A friend of mine sent over the image above thinking it was a rare shot of one of my heroes - Mal Hooper. It's not... The streamliner is actually Mal's old "Schadoff Sp... <BR><BR>To read the rest of this blog entry from The Jalopy Journal, click here.
Mal Hooper drove the car when it was dark blue. It was then painted red and first driven by Bob Bowen. Bob first set a record in the red car at 248.26. Mal in the drivers seat. Later after Fred Lavell, the driver of the CT car could not drive because he had to go to Michigan, Clark decided to do the driving setting the new record at 248.281. He was only supposed to be doing the engine work. Lavell was the designated driver.
Mal or not, that image is still very cool and the car is killer. Good luck with the search, that's most of the fun. Does that car still exist? I'm guessing not since not mentioned.
Ryan ... You probably already have these ... but here's some pics of the "Shadoff Spl" streamliner culled from the the Internet (Ugo Fadini website): __________________________________________________ From 1953 (Mal at the helm): __________________________________________________ From 1954 (Bob Bowen driving): __________________________________________________ From 1958 (Bob Bowen driving): __________________________________________________ From 1959 & 1960 (Bob Bowen owner & driver): __________________________________________________ ... and just click HERE to read a little history on the Shadoff Spl.
I'd hope so. Otherwise that would have been some kind of off the charts one off hand built hemi for the time. I don't think a 392 can even be bored and stroked any where close to that can it?
FYI ... Mal Hooper wrote an article in the August 1954 issue of Popular Mechanics about racing @ Bonneville ... it can be viewed in its entirety by clicking HERE.
I dont even know what to say when I see the those pictures. The more I look at them the more I get lost and start day dreaming. WOW -Eric
I hope you do... You'll do it up right! "Belly Tankers are sooo 2007. All the cool kids are building traditional streamliners now."
Hi I worked with Bob Bowen at Vandenberg AFB 1981-84 . I was wondering if he is still around. I am currently building a Salt car for disabled vets to drive in the 150 mph club and would like to talk to the man.
https://ahrf.com/14-08-10-salt-fever/ ...Mal Hooper... @Ryan, I did share a pic and a question in a less formal way in another Thread wondering if I may have the fella Mal in another classic blast from the past image so I'll share it here now that I know who I was asking about is... ...Total long shot I know but you and some others here are well up on such things may be able to identify the smiling pilot of #42...even if it isn't the image like so many of them are pretty darn precious in so many ways... Thanks in advance...
https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/wheres-the-shadoff-special.1185463/#post-14042641 ...Mal's grandson chimed in on this Thread by Hamber @quidnunc about The Shadoff Special...his Dad still had the Car...
I’ve seen that picture and I do think it’s Mal.:.. but I haven’t been able to confirm it. A number of people drove that car.
Since this man has a special connection of sorts to your thoughts on the Culture, I don't know if it's possible, but reaching out to his Grandson might answer some questions and connect some dots. He did say his father had the Shadoff at the time with thoughts on doing something with it. Perhaps he even has literature and pics. It has the makings of an incredible JJ entry to share with us hoodlums... He seemed quite well spoken and approachable...just thinking out loud Ryan...Post #16 is a link to 1 of 4 posts he made here...there was another post by a Shadoff too...that was neat... I always say, there's a huge archive of greatness in the depths of the Hamb...seeing the people it attracts is heartwarming many times...once I figured the person I was asking about (Mal) I had quite a time bouncing around the Threads including him in the conversation...and like you that one kooky pic brings a smile to my face every time I see it...kind of like I'm so happy I can hop in the Hotrod and go 150mph and fly like Rocketman!!...
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