Pittsburgh International Dragway Reunion

[Supercar_Kid]

I attended tonite's annual Pittsburgh International Dragway Reunion and Hall of Fame induction ceremony. It's a get together put on every year by some of the most die hard, old time car guys in western PA, who pay tribute each year to the now defunct PID by hosting a meeting of one and all who have ties to the old track. There was a cool photo collection on display, and I tried my best to take decent pics in the poorly lit banquet room. They aren't the best quality but I think you'll still appreciate some of them.

[Supercar_Kid]

We all know this guy. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/worship.gif

[Supercar_Kid]

...and his ride. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/naughty.gif

[Supercar_Kid]

another shot

[Supercar_Kid]

more Big Guns

[Supercar_Kid]

Chadwick Camaro flopper

[Supercar_Kid]

Poor quality but still recognizable. Can someone find and link the recent thread about this car?

[Supercar_Kid]

http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/eek.gif

[Supercar_Kid]

A closer look. Maybe Dan Bodner's old Camaro?

[Supercar_Kid]

The Grump @ PID. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif

[Supercar_Kid]

LS-6 convertible?

[Supercar_Kid]

Lyle Chevrolet's Hugger.

[Supercar_Kid]

Herbie's 427 powered Hugger.

[Supercar_Kid]

Chevelle vs 'Stang shootout circa '69.

[Supercar_Kid]

One for the Poncho guys.

[Supercar_Kid]

Jungle Jim Chevy II.

[Supercar_Kid]

Jungle Pam.

[Supercar_Kid]

There are a few monkeys around here who are into these. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/BelairSucks.gif

[Supercar_Kid]

Is this '61 an SS?

[Supercar_Kid]

Day 2 Camino anyone? http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif

[SS427]

Very nice pictures Erik! http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/beers.gif

[Chevy454]

SWEET PICS! http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/worship.gif

[DarrenX33]

Here is the link on the Humble Hugger (http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/showflat.php?Cat=0&Board=UBB1&Number=111030&Search page=1&Main=111030&Words=+SULLY&topic=&Search=true #Post111030)

Well done Erik. Thanks for posting these cool pics. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif

[YENKO DEUCE REGISTRY]

Nice!
The yellow Y-Camaro might be the Hedrick car.

[Kim_Howie]

Love the Harrell pictures. Note the nose stripe, that must be the 67 steel car?? http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/worship.gif http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/flag.gif

[bkhpah]

Thats what I think Marlin. The Bodnar car had a vinyl top. I know the Hedrick car was sold to and raced to a Pittsburgher. Check out the grump lump hood..BKH http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif

[YENKO DEUCE REGISTRY]

Yep, after it was in Pittsburgh, the trail goes cold http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif
Can you make out the name on the door? We have a few names that we think it might have become.

[Salvatore]

Good going Detective Spotts! I love history!! http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/worship.gif http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif

[YENKO DEUCE REGISTRY]

We know that Hedrick's car got relettered, but were not sure where it went. It probably got relettered a few times, hence the 'names' that we are looking for.

[Belair62]

Anyone see Brutus Firebird lurking in that second DH pic !!! http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif

[YENKO DEUCE REGISTRY]

Yea! Neat car, I have it on one of my BEE on Video's as well.

[Supercar_Kid]

Ed told me himself that the last time he saw his DY Yenko was at Indy in 1970. He claimed the person he sold it to had repainted it blue and installed some sort of "goofy racing seat" that was "uncomfortable as heck" as it was situated too close to the steering wheel. Ed also claimed that the new owner of his car was pretty unexperienced with driving a drag car and asked him to drive it for him at that '70 Indy event. Ed remembered the chassis setup being all wrong and mentioned that he thought the guy should have left it as it was when he sold it to him, with Grump's winning setup. Ed said he jumped on the car in the pits to see how it would react, since he hadn't driven it since all these modifications were done, and that it darted hard to the left under accelleration. He said he raced it anyhow but went out very early because he said you had to drive the car all over the track. He explained he might have gone two tenths quicker if he wouldn't have had to drive the car in an S down the track. With this being said, it sounds to me like the Hedrick car would have definitely been painted blue post-Indy 1970. Not sure when the PID pic was taken though. I'll post more pics this evening. Sounds like you all are enjoying them.

