History drag races: early Santa Ana photos

Thanks LowKat, that just made my day! Awesome stuff...

 

Thanks for the great pics. It was nice to see ivo and cj in the early days.

 

No McDonalds yet!!


Great shots thanks for posting!

 

Every time I open the "Life" site and type in "drag racing," more photos come up...these were shot, I think, around '58...some identifications, some sure, and some "I think"

- the Crosley altered was Bader & Ferrera, ran a blown Cad
- The unblown Chrysler dragster was Kenny Lindley, though he usually ran a front-mounted blower.
- the 30-31 Ford roadster with the Chrysler was Jim C***ady, ran A/SR for years
- The Fiat was Carl Grimes, ran a carburated Buick, one of the first flip-bodies, won cl*** at the NHRA nationals.

Many of the other cars/drivers are lost to history, but they all are the roots of the sport, back when it was fun (except probably not for the guy carrying his broken driveshaft!)

Sorenson
I think that the Bantam-bodied compe***ion coupe was Waterworth & Morris, though not sure.

 

Very, very nice pics!! Once again....H.A.M.B. RULES! Thanks LowKat.

 

outstanding photos, thanks for posting.
Al.

 

thank you, fantastic pics once again on the h.a.m.b. network. thanks to photog for being there and taking the pics. dermott.

 

What great history. Never made it to Santa Ana but spent my first times at the drags at Colton in '59 when I was 13 tagging along with my brother. Been hooked ever since.

 

Oh, thank god for photography and photographers!

 

What great pictures those are!!!!! Gee, I didnt see to many Pabst blue ribbon shifters, welds that were purposly not grinded down, shifters that were a eighth inch away from the roof,10 inch pompadors,cars "laying frame", 10 inch cuffs,.

 

Great stuff! Thanks!

 

Really appreciate the posting of all the pictures. Like a trip back in time when things were a lot better.

 

sweeeeet

 

Gotta bring this one back to the front. Awesome stuff. I like the pic of new 57 Belair smoking the tires and the one with the new vettes in the background.

 

WOW, Thanks for the pictures Ralph!

 

Just love the old Sytle front of teh engine mount superchargers,,even seen the mounted on end in front of teh motor,,the whole evolution of there use is great

 

I'm glad this thread came back around ... I missed it on the first go around. I'm missin' stuff too much ... I got get my slow @ss in gear and quit missin' stuff.

At any rate, great pictures. I've seen a few before, especially the ones with Ivo in them.

This brings a question to mind. I know the Road Kings Car Club is still around 'cause I found their website. I know the club initially was as much a racing club as anything else. However, on their website, from the photos I saw, it seems more of a street rodding club now.

I'm curious as to how many active Road King members are also HAMB members. Anyone have a rough idea?

 

Oh man, trippin' down memory lane.

I ran my flatmotor powered 50 Ford coupe there once.

It was just like the photos show.

Got to see Ivo and his T, the single engine dragster and double engine dragster at San Fernando.
Lotta history there.

Once in a while, one of the guys at the Saturday donut run will talk about building Ivo's cars, engines and the ways they cured problems with the twin engine car.

Twin Nailheads . . . there was a sound you could remember for a lifetime.

We didn't know we were living history, it was just going to the drags....

 

Some of the best I've ever seen. So many time references in every shot. Just amazing!

 

I used to run both Santa Ana & Paradise Mesa, I am sure one half of these pix are Mesa-----No blimp hangars at the West end shut off area----Fun times!!---I would say late 50's looking at the background & cars & TV Ivo.---Good memories!!----Don

No "TATS" then either---HA!

 

That`s why I like it here , this stuff is cool!!!!!!!

 

NUTS! Thanks!!! Slim

 

Man if I could only turn back time! Lookin at these pics take me back; waaay back. Thanks for posting LowKat [and Littlewing]

 

how do you find these life pics? i forget

 

Wonderfull pics......that would make a great book!

 

Great pics thanks! Just goes to show they dont do it like they used too!

 

Totally *****en thread.
Real racers wore white pants.