History Early drag racing photos

1959 Lion’s Dragstrip

Hello,

The top two non Hemi modified roadsters in the USA racing against each other. The original Hunter Oil red roadster (Creighton Hunter/Hill Acala) including the original Moon Eyes painting on the side versus an early version of Jess Van Deventer’s record making Modified Roadster.

The top racers at the time were Tommy Ivo, Sidewinder, Dragmaster, Kenny Lindley, Lefty Mudersbach and the Howard Cam Twin. Throw in Mickey Brown and Gary Cagle and it was difficult to get the headlines in the weekly Drag News reporting. But, these smaller classes of competition continued weekly to battle it out at Lion’s Dragstrip and other So Cal dragstrips all within an hour or two of each other.

Jnaki
Gary Cagle-Herbert Cams Special on the large TV monitor staging for his timing, pre eliminations run.

My 39 minute long old drag racing films of Lion’s Dragstrip being shown on the 80 inch wall TV monitor (above and behind the red roadster) during the original Lion’s Dragstrip Museum Grand Opening.

After plenty of accolades, the Hunter-Hill Red Roadster ends up on full display with only a detail show and shine wax job. Everything is original and the red roadster looks as if it is still ready for a full blast down the local dragstrip. YRMV