[Salvatore]

Hey Kid.....I guess it is a secret where you got all these pictures? You and Marlins new names are Simon and Simon. AHHH might be to young to remember that show.

[Supercar_Kid]

It's no secret Sam, the pics were all on display at a local pub and eatery called Peter's Place in Bridgeville, PA last evening at the annual PID reunion and hall of fame induction ceremony. It was a privately organized event but was open to the general public for a meager $1 donation as the admission price. The pictures were all part of one individual's personal collection, who was gracious enough to put them on display for us all to enjoy. There were trophys, programs, class winner decals, and all sorts of PID memorabilia on display. I thought enough to bring along my digital camera to share some of it with you all here. I was expecting to see some Yenko cars in some of the shots and I did find the 2 sYc Camaros.

...and I may be young, but I do vaguely remember the Simon & Simon show. Mostly the red '82 Z/28 they'd run around in. I remember building the model kit, and that it had really cool soft squishy Eagle GT tires that looked like the car actually had some weight to it when it sat on them. Anyone have an unbuilt version of that kit laying around?

[Chevy454]

I used to be BIG Simon & Simon fan...and the Fall Guy...even had a lunch box for that one!

[YENKO DEUCE REGISTRY]

Sam, this was an indoor version of the vargo show! Lots of memorabilia too, way to go sYc-Kid http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Don't forget this famous pic of Ed's car at Indy, posed at Nankivell Chev. From your conversation with Ed, sounds like this pic is from '69.

[Supercar_Kid]

Just thought of something else...no trim on the quarter gills of this car. http://www.yenko.net/attachments/121003-YellowYenkoCU.jpg Ed's car was an X66 and had the trim pieces. Can't think of any good reason why they'd have been removed if this is indeed the car. I'm leaning towards it being a completely different DY Yenko.

[Salvatore]

Painted right over the stripes in those days. The old days were just amazing!! http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[Supercar_Kid]

67 Camaro SS convertible

[Supercar_Kid]

Sox & Martin 'Cuda

[Supercar_Kid]

Another street/strip GTO

[Supercar_Kid]

"Distinction" 66 SS396 Chevelle

[Supercar_Kid]

Another '66

[Supercar_Kid]

GRRRR!

[Supercar_Kid]

Goats were apparently well represented at PID.

[Supercar_Kid]

Another of Grump's '70 Camaro

[Supercar_Kid]

Mean lookin' Vette funnycar

[budnate]

I really like the look of "Distinction" nice clean letter job to...bet that car was no hack job..is the paint on the quarted scratched or is it the old photo...very cool car!!

[Supercar_Kid]

"Mr. Chevrolet" at work.

[Supercar_Kid]

early Vette struggling to find traction

[Supercar_Kid]

Looks like a '67 hooking better.

[Supercar_Kid]

Marhefka Chevrolet sponsored Camaro

[Supercar_Kid]

Could that be an L-72 '69 Biscayne back there?

[Supercar_Kid]

GTO solo time trial

[Supercar_Kid]

Chi-Town Hustler

[Supercar_Kid]

Larson USA-1 Camaro

[Supercar_Kid]

cool Hugger Orange Camaro

[Supercar_Kid]

the scene @ PID

[Supercar_Kid]

another

[Supercar_Kid]

Meep Meep

[Supercar_Kid]

a dragstrip in the mountains

[Supercar_Kid]

Crivelli Chevrolet is still in business and still in McKees Rocks. This car was an original Z/28.

[Supercar_Kid]

Jungle Jim burnout

[Supercar_Kid]

'65 L-79?

[Supercar_Kid]

Another cool '69 Camaro drag car

[Supercar_Kid]

429 Mustang

[Supercar_Kid]

another 429 'Stang

[Supercar_Kid]

This is all you Sam, a day 2 RS/Z. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif

[Supercar_Kid]

Big Ford match race.

[Supercar_Kid]

"SOHC it to me" would have been a good name for this one.

[Supercar_Kid]

Ramchargers

[Supercar_Kid]

Last one...a cool Lakewood jacket from the track announcer's collection.

