Stone, Woods, & Cook

[Ryan]

Â*

I was actually tooling around this guy's blog and happened upon these photos. Ironically, I think he ac...

To read the rest of this blog entry from The Jalopy Journal, click here.

[jangleguy]

Agreed - it doesn't get much iconic than S-W-C. As for the race thing, I'm sure that's why we didn't see more pix of Stone and Woods. My pal Jamie (Dr.Lockjaw) and I are finishing up a resto of Ernie Nicholsons "Super Stude" gasser right now. Getting info on that car has been a real trip, due to Ernie being another rare early black drag racer.
Nice piece, Ryan. Thanks,
Scotty

[NONAME]

SWC were true sportsmen and competitors. I never could stand Big John Mazmanian(SP) after seeing him standing in the pits screaming racial slurs at Stone and Woods. it just wasn't acceptable even in the 60's.

[Paul]

I think it's also significant-
certainly to a lesser degree-
that the car ran a 394 Olds
when it seemed everyone was running the 392 Chrysler

definitely influencing my choice in motors for more than a few cars

[Gotgas]

My dad told me they were black men; he saw them at Green Valley as a kid. He was surprised obviously, since you're right - it never was made "public."

And now that I think of it, I don't think I've EVER seen a photo of them. That is a damn shame.

[5window]

I did a Google search and found no pictures of Stone or Woods. These guys were legends when I was a kid. I agree with Ryan that the fact that this was a multi-ethnic team is both cheering that race wasn't an issue and saddening that it never(couldn't) be mentioned. All we cared about was that the car was cool and FAST.

[Larry T]

Originally Posted by Paul

I think it's also significant-
certainly to a lesser degree-
that the car ran a 394 Olds
when it seemed everyone was running the 392 Chrysler

definitely influencing my choice in motors for more than a few cars

They switched to a Hemi in early 64. As racers they did what it took to be competitive. As a side note, I think Ohio George started with a Caddy.
Larry T

[JimA]

There's a picture of Leonard Woods in the new Rodder's Journal along with a big story on his first Willys.

[Groucho]

Posted by Ryan

I’m guessing these photos feature Cook and his buddies although I am not sure who is who… Noticeably absent are Stone and Woods - both black men and both important Drag Racing pioneers

I believe it's K.S. Pitman, Wayne Arteaga, Doug Cook, and i'm not sure on the 4th guy. I think Wayne Arteaga lived in the mid-west(?) somewhere and he'd put up the west coast guys whenever they went that way to race. Gave them a place to stay AND fix their cars. I don't know the reason for Stone and Woods not getting the notoriety of Cook, but it's usually the front man (driver, lead singer of a band, etc) that gets all the fame anyway. I've got no shortage of Stone and Woods pictures in my old magazines, but like i said, it's the driver usually. A pretty good exception was Mazmanian. His name was out there no matter who drove his cars. My 2 cents. Either way, Stone Woods and Cook are in my opinion about the MOST memorable team in drag racing history, PERIOD. Great racing, great memories!

PS-i think the above car was a B/Gas car, Swindler B (the chrome reverse wheels were seldom seen on that team) driven by Doug Cook's brother. Dig the show car interior!

[50Fraud]

Two stories about SWC:

1) Saw them run at Lions in the early '60s. Standing at the finish line and watching the car come toward me, the loudest noise it made was the induction roar -- couldn't hear the exhaust over the mega-sucking sound until it passed me.

2) My friend Jeff Wasserman was called to do a sign painting job on a race car. He went to an address in South Central LA and found a small single-car garage standing in an otherwise vacant lot. Puzzled, he went to the house next door, and was told that he was in the right place. He opened the garage to find the S-W-C Willys! He was not permitted to move the car out of the garage, and had to letter each side in a space barely wide enough to move.

[Larry T]

The black and white pictures are all from Don Montgomery's Supercharged Gas Coupes book. It's a must have for any gasser freak.
Here's another pic from the book. I believe the T on the headlight stands for trophy, meaning they won their class that day.
Larry T

[bobby_Socks]

Great article, I learned something new today. Love the old drag racing stories and history.

[jangleguy]

Actually, the "T" sticker means they went through tech. Wayne Aertega is from Missouri. I believe the other guy in that shot was Pittmans crewchief, who's name I forget, but he's my buddys father-in-law. I'll show him this pic and see if we can get a positive ID on this individual...

[1950ChevySuburban]

Thats always been one of my favorite cars since day one, and it's THE WILLYS that any others can compare up to. I'd like to see pics of all 3 guys posted, if someone out there has any?

[surf monkey]

theres a picture of the team when KS pittman drove for them in Larry Davis` book `gasser wars`

monkey

[Larry T]

Originally Posted by jangleguy

Actually, the "T" sticker means they went through tech. Wayne Aertega is from Missouri. I believe the other guy in that shot was Pittmans crewchief, who's name I forget, but he's my buddys father-in-law. I'll show him this pic and see if we can get a positive ID on this individual...

Good to know about the T, do you know what the "checker" on the other headlight is?

The guys in the group picture are K.S Pittman, Wayne Arteaga, Doug Cook and Tiny Roberts. The guy in the white t shirt in the other picture is John Hellmuth.

[RatBone]

Got my Rodders Journal last nite and they have a peice on the SWC car

also our own Von Franco's car is on the cover! They did a great story on both versions of the kookie car!

[bobbyhstl]

All of those pictures were taken by either Wayne Arteaga or his brother Eldon. Both are professional photographers and have provided many pictures to Don Montgomery and the gassermadness site. They were taken in Wayne's garage in North St. Louis. He and my brother often provided pit service to all the name gassers when they were passing through the area.

[lolife]

2004

[2002p51]

And on a related note:

This is Tim Woods



He's related to the Woods of Stone, Woods, & Cook but I'm not sure how. He may be his grandson.

He's been a regular in the NASCAR races at Irwindale Speedway in L.A. for the last few years and is trying to make a name for himself in the NASCAR West Division which runs similar cars to the Nextel Cup guys.

This is the car he was driving in '05:


He's a good driver and good with the media, but as usual he needs more money behind him to go any further.

