Yes that's awesome. I have seen pictures of it . My dad passed away before it made its come back and was showed at the Winter Nationals. I'm sure he would of loved to see it on TV my parents moved to Tx awhile back to be closer to to me and the kids Sent from my SM-G900P using H.A.M.B. mobile app
My mom told me there was a picture of the engine somewhere she thought it was in a Hot Rod magazine along time ago or it could be in a box of pictures somewhere but wasn't sure could you post it please my son wants to see it Sent from my SM-G900P using H.A.M.B. mobile app
Michelle. I do not have that pic, I posted the other blown engine, that was not the fiats weeks ago on another thread. Sure wish I had that pic you are talking about, I would love to see it as well.
I will see what I can do if I can find it. My dad had some of his pictures in albums and in a collage of the cars he drove but my mom and I found some hidden stashed away some pictures I dont think I even seen before Sent from my SM-G900P using H.A.M.B. mobile app
I have seen this picture on a Facebook racing page it sure looks like my dad with the haircut he had back then but can't be for sure just seeing the back side of his head Sent from my SM-G900P using H.A.M.B. mobile app
I use to watch the races on Tv all the time with him since they moved out here . I still watch the races on weekends Sent from my SM-G900P using H.A.M.B. mobile app
Yeah I have done that but never seen those pics maybe it didn't put car after it i will have to try it again Sent from my SM-G900P using H.A.M.B. mobile app
The Magic Muffler was one of the longest running altereds of the sixties into the seventies. Jim Miles owned the Magic Muffler team that began with a Fiat and eventually morphed into this Bantam altered. The car in the photo had been a Fiat-bodied car that former driver Gary Essman complained he could not see the 'Tree' out of so the change to a roadster was made but so was a driver changed. In this photo is the driver, Paul Cox (in the car), Jim Miles (sort of bent over the back of the engine) and to his right with the sunglasses on is Bill Frontuto. Paul Cox was attempting to license in the car. The most famous run of this version of the car was a wild, wild wheelstand at Lions. It did not make many runs in this form. The car was replaced by the Black Magic AA/FA. (Photo courtesy of Big Bob Snyder and www.vintagedragclub.com: additional text by Rod Hynes)
Yes the car always had his name on it being the owner he never had the drivers name on it I dont think that was uncommon back in the day .Jim drove it for a very short time before my Dad did there was another driver after my dad his name i believe wasn't on the car either. In articles I have read they have asked the same question because they know,who was driving especially with the explosion people have gotten that confused over many years because in pictures because they see his name on the car. Sent from my SM-G900P using H.A.M.B. mobile app
Yes the Bantam was the second car t Yes the Bantam was made and Paul Cox drove it for a short time then I beleve after Paul Bill drove the Bantam and had a very serious crash and he almost died and it left him as a paraolegic
I read somewhere that when the engine in the fiat blew Jim was standing about 10 feet behind the car and saw the bottom drop out right in front of him. As he was the owner, must have been a tough night at lions for him as well.
Yes it was a tough night for everyone that night for everyone involved in the team including my mom and it's something she can remember like it was yesterday she thought for sure he was a goner she started to run to the car after the explosion and passed out on the runway she was the one that ended up in the ambulance not my dad , my dad had burns on the back of his neck where the fire suit didn't cover and probably how he crunched down and it blew the hearing out of one ear he had very little hearing in that one ear which was permanent.
Thanks for sharing your story! Consider visiting a vintage drag racing event. Most everyone attending has been inspired by people like your dad.
I will have to look that up , racing is not as popular here in Tx as it is in California. I know they have Tx Outlaws I believe that is the name . We are also planning on going to the Houston NHRA drags at the end of April if not the race in Oct Ennis near Dallas Sent from my SM-G900P using H.A.M.B. mobile app
The Jalopy Journal
