Drag Strips of Yesteryear

[JChlupsa]

Makes for some good reading and great pics. (links lifted from the Team Chevelle site)

http://www.standard1320.com/1320History/Tracks/Tracks.html

http://www.in.net/~mcdonajp/lostindiana/html/us_30_drag_strip.html

[John Brown]

US 30. It looked just like that when I dropped in about 5 yrs ago on the way home from a swap meet in Crown Point. In fact the pics could have mine. I just drove in, even drove down the old strip, which is mostly gravel now. Started going there in 61. Sure do miss it!

[Mr70]

That is incredible!I can't believe how it looks today.I never would have guessed.I loved that US 30 track.And went there often in the late 70's early 80's.I can still here those radio ads all in Echo...SUNDAY,SUNDAY,SUNDAY!WHERE THE BIG ONES,RUN!

[hvychev]

I wish that I was around back then. I would have loved to go to thoes old drag strips! I have many old poloroid pictures that my father took at Union Grove Wis. in the summer of 1969. I am going to bring them to Vette Fest to show anyone interested. Their is a cool one of a ZL1 prepared 69 Camaro taken in June of 1969. Really cool! /ubbthreads/images/icons/cool.gif

[Belair62]

Never forget being with Mr Gasser and seeing a car called NO Big Thing...I think it was a Vespa....pulled the wheels all the way down US 30....

[Norm reynolds]

spent many weekends in the 60s at atco in new jersey
It is still in operation today not much of a change from the old
picture still looks the same
Norm /ubbthreads/images/icons/laugh.gif /ubbthreads/images/icons/cool.gif

[Norm reynolds]

Post deleted by reynolds

[Norm reynolds]

another picture of atco in the late 60s

[Norm reynolds]

Atco in the late 60s the blue camaro dominated week after week /ubbthreads/images/icons/grin.gif

[Norm reynolds]

Bill Jenkins at atco

[Norm reynolds]

Another picture

[Norm reynolds]

Jungle jim with jungle Pam in back round

[Norm reynolds]

another

[andyww]

Here are some pictures taken in 72 - 73.

Sanair near Montreal, taken at the NHRA Grand Nationals in 1972.

http://www.telusplanet.net/public/andyww/Wallpaper/sanair.jpg

Don Gartlits on the return road at Dragway Park Cayuga, Ont.

http://www.telusplanet.net/public/andyww/Wallpaper/gartlis.jpg

Connie Kalitta with Dyno Don in the background taken at Toronto International Dragway, Georgetown, Ont.

http://www.telusplanet.net/public/andyww/Wallpaper/kalitta.jpg

[Norm reynolds]

Years ago when I worked down at Phila airport for an express co, Connie Kalitta
Had a dc-8 white with gold and red strips called Kalitta flying service
He whould airfreight any thing that ups and fed-x would not
Handle I do not know if he still does it it has been over 2 years since I have been
Down there Norm

[Keith Tedford]

I was at Cayuga this summer on a test and tune day. The track is all new and I understand it is 4400' long. A new tower was going up as well. It's probably the first real money spent on the track in 30 years.
The Georgetown track was where Dick Harrell got killed in a terrible accident in '71. The track was shut down many years ago.
I think you will find that Kalitta Flying Services grew a little since the old days.

[andyww]

I see Cayuga is now called Toronto Motorsports Park. Found this website showing the current tower being built in 1966. Kohler Drag Strip (http://members.rogers.com/mswansonart/drag.htm)
The track at Georgetown was only open for a few years. From 1970 to 74 or so. I lived in Georgetown at that time so I spent a lot of time there. I was there the night Dick Harrell was killed. The night before that happened he put on a great show. The only time I had seen someone do a fire burnout.

Andy

[Chevy454]

Andy:

The timing of your post is almost "spooky". While I was looking through some SS&DI mags for some S&M stuff for Casey, I ran across a picture that caught my eye. As if that wasn't enough, then I read the caption on the page, and it put everything in perspective. So, I grabbed the magazine and stuck it on the scanner, but figured I'd check the board real quick and that's when I saw your post. See if this raises the hair on the back of your neck...

http://www.yenko.net/attachments/25440-DH_FIRE.jpg

Caption reads:

"Dick Harrell was a funny car builder, an excellent driver, and one of the drag racing sport's very best ambassadors to the outside world. He won countless match races and major events, and was cited over and over again by the racing associations and the drag racing media for deeds on and off the drag strip. During his career, he built hundereds and hundreds of Chevrolet engines for customers at his Kansas City shop, and managed to create a full range of specially equipped and very exciting Chevrolet street cars when no one else would, because he believed in high performance cars for their own sake. His talent, creativity, and energy were legendary, and he will be remembered."

[andyww]

Chevy454

Wow, that is spooky. That's very similar to the picture I have in my mind when I think of Dick Harrell. Great picture and caption. Thank you for posting it.

