A few more pics. Amusing that in Hot Rod's coverage of one of the 60s Indy Nationals that they repeatedly referred to the Moody-Jones C/GS from Washington, DC.
...since I started this thread I've gotten my own 37 runnin/drivin after owning it for 15 & 1/2 years! The Moody/Jones car was great inspiration, along with Don Nowell's 37.
That's a great looking car......Funny story.......The guy that painted the Moody/Jones car a few years ago picked up a '37 coupe and got it on the road this last spring.....Identical to yours except he is running some Halibrand knockoff wheels.....I thought I was looking at his car when I saw your pic.
I know I am late to the party but found this thread while looking for pics of the Moody/Jones cars and I have to post this story. Last summer I was at a local "hole in the wall" parts store (auto electric for you locals). I walk in and there is Dale Moody sitting at on a stool at the parts counter. I said hi, ordered my part and left. Two days later I return for my part and find a gorgeous el camino sitting by the curb. Inside, there is Dale still sitting on the same stool. This time I introduced myself and asked him about the camino. I *think* he told me that it was his son's car and let me tell you, it was beautiful! He popped the hood, showed me the interior. IIRC, it was an auto/327or283 car. He was very happy to show off the car. I was suprised to find a car that was under the care of the famous Dale Moody to be..well, stock. I told him that I had driven in a car that was very special too me but being a newer car, it may not be up his alley. (I have a 2006 Pontiac GTO six speed that I have been tinkering on. It's nothing special but will run 7.7XXs in the eighth.) I showed Dale the car and asked him if he wanted to take it for a drive. He said something along the lines of "oh no, I shouldn't drive your car". I assured him that it would be fine and he snatched the key I told him to not be afraid to get on it and believe me, he wasn't. He actually started off pretty easy keeping it under 3K. I told him that it didn't come into any real power till 4K. He preceded to spin the tires through first gear, short shifted into second and wound it out to redline. Mind you, this car tops out second gear well over 70mph and we are in downtown USA. We were laughing, people were staring, LS2 was screaming, animals were finding places to hide. It was the most fun I have ever had in my car, and I wasn't even driving! Dale is one of the nicest people I have ever had the pleasure of meeting and this was one of those experiences that will stick with me for the rest of my life. . Just thought I would share. Clint
I had my 55 parked next to the Moody-Jones 37 one year at Bowler's Day at the Strip and I clean carpet for a guy that used to run back in the day. Philip Mendenhall...believe he ran a 37 also. Had some great stories about running with Sam Jones. He even dug out some old snapshots to show me of both cars. I'll have to see if I can get copies or get him to post them on here.
Saltcoupe,...hey, that'd be great, the more info the better. Thank you guys for the compliments on my 37 also. (coincidently, my real name is Sam) Rusty
Do any of you guys have a close up picture of the firewall on the 37? I was wondering what they riveted or screwed the aluminum to? Is there tabs mounted to the cowl? I was looking at it and noticed how much they had removed to set the engine back. Any information would be great.
I know this is an old thread I'm digging up here, but I am in need of any photos of the car!! Any help would be great!!
...since I started this thread I haven't really found anything new. I'd still like to see Rodders Journal do a feature on both cars. One thing kinda rare about this 37 is that it was a rumble seat car originally. ...here's a link to some info on the car...not much new but mite be interesting... http://www.bing.com/search?q=moody-jones+37+chevy+coupe&src=IE-SearchBox&FORM=IE8SRC
Moody and Jones will bring their restored 37 Chevy Coupe to the 3rd annual Sturgis Kiwians Drag Strip Reunion car bike and truck show on Sat june 8 in Sturgis Ky.. Sam Jones brought car back in 90's restored back to drag racing days.. In 1962 points champion at Sturgis ky Drag Strip won trophy and payment to the Nationals in Indy, won class and keep winning till car was sold in late 60's.. Gary Ellers will also have his Hudson Hornet "Green Hornet" on display.. $ 10.00 reg. noon till three, awards at five..
