History Drag cars in motion.......picture thread.

that sure looks like Bob Porters old 55, I never saw it after he pulled the 422 Pontiac out

 

Kev, this is one Willy's that will never show up in a barn. Skip was 37 (an old fart)when this photo was taken. he ran this car on the street, and was known to stand it on the bumper, he used to hang at Moonlite Rollerway in east Pasadena, made a couple passes on the Colorado Freeway over the bridge in front of the Rose Bowl. on the return run with wrinkle walls. got crossed up at 130+ rolled it several times then slid on the roof over 600ft. drunk with a 16 year old girl in the car. his wife divorced him and took her money out of Foothill Speed Center, shortly there after the IRS padlocked the doors forever. the only thing saved on the car was the trunk and right rear fender (both glass)

 

Slick Vic, I picked up my copy on dvd through ebay ive seen other copies pop up regularly on there check it out.

 

thanks, I've been meaning to sign up for awhile but this thread got me round to it

few more shots of '70s altereds, UK style

 

one

 

two

 

More old stuff from down under and some are Fords for the blue oval fans too. Once again I have these photos available because of my involvement in the cars pictured.

Roo

Claus Maluszczak's Holden Monaro pro stock. As this photo is from the top end at Adelaide I would guess that it was taken at the nationals where we first ran with the stripes on the car. The chassis was built by Ian Splatt (Rachelle of Luxor T/F fame's dad) and Claus and I did the rest in a 1 1/2 car garage. The garage was long rather than wide so we would have to put the car up against one wall and work on one side and then push it outside and turn it around to access the other side. Sunny days were great because we could push it out into the driveway and work there. Originally an all steel car with a new set of glass doors and front clip to go along with the new paint for the nationals where it won best engineered.


Tony Thornton's first VW gasser in the late 70's. The car started life with a pair of 48 IDA Weber carbs on a big motor but a major crank failure saw a smaller blown engine installed and that is what was in the car for the rest of its life. This is the original stock floor pan version of the car. Tony is now the CEO of ANDRA, the major sanctioning body for drag racing down under. Paint and lettering was by my shop, Auto Graphics.


The second version of Tony's VW. This one had the pan clipped off at
each end with tubular stubs. Strut front suspension and trailing four link axle location at the rear. Same blown motor but now with a 3-71 GMC blower with half of a Hilborn four port on top. All steel body except for the whale tail spoiler on the back with a 4" chop and pearl white paint by my shop. This photo is from Surfers Paradise and was taken the night that we won the Tin Top Titles, a major door car event. The car later crashed at our home track (Adelaide International Raceway) and was rebodied in a third incarnation. Probably the best looking of Tony's cars, the final version self destructed at Calder in possibly the most violent door car crash in Australian drag racing history and ended Thornton's driving career.



Andy "Capp" Kukeste's Mustang modified production car. Andy owned a body shop that did a lot of custom work and it showed on this car. I worked for Andy for a while in the early 70's and the hood scoop was one of my contributions to the project. Andy liked to eat as evidenced by the fact that he carried sponsorship from two different restaurants.
The photo is from the 1974 Nationals at Surfers Paradise.


Ray Legierski's XY Falcon A/MS. Minor customizing was allowed hence the roll pan that replaced the rear bumper. Single four barrel carb and flat tappet cam if my failing memory serves me correctly.Probably ran in the high 11's at the time of this picture. Surfers Paradise photo so most likely the Nationals as that was about the only incentive to tow 1300 miles on two lane roads. I later made headers for the car and repainted it.


Ross Virgara ran this XB Falcon four door in B/MS, the modified sedan category. Stock body with tire clearance modifications (my involvement along with the paint) and more engine mods than allowed in stock elim. Adelaide International Raceway photo. Ross later ran a Ford Telstar pro stock which he totalled at Willowbank in 1988 during the Nationals.


Last on the list is Kevin and Greg Flaherty's Shotgun XB Falcon hardtop Pro Stock. This was the car to beat as the Cleveland heads breathed much better than the Chevy stuff available at the time and there was no weight penalty as there was for the Fords in NHRA at the time. Greg is at the wheel and his dad Kevin is behind the car with the flat cap and shades. The car got its name from the fact the Kevin was a national skeet shooting champion. I originally thought that this photo was from Castlereagh but looking closer I think that it is from a major event at Adelaide as evidenced by the fans in the background who are on the perimeter of the oval track.

 

So....what's the story?
Being as how most Sky Pilot deals are by accident,oversight,whatever.
I love a good story.

 

this is why I inspect the wheelie bars on my roadster on a regular basis.

 

One of my all time favorite Willys. This car was later lettered "Mindbender" on the doors, and was from Compton, CA. It wa in a PHR magazine I have from 1967 I believe. From what I remembered, that owner never raced the car.

 

Ya wanna puke? I'm pretty sure, after surviving all these years, it's recently been "Street Rodded"

 

That really stinks, and I have that feeling in my throat. Some people haven't a clue. A shop that I worked at had a 40 Ford coupe, injected 301 sbc, tube axle, Halibrands, a true B gasser. The car actually ran a 6-carb nailhead for a while, and was parked after the 1967 season. Now it is well on it's way to being a Mustang II equipped street rod with a crate engine. Some people's kids....

If I am ever fortunate enough to build a Willys, it will be a clone of the Mindbender.

 

Another Willys story. Mid-70's, there's a yellow Willys w/glass nose and Max Wedge power that used to street race in Van Nuys. I reckognize it's owner a few months ago at the CHRR in Bako. I introduce myself and we start talkin. Well, good news, he STILL owns the car. Bad news, a bunch of years ago he decided to Pro-Street it. Several shops fucked him along the way. And now, while still not being finished, he's kicking himself for not leaving it alone. He'd be thousands of dollars ahead, and have a cooler car.

 

OK, so whats the story here?

 

The other car red lighted and his stalled after the light so he pushed it all the way to the end..........a record 6 minute at 1 MPH ......run.....!

 

Now THAT is racing. Reminds me of the Brock/Bond(?) Torana at Bathurst. You Aussies would know what I mean..........

 

OK,
for the bounus points who can tell us who the driver was.

Roo

ps I know

 

My very fuzzy old memory, for some reason, tells me Danny Ongias (?)

 

You are right Root.....Dan Ongais...broke an axle and won the race at 1 min 35 sec.

 

So, you don't get DQ'd if you take off your seatbelt while going down the track?

 

been surfing the site and all the pictures.
and all i can say is WoW man....!
Maybe someone can help..
i am looking for any pictures of this truck
any pictures of the "Bent bolt" cars
or anything with "Steve Kanuika speed shop" on
the side.
i figure it they are out there ..you guys would know
thanks
cheapst
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Caption should read---"True Grit"
They'd prolly shoot you today for a deal like that.LOL

 

"First or worst" rule. The other guy had already disqualified.

 

My guess? Both his and his opponent's car broke, or he broke on a "bye" run. Back then, if you can push it to the finish line 1st, you still get the win (I don't know if that applies today).

 

The driver lost power, but apparently his opponent either broke or it was a single run. In any case, he had to cross the finish line under his own power to win-- and so he did.