[bkhpah]

Great pictures Eric..BKH http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif

[Salvatore]

[ QUOTE ]
the scene @ PID

[/ QUOTE ]WOW that is early. Looks like Al Joniec's Batcar mustang and Dave Koeffel's Flintstone Flyer gold cuda! 1966 maybe? Great pictures kid. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/burnout.gif http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/3gears.gif http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/beers.gif

[Salvatore]

[ QUOTE ]
This is all you Sam, a day 2 RS/Z. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif

[/ QUOTE ]Hey....that is me, before the cragars and green paint! MAN!

[sYc]

[ QUOTE ]
Last one...a cool Lakewood jacket from the track announcer's collection.

[/ QUOTE ]

I am guessing you and Joey acquired this to add to the collection? http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/haha.gif

[Salvatore]

You did real good kid! http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/worship.gif

[Supercar_Kid]

Tom, I wish I could have taken it all home with me. Nothing was for sale, but you could look all you want for a buck. Quite an impressive photo collection and a great group of PIDHoF inductees this year who's speeches were unforgettable. I wish I had a video camera with me to capture some of the stories of the "good 'ol days." Probably the most memorable was when one inductee was asked when he first met another fellow Hall of Famer, he explained it was "very shortly after my clutch/pressure plate/flywheel landed on his hood." According to his story he was running an illegal lightweight flywheel and he didn't have a proper scattershield. Naturally it all came unglued as he tried to launch the car off the starting line, and the whole works came out from underneath the car, over the guardrail and into the parking lot situated below the starting line. The driver luckily avoided injury, but the majority of the scattered parts landed on the hood of a new 390 Ford owned by the fellow racer. They've been friends and competitors ever since, and that was nearly 40 years ago. Good things happen when old racers get together.

[sYc]

If like me, for the best that nothing was for sale. Other wise I would have gone home broke. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/haha.gif

As priceless as the cars, pictures and related memorabilia are, nothing compares to the stories. I have spent hours visiting with Burce Larsen, listening to him talk about some of his race cars, including his funnies, the Chevelle and even the Cobra. To hear Ed Hedrick talk about "the Grump" at SCR8 was unforgettable.

But, my all time favorite has to be Ed Lowther at SCR1. Man I wish I had a video of that. Talk about LMAO.

[Mr70]

Hey Tom..I didn't know you were Moonlighting back then. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif
http://www.yenko.net/attachments/121151-TheScene2.jpg

[hvychev]

Very cool Erik! That pic of Harell in the begining is very freakin cool! Great job with the on location report! http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/worship.gif http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/beers.gif

[JoeG]

Really http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif--photos---Especially liked the shootouts and time trial shots http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif

[DarrenX33]

This car.

http://www.yenko.net/attachments/121149-Hugger69.jpg

Looks a lot like this car.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v370/darren_costello/134-3429_IMG.jpg

What do you think John? http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/dunno.gif

[Mr70]

Hey! get off the roof of that 70 SS Chevelle! http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/mad.gif

[sYc]

"Hey Tom..I didn't know you were Moonlighting back then"


I was wondering who was going to mention the hearse and ambulance. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/haha.gif

[camarojoe]

I agree Tom, and I'm now glad i couldn't make it, because i would probably still be there haggling with those guys, trying to buy some of those pics... very cool stuff. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif

...now, whos yellow Yenko is that? Could it still be out here somewhere undiscovered in the hills of PA? http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif

[Kim_Howie]

Eric, Great pictures. If we only knew then what we know today!!! WOW Kim http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/worship.gif http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/flag.gif

[Mr70]

What do we Know Today. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/dunno.gif http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/haha.gif

[Kim_Howie]

Values Values Some good Some bad http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/haha.gif

[GaryH]

Very cool thread and pics! I think the TA in the front row of this pic is the RAIV car that sold on Ebay last year. Were there any pics from the Corvette Day they had back in '75 or '76.


http://www.yenko.net/attachments/121151-TheScene2.jpg

[Supercar_Kid]

I don't recall seeing any from Corvette day, but there were a few of the drags that were held one time only in the middle of the old Three Rivers Stadium. Pretty cool, too bad my pics of them didn't come out. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif

[Chevy454]

Again, GREAT STUFF! Hey, speaking of the stadium, you ever attended the Thunder in the Burgh (http://www.thunderintheburgh.com/) event? I was talking to a guy out that way a while ago, and he told me they block the road and race between the stadium and the old track? Sound about right? Anyway, he said they get some pretty serious cars there...maybe some old PID muscle?