But at least there's still a racer in the family.

[mrpontiac]

I saw a picture of the team in Hot Rod or Rod & Custom back in the 90s(?). That was when I first learned they were Black. Also the book Driving Me Wild: Nitro-powered Outlaw Culture! by Leah M. Kerr discusses minorities in racing and car culture. Don't forget the Bean Bandits!

[Dago Red]

Originally Posted by Larry T

The black and white pictures are all from Don Montgomery's Supercharged Gas Coupes book. It's a must have for any gasser freak.
Here's another pic from the book. I believe the T on the headlight stands for trophy, meaning they won their class that day.
Larry T

Is it just me, or does he bear a striking resemblance to Nads?

[TOE]

Seems like there's been alot of talk about SWC and their cars in the past few weeks. I tried to dig up photos for the last thread but never got around to it. I managed to find one today. (I didn't take this photo, Mike gets the credit for this photo)

Here is one of their cars that was shown at Jalopyrama III (2006).

I'll try and dig up some of the others if there's interest.

[Paint]

Here is a pic that I have, can't remember where I found it though.....

[Jeff Norwell]

Speed has no color.

[buzzard]

Toe, I'd like to see more or the pics.

Anybody have and video footage of the cars?

[surf monkey]

Originally Posted by 2002p51

And on a related note:

This is Tim Woods



He's related to the Woods of Stone, Woods, & Cook but I'm not sure how. He may be his grandson.

He's been a regular in the NASCAR races at Irwindale Speedway in L.A. for the last few years and is trying to make a name for himself in the NASCAR West Division which runs similar cars to the Nextel Cup guys.

This is the car he was driving in '05:


He's a good driver and good with the media, but as usual he needs more money behind him to go any further.

But at least there's still a racer in the family.

Tim woods is in the photo i described above....he`s maybe 9 or 10 in the shot

whenever anybody mentions the word `Gasser`...stone , woods & cook always hits the brain first....damn i need to do a drawing of one of their cars

monkey

[AlbuqF-1]

I believe Hot Rod had a piece about S-W-C maybe 10 - 15 yrs ago that was written around the fact they were black.

I saw them run when I was a teen, and that Willys more than any other car symbolizes drag racing to me. Funny cars and rails may be faster, but the Willys looks like a Drag Racer, IMO.

[mtm0078]

I consider myself pretty knowledgeable on drag racing history, but I had never heard that Stone and Woods were black. This is even after reading Hot Rod for half my life and a few books on drag history. It’s a damn shame since I was always so proud to point out that drag racing was very acceptable of women. fficeffice" />>>
But, there have been plenty of folks that didn't care about ethnicity on the track. Some one mentioned the Bean Bandits, they were a pretty big club and successful. A local example i know of is two teams that pitted next to each other and were friends, one was called "Dirty White Boy" and the other was called "Snuff Box." “Snuff Box” was a black family that campaigned a few cars. From what I heard, they would be working on the cars and every now and then someone walking past would just stop in their steps and be plastered with a really surprised look. Next they would either laugh and walk on smiling or look pissed. Either way, the teams kept turning wrenches to make the next round. >>

[Groucho]

THANKS for my new screensaver/wallpaper, or whatever you call it. Great pic

Originally Posted by TOE

Seems like there's been alot of talk about SWC and their cars in the past few weeks. I tried to dig up photos for the last thread but never got around to it. I managed to find one today. (I didn't take this photo, Mike gets the credit for this photo)

Here is one of their cars that was shown at Jalopyrama III (2006).

I'll try and dig up some of the others if there's interest.

[Durod]

Originally Posted by Paul

I think it's also significant-
certainly to a lesser degree-
that the car ran a 394 Olds
when it seemed everyone was running the 392 Chrysler

definitely influencing my choice in motors for more than a few cars

you got that shit right...amen.

great thread.

[chilimac]

I have loved that car since I was a kid reading magazines and thinking that was the coolest car ever.I still think that today.

[Spike!]

Great post. Thanks Ryan

[Muttley]

Some more great SWC pics:

[garysgun]

I just saw these pictures in a September 1964 Rodding & Re-Styling magazine that I just got. I too was surprised that I had never seen the whole crew's pictures before. It was always one of my favorites.
Gary M.

[Ryan]

Originally Posted by garysgun

I just saw these pictures in a September 1964 Rodding & Re-Styling magazine that I just got. I too was surprised that I had never seen the whole crew's pictures before. It was always one of my favorites.
Gary M.

That's the reply I was waiting for....

[PBRawwww]

mabey stones and wood always took the pictures? j/k

[teddyp]

i knew that stone and woods were black back in the 60,s just never realise that there were so few pictures of all 3 men they were the best know gasser crew of all times say willys and your next thing to pop in your head is a blue willys s.w.c

[Appleseed]

Originally Posted by Jeff Norwell

Speed has no color.

Indeed. At 150 mph, who can tell what you look like?

[ditz]

I saw that same car race at Muncie Raceway back in about 1962. I had to hitch to the strip before I was old enough to drive. I can still see the blue Willys jumping as it hit the gears. I did not realize that Stone and Woods were black until now but it makes no difference to me. To me, Gassers were drag racing and the SWC coupe was at the top of the heap. I walked away from drag racing when the brackets started. Just not the same.

[jimdillon]

I guess I am a bit surprised that more did not realize that Stone and Woods were black. I remember seeing some reference to it when I was wasting my youth at Detroit, Milan and Motor City, although I am not sure they screamed it from the rooftop. Gassers have always and will always be my favorite quarter milers and Stone Woods and Cook were number one in my book, closely followed by Big John's 61 Vette, and Ohio George and a bunch of other great racers. Anyone that ran Detroit should remember a series of Lil Kim cars. They were run by today's Promod racer, Harold Martin's father Huston Martin who had a shop not far from my grandfather's over on Livernois in Detroit. In the sixties when I was running, he ran a series of 29/30ish A sedans that ran incredibly fast. He switched up a few bodies but his cars were always some of the strongest running cars there. I believe he ran into the eighties and I hear he still toys abit on his son's team. Good memories-wish I could go back and enjoy a few more-Jim

[dochorsepower]

Originally Posted by Paul

I think it's also significant-
certainly to a lesser degree-
that the car ran a 394 Olds
when it seemed everyone was running the 392 Chrysler

definitely influencing my choice in motors for more than a few cars

394 Olds not significant? Ask Albertson Olds and Leonard Harris. I'm going to try to attach a picture.

[Chad s]

Originally Posted by TOE

Seems like there's been alot of talk about SWC and their cars in the past few weeks. I tried to dig up photos for the last thread but never got around to it. I managed to find one today. (I didn't take this photo, Mike gets the credit for this photo)

Here is one of their cars that was shown at Jalopyrama III (2006).

