Chilly Willy

[ZiggyL78]

I found some pics on the web of my old race car.The original car was built and raced by Bert Straus.When Bert raced the car he set the National Record in D/Altered with a SBC 4 Spd.To say the least it was a crowd pleaser.I stripped and painted the car silver for the street and installed a BBC.

https://www.kitchenerpost.ca/community-story/6930949-hall-of-fame-drag/

[ZLP955]

Great story about Bert, and those photos of your car are awesome! Thanks for sharing

[markinnaples]

Really cool! I bet that was a handful with a BBC :)

[mssl72]

Very cool! I like it in silver and the wheelie bars. :burnout:

[69LM1]

Love the keystones!

/R

[ZiggyL78]

Thanks to all.

[msclassiccars]

What a sweet ride! No mistaking it for anything else.

Thanks for sharing.

[Salvatore]

Always a fast man in any Class he ran. "Chief" Chilly Willy.

[firstgenaddict]

I LOVE the fish SCALES.... NICE paint WORK!!!

Or is that a diamond quilted pattern? Whatever it is it looks KILLER!

[useless tony]

I LOVE the fish SCALES.... NICE paint WORK!!!

Or is that a diamond quilted pattern? Whatever it is it looks KILLER!



Fancy paint for sure but not what you want on a car that may (wink wink) be participating in the odd street race :smile:

If I am reading this correctly, Ziggy bought this as a retired drag car with the fancy paint job and had it repainted silver before repowering it with a BBC and using as a street/strip car.

I see the Performance Engineering Limited label on the rear quarters. If I am not mistaken, that business was owned/run by Dave Billes of the Canadian Tire family. Father of Al Billes, former Pro Mod racer and present day engine builder.

[firstgenaddict]

Agreed it would not be stealthy on the street... I just love the custom paint on the drag cars from the period.

[ZiggyL78]

You're correct Tony.

[useless tony]

You posted a pic a while back of Bert Strauss and his Astre. The rear quarters were really opened up to fit the large tires. Tommy Mangov ran an Astre with very similar quarters.

I can't imagine there were two Pontiac Astre drag cars, both in southern Ontario with virtually identical rear quarter modifications ... any chance they are the same car?

[PeteLeathersac]

'

:beers:

.

[EZ Nova]

Didn't Louie Mangov also run the Astre? Looks like the same, with a few updated changes like hood and grill opening?

Zig, whp around Toronto at that time was building cars? Was Eddy Bryk or whatever the spelling, doing chassis yet?

[useless tony]

According to the Canadian Drag Racing Hall of Fame website, Eddy Bryck opened the Chassis Shop in 1975. He is still in operation (last I heard anyway) in Pickering, behind Karbelt.

[1967 4K]

My favorite era of Pro Stock racing. Multiple brands and models of cars in the class. Heads up door slammer racing at its best! Notice the Mopar Missile in the background.

[LOUIS MANGOV]

same car louis mangov

[PeteLeathersac]

‘

A few more of Bert Straus’ Astre, all w/ original style nose so earlier than above pics.
Note Astre only Split Grille + T’Light surrounds.
:beers:
~ Pete

.

[Lynn]

So is the Gremlin still around?

What does it look like today?

[ZiggyL78]

Thanks to all who posted.