Where was the big hill located?? I had heard that there used to be a big hill but I am trying to picture where the picture was taken??
Thanks for posting Rusty1. I remember Ferd Knapfel running at different east coast tracks. Dave Hales and the S&S racing team. Hope to make Bowling Green the year. Thanks JT
I remember it well, running at Muncie Dragstrip in mid 60's. Not flashy, kind of understated at the time, but ran good.
Here is a list of some of their accomplishments while running the coupe...... 1961 Won World Series of Drag Racing Title 11.88@120mph Quad City Dragway, Cordova, IL 1962 Points winner – Modified Division Sturgis Drag Strip, Sturgis, KY NHRA US Nationals ET Record Holder C/GS NHRA US Nationals MPH Record Holder C/GS NHRA US Nationals Class Champion C/GS NHRA US Nationals Street Eliminator Champion 1963 Undefeated in C/GS Class NHRA Middle Eliminator Champion, Points Meet May/1963 11.52@119.68mph NHRA US Nationals C/GS Class Champion 11.70@117.80mph NHRA US Nationals Junior Eliminator Runner-up 11.90@117.95mph NHRA Record Holder during US Nationals Won World Series of Drag Racing Title Quad City Dragway, Cordova, IL 1964 NHRA US Nationals Class Champion C/GS 2004 NHRA “Golden Fifty” Display Participant US Nationals, Indianapolis, IN 2005 Holley Hot Rod Reunion Memory Lane Participant 2006 NHRA “Gathering of Gassers” display participant US Nationals, Indianapolis, IN
Here's a picture of Sam and Dale from the '64 Nationals. I am still trying to find more pictures if anyone has any or knows someone who has photos from US nationals in the 60's I would like to get copies of them.
This short video was taken back in September at our local car show. Thought some of you that have commented on this thread may like to hear it run. Sorry for the cell phone video, but it still sounds pretty good with the volume up.https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=766191020094073
I've been collecting pictures of 37 and 38 Chevy coupe gassers for years. I've owned my 38 since 1978 which once was raced. The Moody and Jones 37 has always been one of my favorites. Here's some of the pics.
Dale is actually my uncle and The camino you saw belongs to my cousin Mike his son. It was originally my great grandfather's his grandfather's car.
SAM JONES NAMED GRAND MARSHAL FOR SEGA LYONS INDIANA RACE JULY 8TH 80 year old Sam Jones from Washington Indiana has been named Grand Marshal for the Southeast Gassers Association race in Lyons Indiana. Sam was the driver of the famous Moody and Jones C/Gas 37 chevy that left it's mark in the history books throughout the 1960's. Sam still has the car just like it was raced back then and it will be on display July 8th at the track THE REALLY COOL PART is Sam is making a come back and his debut will also be July 8th at the Southeast Gassers Association Race at Lyons Raceway Park. Sam will be competing in D/Gas behind the wheel of a 66 chevy station wagon named Mama's Pie Wagon. Sam Jones, Dale Moody and Mack Jones the same team that raced together back in the 60's has gotten back together 40 years later and doing it all over again just like they did back then. The coolest story ever and it's unfolding July 8th at Lyons Raceway Parkat the Southeast Gassers Association race. Check out the Article done in the news about Sam and the race coming up. click the link below. http://www.washtimesherald.com/…/article_9749aa8a-5595-587c…
Quain,...really cool news, glad to hear those guys are "back"...it'd be so cool to get them to come to a future Meltdown Drags event !!!...I'd love to meet those guys. thanks for the news.
There were several like that back then for some reason. Gene Cromer (moonlighter willys) had his that way at one time.
That's Fantastic that Sam is making a comeback!!! He was one of the heavy hitters and was very successful. Hats off to Sam and Gene Cromer. They were there and did what we all love to hear about and admire. The Golden era of drag racing