I'll try and dig up some of the others if there's interest.

Actually, I took that picture, and gave it to Mike.

The guy standing behind the car on the left is the current owner (if I remember correctly).

Here is another shot I took that day:

[Chad s]

and another:

[59BuickWagon]

The owner is Mike Wales who is also general manager for the Grave Digger team. The guy standing next to the car is Joe Trilo who is the former owner and the one who restored the car to it's current state.

[PEDDRO]

One from this past January....

[VenturaMotors]

I know this guy who knows who knows this other guy that told a friend that he drove for S.W.C. and Mazmanian.

Or ...I can just ask my father who did drive both .
44 years ago tomorrow, My parents got married and flew to Seattle to match race Stone,Woods and Cook.
My fathers crew trailered the car to Puyallup,WA and got it thru tech inspection.
His guy was very eager to make a qualifing run and neglected to top off the brand new B&M Hydro...
My folks spent their honeymoon night replacing the trans to make the race that weekend.
Larry Davis's back cover shows the picture of that weekend.

I was informed that the single T was for class trophy run and the double TT was for eliminator run.

[Ryan]

I think the 'T' designation differed from track to track... I know at Wall Dragway, they always "T'ed" our cars just like that after tech... That said, I've also been at tracks that "T'ed" class winners.

[Ryan]

Originally Posted by dochorsepower

394 Olds not significant? Ask Albertson Olds and Leonard Harris. I'm going to try to attach a picture.

I think Paul was actually saying the Olds powerplant was very significant...

[Mojo]

I asked in the other thread, but i'll ask here too. Anyone know the history of the different versions? The light blue car was the first, and the dark blue one that was cut off at the bottom was the last one. Possibly it was the medium blue one with the gold stripes. Anyone know about the black one? I read there was 4, but i've never seen anything else about that.

[VenturaMotors]

"I was informed that the single T was for class trophy run and the double TT was for eliminator run."

This was at national events in the 1960's.IHRA,NHRA etc.
Larry Davis's Gasser Wars has pictures on page 67 and 103 of "T"ed cars.

[TOE]

Apologies to Chad S.

He is the one who gets the photo credit for the pic I posted earlier. He also posted the interior shots that I was about to post.

[Zumo]

I found a few more pics:

[Dooley]

Originally Posted by Mojo

I asked in the other thread, but i'll ask here too. Anyone know the history of the different versions? The light blue car was the first, and the dark blue one that was cut off at the bottom was the last one. Possibly it was the medium blue one with the gold stripes. Anyone know about the black one? I read there was 4, but i've never seen anything else about that.

Gasser madness has a pic of the blue one and black one side by side.
The black one was swindler A the blue was B
So there was the swindler II the light blue one.
Then A and B but I think in different incarnations since I've seen the dark blue, dark blue with a gold stripe and black.

Which one was the one that had the bottom cut off?

[clemdaddy]

any of you guys know of the gasser known as "the texan" owned by one of the chisenhall brothers that started vintage air in san antonio?
i saw the blown elephant willys about 8 years ago in one of their shops. i assume it's the same vintage as the swc willys and probably campaigned against it. anybody got pics? it sure looked badass....

[bobbyhstl]

If you can find issue 6 or Rodder's Journal (Winter 1996) it has the complete story of the SWC cars. In addition to great photos, it give a rundown of when all the various cars were built, when they were painted with what color, and Doug Cook's complete racing history. It also give good coverage to Fred Stone's and Leonard Woods' involvement with the team. It is a great resource for the SWC fan.

[monsterflake]

Originally Posted by bobbyhstl

If you can find issue 6 or Rodder's Journal (Winter 1996) it has the complete story of the SWC cars. In addition to great photos, it give a rundown of when all the various cars were built, when they were painted with what color, and Doug Cook's complete racing history. It also give good coverage to Fred Stone's and Leonard Woods' involvement with the team. It is a great resource for the SWC fan.

maybe that's why i can't find #6, all the gasser guys have 'em!

[bobbyhstl]

My latest issue of Rodder's Journal arrived today (#36). It has a great article about the history of the SWC Swindler B car, including some terrific shot of the car in its restored form. Try to get a copy you if you like early gasser history.

[Mojo]

Originally Posted by bobbyhstl

If you can find issue 6 or Rodder's Journal (Winter 1996) it has the complete story of the SWC cars. In addition to great photos, it give a rundown of when all the various cars were built, when they were painted with what color, and Doug Cook's complete racing history. It also give good coverage to Fred Stone's and Leonard Woods' involvement with the team. It is a great resource for the SWC fan.

thanks for the tip, i'll get that issue. Still waiting for #36 to come out on the news stand!

[59BuickWagon]

Originally Posted by clemdaddy

any of you guys know of the gasser known as "the texan" owned by one of the chisenhall brothers that started vintage air in san antonio?
i saw the blown elephant willys about 8 years ago in one of their shops. i assume it's the same vintage as the swc willys and probably campaigned against it. anybody got pics? it sure looked badass....

Gordon (Jack's brother) owns the Texan which is a street rod he's been building for the last 25 years or so. Progress has been a little slow As I remember, it was a fresh built car as opposed to an ex-gasser.

Gordon was at the Round-Up in the maroon chopped full fendered Deuce 5-window he acquired from Danny Zeller.