Andy

[C1SS396]

Your right Atco hasn't changed much ....Very cool pics
Thanks

[JoeG]

Photo from late 60's?---I can't remember for sure-- http://www.yenko.net/attachments/131681-Scan0021.jpg

[Salvatore]

Joe, I would say 1966-67. That is Bruce Larsons chevelle. Is that Suffolk County, N.Y.? Very nice Joe!!! http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/3gears.gif

[JoeG]

Should be Maryland....

[Salvatore]

You are right Joe. I see it now. The white block wall. I would say circa 1966. That is supposed to be the first true funny car. Great photo!

[WILMASBOYL78]

Anyone have any photos of Dover Dragstrip, upstate NY. I used to go there in the old days. Lot's of guys there running "mountain motors". You know, a few more cubes than the sticker said!!

wilma http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/3gears.gif

[rsatz28]

Saw this post-Here's more of US30 & Meadowdale International Raceway -Carpentersville IL

http://www.geocities.com/grc46250/us30
http://www.miroldpix2.homestead.com/drags.html

[Belair62]

Here are a few cool ones from Verne Frantz......hey TJS44....what do you suppose that little Tempest is ?? Anderson Pontiac ?

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v140/Belair62/wheels/tn_Vinelandprogram_ph.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v140/Belair62/wheels/tn_FredsSpeedShop.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v140/Belair62/wheels/tn_CecilCounty1.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v140/Belair62/wheels/tn_Rabbitt.jpg

[Mr70]

Verne are you in any of those pictures?

[Salvatore]

Hey Verne, Is that nova, Wally Lynn's car used to belong to a guy named Al Caffey. Al Caffey was from Philly and used to be sponsored by Hanks Speed Shop in Berwyn, Pa. The car, wheel wells, and straight front axle looks just like his car. Even the Ford bubble on the hood is the same. Originally painted orange. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/dunno.gif

[budnate]

Man I like that Nova!!!...what are the particulars and how about some pics of it Orange.... http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/beers.gif

[Verne_Frantz]

Geeez Rick, I'm not that freakin' old! ..........Well, I suppose I could have been around when that Nova was in the pits...
Sam, I don't know much history on the Nova, but if you know of a car that looks like that, it must be a match. How many could have all the same features? I do have an earlier pic of a '61 Jewel Blue Vette called the Rapid Rabbit, so it might be his earlier car. I'll dig it up and send it to Belair for posting (sorry Bob, I'm recruiting you again). This guy went through a bunch of cars, because he also owned a dark green '62 Vette with the same name on it. It ran D/MP, and I remember running him at E-town with my '62, later in '69. Maybe he had a few cars at the same time. Not many guys would steal a name off someone else's car.

Just for fyi, that Nova shot is definitely Englishtown, the other 2 are labelled, and the Fred's Speed Shop '62 wagon "may" be E-town, but I'm not sure. That was before Fred ran the Camaro.
The Cecil pic was obviously a match race.


Verne
PS: I'll do some more digging. I might have one from Dover, NY

[Salvatore]

You are the man Vern!

[Verne_Frantz]

I sent a couple more to Bob. I hope he wakes up http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shocked.gif
and I did find one from Dover, NY.

[Belair62]

Maybe someone DID steal the name from the car. This is Roger Sinistri's
'61 Vette. Roger is still around.
And I found one from Dover, NY. Sorry it doesn't show much of the track.
Nice clean '61 huh???!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v140/Belair62/wheels/tn_RapidRabbit61.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v140/Belair62/wheels/tn_verne1.jpg

[Verne_Frantz]

Thanks Bob. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif
I know how to get the story on Sinistri. Just have to make a phone call. Maybe he just built the engine?

[Belair62]

Verne why do you think the ole 61 has 340 horse on the side ? I wonder when that pic was from .....

[Salvatore]

Verne, Do you think Sinistri's vette became the Musser Bros. car from Reading?

[Verne_Frantz]

Sam,
I have a REAL good contact in eastern Pa. who remembers ALL that. (Ronnie). I tried to call him last night but didn't get through, then I had to go out. I'll clear up a few things this weekend. I've poked into the Musser Bros. a little myself too when I was looking for history on my '61 Belair and a Fisher Chevrolet connection. I'll see what I can find out.

Bob,
The top rated 348 in '61 was the 340hp and 350hp. The 340hp used a 3012S AFB on a 540 aluminum intake and the 350hp had trips. Same solid lifter, 11.0 to 1 motor underneath. (that car wasn't a 409 or an SS). I don't have a date on the picture, but I'll bet it's no later than '64, probably earlier. Can't make out the years of the other vehicles ('62 Ford next to him?). Anyone care to guess? (that was the pic from Dover)

Verne http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[Mr70]

You're Definitely no Red Hammer Verne! http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/flag.gif

[YENKO DEUCE REGISTRY]

Fisher Chev is still in business, and sponsored a '69 Super Stock Chevelle for Musser Bros. The pic of it is in the Huckleberry Hound thread.

