History Drag cars in motion.......picture thread.

what fun!

 

My time machine "dial-a-time" bucket list (when I get one) is the dawning of the nitro funny car with the door handle, bumper draggin, blown, acid-dipped steel. - because I missed it and it looks like good wholesome fun

 

Kelly Brown with the Cammer...

 

Carlsbad...

 

Kelly Brown, "On the Hammer, with The Cammer" !

 

Indy '67...

 

Hello,

In those days, push starting was the answer for hard starting race cars or just the normal fire up prior to making a timed run or for eliminations. We grew up partial to the “daily show” of race cars going past the spectators to fire up for the timed run or race against another. It was the most fun as we all got to see and anticipate the action just about to start. There were plenty of fan favorites.

The big name racers usually got the notoriety from the announcer over the loudspeakers. But, others, just let the sound take over for the moment. When they got rid of the push starts, it went downhill from then… for the spectators on both sides of the dragstrip. The push start preview built up the anticipation of the coming race or timed run…

Jnaki

Here is one of my favorite film composites. In 1959 Spring/Summer, I filmed various race cars during our breaks between our own competition races. So, of course, being from the Westside of Long Beach and having an association with local speed shops, like Joe Mailliard’s Automotive Engineering always made us happy. His two shops over the years were few blocks from our house and the also just a short walk from our high school.

The Sidewinder films from 1959 composite with added original Sidewinder sound from September of 1959. All added to make one of my favorites from those fun filled days at Lion’s Dragstrip.



Real 1959 original Sidewinder sound added to the real drag cars in motion from spring/summer 1959... Lion's Dragstrip

 

Denny Fitt driver/Bob Meyer owner 1967...Glory Days!

 

Unidentified digger at Lions...

 

Superman Jim Nicoll...

 

Injected Gurney-Eagle "Little One" on the rollers at I believe Indy...

 

What a killer picture!

 

Ken VanCleave , Salem, Oregon.

 

Paul Sutherland steel bodied Fiat coupe at Lions...

 

Cheetah flopper...

 

I had a Cheetah type flopper on what looked like a "T"- bucket frame about 20 years ago. I sold the body, and then the frame.

 

E.J. Potter also had a SBC powered motorcycle.

 

Ol E.J. built a LOT...of crazy cars and bikes !!!

Mike

 

with the extremely rare 1956 Ford Ranchero in the background.

 

Could that be a 55 ? The side trim looks like that to me.

 

The Michigan Madman had all kinds of wild rides...


That was his wife's Valiant wagon...

 

I have watched this tread for a dozen years looking for a unique T/F tow/push vehicle. I saw an early 60's full size Pontiac that was made into an El Camino at Woodburn Dragstrip around 1967. It was pushing a T/F car, and the announcer said they were from Los Angeles. Great looking rig !

 

More Cheetah drag cars...

 

Looks like I'll be stuck on this thread for a long time. Incredible photos.

 

Chrisman Brothers...

 

There was a '59 Pontiac El Camino built by the factory. It still exists, it was white with I think red interior.

 

Chrisman - Cannon