searching for a 55 chevy from the chicago area

[jackal]

This is posted on the two lane blacktop home page and wanted to see if anybody remembers this car, it is not from myself just trying to help out, I have a couple of pictures but could not get them to post, can email if anybody is interested thanks jp.

I've been a member for over a year now and I'm liken it! I'm trying to find the "Drapp & Bell" 55. Check out the photos. I took these photos when I was 14 years old back in December of 1974. They show the car at the Stardust Body Shop in Long Lake, Illinois which was next to my fathers gas station, Swedes Citgo Service. Location of the site is on the corner of Route 134 and Wilson Road. Long Lake is about 55 miles North of Chicago and about 50 miles East of Rockford. I found these photos in my basement last year and the cars been on my mind ever sice. I already have two 55s, but three would be better, RIGHT! Anyway, I remeber it had a BBC (396) sitting about two feet back and through the fire wall. On the doors, "Drapp & Bell, on the quarters "CHICAGO", on the front fenders "RACEENGINEERING". Body was blue with blue lexan windows. Don't remember what transmisson. Chrome straight axle with a mono leaf spring and long ladder traction bars. Drag strips in the area would have been "US 30" in North West Indiana and "Great Lakes Drag-a-way" in Union Grove, Southern Wisconsin. I'm sure the car has changed its looks over the last 31 years or has been distroyed. Maybe one of you have it? Any infomation on this car would greatly apperciated. Even if I don't find it, it would be nice to know its where abouts. To all members and their families, a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

[jackal]

my email address is [email protected] if someone wants to see the pictures or can help post thanks jp

[Belair62]

I know Khwizz is watching too...but up in that area was another fellow on this site L78Biscayne who just may know about it...he was in the Wauconda area which is close by Long Lake

[jimbo]

Maybe post on the tri five forum at www.chevytalk.com. (http://www.chevytalk.com.) Good luck with your search.

[kwhizz]

Sounds just like the Stanley-Carly-Veranik car.....This car was originally built by Don Stanley(TSI Transmissions), his cousin and a friend of theirs....If this is the same car and I'll bet it is.....it was built in the 66-67 time frame.....It was a High end car for the time, Injected Big Block(402c.i.)/set back, clutch Turbo, chromed straight axle......they ran B/Gas at the time....this car had a paint job that was second to none at the time.......the first time they took the car to the Grove on their open trailer, they left the car cover on the car but tied it as tight as they could.....when the cover was removed at the track, the paint was chaffed away in spots from the flapping cover.......Nice way to start a season......at the time a couple of the big "Guns" in Gasser racing in the Chicago area were the "Shake Rattle and Run" car (Messino and Schmidt)and "JailBait" (Nick Gaglione)....Palmer Lazurus (Still around)....Mike Marinoff (Hall Chevrolet- 55 Chevy) among others ......I seen Don at the Grove last year....He might have some additional information, I don't have his number, but his business is TSI transmissions and I think they are in Addison, Ill......I'm sure it's the same car......

Ken http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/youguysrock.gif

[Charley Lillard]

simply amazing... I think we should chain Ken to a tree, feed him a banana once in awhile and ask for this info whenever we want...

[kwhizz]

How about a Mango instead.........LOL

Ken http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/flag.gif

[Belair62]

Holy crap Ken...I just saw Palmer not long ago when we were at Colins Power Tour party...you can find him in all the great gasser books,,,been to Don Stanleys place too !!! Palmers last car was a 70 BB Nova that he used to drive to the track, put the slicks on ,open the headers and run in the 10's with. He had a clutch turbo for a long time in that thing until he made too much power and started breaking stuff...and he was in his 70's at the time...

[Belair62]

Hey Ken...do you remember The Green Manalishee Chevele ?

[kwhizz]

[ QUOTE ]
Hey Ken...do you remember The Green Manalishee Chevele ?

[/ QUOTE ]

AAHHHHH!!!!!!!!! that one get's past me.......

Ken http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/beers.gif

[kwhizz]

The last time I seen "Shake Rattle and Run" at the Grove was probably about 15 years ago......they had a Monster Engine in the car and I'm sure that were spraying it, and the car left the line so hard it overpowered the Chassis and twisted the car so bad the Chrome strips on the quarters popped off just past the starting line.....I hear that the car is still around......anybody have some additional info......It would look good sitting in my Garage........

Ken http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/youguysrock.gif

[jackal]

Kwhizz, thanks for the information, i have a couple of pictures but i every time i try to post them it comes back as file to large, cant seem to figure out the fix thanks jp

[Xplantdad]

[ QUOTE ]
simply amazing... I think we should chain Ken to a tree, feed him a banana once in awhile and ask for this info whenever we want...

[/ QUOTE ]

Hey Charley...I'm with you. Ken is simply amazing with his recollections! Keep 'em coming! http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/worship.gif

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

Hey Jackal, send the pics to me and I'll resize them...

[email protected]

[Big Block Bill]

Do you know the where abouts of the "Shake Rattle and Run" car (Messino and Schmidt)? I was told it was confiscated by the Illinois State Police many years back and was sitting in a building on the Joliet Armory site. It is said to have my friends original 1967 L-89 Corvette engine in it and we would love to find it, and reunite the car with it's original engine.

[Belair62]

I hear the boys finished their vacation and the original Shake may return but thats all I have heard

[Verne_Frantz]

I heard Jake and Elwood got it. Cop engine, cop steering, cop brakes, cop suspension, and it runs on regular gas........but the cigarette lighter needs to be fixed. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/beers.gif

[kwhizz]

[ QUOTE ]
I heard Jake and Elwood got it. Cop engine, cop steering, cop brakes, cop suspension, and it runs on regular gas........but the cigarette lighter needs to be fixed. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/beers.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

And the Liscense Plate # is BDR 529

Ken http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/naughty.gif

[hvychev]

Ken you are amazing....... http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/eek.gif

Now tell me where the Fencl Tufo Draggin Deuce is and I will name a future kid after you......(but by PM only http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif)

[jackal]

Ken, wanted to let you know that the person did contact Don stanley and he did remeber the car but did not now the whereabouts, he also said there was a sister car to the chicago car called fat albert, the pictures of it look awesome, wheels up, thanks again for the help jp

[jackal]

another

[Mr70]

Incredible pix. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif
Is that a Brigance Chevrolet BB in the far right background?
http://www.yenko.net/attachments/177746-Fat%2520Albert%25202.jpg

[Belair62]

No I think it was Braeger or Braegerland Chevrolet...they used to loan them the track vehicles...