[PunkAssGearhead88]

I just discovered this YouTube video you guys would be interested in. Its got alot of pics of the different SWC cars and other gassers including Mazmanian's.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=2_tnosQ9Jh8

[texoutsider]

Where in the hell have some of you guys been..........everyone knew that S/W were black............and nobody gave a shit...........that car wailed............the classic example of "Gasser"..........

[Hot Rod Willys]

The T sticker is for trophy only the two cars in the class final got those stickers the checker was the class winner.

Dave

[hemi coupe]

Originally Posted by VenturaMotors

I know this guy who knows who knows this other guy that told a friend that he drove for S.W.C. and Mazmanian.

Or ...I can just ask my father who did drive both .
44 years ago tomorrow, My parents got married and flew to Seattle to match race Stone,Woods and Cook.
My fathers crew trailered the car to Puyallup,WA and got it thru tech inspection.
His guy was very eager to make a qualifing run and neglected to top off the brand new B&M Hydro...
My folks spent their honeymoon night replacing the trans to make the race that weekend.
Larry Davis's back cover shows the picture of that weekend.

I was informed that the single T was for class trophy run and the double TT was for eliminator run.

Your dads roadster is one of my all time favorite cars!! I used to work at Mooneyham Blowers and got to meet Doug Cook and your dad. Your dad just started to restore his car and was talking to them about the blower. I can remember when Doug Cook walked, in I instantly knew it was him. I was in awe that I finally got to meet one of my heroes. When he left Gene Mooneyham and Larry Faust claimed "that guy is a bad ass". They then told stories how he was a hell of a driver, plus he was also tuning the car, changing rear end gears etc. Stone,Woods and Cook will always be heroes to me..
Jimmy White
Circle City Hot Rods
P.s. When your Dad left Mooneyham Blowers Gene and Larry said he was a "bad ass" as well. I remember them saying he had a street roadster that ran really good.

[chuck fahr]

Does anyone know if any of them are alive? It sure would be cool to interview them today. I had the model when I was a kid, one of my all time favorits. I saw them at Great Lakes Dragway in WI. Did'nt they run a mustang funny car named Tinkerbell? I may be wrong.Somone here should know. Set me straight. Also at Great Lakes back in the early 70's there was a black team that ran a mopar called "Cold duck Time" Anyone remember that?
Great thread!

[hemi coupe]

Originally Posted by chuck fahr

Does anyone know if any of them are alive? It sure would be cool to interview them today. I had the model when I was a kid, one of my all time favorits. I saw them at Great Lakes Dragway in WI. Did'nt they run a mustang funny car named Tinkerbell? I may be wrong.Somone here should know. Set me straight. Also at Great Lakes back in the early 70's there was a black team that ran a mopar called "Cold duck Time" Anyone remember that?
Great thread!

I am pretty sure that they have all passed away. I think Stone and Woods were a little bit older then Doug Cook. I think Doug Cook passed away 7-8 years ago now.
Jimmy White

[Larry T]

I believe Leonard Woods is still alive and owns a Ford dealership in California. My guess would be Chino Hills Ford.
Larry T

[bobbyhstl]

Stone, Woods and Cook all have passed away, and ironically in that order. Doug died in June 1999. The last time I saw him was at Bonneville about 1998, working on his son Mike's car. It was my impression that the terrible accident with the SWC Mustang funny car in Alton, IL in 1967 had lasting effects on him. The SWC team was one of a kind.

[Larry T]

Originally Posted by bobbyhstl

Stone, Woods and Cook all have passed away, and ironically in that order. Doug died in June 1999. The last time I saw him was at Bonneville about 1998, working on his son Mike's car. It was my impression that the terrible accident with the SWC Mustang funny car in Alton, IL in 1967 had lasting effects on him. The SWC team was one of a kind.

Well, you got me to wondering and I looked around the net a little bit. I found a couple of articles about Tim Woods III that said his father and grandfather were involved with SWC and I found this 2005 article.

http://www.competitionplus.com/2005_09/by_george.html

Larry T

[Reggie]

Great Post!

[swcmaz]

I have known SWC since 1961 and the person with the shads is Lenorard Woods the 3rd.

Tim Woods grandson.

I have many photos of the team and did part time work for them as early as 1965. Got lots of stories.

How many of you rember the SWC '33 Willys?

swcmaz

[swcmaz]

Sent the wrong photo. That was the Opel.

Heres the photo I ment to send. Fred Stone sitting on the fender.

swcmaz

[swcmaz]

New member here, lets try this again.

That didn't wprk either. says the file to big.

Back to the drawing board.

swcmaz

[Dave Downs]

Stone, Woods & Cook........immortals in my opinion

I'd followed them for about 2 years when I found out Stone & Woods were 'colored' (that was the term back then) in 1962

My reaction was "Yeah?"

Long live the 394 & the 'Hydro' (OK, their engine was a lot bigger than 394....)

[toads29]

I grew up with my uncle driving a 40 willys drag car and all I heard about was SWC, KS Pittman, George Montegomery and Mazmanian. It was the neatest thing to see KS stop by my uncles trailer at a match race and just take the time to shoot the breeze.

I am a thirtysomething but I wish I grew up in that era when fans were just that, fans. Not just some ticket to make money off of merchandise!

Somebody on the HAMB come up with a Stone, Woods and Cook workshirt or tee.

To add to the when fans were just fans thing. I took my 3 year old to the match races at Route 66 on Saturday to watch the Front Engine Nitro Cars, Gassers, Super Stocks and yes of course Jet Cars.
Animal Jim, Arnie Beswick and the Chi-Town Hustler Crew treated him to a great time! He has not stop wearing is Chitown shirt.

Take your kids to the races and hot rod shows they are like a sponge, it is great way to keep them out of trouble and in touch with the old man.

I will get off my soap box now.

[markyac]

Originally Posted by Larry T

The black and white pictures are all from Don Montgomery's Supercharged Gas Coupes book. It's a must have for any gasser freak.
Here's another pic from the book. I believe the T on the headlight stands for trophy, meaning they won their class that day.
Larry T

The T means Trophy run, i.e the class final. Still that way today.