[Mr70]

Posted by Mike...in New York http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif
http://www.yenko.net/attachments/69314-huckleberryhound.jpg

[YENKO DEUCE REGISTRY]

Who's Mike? Mike in NY? http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

I purchased that photo from that guy in NJ selling the Jan Elliot collection. There is another one of that HH car, but that's the only one I know of the chevelle.

[Verne_Frantz]

Marlin,
I sent a couple to Rick to post. You might like them.
(I'm wearing out Bob)

Verne http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[Belair62]

Thanks Verne..I only remember the 350 hp 348...

[Mr70]

Courtesy of the Blue Hammer himself.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v669/Rick_Peters/MUSSER2.jpg

[Mr70]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v669/Rick_Peters/BobFisherChev69Chevelle.jpg

[YENKO DEUCE REGISTRY]

So, musser bro's had Marshall and Fisher as sponsors! Cool.

[Mr70]

More from Verne.
Al Musser-
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v669/Rick_Peters/Verne2.jpg

[Mr70]

Joe Franco @ Atco-
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v669/Rick_Peters/Verne3.jpg

[DarrenX33]

[ QUOTE ]
Al Musser-

[/ QUOTE ]

Butternut Yellow? Ummmm. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif

[Salvatore]

It is Ernie and Barry Musser from Reading, Pa. They had Marshall sponsor their cars till the 69 season I believe. Sold the 61 corvette to Carmen Rotondo and bought a 67 Z/28. The Z ran real well. Sam

[Mr70]

Courtesy of Sam.
Verne do you remember this 1966 Nova?
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v669/Rick_Peters/Hanks.jpg

[Verne_Frantz]

Sam,
I do not recall that Nova. It sure looks like the Rabbit. Even the rear slicks and wheels look like they went with the car.
I'll make some inquiries this weekend.

Verne

[Salvatore]

[ QUOTE ]
Courtesy of Sam.
Verne do you remember this 1966 Nova?
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v669/Rick_Peters/Hanks.jpg

[/ QUOTE ]Al Caffey of Glenolden, Pa. Hanks Speed Shop sponsored 1966 nova from Berwyn, Pa.

[Seattle Sam]

[ QUOTE ]

Can't make out the years of the other vehicles ('62 Ford next to him?). Anyone care to guess? (that was the pic from Dover)

Verne http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

Verne, Prety sure that's a 61 F**d..
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v140/Belair62/wheels/tn_verne1.jpg
60 Ford
http://www.classicroad.com/Finville/1960ford.jpg
61 Ford
http://www.americandreamcars.com/1961ford4dr.jpg
62 Ford
http://www.musclecarcalendar.com/FabFords2003/FFF129.jpg

[Verne_Frantz]

Got it Sam,...thanks.
Well, I made my inquires through Ronnie Evans and Roger Sinistri. I learned that the '61 Jewel Blue Vette was originally purchased by Dick Hare from NJ, (hence the name). It never ran very good while he had it. He sold it to Paully Albert from Reading. That's when Sinistri built the engine and it became a regular winner (record holder). Albert then sold it to Bill Travis in NJ. It went through a couple more owners after that (names unknown), then burnt to the ground. It was never sold to the Mussers. That was the original Rapid Rabbit, and a few other cars since then used the name, but with no connection to the original.
Now, the Musser connection: Ernie Musser owned a '61 Vette also, (not that one), but a red one, called Bonzai. Engine by Lee Crupi. It ran C/S. He sold that Vette to Carmen Rotunda, who painted it a pearl/flake green with gold leaf lettering. Not sure what became of it after Carmen.
Ernie was a great driver, and did most of it through '68, then a little into '69 with the new Camaro, when Barry took over (not nearly as good). Barry's x-wife, Cathy still works at the Grove today, a terrific lady!

As for the Nova, no new information is available on that, or Wally Lynn, or Al Caffey. I'll see if I can get a pic posted of Rotunda's Vette.

Verne http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[Mr70]

Carmen Rotunda Corvette,Englishtown circa 1967-68.
Identify the wheels correctly & Verne will send you a JC Whitney refrigerator magnet...
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v669/Rick_Peters/RotundaVette1.jpg

[427TJ]

I remember building an AMT model car with those wheels! Don't know what they are though.

[Chevy454]

I think I have some trailer wheels like those somewhere... http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[JoeG]

These fellas were doing a CUDA Hemi test for Speed and Supercar--'70 http://www.yenko.net/attachments/133196-Englishtown.jpg

[Chevy454]

More Musser-Fisher Chevelle...

http://www.yenko.net/attachments/133237-musser-fisher.jpg

Hey old timers...were the Chevelles classified the same as the Camaros? An SS/D Camaro would denote a 427 car...would an SS/E Chevelle denote a 396 car, or did they just hang some weight on a 427 and run down, or were the 427 Chevelles natural "E" cars?