searching for a 55 chevy from the chicago area

jackal · #1 12-16-2005, 10:21 PM

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 · #2 12-16-2005, 10:32 PM

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

Belair62 · #3 12-17-2005, 01:11 AM

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

**kwhizz** · #4 12-17-2005, 02:12 AM

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

**Charley Lillard** · #5 12-17-2005, 02:27 AM

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** · #6 12-17-2005, 02:32 AM

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

Ken

**Xplantdad** · #7 12-17-2005, 04:22 AM

[ 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!

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

[email protected]

**Big Block Bill** · #8 12-17-2005, 04:52 AM

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.

Verne_Frantz · #9 12-17-2005, 05:32 AM

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.

jimbo · #10 12-17-2005, 02:02 AM

Maybe post on the tri five forum at www.chevytalk.com. Good luck with your search.

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