I just viewed the video and read through RYANS thread about the 554 fuel coupe. Like everyone else that posted, I was in awe over that 34. Some of the posts thought that Gerry Morelands car was a clone. To my knowledge Gerry had the original car. I remember the car when it came east, bought by Chris Gans & Bob Keough of K&G Speed Shop. It was yellow, loud and awesome. I ran top fuel and had one of my old fuel hemi's sitting around. In the 1980's I teamed up with Ted Brine and we constructed the clone that was mentioned in the thread. We ran it on 87% Nitro and booked the car doing "smoke the tires runs" and match racing. We NEVER implied that we had the original car, that is why we painted 134 on the side. Otherwise it was fairly period correct. The highlight of that time was getting booked into the Goodguys at Indy to run with Gerry Moreland 's original car. It was like seeing double !!! Can you imagine two of them at the same race? Do any of you guys remember us with the 134 fuel coupe? Here are some pics. <a href="http://s213.photobucket.com/albums/cc320/luapdlog/?
a href="http://s213.photobucket.com/albums/cc320/luapdlog/?action=view¤t=34FordIndy.jpg" target="_blank"></a>
Malcolm; Yes, I have a video of when we booked in to do a smoke run for Maple Grove's 25th anniversary in 1987. We fogged in the tower and you could not see the car from the starting line looking down track because of all the smoke. The run is on VHS tape and I don't have a clue how to post it on the journal.
From a guy who grew up in the golden age of drag racing, all I can say is... that is one bitchin, bitchin car!
Fast forward to July, 2013. We located the 134 Fuel Coupe in the collection of Walt Austin in Tacoma, WA. Walt graciously consented to sell it back to the original owner/builders. Car has been checked and fired up - after 25 yrs. - on nitro as it should be. Appeared at the New England Hot Rod Reunion in Sept, 2013 in the "cacklefest". Lots fo folks sending along old photos of it and even a video from Maple Grove's 25 anniversary in 1987 - they had their 50th in 2012. Here are some vid links and and old photo as well. See ya back on the track in 2014! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NTU5glq5yvA http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fZxsI1_QLcc http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/38763911
From this past weekend's Pittsburgh International Dragway reunion held at Pittsburgh Raceway Park, New Alexandria, PA (formerly Keystone Raceway). That's Mark Becker (L) and I firing up the old coupe as part of the show. Goldy was sprint car racing back east!
Here is a picture from N E Dragway . One of the best sounding motors on the track that night ! Awesome.
From Pittsburgh International Dragway Reunion, Sept 29, 2013 at Pittsburgh Raceway Park, New Alexandria, PA (formerly Keystone). http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rsT-2oV6hV0
The Jalopy Journal
