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Features VINTAGE SPRINT CAR PIC THREAD, 1965 and older only please.

Discussion in 'Traditional Hot Rods' started by Joshua Shaw, Jan 17, 2008.

  1. racer5c
    Joined: Nov 30, 2002
    Posts: 2,218

    racer5c
    Member

    A.J. Watson's latest restoration, this car was narrowed and run as a sprinter or modified in Texas, Watson widened the frame back out and did a beautiful restoration
     

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  2. SteveE
    Joined: Feb 16, 2008
    Posts: 74

    SteveE
    Member
    from Ohio

    Yeh, but Indy had, well forget it I can't pronounce their names anyway.
     
  3. racer5c
    Joined: Nov 30, 2002
    Posts: 2,218

    racer5c
    Member

    Talked with the current owner of this Bowes car, asked him if it was the car Jimmy Bryan took his Rookie test in at the Speedway, he said "yes the Viking Trailer Spl." it's the same car that is in my avatar, it belonged to my dad when Bryan drove it
     

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  4. racer5c
    Joined: Nov 30, 2002
    Posts: 2,218

    racer5c
    Member

    Mel Kenyon
     

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  5. racer5c
    Joined: Nov 30, 2002
    Posts: 2,218

    racer5c
    Member

    air starter sticking out the side of the Novi
     

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  6. racer5c
    Joined: Nov 30, 2002
    Posts: 2,218

    racer5c
    Member

    Jim Graybeal's car I got to drive at the Mile, thanks again Jim! photo Courtesy of Harley Gene
     

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  7. Denny Zimmerman
    Joined: Jan 8, 2010
    Posts: 504

    Denny Zimmerman
    Member

    To Al and Doug, No I had not seen that article. I did know Frank was restoring the car. Thanks for posting that. Great article it brought back lots of memories. I have to tell you that Fiore family is a CLASS ACT. Denny Z
     
  8. Denny Zimmerman
    Joined: Jan 8, 2010
    Posts: 504

    Denny Zimmerman
    Member

    Yep only 9 American drivers in the 500 this year......what's wrong with this picture? Denny Z
     
  9. Rootie Kazoootie
    Joined: Nov 27, 2006
    Posts: 8,134

    Rootie Kazoootie
    Member
    from Colorado

    A little more info on the car can be found here, I believe:

    http://www.texasopenwheel.com//index.php?showtopic=435
     
  10. LittleFauss
    Joined: Feb 2, 2008
    Posts: 272

    LittleFauss

    .....'Gotta say: 'I had previously only seen a few pics of Jim Graybeal's restored sprinter and I really liked the job he did. But, seeing that pic on the Indy Mile, I'm more impressed with it than ever before. The cars' not "over-done" like some do with the over-sized rubber, etc. And that is just the coolest looking little front nerf bar I've seen on a midget or a sprinter, next to Parnelli not running one at all on Aggie's little #98jr. It's right up there with Josh's #49 car and my favorite ever, Wally's Wynns #1. If only USAC would come to their senses and just say, 'OK guys, here's what the cars HAVE to look like!'...........................................................
     
  11. wynns #1
    Joined: Feb 1, 2009
    Posts: 206

    wynns #1
    Member

    Hi Racer5c,
    I feel obligated to clear up the story about the Baby Bowes car you saw at the speedway. To the best of my knowlege, the only original part of the car, is the crossmember under the seat. The entire car was designed and built by Paul FitzGerald of CT., about 15 miles from me. I watched the entire project take shape, in fact it was lettered and started at our shop. Jerry Weeks did all the body work. To say the least, it is a beautifull car, but not the real car.
     
  12. OK guys, buckle up. I took these Saturday afternoon at the HammerArt shop. here she is all done and running....
    HG :cool:

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    VVrroooommmmm
     
  13. carl s
    Joined: Mar 22, 2008
    Posts: 745

    carl s
    Member
    from Indio, CA

    Yes a recreation of the original (using some of the original parts) that was parted out but definitely 'real'. Thanks to Paul's efforts we have a beautiful car to appreciate.

    from Fitzgerald Engineering:
    "<TABLE border=0 cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=663><TBODY><TR><TD class=titleGray width="100%">1950 Bowes Seal Fast Special</TD></TR><TR vAlign=top align=left><TD height=143 colSpan=2>[​IMG] A National Championship dirt track car was raced in the Indianapolis 500 mile race in 1950. Driven by Troy Ruttman, the car was known throughout its history as “The Baby Bowes”. During the 1950 season, the car won the AAA 100 mile race at the famous Williams Grove Speedway and also won several pole positions as well as top 5 place finishes. The car was later disassembled by noted racer, Al Hendrix and pieces used in other cars. The remaining pieces were gathered together by Eugene Erickson and Paul FitzGerald. Paul then recreated the car by “back-designing” the car from official Speedway photographs and fabricating all the frame and suspension pieces. Paul created line drawings of the body and fabricated a wooden form for the body. Jerry Weeks of Indianapolis is responsible for the wonderful body. Eugene Erickson has successfully demonstrated the car at noteworthy tracks including New Hampshire International Speedway and at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
     
  14. racin77
    Joined: Jun 2, 2010
    Posts: 1

    racin77
    Member

    wow, there are some cool pics on here. i have some pics of a car some of you might remember. my grandpa and another guy owned it. it was a stanton car that , al unser jr won his first race in it at manzy. also, sammy and jeff swindell, and ken schrader drove it. i will see if i can find some pics and put them up. it was #77. my grandpas name is robert harrel, and my uncle is darrel dockery.
     
