It's time for my intro

[Carolina Mike]

Have been enjoying this forum for a while now. My son actually showed it to me. He logs on to the HAMB as "olblackbetty". My passion is anything mechanical. Started reading Hot Rod Magazine in 1960 and still have all of them. Bought my first car in the mid 60’s before I had my drivers license. It was a ’50 Ford 2-door sedan with a flathead and overdrive transmission. Paid $50 for it but I also got free pass to the junkyard for any parts that I needed. Then came the ‘55, ‘56 Chevy’s, then the Chevelles. Helped a friend race six cylinder Chevy’s on the short ovals of NC in the ‘70’s. Built a ’57 Chevy ½ ton panel when I was in the service with a big block. What a ride! Spent several years racing lay down two cycle go karts on road courses and ovals. We could reach about 110 on the big ovals. Love that speed!:)
I’m in the heart of NASCAR country. Worked with Buck Baker’s driving school at Rockingham, NC for several years. Smokey Yunick was my idol. In my most humble opinion, he was one of the most brilliant mechanical geniuses of late! Anybody remember his Grand National ’66 Chevelle? A real legendary piece of work! I’m only 45 minutes from Maxton, NC – the home of ECTA where they run land speed record events. Here is a link: www.ecta-lsr.com (http://www.ecta-lsr.com/). Lots of real Hot Rods and some super nice people attend!
My latest project is a ’63 Ford Mayberry squad car. Anybody else enjoy the Andy Griffith show? Will be helping my son on his ’64 Chevy 1/2 ton running an inline six. Hope to build a 292 soon that will make some of those V8’s tuck their tails. Looking for a Clifford four-barrel intake and a set of headers.
It’s great to be here. Hope to share lots of info and pictures.
Carolina Mike

[nexxussian]

Welcome, from Alaska.

Smokey was definitely brilliant, I got to meet him shortly before he died.

I think Clifford is still in business, unless your trying to 'scrounge' one (more fun that way if you have the time :D ).

If you are really into the inline thing then you probably want to check out Inliners International (http://www.inliners.org) as well.

That close to a top speed course, damn that must be neat.


Nexxussian

[Carolina Mike]

Got to shake Smokey's hand in 91 at Charlotte. My biggest regret is that I did not attend the auction at his shop and leave owning something.

Maxton is great. We were actually the first to exceed 100 mph on a lay down kart there. This whole area is a haven for motor sports - NASCAR, tons of short tracks, driving schools and ride alongs, drags, tractor pulling, monster trucks, motorcycle. Also you can still pull some old iron out of the weeds around here. A friend of mine rescued a flathead from the scrap yard the other day.

Thanks for the inline tips. We want to do something different.

[Dino the weirdo]

Welcome to the HAMB ... If ya need anything , I'm just down the road from you. Check out Nostalgia Drags and Sandhills Classic Street Rods Show at the Rock Sept. 22.