History Stock-S/S-F/X 1959-1966

That is VERY interesting! ... message #143 on this thread has my photo of Harvey Tilton at Cecil Co., MD in May of '64. The car at that time was connected with the famous Duffy's group. Can you recall any of the lineage as to who you sold it to and did you actually buy it from Tilton or a second party?
Joel

 

Joel, I was about 26 years old at the time,didn't have much money and a friend in Rumson heard the car was for sale and thought I would like it.The friend's name was Glenn Koll,he liked cars but wasn't a racer.I can't remember how my friend heard about the car.Me and Glenn drove from his house in Rumson over to another nearby town to see the 62 Chevy,it was in a residential garage,I assume Tilton's place.I remember the seller,he was in a white T shirt,a smaller lean guy,he told me a little about it.I got the impression he was sad for seeing the car leave.The car sat up high in front,the 409 emblems under the crossed flags on the front fender were gone,most of the writing on the car was removed except for the Half Pint name on the trunk and the many class winner decals on the windows.Under the hood showed signs of ex drag car,less than 10,000 miles on the working speedo.It had a tired 283,a four speed,open rear end with normal gearing,a dent in one side on the rear corner panel.I believe I paid about 300 bucks,a fair amount of cash in 1973 for worn muscle cars no one really cared about then.I bolted on a set of fictious plates,got it started and drove home to Newark NJ. I drove the car daily for maybe 6 months then sold it to a guy in West Orange NJ,that's where the story ends.

 

Larry, I thank you immemsly for your recollections. I would have assumed the 2x4 stuff was released late June or July. The story about the ficticious letter, etc sure sounds like bunk. Having read everything else I can find about Dick Harrell, I'd never believe he'd be involved in any kind of a crazy scheme like that. I sure would like to see a copy of that letter from NHRA.
Yes, we do know each other from another site. I'm very glad to see you posting here. I've always believed in researching the truth, no matter where it comes from or where it leads. Holding back information does a diservice to history and the people who made it.

Thank you very much.
Verne

 

Hi, Yes I spoke to Harvey about a year ago and had a plan for Joel & I to visit him. He's living in Tinton Falls now, retired. I bought an engine about that time that was "supposedly" from Harvey's car. It's an original A/S motor (.057" over). He did say that the car was sold with a 283 in it.

Try to find those photos!!!
Verne

 

Your right about Dick, Verne. He would play pranks and have fun but did not lie. His racing was his life. His family supported him strongly which helped him be successful. I would bet that the Western Union Telegram that he had and showed to me was long ago disposed of when it was no longer needed. It would be priceless today for may reasons, but who saved anything like that back in the day. No need to keep things that were of no use any longer.
Your right about misinformation. There is a lot of it and who knows the reasons. My feelings are if I know something to be truth, I will tell it that way. If I don't know then I say so, because the person that knows everything actually knows nothing in my books.
Good to hear from you Verne.
Larry

 

An excellent thread!

If anyone from North Texas has photos or data on a local car that was called 'The Pied Piper' - please share! The car was owned and raced at local drag strips by Charlie McElroy in the 60's.

 

Here's another photo from Joel of one of the other member's of the "Duffy's Gang". John Supinski at E-town in '69. He still owned this car in the late '80s when I saw him with it at one of the MuscleCar events at E-town. John is still around but the car is long gone.

 

Here's an ad from Wally Bell, Drag News 1/16/65.
Joel

 

I think it was Atco Verne. Joel

 

Any more pictures of the car? Assuming that it was a 409 car? That shot must be later than '62 judging by the girl's bellbottom jeans ... '66-7-8 maybe?
Joel

 

Let me throw this one out ... I have no further information at this point but does the nickname the "409 Kid" Donald Uhr running at San Antonio, TX in '65 have any connection maybe top the McElroy car? The "409 Kid" nickname pops up in a race result in early Drag News 1/16/65.
Not even sure if San Antonio area is near what you mean by N. Texas.
Joel

 

Joel,
I think I asked you about the '62 409 Belair called "Cajun Queen". Saw it once or twice, then never saw it again. Another 409 Belair from NJ had the ominus name of "Death Trap". Do recall that one? Here is an Island Dragway Competition Copyright from Oct. '64.

 

Bob, I only saw The Cajun Queen towing to the Flemington strip once, in 1962. I don't even recall it running that day though. Never saw it again.
I don't think I ever saw "Death Trap" either. I recall a '58 Chevy gasser called the "Stone Crusher" at Island that ran a 409 in it. Nose was high, cut out rear fenders ... neat stuff.
There used to be a black Impala 409 that ran at Atco in '62-3 that was named "The Night Train" ... always thought that was a cool name. I've been trying to find out more about that car since seeing it in '63. Picture to follow ...
Joel

 

Here's the only shot, a poor one I'm afraid. The black Impala 409 Night Train can barely be seen behind the '63 Chevy wagon on the other side of the fence. I have no idea about the '63 wagon whether it was racing or a tow car.
Joel

 

the only"night train" that I remember back then was a black '65 ford galaxie with a 427FE in it owned by richard adkins and it was nuthin to mess with.I saw that car run at most of the local tracks around jersey and eastern pa.nice guy and a real treat to watch that car go.I think his son held the C/S record at one time with a 67-68 mustang fastback .anybody got any pics. of the galaxie?

 

Oh My God !!!!!

 

Joel,in the Nutley- Bloomfield NJ area was a guy named Johnny Mizer,he had a white 62 409 he bought new,I believe it became a drag car.

 

Well this looks like as a good place as any to kick off the first post
Mostly as the bulk of my hotrod history is with drag racing. The pictures are of the 59-66 vintage but taken in the 70's. So might be a little off track...if so yell loud and I will yank em.
Gary

 

couple more Z11's for sale............read 'em an weep

 

whats the scoop on the 64 chevelle...? any other info ? diggin' the color combo with those blue windows.... brandon

 

couple more old scans from my pile of mid eastern drag news. enjoy

 

Sorry Brandon ... I don't recall anything about the yellow Chevelle. This shot was from around '68-'69, possibly even 1970 at Atco, NJ.
Joel

 

Thanks Bob ... love that last story where Sox & Martin took on all comers. Great days.
Joel

 

Have not heard of that one ... like to hear any more info on it ... ?
Joel

 

From an early '65 issue of Drag News. It looks pretty straight in this shot!! Soon to change.
Joel

 

Bud Faubel and his new AWB Dodge on the cover of Drag News. This shot from Beeline Dragway, Scottsdale, AZ where he won, I think it was Mr. Stock Eliminator. Bob Harrop's car visible to the right.
Joel

 

The Melrose Missle in early '65 after Tom Grove left the team and Cecil Yother took it over. Pre-AWB job too.
Joel

 

I've always found these for sale ads interesting and informative. Ronda's T-Bolt ...
Joel

 

I assume this is the Dockery Ford T-Bolt out of Morristown, NJ.
Joel

 

I wonder if the Pontiac is a Swiss Cheese car or not.
Joel