[Supercar_Kid]

This year's "Thunder in the 'Burgh" will be held Sat-Sun July 16th-17th. It is held on Pittsburgh's North Shore, between Heinz Field and PNC Park, home to the Steelers and Pirates respectively. Drag races are held on General Robinson St. that runs between the 2 stadium parking lots, which serve as the main parking grounds for the cruise in crowd. The area is situated just across the river from Pittsburgh's scenic downtown. It's really a unique event. A lot of neat cars turn out for it, and it has a sort of tailgate crowd kinda feel being that it's held in our Steelers/Pirates lots. Alot of camaraderie and alot of grudge matches. Sort of an excuse for everyone in Pittsburgh to come out, have a burger or hot dog and beat the snot out of their car once or twice down the "strip" for kicks. Definitely worth checking out if you're anywhere near Pittsburgh in July.

[whitetop]

The Marhefka Chevrolet Camaro belonged to I believe John Marhefka. He owned a Chevrolet Dealership in Bellaire Ohio up to sometime in the mid '80's when he lost it.

He now ownes a chain of very successful used car dealerships in Eastern Ohio and W.Va.

He also bought an '67 Z-28 that he was restoring several years back.

[Supercar_Kid]

I know they also had a location in Windber, PA. It's now operated as Gap Chevrolet. Marhefka's sold one of the lowest mileage 70 LS-6 Chevelles that happens to still exist, a CR bench seat 4 speed car that sold on ebay a few years back. Roger Ausley owned it at one point, but I hear it spent most of it's life hibernating in Davidsville, PA. Attachment is a vintage key fob.

[Supercar_Kid]

backside

[Mr70]

http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif Keychain & pix!

That Ausley CR LS6 was at Steve Stanges place for awhile recently.
I have some detailed pix of it back then along with it's story.
Roger found it when attending Carlisle in the early 1980's.
He went for a bite to eat off grounds,& picked up an AutoTrader mag.He saw the ad for it,& arranged to go see it sitting in it's prestine garage right away.Long story short,5 hours later he pulls back into Carlisle with the Chevelle on his trailer.
His Friends,(And Him)were simply dumbfounded all weekend. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

I vote for Erik for member of the Week! http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/beers.gif

[Seattle Sam]

I wonder what kind of front wheels are on Bruce Larson's car?

http://www.yenko.net/attachments/121148-LarsonCamaro.jpg

Thanks for the great pics Erik!

[Supercar_Kid]

They look like American Racing Torq Thrust D spoke spindle mounts. Pretty common front runners for funnies back in the day. Here's a Camaro flopper that's running them too, sorry for the terrible quality.

[flierbird]

Does anyone have pics of this years PID Hall of Fame inductees?

[JJibs]

I know this is an old post, but there were questions about this Yenko. This car was purchased by Chuck Troop from Yenko Chevrolet in the spring of 1969. Chuck drove it for a short while, then got the drag racing bug. Chuck started out racing the car in the stock class, but decided to take it off the street to go full time racing. Chuck ran the car at Pittsburgh International Dragway most of the time. Car also ran at Quaker City, Keystone Raceway, Eldoro Dragway. Best time was at Quaker City on a Friday night it ran a 10.38 et can't remember the speed. Yenko S/C was painted over because the track announcer at Eldoro said it was Don Yenkos personal car, when we got home the paint came out. Don would not even give us more than a garage discout on parts, Chuck said the hell with that. My Dads Sunoco station was one of the sponsers, I helped some on the car.

[68l30]

That is BAD A$$!!! Wow...nice car! Thank you for shareing that with us...Welcome aboard!


BIG

[mockingbird812]

Terrific story. Welcome aboard. Where is the car today?

[YENKO DEUCE REGISTRY]

Wow! Nice picture. Did the car eventually get caged and tubbed?

