Hot Rods Best day ever some dry lakes history

As some of you know i have been building this roadster that was a famous dry lakes car in the 40s. The original car is long gone so i built this car intribute of it with the help of the original builder jack calori. On this path we became realy good friends. For 7 years he help me build this car he also gave me one of his original dash timming tags he had in his roadster. In november he p***ed away at 86 i was a pall bearer at his funeral. I became friends with his daughter and she knew we were good friends. We still keeep in touch. Today she sent me his racing goggles. He also had them in the navy and and used them at the dry lakes when he ran his roadster. And i also got his lancers plaque he ran on his roadster. I thought i would share this with you. I'm so stoked and happy. When i go to el mirage in may i will have his googles with me and his daughter will be there to ride around in the roadster. I have a shot of him in the roadster with the googles. I'll have to find it and post it. Billy

 

That's pretty cool, obviously some good vibes between you two rodders!!

 

That is off the "coolness" chart, waaaaay beyond cool!

 

I have always been fastenated with lakes history and lore. That is really something to treasure. The googles have double value since they went thru WW2 also. That's pretty heady stuff Billy.

 

Wow! Reading that gave me the chills. This is very cool.

Neal

 

Let us know when in May, I'd like to see your awesome clone in person.

 

Amazing....Find those photos and post um

 

that is awesome, thats cool that you got that stuff

 

Right on man thats so crazy cool

 

Be sure to take some pictures of his daughter with the roadster. It will be an additon to the history you already have.

Frank

 

Ok guys got the pic of the goggles and the plauqe this from a picture i wish i knew how to scan and transfer i have a scanner but i'm computer dumb. Billy

 

You must feel honoured to receive such personal gifts.
Thats a really big deal man...your obviously considered part of the family.

Considering your close friendship with the man, and your effort to recreate the original car, I can't imagine anyone more deserving of those items.

 

same here, ****s you have to pay to get into el mirage now

 

That's great Hellmet. The most heart warming part of your story (and I've followed most your threads) is the fact that you took the time to befriend an old man that most anyone else would have just p***ed by and listened to his stories and I know that probably made him feel really good. That's a great gift for someone near the end of their life.
I think I remember reading somewhere, maybe during the Pebble Beach thing, at how truly moved he was that anyone cared about these old cars and their stories this long after it all happened. So you know how important this was to him.

 

You get in for free, but it costs you to get out.

Last year if you left before 1, or after 5 on Sunday, no revenue takers were there.

They literally set up shop when the racers start to leave.

HELLMET, you have had an experience that most of us only dream about. I can't wait to see the car.

 

So what if it costs a few bucks to get in. What you have is priceless. I'm a total ****er for old lakes stuff. The lakes are the one place where hot rodding still thrives. You won't here the announcer saying "Up next is the Budwieser, Brand Source, Better Baked Beans, Wonder bread, Johnson's Medical Supplies car. You will hear "Up next is Martin and Ferguson." Two guys making a car(or bike) go fast. Jack Calori didn't have a "machine" behind him It was his hard work. I've been racing there for 12 years and I treasure my timing tags. I know a few that have little regard for them unless they are red. Too cool. Hope to get to see the roadster in May.

 

Well, I will see your chills and raise you a laughing hysterically and crying at the same time!

Litttle things like this are amazing. Very cool Hellmet!

 

HELLMET ... Toooo Cooool !!!!

So I ***ume the "LANCERS" plaque you are currently running:



... is the same plaque mentioned / pictured in the OP?

 

No that one on my car he gave me also. Mine in the car say's lancers scta he was presedent of the lancers at one time in the 40's and had an extra one that he gave me. Now that i have his the one he had in his roadster it will go on my car. His says lancers hollywood it's a very early plauqe. He told me he didn't remember why it said hollywood they wern't from hollywood. Go figure?

 

I thought they looked to be different plaques ... but just figured that the "HOLLYWOOD" just wasn't visible because it was muted by the shadow in the photo of your car ... I guess that's what I get for ***uming!

Again ... I think it's beyond cool that Jack's daughter gave you his goggles ... and the "LANCERS - Hollywood" plaque from the original roadster is icing on the cake!

When you go to El Mirage in May, you really need to try to re-create this pic:

 

Man that is a heck of an honor. Your dedication to building that car and honoring Jack has gone a long way with him, his family, and us. Great job man, those goggles are too cool, wear em with pride.

 

Take lots of photographs of the event.

The whole story is really touching, thanks!

 

true!!!

 

Wow Billy that is cool.
But really there is no better keeper for that stuff!
Both items are amazing.
TP

 

Wow, what an honour.

 

Congrats.
I can feel the rush you must have felt.
COOOL

Paul

 

This is great! I will be looking for you at El Mirage later this month.

 

that is *****in!

 

That an amazing story. Take lots of pictures while your at the lakes. We'd all appreciate them.

 

I'll be there . If you see me say hi. I'm going out sat morn till sunday. Billy