Funny car

[396L35]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2447561129&category=61 61&rd=1

[MotownMadman]

I am current high bidder, reserve not met, anyone have any ideas as to what the value of this car may be?
Motown /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/dunno.gif

[Chevy454]

I can't answer you question, Matt, but those are some pretty cool action shots on that auction! I mean, how cool is THIS (http://www.yenko.net/attachments/60381-26_1.jpg) picture! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/headbang.gif

[MotownMadman]

Rob,
That is a neat shot but I bet Kirby didnt think it was so cool at that moment trying to keep that beast in a straight line! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/burnout.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/burnout.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/burnout.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/burnout.gif
Motown

[sYc]

Value or what it might take to buy it?

[MotownMadman]

Current market value.
Motown /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/beers.gif

[Belair62]

Now this is a wild ride !!! Not for Willie though...his arm is still on the door panel !!!

[396L35]

Hey Tom, Jim Kirby wants you to call him. He wants to talk to you and set the story straight.

[sYc]

Mark, not for sure what you mean by "set the story straight". /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/dunno.gif I have known about the car for 5-6 years and have spoke with Jim about it a couple of times. It is a very neat car with a lot of interesting history, including the connection to the late Dick Harrell. I do not doubt its existence, nor its history. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/flag.gif


Matt, as per value, is hard to say, as this is the "test case", so to speak. For the most part, as I am sure you know, vintage racecars do not command a high price, unless they were built/raced/driven/sponsered by a famous name, carry some rare factory option or won a very important event. Example, I know of a '69 Camaro FC, comlpete except for no known history, that sold recently for about $20,000. On the flip side, at Vettefest, when the total $$ in the showcase was figured, my '68 DH car was valued at $250,000, simply because of the history and supporting documentation. Now to why I said the Kirby car is a "test case". As far as I know, this will be the first race car to sell that was sponsered by DH, but not owned by DH, nor driven by him on a regular basis. There are other such cars out there, but the first I know of to sell, at least in the open market. How this car does in the open market will no doubt have an impact on the vlaue as more of these cars surface. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/beers.gif

Another factor to consider, even though it may not directly affect its value, is what are you planning on doing with it. To actually race the car with other vintage funnycars (NHRA), most likely will require an updated chassis (certified), and numerous other safety requirements. If the car is left unchanged, you will be very limited in what you can do with the car. With my '68 being period correct, I fall under what the NHRA calls the Bruce Larsen rule. Single pass, burnout and 1/8 mile pass only, and must have the basic safety features on the car, as well as the driver. And, because it can not be certified, each track tech person can either pass or reject the car. On the other hand, as a showcar, there is nothing like pulling into a event and unloading a vintage FC. A lot of work, since you can not drive them around, but a lot of fun never the less. Especially if they let you start it. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif

[Belair62]

[ QUOTE ]
On the flip side, at Vettefest, when the total $$ in the showcase was figured, my '68 DH car was valued at $250,000, simply because of the history and supporting documentation.

[/ QUOTE ] Can you explain this a little further ? How did you derive a value of 250k because of the value in the showcase ? /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/dunno.gif

[sYc]

Belair, at Vettefest, some folks thought it would be neat to calulate the total value $$$ and horsepower in the showcase. I was not involved, except for a couple of the one of one cars (not mine though). The only reason I know about my car was the fact that when they approached me about the others, they asked what I thought my car was worth. I told them I would leave that up to them. They asked if I thought 250 was a fair price and I responded yes. The only other cars I know about was the '69 Yenko Nova at 300 and the '69 Yenko Camaros at 150+.

I believe the total value $$ was a little over 15 million. I do not remember how much HP. Maybe some else who was there remembers.

[hvychev]

Tom this is in no way ment to be a slam against you or anybody, but I heard from a few people that the whole question about the total dollar value and horsepower deal was just a redicules front to feel people out to see what the owners thought there cars were worth so that certain other people can see how their cars were doing in the current market. I heard that several people were asked only the dollar question and the horsepower question was never raised at all.

Tom don't you find it funny that you of all people weren't even given the results of both polls at the show? /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/dunno.gif

[sYc]

Frank, both figures WERE given at the show. Anyone who attended the Supercar Showcase awards ceremony Sunday afternoon would have heard the figures announced. As per accurate, why, etc., I do not know. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/dunno.gif I simply used that figure as a reference.

[hvychev]

No problem Tom. Like I said that is just what I heard. True or not who knows. I was not at the awards ceremony because I don't own a supercar. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif

[Belair62]

Well I sure hope all those knowledgeable folks are right...and if they could please form a single file line in front of my house with their checkbooks that would be great... /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif

[Steve_Hoog]

Matt, can I drive for you if you get it? I love to go fast!!!!!


/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/3gears.gif

[70 copo]

Frank,

15 million dollars and 33,000 HP. Gary Holoub has the figures framed at his place. It was a great show.

/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif

Phil

[Belair62]

You should publish the list..that would be very entertaining to see what mood you guys were in and how much you were drinking !!! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/haha.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/haha.gif Sorry Charley...

[camarojoe]

I heard there was some old 62 Chevy there they only valued at $1200.00 /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/dunno.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[396L35]

Tom, I mean no disrespect towards you, I was mearly passing along the message from Jim Kirby himself. As for the car, I hope it goes somewhere that the new owner will take it out and show the people how crazy these early funny car drivers were. It takes big balls to run a car like this down a track. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/3gears.gif

[Steve_Hoog]

This a good 8 or 7 second ride? I would go nuts to ride it down the track!!!!!

