Do any of you all remember my dad Grant "Doug" Douglas form San Francisco Ca. ?? He built and ran the Douglas-Hal Special and the Miller Special back in the 30's 40's & 50's in S.F. Bay area tracks like "Oakland mile" and Calistoga Fair grounds He built Offys and had a 34 ford p/u with a 270 offy in it, that was his pride and joy took him 5 years to build from ground up, it even had a Hallibrand quick change rear end, He p***ed away at baylands raceway in Fremont CA. back in 1982, he died in my arms that day while I was racing dirt karts. all his friends were there that day. Howard Segar, Art Shoiwinan, Jack Flathery, Rajo Jack,Ted Horn,Louis Vermeil, and others, any way I was looking for any info on this great man, my father, and any pictures PLEASE !!! thank you all very much, and stay off your heads !!!
I'm not old enough to remember your dad even though the young guys on here think I'm an old timer but his truck is a legend and remembered by many of us on here. There are a lot of ardent fans of the Millers and race cars of that style and era on here myself included.
Thank you, It's good to know he is still remembered. We had a good friend up in WA his name was Bud Bevert, ran sprints, Great guy!
Try posting on the Racing History or Vintage Sprint Car threads here on the HAMB. Some incredibly knowledgeable people are regular contributors. A lot plenty of time to go through 620+ pages of sprint cars and 200+ pages of history. Very worth the effort.
I sent these images in a PM to DOUGLAS ENGINERING . He replied that this is/was his Fathers '34 Ford PU with the offy engine . Small world that I would have these , glad to share...........
Yes, sadly the motor was taken out and sold to Howard Segur of Daily city Ca, and the truck went to a A** HOLE !! Ed Haggerty in San Leandero CA, who never finished paying for it !! Bad Karma on him P.O.S Thief !! but all the memorys of my dad building it and burning off the tire's around S.F, are memorys no one can take from me... I'm trying to get some picts from ex wife of the truck when we got married, and of Fremont Drag strip Nostagic drags I ran it in, back in mid to late 80's....
Car-ma will take care of the bad ones. Sounds like your dad was one hell of a guy. I remember reading his name in my dads old magazines.
Was this the same Dougl*** that made the dual exhaust? Had a set on my '61 Corvair with gl***packs. Drove anyone riding with me nutz!
WOW Your Dad WOW is all I can say if it wasn't for him and other mentors I had growing up I would not know what i am doing - The likes of Him and Mr. Kibblewhite in Pacifica Mr Dema Elgin - And a few more - I remember the day Sammy Hale got his crank grinder at your dad's shop I was there helping out a little to get in the cubby hole in his shop - My Crank was one of the first ground after other sample where done Doug as we all called him explained engine balancing to me as well as other things. He knew a lot about the Drake -Offy what a guy ! I am 64 and have my own machine shop and do everything as well as your dad ever did in the day for today's standards - He was a inspirational person. One of my high school friends Russ Romero worked for him almost a year learning before Doug gave him a check !! Russ was at the track When he P***ed - He went out in style loving the sport. I have looked for years to find this ! and Sammy Hale is still alive in Arizona remarkable !! RIP DOUG - Craig "Abe" @blackwidowcams & Harmon & Collins Racing Cams
Not sayin it's the same guy, there was a LSR team of Dave Dozier and Ed Harggerty who ran a 30's Chrysler Airflow and also a streamliner. Dave has p***ed on but I'm not sure about Ed or if it's the same guy. They were from the SF area, others here may know. Great story and love to see Offy's on the road. Every so often I get to see Bob Anderson's 29 Ford pick-up with the 270 in it....
Always nice to see a six year old thread make its way back to the top. Sure woul;d be nice to see some photos of the HAL and MILLER powered sprint cars. Bob
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