Willie Borsch - Winged Express

[NCGuy68]

Gents,

Does anyone have vintage pictures of 'Wild Willie' in the Marcellus/Borsch AA/FA car? He was always the best in his class and a fearless driver.

Thanks for any input.

[Mark_C]

Version 1

http://www.mysterion.net/AAFA/wingimages/wing2_ewald.jpg

Version 2

http://www.charlesgilchrist.com/GPC/DR/AAFA/WWB7003.jpg

http://www.charlesgilchrist.com/GPC/DR/AAFA/WWB7001.jpg

[Belair62]

Fearless is an understatement !!!

[Xplantdad]

pic 1

[Xplantdad]

pic 2

[Xplantdad]

pic 3

[Xplantdad]

pic 4

[Xplantdad]

more

[Xplantdad]

another

[Xplantdad]

another 1

[Xplantdad]

Last at OCIR

[NCGuy68]

Thanks Mark...Good stuff!!

Don't be shy....everyone contribute. Willie was the only guy that would cause Don Garlets to stop wrenching on his dragster to watch a fellow driver make a run.

[NCGuy68]

Primo Photos guys!!!!

Keep 'em comming....... http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/beers.gif

[Xplantdad]

okay, here's another!

[Belair62]

There ya go now !!! One hand on the wheel !! There was a great site devoted to Wild Willie on Nitronic.com but it seems to be gone now or moved...

[Xplantdad]

a couple more!

[Xplantdad]

next

[Xplantdad]

on a van?

[Xplantdad]

Push start..
http://www.mysterion.net/AAFA/wingimages/2willie1.jpeg

I got the images from AA/FA Winged Express (http://www.mysterion.net/AAFA/wingedexpress.html)


Bruce

[Belair62]

http://www.nhra.com/50th/top50/W_Borsch34.html

[Xplantdad]

Hey Belair...

What am I doing wrong? The image wont appear in the posting area? http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif

[Belair62]

[ QUOTE ]
"They" can take every four-second, 300 mph,
computer-tuned run made in front of every corporate suite
and its no-nothing guests and shove it, 'cause this is still what it's all about!
Willie may be gone but he'll never be forgotten by anyone who caught his act." -Jim Hill

[/ QUOTE ]

I like this little quote !

[Xplantdad]

Well let me try to post a pic in this here windowhttp://www.motorsport.com/photos/nhra/2002/gat/nhra-2002-gat-gg-0106.jpg


Here's Don Garlits.

[NCGuy68]

Its my understanding that the first Winged Express car was made out of .049 inch exhaust tubing. The local Tech Inspectors were only looking for a three-point safety harness and fire bib for the driver.

Can anyone confirm this?

Feel free to chime in.....

[Belair62]

[ QUOTE ]
Its my understanding that the first Winged Express car was made out of .049 inch exhaust tubing

[/ QUOTE ]


A big 10-4 on that Craig...scroll up and read the link I posted to the NHRA

[Tom Hartman]

Does anyone have the picture of Willie going through the lights at Lions or Irwindale with the front tires off the ground and the rear tires smoking?

[NCGuy68]

Or.....clips of Willies' notorious guardrail to centerline run at the 68 Winternationals?

[Fhakya]

On the point of Willie being fearless, I've read in a couple of sources that Willie was narcoleptic. This is the sleep disorder which puts the sufferer effectively into a paralyzed sleep state when put into stressful or highly emotional situations.

One cool cucumber I guess.

[NCGuy68]

According to Willie's competitors (Joe Mondello, Dave Hough, Leon Fitzgerald, etc), he loved the challenge. His partner and car owner, Al Marcellus said Willie was ruff and tumble and never gave up.

He was indeed one of the best out of SoCal in the 60's. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/3gears.gif

[Salvatore]

And he drove with one hand!! http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/eek.gif

[musclcar]

here is a pic of the bandido AA/FA at lions dragstrip in december 1972 http://www.turbosracingphotos.com/OLDDRAG/AAFA_AAGS/bandido1.jpg

[musclcar]

sherm gunn driving the lauce bros. AA/FA @ lions dragstrip december 1972 http://www.turbosracingphotos.com/OLDDRAG/AAFA_AAGS/aafa2.jpg

[musclcar]

stan lucas in the scrounger AA/FA @ irwindale 1973 http://www.turbosracingphotos.com/OLDDRAG/AAFA_AAGS/scrngr1.jpg