Supercar reunion pics

[moparts]

Well Said Joe C

[9566 BA]

Again well said Joe C. I got a pretty good idea of what my idea of heaven is I seen it last saturday. Great event good job Tom. ... Jeff

[Horseman]

I do believe that was by far the best show ever, that I have ever had the chance to see I usually don't say much I'm still learning from all you guys. I too drove in Friday, mouth dropped wide open. Seeing you guys drive the cars out of the trailers hearing the run WOW. If anyone did not make it to the show you missed out on THE SHOW. Tom Great show. I bet Don was smiling down at us with a smirk on his face. See you all next year. Craig S

[68TopStock]

JoeC

After reading your comment about "Field of Dreams" I thought you would like to hear what I did after Brian Burford (Jerry's son, Jerry worked for Fred G.)and I left St. Louis on Sun. am. We took hwy 67 north through Beardstown, which happened to be the home of the old Beardstown dragstrip, visited by the likes of Dick Harrell, Arnie Beswick, etc. in the 60's. It was there that the first pic. of Dick H., Fred G., and Herb F. was taken, with Little Hoss, and the '67 Yenko sponsored 427 Camaro FC, in August or Sept. of 1967.

We found the old abandoned strip (closed since the early 70's) on the southeast side of town, off Arnsville Rd. The owner's of the home next to the property allowed us to drive onto the strip, which had the left lane covered with farm implements. I could not resist, and unloaded Little Hoss and fired her up. I took several light passes down the old strip, and then visited the spot wear Dick, Fred and Herb stood for the pic. The old pole, which held the AHRA sign was still present. During this time I reflected how, at that spot, 34 years earlier, these men were just starting a venture which would lead to the heritage they gave us.

That night I actually dreamt about Dickie's (that's how Helen G. refers to him) Yenko altered going down that strip, turning off on the second turn off lane, and coming back on the dirt return lane. I had similar thoughts about "Field of Dreams" when I left the place, as it was surrounded by farm fields.

[Dan 68 Chevy II]

I couldn't believe you found the old track where it all started,EXCELLENT,great post.Maybe they could make the Field of Horsepower Dreams,I know I would see it many times.

[JoeC]

Ken, It was nice to meet you, Herb, and the awesome Little Hoss. Herb and Little Hoss have a lot to do with COPO Supercar history since they helped get Fred Gibb involved in drag racing. This involvement lead to the 1968 L78 TH400 COPO Nova and the ZL1 Camaros. Did you take any pictures at the abandoned track? Herb had a great story about when they got the early experimental cross ram from Chevy. Maybe you can type the story here. I don't know if I remember it correctly because he was telling it at the drag strip during racing. It was something about Sox & Martin being very surprised to get beaten by the little 302. It was great to see and hear the car.

[69yenkoman]

68TopStock:

Great post that is really cool, I'm glad to see that someone else enjoys that kind of thing too. These guys at that time had no idea the kind of history they were making, and allowing us to enjoy today. I know I wish I would have been born 15 years earlier so I could have lived the era as well.

[68TopStock]

JoeC

I do remember the story told by Herb, however, it did not involve "Little Hoss" or the crossram, unfortunately (I wish it did). The "facts" of the story may be somewhat "blended" by time, as Herb has so many stories to remember and tell.

I think the conversation started when I asked Herb what happened the first time he raced the #1 ZL1, at Phoenix, for the '69 Winternationals (AHRA). We were speaking to Gary H.?(owner of the ZL1 at the track). Herb beat Ronnie Sox, who had just been given the honors of the '68 Driver of the Year, for AHRA! This story is in the '69 April SSD&I, and is guised under the "upsets of the week-end". Herb also may have beaten Ronnie Sox, once the ZL1 was fitted with the experimental tunnel ram, however, I do not have any written material yet about that story.

I'm am so glad Herb is such a regular guy, who is willing to take his time to share with me and others. He was the #1 ZL1 salesman, thinks he sold 18 (?), and the first person on the planet to race a production ZL1. He told others back at the Hotel on Sat. pm that Bill "Grumpy" Jenkins was so mad when he found out they had 50 ZL1 cars, that he had a guy come down to LaHarpe to check out the claim with magnet in hand! This may have been how word got out to other dealers of the order. The fact the other dealers wanted ZL1's saved Fred Gibb from losing a lot of money, as the cars were not as easy to sell as the COPO Novas were.

The first time I spoke to Herb, seven years ago, when I found "Little Hoss", he thought the crossram they had received was the first one made, however, I have no way of proving this, and have come to the conclusion it may have been one of the first 25 made. The shipping records are dated 5/6/68 with Vince Piggins name on the records. The first crossram manifolds did not have part numbers on them, like the '69 units sold to the public. Some of the early units had 0-prototype numbers. I do know that the manifold that came off of "Little Hoss" was sold in 1978, to someone in the New England or NE US for $400.00, through a "parts wanted" ad run in the National Dragster magazine! Someday I hope to find the original manifold. The crossram was fitted in early June, after the Bristol Springnationals (2 records), and was allowed under the Formula 1 Stock class, Multiple Carburetion in AHRA. It is believed to be the first nationally raced, crossram fitted Z28 Camaro for the drag strip.

By the way, I did take several pics at Beardstown, and a short video of one of the runs. I do not know how to post pics yet, may have to learn.

[YENKO DEUCE REGISTRY]

To post pics, just go to www.boomspeed.com. It is the easiest to use, and best of all - it's free! If you have questions, let me know.

A special thanks for bringing the Little Hoss racecar, and for all of the memorabilia that was available Friday night. I had a nice time reading all of the articles and looking at the photos/advertisements. What a cool car.
Marlin

[JoeC]

Ken if you have trouble posting the pics email them to me I will post them