I am looking for a chopped top Henry J that use to run at Lions Dragstrip back in the good ol Days.The car was black and the roof had been slid back into the trunk when it was chopped by my uncle and my father.I would love to own that car.My uncle p***ed away a few years back and my Dad is gettin up there. Help if you can with any info
That is a good idea I think there is a picture somewhere.It ran C/Altered and had a one piece tilt steel front end with a crowsley axle and single seat set back the max allowed.My father sold it before it had an engine.the guy that bought it ran it at lions.My uncle was a master body man they chopped the top and molded the front end in one weekend.My uncle moved to Lacey Washington and opened a body shop.They also ran a roundy round car at the Tenino speedway for years.I will try to get more info about the Henry J
Might try this site- http://www.g***ermadness.com/ They have a pretty cool lost and found section for old g***ers. Might be worth a shot.
Hello, my name is Ric Panneton, I work @ CP Pistons in Irvine, Ca. Two of the Calvert brothers hear, Dave and Barry (Calvert is the "C" in CP), are I believe the ones who bought the car from your uncle/dad. They ran it initially as a C/A and then as a Pro Gas car. Dave actually owned it and Barry drove. If it was the car your looking for (and I'm nearly positive it is, it is now owned by George Steagle the owner of Clay Smith Cams. He bought it sometime in the late 80's I believe and one of the guys who signed off on his Pro Gas licsense was non other than John Force. The car has only been run a few times in the past 20 or so years. Recently Georges (grandson) I believe has started driving it. If you go on Clay Smiths website there is a picture (I attached) and a short video. Good luck. I can't wait to tell Dave. He is on vacation for a week. He works from our North Carolina office now (704)664-2515. Aint the internet great! I searched 37 years to find my dads '56, what a thrill to help you.
That is so cool if that is the car!! Except it doesn't look like it will be cheap even if it is for sale.
Even if its not for sale or too expensive.., what a reunion. It seems silly we can get emotional over a pile of metal, but finding my dads '56 was very emotional for me. My earliest drag race memory is riding in my dads lap being towed back up the return road @ San Fernando with all the fans going "haywire" and the blue haze all over the inside of the car from those *****en blue plexi windows.
Just talked to Dave. This car is definetly the one. Your uncles name was Al. Dave bought the car in 1970. First running gear was 301 chevy and 4speed. Unfortunately the front end got blown over by a big wind gust and bent the **** out of it and all the lead work. They replaced it with a one piece front end that Fibergl*** Trends had hanging in the rafters. Dave has an entire album of the car in all its stages ending as it is today that he would be happy to share with you. Give him a week or so and try him @ the North Carolina # PS. the crosley axle is still in it. PPS. That car is actually an Allstate, (Henry J's sold through Sears & Roebuck)back in the day. Dave agree's you dad/uncle did a fantastic job with the body work. He said if you could find some original rear window trim, it fits perfectly.
That is incredible.The car actually was an allstate I did not say that because most people have no idea what you are talking about when you say allstate. My dad said they set the roof into the trunck so they could keep the stock rear window.Dave must have bought it from the guy that bought it from my father.Dad sold it to a guy in the late 68 or so that lived in an apartment on Atlantic the guy was going to put a small block chevy and a 4 speed in it.That will be amazing to see some pictures of the car.Dad is very excited to know the car is still around.My uncle Harry was very important to us and I have been looking for something he built.My father and I thank you for all your help and information you have p***ed on.I will deffinatly call Dave when he gets off vacation.THe Hamb is a great resource I am so happy I signed up.
For what its worth this is the car that was Dave and Barrys inspiration to run in the Altered cl***es
Dave is the guy who bought it from your uncle, he told me his last name was Harp before I toll him you HAMB name was "HarpBoys"
This is a great story!!!!!!! The HAMB is F'n incredable!!!!!! One day to find a car sold in 1968!!!!!!
That is awesome My Father owned the car His name is Clyde Harp.He had allot of cars that he sold through the years in the South Bay area.He built a Willys coupe for his freind Raymond Eredia back in the 60's that Raymond still owns.He also had a really neat topolino that had a cadillac in it and was Orange.I have seen that on a thread here also. I bought 2 Henry j cheap about 15 years ago but never had the money to build a replica of the one Dave bouhgt.I had to sell them for rent.Things are a little better know I am glad somebody is still campaigning the car that is great.
Wow! Very cool story.......keep us posted on the reunion, scans of the pictures iin that album would be cool!
I remember seein the E.L.Williams J at Martin dragway at a popular hot rod meet in the 80's,it then had I belrive a injected cammer in it,the nose was on the pavement. It didn't make a clean p*** and allmost took out the tree, but I allways think bout that J when I see one,it was just plain bad***!
Unfortunatly this car was crashed at the Winternational this year in the shut down area. George plans on rebuilding it.
What ever it takes, take your dad to see it. The HAMB is simply amazing. Not only one day,,,,,,4 posts!
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