History Bonneville Record Car / NEED HELP!

cool thread. makes me want to get to work on the '55 300 my boss gave me for a club build!

 

ok enough of the waiting we want to hear it run
You sir are a lucky one. Great work on the research and thx

 

This thread is not going to die until we see and hear it running, at Bonneville again.

 

Really glad to see you back adding to the story!

That shot with the car on the back of the truck is priceless! Looks the car's up on blocks or something for the trip.

In the shot from San Fernando Drag Strip is that a cut out with a header outlet behind the front wheel opening?

 

I do remember Hemis being outlawed by NASCAR and to this date a lot of sanctioning bodies will not aloow any MOPAR that displaces 426" in any configuration. I do have a question for you, this is not to doubt your info but as I recall the AMA is the American Motorcycle Association they sanction or have sanctioned everything from hill climbs to road races for as long as I can remember.

So there is no doubt an AMA that sanctions auto racing as well? I am just asking.

 

ya know what....this thing is just a damn good looking automobile.

 

Awesome car cant wait to hear it run. great thread

 

i love this picture, this car rocks.. period.
chris.

 

Josh,
Thanks for thr explaination. I guess my world is just too small.

It is a pretty neat car, plain as an Amish wife and no doubt fast as a hooker.

 

What a stunning car... incredible story. The word "Patina" gets thrown around a lot here. This car defines it, I think.


If it's not too much trouble, is there a place I could find a full-size version (over 1024X780) of the photo of it running at Bonneville or the one where it's second in line?

 

Hyfire could you post some more pics of the car like under carriage rear end is the suspention stock or beefed up more interior shots of the dash from both sides. This is an awesome car. Style style style love it.

 

When we get back from the desert we will look through out old mags for you. We don't have every issue, but most. Will post again if we find something.

Riley and Sue Player

 

I love the old slides. Such good color for the time!

 

I figured Hambers would especially appreciate this one...

Here is Norm at a publicity shoot with Jimmy Khougaz. Norm had owned a super charged 1955 Chrysler 300 and played with several induction setups for Chrysler motors. I would be curious to know if Khougaz's setup inspired him to run the 8 carbs on the 392 Hemi in 1958. Norm ran a different manifold and ran progressive linkage though.

 

Norm on the salt. Anyone know who this gentleman is in the Tan jacket?

 

And here is the last one for now.

A color photo of the car running it's final run. Unlike the Bill LaRoy photos, this shot was taken by the gentleman who photographed the race cars at Bonneville. It's also the photo used in the Quaker State Oil advertisement. It was shot with film, not a slide like the LaRoy photos. The actual image is a little under exposed.
There is a huge story behind this print... but I am out of time right now.

 

I just have to congratulate you. Its not just that you stepped up and were able to purchase a historic car; anyone with the checkbook can do that. But the art of researching and the character and careful conversation that is needed to draw access to valued materials out of other people along with the tenacity to make yet another phone call and write another inquiring email are really impressive. Skills like you have are rare indeed, sir. And then thank you so much for sharing everything here on the HAMB.

 

An amazing find - maybe the best garage find of all time! a car with great, well-documented history, in unbelievable condition. But most importantly, it must be noted that Norm had excellent taste in socks!!

 

He was definitely an argyle man.

 

Hyfire, Thanks for the time that you have obviously spent putting this thread together. Another chapter in the HAMB history book. It goes without saying that you have an eager audience for any additional information you might be able to collect and I can't imagine your anticipation of hearing that Hemi come to life. I sure would like to be there to hear it and and see the loose carbon exit the pipes as she comes to life. Be sure to record the event (DUH!!) and share it with us.

Frank

 

great thread mate really enjoying it

 

Love this thread, and your car. Norm was always one of my Benneville heros! I was surprised a year or so ago when Jessel chose some of his outstanding Bonneville heros, and Norm wasn't among them.
He was awesome!

 

Great thread!

 

Bartles and James


Any idea where Norm's shop was in Van Nuys? Wonder if the building is still there.

 

I love this picture. Look through the hole in the hood and you'll see what is one of the best "race face" shots I've ever seen.

 

Josh (@Hyfire) -

Great stuff! ... The new info, photos, and the 2 video clips from "THE HOT ROD STORY" (by Alex Xydias) are way cool!!

Thanks again for sharing your research with us here on the H.A.M.B.!!!

 

lol Yeah ...I mean he did have a letter car...I'd wear argyle socks too

 

In my mind I stair at this picture and cant help but think I am witnessing this engine at its absolutely most tuned point, milking every last possible ounce of horespower out of it. Wish I could have heard it run......imagine the throttle responce........

 

Sure... I got a ton of stuff. Just a matter of trying not to put you guys to sleep with anything too boring. I figured I would just keep on feeding stuff onto the thread. That way everyone has access to it. It's good to see it being read and looked at. This stuff is no longer lost, which is great!

Who could argue with that!

 

Can't thank you enough for sharing this wealth of archival material with us!

Was the '56 New Yorker in the drag strip photo just a regular production car posed for the press release or did Norm work his magic on that one too? What did they give him for the '57 model year?