[Ebert]

My parents built and ran Munice Dragway until 1972 and I remember SW&C vividly. We had several "Gasser Madness" meets and they came far and wide to beat the best gassers in the country. I will have to dig through my Dad's scrapbook to find a picture that shows about 25 gassers lined up....Mazmanian, Ohio George Montgomery, SW&C, KS Pittman, the Kohler Brothers, Stoltz & Velasquez, Jeg Coughlan, etc! Was one helluva way to live as a kid in Indiana!!!

[Boones]

I have always wanted to build a replica of the black version.. not sure how long it was run that way...

[blackrat40]

Somebody mentioned a team of black guys who ran a gasser called
"Snuffbox".
I got to see one of the first "Snuffbox" gassers run at a small intown
(in Dallas)dragstrip called Circle Dragstrip in about 1960.
The one I saw was a brown '49 Chevy with I think an Olds in it.
This was when all the spectators (about 15) stood around the
starting line about 2 feet away from the cars starting.
I will always remember the Snuffbox pulling up to the starting line
one Saturday night.The engine shut off and the driver,a black guy,
bailed out and popped the hood open.The carbs were on fire!
No aircleaner or scoops(2-4's I think).
The driver lunged into the engine compartment and began puffing
like mad and managed to blow the fire out.
When he slid back out he said loudly " WOOO...now I know what
peanuts feel like when they're roasting!"
I probably told that story 50 times at highschool.I was only 16.
BTW,I heard that those guys ran a '38 Chevy cpe. in B/G later.
Great times in Dallas in the early 60's.

[flatheadgary]

heres one for ya. i used to see them all the time at lions way back when. at one weekend run they blew a piston in the car. they had a tow truck with an olds in it also. so i watched as they pulled the motor out of the truck, swapped what they needed and won the event. then they swapped back. in '67 when i got my first job, i worked with a black guy who would work for them on occasion and he had a blown olds motor for sale. needless to say , i bought it. he told me the manifold was one from swc olds days. he also had the headers from the willys but i was building a '53 ford gasser at the time and couldn't use them so i didn't buy them. dumb huh?

[thamesvan]

Originally Posted by clemdaddy

any of you guys know of the gasser known as "the texan" owned by one of the chisenhall brothers that started vintage air in san antonio?
i saw the blown elephant willys about 8 years ago in one of their shops. i assume it's the same vintage as the swc willys and probably campaigned against it. anybody got pics? it sure looked badass....

Isn't "The Texan" a ground hugging 40 Willys that Street Rodder were covering the build of.It was going to be an awesome machine but over a period of time,and changes in staff,it was never shown finished.In fact there were letters months later asking for updates.By the way,thank God you,ve put these PROPER gassers up for view.HELLO,these are gassers!!!

[Joe Troilo]

MOJO, The first SWC car was built in 1960/61, painted metallic light blue, Olds engine and called Swindler II. It was repainted in 1962 with a slightly different light blue metallic still called Swindler II. It was a B/GS car. In 1963 a lighter car was built for A/GS, painted the same light blue also with an Olds engine called Swindler "A" . And that now made the B/GS car Swindler "B". In 1964 the A/GS car was painted black and given a Hemi. It was a terror and set several records. Both cars were repainted in 1965 and both ran Hemi motors by then. The B/GS car was retired in late 65/66 and the A/GS car ran match races until late 66 early 67. During that time it received lower body mods and at one point had a gold stripe. Hope this helps.

[Joe Troilo]

Boones, the black car was run for one season, 1964. It was known as the "Black Widow". The car did not get the magazine attention because it was not photogenic in black. Most of the photos you see are B&W. It was painted candy blue for 1965.

[George Klass]

Hello VenturaMotors. I know your dad, Hugh Tucker. Saw him a couple of years ago at the SEMA show in Vegas, hadn't seen him in years prior to that. Here's a question for you. What ever happend to Dave Stoll? I remember that the supercharged Olds in the Tucker & Stoll street roadster originally came out of Dave's ski boat. I used to hang around with Dave and I seem to remember that Hugh was working at B&M at the time.

[DirtyThirty]

Originally Posted by Groucho

Posted by Ryan

I’m guessing these photos feature Cook and his buddies although I am not sure who is who… Noticeably absent are Stone and Woods - both black men and both important Drag Racing pioneers

I believe it's K.S. Pitman, Wayne Arteaga, Doug Cook, and i'm not sure on the 4th guy. I think Wayne Arteaga lived in the mid-west(?) somewhere and he'd put up the west coast guys whenever they went that way to race. Gave them a place to stay AND fix their cars. I don't know the reason for Stone and Woods not getting the notoriety of Cook, but it's usually the front man (driver, lead singer of a band, etc) that gets all the fame anyway. I've got no shortage of Stone and Woods pictures in my old magazines, but like i said, it's the driver usually. A pretty good exception was Mazmanian. His name was out there no matter who drove his cars. My 2 cents. Either way, Stone Woods and Cook are in my opinion about the MOST memorable team in drag racing history, PERIOD. Great racing, great memories!

PS-i think the above car was a B/Gas car, Swindler B (the chrome reverse wheels were seldom seen on that team) driven by Doug Cook's brother. Dig the show car interior!

correct...I beleive those pics are at Arteaga's shop, too...

[DirtyThirty]

Originally Posted by Boones

I have always wanted to build a replica of the black version.. not sure how long it was run that way...

This car debuted on March 28th 1964, and the S.W.C Mustang made its appearance in '68...

[shoprat]

When I was a kid used to see them at Lions often. We thought the cam manufactures were the reason the SWC cars went to Hemi's. The start of
the Cam wars. I don't remember the Olds being not fast enough.

[DirtyThirty]

Originally Posted by Joe Troilo

Boones, the black car was run for one season, 1964. It was known as the "Black Widow". The car did not get the magazine attention because it was not photogenic in black. Most of the photos you see are B&W. It was painted candy blue for 1965.

The black Swindler A was also campaigned in '65, by '66 it was the Mettallic blue again.

