Chicago Guys: Blue Bandit Pics Wanted

Any of you guys remember the Blue Bandit car??? He ran out of his gas station that I believe was on about 39th Halsted. Used to watch him run in back of the yards. Any photos?????

Thanks, Bruno...

 

Stop in for the HAMB and Eggs breakfast at Chuck's ( 79th & Central )tomorrow at 7am . I'm sure it would be a good conversation around the table.

 

Larry, Ive been meaning too, but, lately ive been working on Saturdays. My next Saturday off ill be there for sure.

Thanks, Bruno...

 

I know some of you guys remember this car, espically the Back Of The Yards guys???????????????

Thanks, Bruno...

 

Dick Stokes ran the car out of a gas station on Halsted Street..the station still stands there..

...Bruno...

 

Didnt Stokes run one of Beswicks old GTO's? I know that Stokes also preferred Hemi's to power his pontiac bodied injected cars. His last rig was a rear engined Duster that ran A/FC.

 

WCD, Your correct on all counts..Im looking for pics of his GTO..I remember my cousins along with the boys from the area racing Back of the Yards..

...Bruno...

 

I'm looking for pics of the car in the Avitar ,that ran out of Brookfield(?) in or around 1966.
Any body got pics?
Thanks;
1939fiat

 

Your Avatar comprised of a 57 Chevy Gasser is great. Your interest in the "Bandit" series of cars indicates that you were perhaps familar with the old UDRA injected funny car circuit? Nick Gaglione, Gene Altizer, Jack Ditmars, Larry Swisteak (spl) "Grey Ghost" GTO, Chapman Automotive, et al.

 

WCD, I SURE do remember allthe UDRA guys. As a matter of fact I used to go see them run at the old U.S.30 Dragstrip and Union Grove Dragstrip.OH the memories!!!!!!!!!!!

...Bruno...

 

For some reason, I always had a penchant for these cars. Our injected circuit was limited to gas, and then later alcohol. Entertaining nonetheless

 

I will be talking with the builder of the Silver Bullet, this week, I will ask if he has any pics.

 

Hello 1939fiat, I sent you a PM about more pics. I don't want to hijack this thread so, read your PM and PM back to me. Interesting story about the car and its current whereabouts.

 

How about another thread with pics and such with the rest of the story ? Curious minds need to know.

 

hi guys, eny one have grey ghost pics. it is in this months hot rod as the assassin, trying to find some old pics. for the painter . thanks tom

 

more pics!

 

Gene Altizer is my wifes uncle. When my wifes mom passed on, who was Gene's sister, we found a bunch of old gasser and funny car pics. Cool stuff, I'll have to dig them out.

 

I seen your post I used to work for stokes he was at 43rd and union he's still there, I had a video of his car the original bluebandit the 55 chevy injected hemi, and all his cars were hemi's the 66 gto was originaly the don gay pontiac and the other pontiac was don gays 68 firebird, then stokes had a 71 mini charger built by romeo palamindies that car he crashed and almost died in! while he was recovering they built a rear engine duster that car hit the guardrail at US 30 on a shakedown run.
The car was'nt hurt just the body was he replaced it and never made a pass after that, he tried but when we got to the track and strapped him in now mind you he was still on crutches from his accident with the mini charger we got him up to the starting line did a burn out, and out of the sideline walked his wife he shut the car off we lifted the body up and what she said sidelined him that was in 1972 and the car sat in an enclosed trailer untill 1979 when he was made an offer to sell it,he took it out to US 30 and made a 8second pass and mid 7 pass and back into the trailer it went.
I left him in 1980 and went to work for a dealer he sold the car in 80 or 81 I still stop by and see him he still going strong he plays in the stockmarket and does investing for a few fortune fivehundred companys

 

I remember every car..Brings back a lot of memories..I go past 43rd alot and remember the 55 sitting out there..There were some great match races against the Shaker at US 30..Thanks much for the info..

...Bruno...

 

I see the thread is a little dated but just wanted to say that my Dad has pictures of '66/'67(?) GTO, trailer, and a letter from Mr. Stokes describing the items that were for sale from the late 60's. If there is any interest I will ask if Dad could locate the pics and paperwork...

 

FOR SURE, Id love to see some pics if you can find them..Will bring back some old memories of racing back of the Yards...

...Bruno...

 

He found some stuff...
Also I have a hand written letter with all the sale details. Too cool!

 

neat car man. seems there was ALOT of great stuff around here back in the day

 

I believe it was one of Don Gays GTOs...

...Bruno...

 

get a copy of that letter out I'l show him it I see Dick all the time were having a reunion with all the guys who worked for him at the shop and on the cars and his pit crews One more thing did you guys know that Stokes also raced a stock car at raceway park just wanted to put that out there

 

I often saw the Stock Car sitting outside the station...

...Bruno...

 

Just to revive the Thread..Does anyone have any pics of Stokes 55????? Id love to see if anyone has any pics of the cars that raced Back of the Yards????????????

Thanks, Bruno...

 

My brother owned the Blue Bandit Gto for a short time in the early 70's. He sold it to a Pontiac collector who at the time was around Olney Illinois. He found the car again a year or two ago. It is in a building in Texas , but the guy wouldn't price it. He said Don Gay had tried to buy it back before he died.

 

could you find out where in texas stokes said he would like to see it

 

the last time we saw the gto was on a car lot on around 50th& Halsted that was around 1969 or 1970 I also just got in touch with a guy who said he has the 55 chevy, I almost bought it back in 1980 Stokes and I went to look at it it was in rough shape then