Little Hoss Story

[dykstra]

Ken, do you know who’s idea it was to put the mid year “knock-offs” on Little Hoss?

[69M22Z]

Thank you for putting all that together. Very interesting!!

[earntaz]

And there was Johnny Lopers "Lil Hoss" A/G Angelia (sp) ...

[Eck]

Great memories thanks.

[1stGenFan]

Originally Posted by dykstra

Ken, do you know who’s idea it was to put the mid year “knock-offs” on Little Hoss?

That is a good question! I asked Herb Fox the same question, and he replied it was his idea. He owned multiple Corvettes when he worked for Gibb Chevrolet and decided they would look good on Little Hoss. I think he indicated they were off his '66 coupe.

When researching the different modifications performed early on during the 1967 season, such as a modified hood scoop, (see 3rd picture dated Aug 67), (4th dated Sept 67 from the Gibb Archives) the addition of the stinger less corvette style hood (during the 1st World Record attempt picture), lift bars, and the addition of knock-off Corvette wheels, it was somewhat of a challenge determining when the wheels were added to the car.

I believe the car was repainted red during the December/January timeframe, when the rear spoiler was added, along with fiberglass inner fenders, but only after receiving these photos (1st-3rd) provided by Dennis Cumby, from the Herb Fox archives did I realize the "knock-offs" where added prior to the repaint, sometime probably in late October or early November 1967.

I also remember Herb and others telling me they hauled Little Hoss behind the dealership wrecker, which is apparent in the 1st photo. The car had around 5700 miles on the odometer when I purchased it, and Herb Fox told me these miles were mostly placed during street racing during the summer of 1967, as the car was hauled by the wrecker to the tracks.The car otherwise was never driven on the street. He did alot of his street racing in Burlington Iowa, about 25 miles from LaHarpe.

[dykstra]

Man these pics and history are so cool! Thanks again for posting.

[JoeC]

nice job Ken .

A lot of great drag racing history there

[copo-2]

Ken,

What history would you have of "LIL HOSS" after leaving the Fred Gibb dealership & your purchase?

[1stGenFan]

Originally Posted by copo-2

Ken,

What history would you have of "LIL HOSS" after leaving the Fred Gibb dealership & your purchase?

I have more history that I will assemble and share in the near future. The second owner renamed the car "Mighty Mouse" as you are aware Ray. Thanks for asking, as I was wondering if I should start a new thread to review the exploits of Little Hoss after being sold by Fred.

The car was competitively raced until 1978 in both AHRA and IHRA, setting additional world records with the original 302 engine. I'm going out of town for the next couple of weeks and will start a new thread titled Little Hoss as "Mighty Mouse" when I return.

Here is a picture I received from Lloyd Kirchhoff, the guy lucky enough to have bought Little Hoss from Gibb Chevrolet on November 6 of 1968.

[olredalert]

Originally Posted by 1stGenFan

I have more history that I will assemble and share in the near future. The second owner renamed the car "Mighty Mouse" as you are aware Ray. Thanks for asking, as I was wondering if I should start a new thread to review the exploits of Little Hoss after being sold by Fred.

The car was competitively raced until 1978 in both AHRA and IHRA, setting additional world records with the original 302 engine. I'm going out of town for the next couple of weeks and will start a new thread titled Little Hoss as "Mighty Mouse" when I return.

Here is a picture I received from Lloyd Kirchhoff, the guy lucky enough to have bought Little Hoss from Gibb Chevrolet on November 6 of 1968.

----Not surprised, but the KO's are gone. Wonder if that was before or after the sale? Also wonder where the KO's went, but that's just my KO addiction!....Bill S