[Gearhd69]

Great tread! Thanks for sharing everyone.

[4tl8ford]

Ryan

This may be the most significant post on the H.A.M.B.

[Randy Ferguson]

Who's S&S Racing Team Willys is on the trailer in this shot? I'm assuming it belongs to K. S. Pittman? Or was it perhaps Fred Bear's?
Dave Hales aslo ran that body style Willys, but that doesn't look like Dave's car. And, it darn sure isn't Pork Zartman's Filthy Forty.

[George Klass]

That is the K.S. Pittman car on the trailer, and the SWC car in the garage. This shot was taken when both were on tour, back east somewhere if I recall.

[TexasHardcore]

Fucking Legends.

[boogeracng]

If I may clarify the photo in the opening post. Wayne Arteaga was a well known gasser guy in his own right in the midwest throughout the Gasser Wars years and before. His home and shop were a stopping off point as the "names".......S-W-C, Pittman, Mazmanian, et al made their trips west to east for match races, as well as east to west going home. Major repairs as well as minor maintainance were the order of the day.

Wayne's B/G Wilys was a national record holder at one point, and he too, was an Olds guy.....still was all the way up to his untimely death this past June.

I think the photo with the tall guy with the glasses is Wayne's partner, John Helmuth. Wayne drove and tuned, John was the "technical" guy. He was an engineer with McDonnell Douglas, and an early techno geek.

Racing from the Golden Age.......

[53olds]

the coolest gasser ever!

[resqd37Zep]

It's kinda of funny, as a black guy I thought everyone knew this already. Here's a shocker for you. Take a good look at Don the Snake Prudhome.

[resqd37Zep]

Originally Posted by Jeff Norwell

Speed has no color.

That was very well said.

[belair]

Originally Posted by 4tl8ford

Ryan

This may be the most significant post on the H.A.M.B.

My thought exacly.

[biscaynes]

one of my earliest memories about drag racing as a kid...the SWC willys.

[biscaynes]

a couple garage shots, these i found on the HAMB awhile ago....

[mr68gts]

I just noticed that the last pics of the black car look like the hood was shortened in height at the front of it. Or is it just me?
Paul M

[papastoyss]

Originally Posted by VenturaMotors

I know this guy who knows who knows this other guy that told a friend that he drove for S.W.C. and Mazmanian.

Or ...I can just ask my father who did drive both .
44 years ago tomorrow, My parents got married and flew to Seattle to match race Stone,Woods and Cook.
My fathers crew trailered the car to Puyallup,WA and got it thru tech inspection.
His guy was very eager to make a qualifing run and neglected to top off the brand new B&M Hydro...
My folks spent their honeymoon night replacing the trans to make the race that weekend.
Larry Davis's back cover shows the picture of that weekend.

I was informed that the single T was for class trophy run and the double TT was for eliminator run.

NHRA used to put a round sticker w/ a T on the final two cars in class eliminations so the tech guys would know to weigh them & P&G the motor.

[5w32]

does anyone have a photo of the original swc car...41 studebaker with the small block chevy?

[Slim Pickens]

BTT.
Duh on me for not doing more history digging. I only recently found out about that Mr. Stone and Woods were Black Americans. One of my all time favorite car ever. I even have most of Don Montgomerys books and never made the connection. Slim

[Home Brew]

About 10 or 12 years ago there was a picture of the Studebaker in Rod and Custom. This car pre-dated SWC and was owned by Woods alone as I recall. I'll look tomorrow for the mag and try to put a picture on here.

[slammed]

Originally Posted by NONAME

SWC were true sportsmen and competitors. I never could stand Big John Mazmanian(SP) after seeing him standing in the pits screaming racial slurs at Stone and Woods. it just wasn't acceptable even in the 60's.

Man, now THAT suck's................the guy (Big Tool, errr John) was 'ethnic' too.The Rodders Journal ever do a feature on the Team and car to shed some light on the subject?

[CONNMAN]

>>>>>,Bottom pic is The Stone -Woods Stude with K S Pitman driving ,,Cordova Drag Strip Illinios in '58 ,,thats me in that '34 Chevy in the top pick ,

[olscrounger]

SWC used to come to Madera with Swindler 2 the B/GS about 60-61 if I remember correctly--came for the Nat'l record runs-saw them alot in the pits--very quite and business-like--later (63?) I remember the A/GS car coming--may have been 64 as it was no longer olds powered--Reath AutomotiveSP?-also was running at this time with a black Willys that was Lincoln powered I think-have never seen pics of it anywhere-SWC was the real deal-my dates may be off a year or so-have some old pics somewhere--may have to get my grandaughter to help me scan them

[Comet]

Originally Posted by Larry T

They switched to a Hemi in early 64. As racers they did what it took to be competitive. As a side note, I think Ohio George started with a Caddy.
Larry T

I thought the B car (the blue one that the blog is about) always had an Olds and the A car was created to compete in that class with a Hemi. Did the B car switch to a Hemi at one point in it's life?

[CONNMAN]

>>>>>,Back in the late '50's and the '60's ,,,one thing i learned ,,at an early age ,,was for the most part ,,drag racers were colored blind ,,a racer was a racer,,and Stone & Woods were ,,"Racers:" ,,no matter who was driving for em ,,
Two Great Guys ,,,!!!

[64 Wildcat]

Originally Posted by NONAME
SWC were true sportsmen and competitors. I never could stand Big John Mazmanian(SP) after seeing him standing in the pits screaming racial slurs at Stone and Woods. it just wasn't acceptable even in the 60's.

Originally Posted by slammed

Man, now THAT suck's................the guy (Big Tool, errr John) was 'ethnic' too.The Rodders Journal ever do a feature on the Team and car to shed some light on the subject?

That kind of crap was more common than one might have imagined back in the 1960s. Ask any of the guys from the Japanese-American community who were involved in racing 40+ years ago it it's all pretty shameful. (Things were even worse for for rodders of that ethnicity and their families during WWII)

I think Big Willie Robinson helped bridge a lot of racial divides; at least that was my experience for decades back.

