Stagger Valve Fronty. It IS according to Jack Fox's Illustrated Hisoty of Sprint Car Racing. Stagger Valves were D.O. heads for the Ford T and were unique because of the two intake ports and two exhuast ports on EACH side of the head. Thus the carbs and headers on both sides of an in-line four banger.

 

I agree the #69 is the Jimmy Franklin stagger valve Fronty, they were built on Model B blocks.

 

Treasures!!! I have a nasty trailer that was owned by Lenki (Indy) with similar humps. What a pain to load. It came with Mel Hansens Hisso.
Norb

 

Those trailers are cool but can you imagine loading up after whacking one of those telephone poles?

 

Awesome! I like the trailers too, I don't think I've ever seen "drive over" fenders.

 

the first picture is simply awesome!

 

Here is another legendary Jungle park ride
The "Southern Star"

It too has the roller coaster trailer ramps

 

Those are some great pics. Probably a IMCA "outlaw" race in the mid 30s. I'd venture to say that the #6, on the pole, is powered by a 270 offy.

 

Glad you all enjoyed them! My dad and I have always payed a lot of attention to the tow rigs.. Thats why these pics were a great find for us. The Ramp trailers were common. This is from a time when Sprinters were the same width as factory cars and trucks... and "Wideing" an axle just wasn't in the budget.
Many horse tracks have a little banking. Our local horse track.. Owensville fairgrounds(home of the "Pumpkin Run" car show) has the same banking as these pics.. But to me, Thats NOT banking. I've raced Eldora and K.C. Speedways.. THATS BANKING!! You letterally "Drop" in at K.C. (Like a Half pipe!!) Its spooky at first, but I got my first feature win there so it a special place for me!

Thanks again for the onfo!! I love that!!

Joshua Shaw

 

Outstanding stuff!
Especially like the last one with the guys posing. Too cool.

 

Thanks ,the "Historic Picture" threads are the greatest items on the HAMB .

 

Very cool pictures. Is the guy who provided these someone you know? He might have other cool things in his collection as well.

I always enjoy the vintage pics...

 

Thanks for posting these photos. I live in and grew up in Pana, IL, Hector Honore's hometown. I would stop in and visit him in his shop as a youth and when I started to drive in 1955, (34 Ford 2-door sedan) he would give me tips on performance and maintenance. I guess that might have lead to my later vocation (auto mechanic and shop owner). A friend of mine had told me of his old "Front Loading" trailer but we could never find photo proof until now! THANKS! Check out my web site honoring the "Black Deuce": http://geocities.com/blackdeuce002/
On June 28th this year Pana is having a "Honore's Black Deuce Homecoming" in conjunction with our Pana Open Car Show. The #2 Bardahl Special and other Vintage Sprints will be on display with many Hot Rods and Customs.

 

The infield pics do remind me of Jungle Park but the grandstands seem like they should be a bit higher than the pits and they were in sections. Not sure if we can only see one section or if that is the entire grandstand.
I've driven past Jungle Park my entire life on the way to Turkey Run and love getting to see some great cars there at the racers reunion.

Jeff

 

If you look to the FAR left in the picture of the City of Roses car on the trailer.. The grandstands roof line drops a coupl feet and keeps going.. Thats was my main clue, plus all the tree's. But Who knows, This was from a time there were racing was bigger than any other sport, and a LOT of track sprung up for a short few years..

Could be anywhere that was paying.

JD