  15. racer5c
    Joined: Nov 30, 2002
    Posts: 2,218

    racer5c
    Member

    Well thanks for setting the record straight, but at least for a day or two I got to think it was the same car, It really did give me a feeling of awe thinking it was a car my dad owned and worked on, but I'm glad to know the real truth .
     
  16. Rootie Kazoootie
    Joined: Nov 27, 2006
    Posts: 8,134

    Rootie Kazoootie
    Member
    from Colorado

    Roy,
    I came across this and thought it might be of some interest.
     

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  17. Blacki-Suede
    Joined: May 19, 2008
    Posts: 202

    Blacki-Suede
    Member

    Originally Posted by Harley Gene [​IMG]
    OK guys, buckle up. I took these Saturday afternoon at the HammerArt shop. here she is all done and running....
    HG :cool:

    I was fortunate enough to see this car under construction. The buck alone was a work of art as is the car. The craftsmanship is top notch. I have also seen the "real" Sumar Special" in the MOAS in Daytona Beach.

    So now there are two Sumar Specials? Or...? Just food for thought.

    Blacki-Suede
     
  18. specintcars
    Joined: Jul 10, 2008
    Posts: 6

    specintcars
    Member
    from erie, pa

    For more info on the Racing Associates 1963 Watson Roadster that was just restored in A J Watson's shop, go to www.ajwatsonroadster.com
    The car was shown for the first time and driven on the track last week at Indy. I will post pictures shortly from its first laps at the Speedway since 1966 .
     
  19. Fab Shop Frank
    Joined: Mar 3, 2008
    Posts: 6

    Fab Shop Frank
    Member
    from costa mesa

    yep here 'tis, at my place,.... are there any more pics of it?
    ...maybe with out the guys standing in front of it! :D

    thanks
     

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  20. ZOOOM
    Joined: Aug 8, 2008
    Posts: 40

    ZOOOM
    Member

    I saw the Sumar in the building stages last year. I agree that the workmanship is topnotch. It is incredable.. Nice to finally see the finished product.
    Sure hope Tom brings it to Milwaukee in July!

    ZOOOM
     
  21. "Sure hope Tom brings it to Milwaukee in July!"

    Tom who?

    HG :cool:
     
  22. It is with deep regret that I share with you the news from Xenia, Ohio is not good.
    Clarence 'Mutt' Anderson has left to go to his final race. He was 95 and had lived a full life. Arrangements have not been announced yet.
    HG :(
     
  23. SteveE
    Joined: Feb 16, 2008
    Posts: 74

    SteveE
    Member
    from Ohio

    R.I.P. Mutt. He's probably already exchanging racing stories with Saylor, Nazaruk, Crockett, McCluskey and a whole bunch of others.
     
  24. Warbird7
    Joined: Dec 21, 2009
    Posts: 99

    Warbird7
    Member

    I've recently listed several old DuQuoin and IRP midget and Champ Dirt race programs with pics in the Misc classified section if anyone is interested.
     
  25. BZNEIL
    Joined: May 28, 2005
    Posts: 660

    BZNEIL
    Member

    Any body going to IRP err ORP for the usac sprint show on the 10th? Goodguys is the next day. Was thinking we could get some hot rod parking spots if we planned ahead.
     
  26. Speedwrench
    Joined: Nov 21, 2009
    Posts: 1,032

    Speedwrench
    Member

    Thank you for posting this sad news. I took the liberty of posting it on the Indiana Openwheel board.
     
  27. Steve Bonesteel
    Joined: Aug 31, 2009
    Posts: 166

    Steve Bonesteel
    Member
    from Clovis, Ca

    A few years ago I took the Thomas roadster over to Dick Woodland's in Paso Robles and Don drove up from El Cajon to be reunited with two of the sprinters he owned ,drove and built. Photo 1, Don with the 66 championship sprinter rebodyed by he and Hank Henry now painted in Woodlands colors. Photo 2, The two sprinters together, Photo 3 Don's car next to Willkerson's championship car 67?, shortly after Woodland got it from Carl Olson. These photos were taken before the Woodland museum opened at the Paso Robles airport, a must see!
     

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  28. Ken_Schou
    Joined: Oct 6, 2009
    Posts: 822

    Ken_Schou
    Member

    An old time promoter (now diseased) once told me .. TV cameras should NEVER be set up so they show empty grandstands. (It CAN be done.)
     
  29. Ken_Schou
    Joined: Oct 6, 2009
    Posts: 822

    Ken_Schou
    Member

    exactly !!!
     

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