There were a lot of really great rodders and racers during that era, many of whom are little known because of their paint jobs. Hopefully, this is the place where their stories can finally be told.

[CONNMAN]

>>>>>,The very early years ,,,when they were flat towing
the Willys ,,,

[CONNMAN]

>>>>>,Not sure exactly what month it was ,,but in the middle '60's ,,when i was in the USAF stationed in Anchorage,AK ,,Hot Rod Mag did an exploded view of the SW-C Willys ,,i copied that chassis for my '54 Ford C/Gasser w' a 396 BB ,,i wanted a Willys ,,but in Alaska ,,there just wasn't any ,,lotsa Anglias ,,but no Willys Coupes up there ,,so,,,i did it with a old Ford Pee Cup ,,
over the years ,,Stone-Woods was my all time faverete ,,they went thru alota drivers back then ,,,First with K S Pitman ,,if i remember right ,,Big John Mazmaian drove for em for a short time 'till he lost a big race to K S Pitman ,and got fired in faver of light weight ( 100 lbs soking wet ) ,Doug"Cookie" Cooke ,,Doug drove all the way to the Mustang Days in the early '70's , when he had a bad crash ,,almost got killed ,,and retired ,,
Big John was hired to fill in for Doug for a couple races in the AA/GS Mustang ,,K S Pitman too ,,plus several other guys ,,BUT ,,the Mustang Days just wasn't the same as the good ole` Willys days ,,then ,,NHRA did away with the "Gasser" classes and I went snow mobile & boat racin',,,
Just wasn't the same anymore ,,,

[ProEnfo]

Originally Posted by CONNMAN;4951092[B

Big John Mazmaian drove for em for a short time 'till he lost a big race to K S Pitman ,and got fired in faver of light weight ( 100 lbs soking wet ) ,Doug"Cookie" Cooke ,,Doug drove all the way to the Mustang Days in the early '70's , when he had a bad crash ,,almost got killed ,,and retired ,,[/B]

Big John was hired to fill in for Doug for a couple races in the AA/GS Mustang ,,

As 'Big John' didn't drive his own cars, I would probably have to debate both of those statements as highly unlikely events. Doug replaced both Pittman (driver) and Edwards (wrench) in 1962 as he could do both.

Source: HRM July 1962

Quote: " Originally, the blue bomb was run by team of Stone, Woods and Pittman with engine performance by John Edwards. Recently Doug "Cookie" Cook joined Stone & Woods with his knowledge of high horsepower engines, widely recognized driving ability"


BTW... Doug's last name was Cook, 'Cooke' was the secretaries name that was used after Doug left the team...

CC

[Frank K]

Must be the most famous Gasser/Team in Drag Racing..Frank Kunkel

[JeffreyJames]

Here's a couple I took at GNRS this year...

[BLAINE 816]

In 1960 it would have been ahra and nhra.

[modelkitbasher]

yes doug was a white guy he passed away 8-10 years ago. he died of numonia.sorry for maybe spelling numonia wrong.

[Larry T]

Originally Posted by Comet

I thought the B car (the blue one that the blog is about) always had an Olds and the A car was created to compete in that class with a Hemi. Did the B car switch to a Hemi at one point in it's life?

Ya made me look. (G)

"They continued to run the Swindler II in B/Gas, at which time the cars were renamed Swindler A and Swindler B. At first, Swindler A was painted black; both cars were later resprayed in a darker candy blue. After a narrow victory against Big John Mazmanian at the '64 Winternationals, both cars' blown Olds engines were switched to blown Hemis."

Pretty good brief history of both cars (really more than that) here.

http://www.hotrod.com/featuredvehicl...windler_a.html
Larry T

[nutajunka]

Always knew Stone and Woods were black since I was a kid. Growing up around cars your color didn't matter, it was how fast your car was. Some very creative times back then. I always thought Cook had an advantage because of his size and weight as a driver.

[Sean Cook]

Great thread. True legends and hero's to me. These threads are great, but sometimes the comments are not totally factual. I consider myself knowledgeable on the team being that Ray Cook is my father, Doug being my uncle.

What made Doug special was his natural gift of engines/tuning and building. He was self taught and lived and breathed racing. His advantage was his work ethic and attention to detail. Those who were fortunate to know him, know he was one of a kind, and all business (meaning focused) at the races. A great team that were pioneers in the sport.

[JeffreyJames]

AWESOME!!! Glad to have ya here Sean!

[Weasel]

Lookie, lookie what I stumbled across recently.....

[raven]

What an Honor to have you here, Sean.
r

[Slim Pickens]

100% Cool. Welcome Sean. Slim

[X--GASSER]

Wow!!!

[JeffreyJames]

Originally Posted by Weasel

Lookie, lookie what I stumbled across recently.....

I am surprised that it's not in Moriarity's House....yet.

[ME.GASSER]

Originally Posted by Sean Cook

Great thread. True legends and hero's to me. These threads are great, but sometimes the comments are not totally factual. I consider myself knowledgeable on the team being that Ray Cook is my father, Doug being my uncle.

What made Doug special was his natural gift of engines/tuning and building. He was self taught and lived and breathed racing. His advantage was his work ethic and attention to detail. Those who were fortunate to know him, know he was one of a kind, and all business (meaning focused) at the races. A great team that were pioneers in the sport.

Welcome to the site sean. My husband and i have been traveling with the S&S race team for the last 5 years and have become friends with joe and mike who have the swindler II car.
Gasser Girl

[brad2v]

Originally Posted by Weasel

Lookie, lookie what I stumbled across recently.....

Wow, I about peed my pants, then an overlooking co-worker asks 'who is Stone, Woods and Whoever?'...aaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhh!

[airportparking]

Nice post...Thank you very much!!......

[sunfighter]

Sean, could you please identify the gentleman on the right for me. I took this photo in 67. real racers didn't care about color... it was all about go fast, be first.

[Roger O'Dell]

I used to watch them do burnouts on park street off lakewood blvd, Then Watson took me to Cook's (the son ) in Norco once to check out the car his son has.

[wingnutz]

Always loved that story and car!