[JJibs]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: YENKO DEUCE REGISTRY</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Wow! Nice picture. Did the car eventually get caged and tubbed? </div></div>

No, it was parked sometime in the fall of 1971. Chuck had just installed new ZL-1 heads. They took the car to Keystone where the driveshaft broke, driveshaft came thru the floor just missing the drivers right arm. When the driveshaft broke the engine overreved, either a valve hit a piston or something else broke, destroying both heads. Chuck had had enough, he parked the car in his yard. I lost track of it around 1972, the last time I saw it was still sitting &amp; rusting in his back yard.

[YENKO DEUCE REGISTRY]

Maybe you should go and check on it! <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/naughty.gif

[JJibs]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: YENKO DEUCE REGISTRY</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Maybe you should go and check on it! <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/naughty.gif </div></div>

Maybe you should get a job as a comedian.
You really think that if it was still there someone would not have grabbed it up by now.

[Salvatore]

I don't really think Marlin was trying to be funny. Many times there are very rare and expensive cars sitting in fields. Marlin's Yenko Deuce was found in a field I believe and there were a couple others found in backyards just rusting away and the owners telling people &quot;its not for sale.&quot; There are more out there like that.

[YENKO DEUCE REGISTRY]

Sorry you took it that way! Sam is right, I meant that with 100% sincerity. Many Yenkos have been found right where they were last seen - or close by. If you do a search you will find some amazing stories of cars found in fields, yards, barns, etc.

In all seriousness: Go and look, if it is no longer there - ask someone where it went. If the car was sold, but the previous owner has old paperwork with the vin # - get that number, and perhaps we can tell you where the car ended up.

Here's a similar picture of a D-Yellow Yenko Camaro from the Reading, PA area (most likely a Marshall Chev. car):

http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h68/aacorp/69YenkoCamaroPottstown3.jpg

http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h68/aacorp/69YenkoCamaroPottstown1.jpg

http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h68/aacorp/69YenkoCamaroPottstown2.jpg

[scott s]

i heard a story of a yenko that was sitting outside and rusted to hell,it was a drag car that someone left at there moms house in the backyard or woods?The lady needed some handy man work done and when it came time to give her the bill for the work the guy just wanted the shell of the car for payment.....I know there was some trouble involved because of the deception but it was in pa and iam pretty sure the car was yellow maybe this car???

[YENKO DEUCE REGISTRY]

Partially true - real Yenko, still had some original stripes left, but not a drag car - the car had been hit very hard in the front - enough to bend up the frame. No original drivetrain. It now looks 'new'!

[markinnaples]

Anyone remember an old Mopar that ran at PID and Keystone, Daddy's Toy? I think it might have been an old Coronet (66/67/?) painted a candy red or burgundy color? Always a crowd favorite and a beautiful car, at least to a 10 year old boy, lol.

[Mike]

JJib...it looks like the same Yellow Yenko on the first page of this tread posted by Supercar Kid....no? Marlin is right, I would track down your friend to see whatever happened to the car.

Mike

[JJibs]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Mike</div><div class="ubbcode-body">
JJib...it looks like the same Yellow Yenko on the first page of this tread posted by Supercar Kid....no? Marlin is right, I would track down your friend to see whatever happened to the car.

Mike </div></div>

Yes its the same car. I've check on my friend and the Yenko for years, seems like they both dropped off the end of the earth. I made an offer on the car when it sat in his yard for about 2 years, but he was going to fix it up and drive it again. Never saw it after that.

[YENKO DEUCE REGISTRY]

Sad, but common, story! <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/frown.gif But hey - keep searching, many times these cars don't go far. I was searching for a silver deuce in RI via a 'for sale' ad in a Super Chevy magazine from '84'ish. Turned out, the car was a few houses down the street - a neighbor had bought it. You never know......

[markinnaples]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: markinnaples</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Anyone remember an old Mopar that ran at PID and Keystone, Daddy's Toy? I think it might have been an old Coronet (66/67/?) painted a candy red or burgundy color? Always a crowd favorite and a beautiful car, at least to a 10 year old boy, lol. </div></div>

Nobody? Man, that car was seared into a 10 yr old's memory...

[Slashnine]

Nice pics, thank for sharing them. I wish i was there <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/frown.gif