History Anybody Remember Douglas Speed Sport Center?

............Don't think we've ever met, John. I was living in the Landover Hills area of Hyattsville at that time.

 

Were you near 202 Rt 50...? There was an Auto Shop on 202 that we hung out at.
I am sure that it is no longer there. We also did Slot Car Racing at several locations.
Landover Hills, Bladensburg, Silver Springs......! Did you ever meet Douglas..?

 

..........Yeah, I wasn't far at all from Rt. 202 as well as Rt.50. My first car came out of Kentland in 1966. 1953 Ford. Can't place that auto shop, but I did do slot car racing in Silver Spring (nice high-banked track) as well as Bladensburg on a terribly bumpy home-made plywood track.

 

I miss Douglas Speed. It was my home away from home back in the 75-80 OPS days.

 

..........Welcome to the HAMB, Glen. Post up any pictures or stories from those days. Join us over on the Maryland HAMB forum as well..........Don.

 

Gary,
Don't know if you remember me, my name is Dennis O'Brien, and I worked for about a year and a half at Douglas Speed when Steve Novik (I think this was the correct spelling of his last name), was managing the store. This was in early 1967 and ran into 1968. Doug was away doing active duty in the Navy at the time, and Chuck B***ler was the other employee. I got to be pretty good friends with them by frequenting the shop on Fenton St, and they asked me to come to work there also. It wasn't long after I was hired that Steve, for reasons unknown to me, left the store, and Chuck became manager. At any rate, I remember you coming home on leave, (I believe), and I met you. I remember your block-long wheel stands that you did on your Triumph? motorcycle, going past the speed shop on your rear wheel! I remember all the people you mentioned, as well as "Big John" that drove a huge 1950, (I believe), Buick. I also remember ****ee Burgess, who tuned and maintained Bruce Wheelers' dragster. Just by chance, I met up with him down here in Florida several years ago, and we hung around together for a few years. He p***ed away about two years ago. I do not have pictures of Doug's '61 Chev, but I remember it well. I believe he sold the '61 Chev, and he then had a well built and prepped '64 Chevelle, powered by a big block, that was set up by Tony DeCarlo, for the then popular Ultra-Stock circuit. I could go on for hours about what I saw and did while working at Douglas Speed, but I gotta get out in the garage and get to work on my current toy. If I can figure out how to post pictures on this site, I'll send you some pictures of my '60's era "g***er". I sure miss those great days, and the times we had cruising the Bethesda, (my home) area, Silver Spring, Hyattsville, Queens Chapel, Wheaton, and Rockville Hot Shoppes. I also miss all the great guys, (and gals) from Maryland. I'm 76 years old now, and living just outside Orlando, Florida. Moved to Florida in 1973...couldn't tale the winters any more. Great to know that you are still doing well.

 

John,

This is Gary Furstenberg. Sorry for responding so late. It's just that I kept up a vigil to this site for a long time with no new contacts or entries so I just sort of back shelfed it. I rediscovered it today while looking up articles about the legendary race team of Sox & Martin.
I'm sorry that I can't place your face but your name does sound familiar. I remember the garage where we used to house the '61 Chevy SS, "Mr. Resistor" and it makes sense to me that it was near Walter Reed (16th St./Alaska Ave.).
I have reconnected with Steve Novak and have met him for lunch and a few beers on several occasions. He and his wife, Marti, live in the Damascus, MD area but also have a secondary home somewhere. I sent him this link about an hour ago and then called his cell. He and his wife where on their way up to Frederick, MD and had read the posts. He also recognizes your name and remembers Dennis O'Brian. He has some of the old pics from DSS and also of the car. If you feel secure in sending me your e-mail address I will p*** on anything that I have or that Steve sends.
Sorry to tell you but Chuck B***ler p***ed several years ago and after believing for a very long time that Doug had also p***ed Steve confirmed a couple years ago that Doug was still with us. He had had a couple pretty strange phone conversations with him but at our last lunch (prior to Covid) he said that Doug's contact number was no longer affective. So not sure if he p***ed or is just not responding to contact.

Hope to hear from you. E-mail is the best way for now as I really don't access the HAMB site very often.

Mine e-mail is:
g_furstenberg@verizon.net

 

Gary, don't be a stranger on here.

 

I think that one of my buddies in Vietnam in 1968 may have told me about Douglas speed shop and some of the exploits of the Silver Springs car guys. His name is Rick Danzi. He and his brother have/had Danzi Brothers Inc. that sells wreckers in Selbyville DE He had an orange 62 Impala back home in Md when we were in Vietnam.

 

.........I remember hearing that name, but didn't know him.

 

My flathead intake that I am putting on my roadster says "Douglas" cast in between the 2 carbs

 

Hi All, I’m a bit younger, well if 52 can be considered young, and remember Douglas from the late 80’s and early 90’s. I think the owner was Steve Cantor at the time and if memory serves he had a pretty nice AMX that was featured in one of the magazines. I love hearing the great stories from those who started the hobby I love so much. A big thanks to all of you!

 

....Welcome to the HAMB.

 

Thank you, though not sure I technically qualify. My car is a 1966 Mustang 2+2. I do enjoy the reads though.

 

..The site doesn't cater to Mustangs, but don't let that stop you from enjoying the place and even participating. A Vintage Burgundy 2+2 GT with 289/ 271, 4 speed would be something I personally would love to own.

 

There are enough forums that cater to Mustangs and I enjoy them a lot. I came looking more for a forum about the culture rather than a specific model.

I started my search looking for a 271 hp “K” code fastback, but fell for a modded car. It’s now got a fuel injected 347 with a 5 speed. My winter project is a coilover suspension. It’s a never ending project, but lots of fun to drive.

 

.........Sounds like a fun project for sure. Are you still in the area or have you made your escape from the DMV?

 

Still in the area, in fact we live in the city. Not a great place to enjoy the car hobby, but I think people are surprised at how strong the car culture is in the DMV. One day we’ll get outta here, but not before retirement. Where in So. Maryland are you?

 

...........South Anne Arundel County

 

First time seeing this thread from some reason. Moved into SS in late 1996. Went to DSS a few times for odds and end for an OT project. Didn't spend enough time there to get to know anyone, but I appreciated having them nearby and was disappointed when they closed down.

 

Hello there!
I was the teenage girl in the leather skirts that worked for Steve, he and my father Cary were good friends.
I remember Steve screwing around on Fenton Street in his AMC Javelin and that monster Suburban!
I have my license plate cover for Douglas Speed on my SUV! I'll post a photo of it.

 

I have a license plate cover from Douglas Speed and it's on my SUV. I'll post a photo of it.
I worked for Steve as a teenager, he and my father Cary were good friends.

 

Hi there! Can you let Steve know that I'm in the Damascus area and would love to see him or chat? Thank you for this post, it brought back a lot of memories. Carrie Seligson

 

I'm 52 as well and I worked for Steve as a teenager! Small world

 

Carrie's memorabilia....