[396L35]

Steve, I dont want to burst your bubble about going fast, I myself like fast cars, but this is a real beast of a car. There is no front end on the car except two wheels and some steering linkage. Its kinda squirrly if you ask me. I cant even imagine trying to control this car going over 100mph down the track. If you think you can handle it, then you have bigger balls then I do. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/worship.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/3gears.gif

[Steve_Hoog]

I don't know, might make me pee my pants.

But it makes my heart beat fast to think about it.

[moparts]

[ QUOTE ]
I don't know, might make me pee my pants.



[/ QUOTE ]

Just starting one of these beasts up can do that...Ask Tom what happened the first time he got to hear his fire up....or what happened the first time he got to make a pass. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/haha.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/haha.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/haha.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/haha.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/haha.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/haha.gif


Sitting in the seat and having 1500 hp roar to life between your legs is quite a feeling. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif

[Steve_Hoog]

I would rather ride this blown Rat than a 8 second Chevelle on NOS.

Most up the people I have grown up racing with, the point that seperates the men from the boys has been about 9.00.

I haven't had my chance yet to find out what I'm made of.

[Belair62]

LOL...you may be right Joe !!! After they got thru eating and brainstorming in it I'm sure there are empty beer bottles and burger wrappers still in it !

[Charley Lillard]

Real Funny Car http://www.members.aol.com/clill8567/belaira.jpg

[sixtiesmuscle]

That picture was taken just after John said "Charley, I don't have to go to the bathroom anymore".

[sYc]

As rude as the steering my look, it actually works quite well. Bruce Larsen's '68 has the same set up as mine, and the JK car, and he makes sub 5 sec. 1/8 mile passes. He will carry the front end past the 60' light, and I have seen him still a little sideways as he crossed the 1/8 stripe. According to Bruce, and others, the majority of the problems back in the day were front tire related. The tires would seperate from the rim at speed. Bruce tried several different makes, and finally found one that would work. He approached NHRA about having a spec tire rule, but NHRA did not want to step on some toes (tire companies). Thus, the drag racing world continued to have problems with front tire seperation, including the lose of Dick Harrell in a tire related incident.

As per driving a FC, may have been the most nervous I have ever been. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/eek.gif I have been racing steel bodied cars for ever, but this was totally different. But, I can not wait to do it again. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/3gears.gif

[JoeC]

There was a great story in one of the old magazines about a guy who ran a FC in the 60s. To me it gives a little view of what it took to win in the big time in a 60s-70s Funny Car.
I donít remember his name but call him Driver X and as I remember the story it was something like this. He was an amateur running on a shoestring budget and due to other peopleís red lights and blow ups he makes it to the final round of a big race despite being low qualifier. The guy in the other lane was none other then Jungle Jim. When X staged he didnít know what was shaking more - him or his nitro burning big block Chevy. The Jungle jumps out ahead with tires smoking but hooking up and swerving down the track in a series of ìSî turns so bad that he must have covered a half mile instead of a quarter mile. Xís FC was pulling pretty strong and he passed Jungle only to have Jungle pass him back at the big end. X couldnít see much from inside his car but he figured he won because Jungle must have crossed over the centerline at least three times. X lost and found out later after talking to people and seeing pictures that Jungle was completely out of shape the whole run all over the place even getting one wheel off the track and throwing up a huge rooster tail of dirt into the stands. Jungle Jim never crossed the centerline and never lifted for a micro-second.
X thought that Jungle was one sick puppy for never lifting and winning that race after running down the track like an ape on fire. X had been thinking of going pro but knew he could never drive FC at the suicidal level that Jungle Jim had demonstrated on that run. The next year X saw Jungle Jim and talked with him about that wild race where Jungle beat him and won the show. X called Jungle crazy for never lifting. Jungle Jim said, ìI ante crazy, I was more afraid to lift off then to stay in it! The last time I lifted on a run like that the blower blew up in my face. ì /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif

[Belair62]

Great story Joe.....Charley...life will change for you and John one of these days !!! BTW...the gaps are flawless on that blue car..thanks for enlarging the shot!gotta be worth at least 90k after a few pops !! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/beers.gif

[Steve_Hoog]

Will this thing fire up and run down that track as it sits?

Aside from the fact it probably has some saftey freatures to be address after sitting 28 years, I assume you have to certify a wild ride like this before making a pass.

[70 copo]

Tom,

I was looking through the "archives" today and noted the cover of the August '70 HOT CARS. I Think it is your Funny on the cover. Do you have it?

/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/3gears.gif

Phil

[Steve_Hoog]

I don't think this is the car your talking about Joe, but still a very nice one.

By the way you should recognize that cover, thanks again for hooking me up with it!

[sYc]

Do not have that, nor have I even seen it. Would love to see it. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/beers.gif

[Steve_Hoog]

This is the one Joe C posted about the orange RAV test car, I was lucky to find a copy on Ebay. TONS of great stuff in it.

[Steve_Hoog]

SYC

You want the Jungle Jim article?

[Kim_Howie]

Joe that's a great story about Jungle Jim. X did have a good point. Kim /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/haha.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/worship.gif

[70 copo]

tom

Sorry, It is the 69 bodied car. (so much for first glances) /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/dunno.gif Nice car anyway. Here is the picture of the cover.

Phil /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/flag.gif

[68l30]

Phil/Tom cover of August of 69 "Hot Cars" has the DH/FG 69 Funny Car...Not the 68.


Steve /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/3gears.gif

[68l30]

Whoops! Your faster..... /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/beers.gif


Steve