I love traditional hot rods, drag cars, circle track cars, just about everything!! My dad started taking me to the local drag races when I was 4 and I can honestly remember some of it! These are my fondest memories and where I can say that I got bit by the car bug. My dad bought a 1930 Model A coupe when I was 3 and I remember getting it and the first ride. All I could see was the dashboard and dad kept cracking my left knee with the shifter. He still owns that same Model A today and I hope that someday it will be mine. When he bought it, it was 1967. The guy he bought it from had started to make a hot rod out of it but didn't have much money to work with. It had it's original 4 popper but it had Buick headlights, 39 Ford juice brakes (only on the rears worked) and a black and white tuck and roll interior. The dash was actually a hot rod piece that was painted black and white and had a bunch of Stewart Warner gauges and a panel attached below the dash that had toggle switches on it. Most of the guages were never hooked up and only a few of the switches worked, but I didn't care, it was cool looking!! I can say that the car has changed very little in all these years and for that I am glad. Although it's new at the time we bought it Candy Apple red paint job is now peeling very badly and it is in need of some serious body work. It hasn't been driven since I drove it last in 1981 as a senior in High School. I don't know why he parked the car and put it up on blocks, but it was almost like he lost all interest in it when I left home. I'm just thankful that he still has it. My vice is Super Stock drag cars from the '60's. Specifically, the Thunderbolts. I've been researching and reading anything and everything that I can find on these cars. I have a '64 2 door Sedan that I will be modifying to look like a period correct SS or A/FX racer. Most likely a "day 2" look, not so much an as delivered from DST look. I want to build something fun that I can have fun with. I'm also into Mustangs. I own a '69 Mach 1, a '93 LX 5.0 and a 2011 Mustang GT 5.0. I highly suggest everyone at least take a ride or drive in one if possible. 412 HP never felt so good!
Doug: Welcome from the West Coast of Florida. Being a teenager in the 60's and getting to go to the drag strip and watching the old Tasca Ford Thunderbolts run was a very special treat for me. In many ways you are very lucky to live in PA. because of all the tracks in the state. My sons and I used to race karts in Leesport, PA. and I could not believe how many tracks are located in PA. For racers PA. is liked you died and went to haven. There are circle tracks all over the state which means you can race most nights of the week at a different track somewhere within the state. Maple Grove is a legend with drag racers. The guys who are considered the Outlaw regulars in sprint cars always had a hard time when they race in PA. because of the PA. posse guys. Best of luck with whatever you do next.
A big Thank You at everyone welcoming me. It is appreciated. I didn't mention it above, but I was born in West Central Ohio. My dad would take me to the drags at Shelby County Drag Way, also known as Pence Dragway. Probably started when I was 3 or 4. We lived close enough to hear the cars running. For circle tracks, it was Shady Bowl or Kil-Kare and sometimes Tri-Cities. My job moved me to PA. I'm lucky enough that I live close to Maple Grove. Used to live close enough that we could hear the cars running. With regards to my dad's Model A, he shocked me and has actually found a shop that he wants to work on it so it can get back on the road again!! Very glad this is happening.
The Jalopy Journal