[Muttley]

[Sean Cook]

I asked my Dad Ray Cook to check out that picture....he said he doesn't think it's Leonard as he would have been a bit younger....and Tim and Fred would have been a bit bigger....so he's not sure. Doug is in the center on the other side of the car. The guy you can barely see on the other side could be Larry Petrich. The wrenches that traveled with the team back then were Tiny Roberts and Larry Petrich.

[oldbutstillyoung]

Also you may like to know Leonard Wood jr owens Chino Hills Ford and Leonard Wood 111 drives nascar west stock cars out west

[296ardun]

Originally Posted by slammed

Man, now THAT suck's................the guy (Big Tool, errr John) was 'ethnic' too.The Rodders Journal ever do a feature on the Team and car to shed some light on the subject?

It wasn't just Maz who made race an issue...according to SW&C, Bobby Woods refused to race them when they ventured south...Woods was from Alabama, and ran a Willys AA/GS before his funny cars...after the incident SW&C took out an ad in Drag News complaining about Woods' attitude. Both Stone and Woods were originally from Montgomery, AL (where I live now), and I think it was Tim Woods who attended Alabama State University. They both headed west and got into the construction industry.

[GEEZZER]

Everyone knew S-W were black,didn't matter. Those pictures ar at Wayne Artega's garage in MO. They are K.S., Wayne Artega, Doug Cook, the big guy is Tiny Roberts mechanic on S.W.C. cars for years. I think,[not sure] Tim Woods, or the family own a Ford dealer in socal

[sunfighter]

Originally Posted by Sean Cook

I asked my Dad Ray Cook to check out that picture....he said he doesn't think it's Leonard as he would have been a bit younger....and Tim and Fred would have been a bit bigger....so he's not sure. Doug is in the center on the other side of the car. The guy you can barely see on the other side could be Larry Petrich. The wrenches that traveled with the team back then were Tiny Roberts and Larry Petrich.

Thanks for the info. I took that pic at New York national speedway.

[NoFriends310]

What a great thread, came across it in a search to just find photos I could use to reference for color matching a Revell model I recently purchased. Initially went into the shop just to find a pre 40's hot rod to build but to my surprise they had replicas of actual famous rods and dragsters. Low and behold there was the SCW Swindler II!!! I couldnt believe it, I knew about the guys but until this thread and a few others never knew of their foothold in the drag scene.
I grew up in Compton and had a couple of neighbors that were big into drag racing and also stock cars. They would always share info with me and had mentioned SWC but back then I wasnt paying full attention like now. Either way here are a few pics of my find...Ill more than likely post a "build" thread here as well.

[Novadude55]

Just read that Lenny Woods committed suicide.
http://blog.hemmings.com/index.php/2...re/?refer=news

[edweird]

Heres my contribution.always my favorite!

[mustangman1950]

Originally Posted by jimdillon

I guess I am a bit surprised that more did not realize that Stone and Woods were black. I remember seeing some reference to it when I was wasting my youth at Detroit, Milan and Motor City, although I am not sure they screamed it from the rooftop. Gassers have always and will always be my favorite quarter milers and Stone Woods and Cook were number one in my book, closely followed by Big John's 61 Vette, and Ohio George and a bunch of other great racers. Anyone that ran Detroit should remember a series of Lil Kim cars. They were run by today's Promod racer, Harold Martin's father Huston Martin who had a shop not far from my grandfather's over on Livernois in Detroit. In the sixties when I was running, he ran a series of 29/30ish A sedans that ran incredibly fast. He switched up a few bodies but his cars were always some of the strongest running cars there. I believe he ran into the eighties and I hear he still toys abit on his son's team. Good memories-wish I could go back and enjoy a few more-Jim

When I was working at Detroit Dragway fro 1987 to 1997 Houston and Harold would still come out and test some before Harold went to Promod.
They were always friendly and easy going to work with.
George

[CENTURION]

448 inches of Supercharged Olds

[amitygravel]

I think somehow at an early age I saw an article about this car ,and I was so taken by the whole concept of the body style , stance , color and even the names on the door that the car is solely responsible for my interest in high performance.

[c-10 simplex]

Tech info on SWC's cars:


As i was researching their mustangs (couldn't care less about the willys)---- and wondered what's the diff between gasser, afx and early, non-fliptop FC? For example why is ohio george's mustang considered a gasser while the dark horse 2 stang is supposedly a funnycar? etc. etc. etc. Then i decided it was too mind boggling and decided to forget about it.

However, i did stumble upon some technical info concerning SWC's cars that you might find interesting here:

Scroll down a bit to see some suspension magic revealed:
http://www.yellowbullet.com/forum/sh...d.php?t=216334

[HEMI32]

Here's a photo of the SWC Willy's @ Fremont in March '64:


© Photography by Bruce ... from my Fremont Drag Strip ... PICS from 1964!!! thread


click thumbnails to enlarge

[Sean Cook]

The Gassers had more rules than the Funny Cars....the orginal rules required the frame starting as a stock piece, they were then boxed and strenghtened, required to run gas and be doorcars....there were many more rules, that's the basics.

Funny Cars had full on chassis, longer wheelbase, fliptops and ran Nitro.

The first 'modern' car to be a gasser was Ohio George's Mustang....once it was allowed in more modern gassers followed....SWC built a mustang gasser in 68, that Ray Cook drove.

The Dark Horse 2 was the first SWC Funny Car and only one that Doug Cook drove...it was a doorcar but had a lengthed wheelbase and ran a percentage of Nitro....one of the first FC in the 7's over 180 MPH....in 1967.

[Novadude55]

just found this,

[amitygravel]

Never thought I would ever get to see the car.
I almost didn't go to the Pileup.
Here's another shot of it.

[INLAW MODEL A]

[SIZE=4][B]The last time these cars were next to each other, it was Memorial Day weekend 1966. It was the Olympics of Drag Racing at Great Lakes Dragaway. It was the first time Jerry Adams ever ran the Fiat down the track. He was trying to work out the bugs and get the timing right.

So it is test and tune and who lines up next to him? The Stone, Woods, & Cook 1941 Willys coupe. Jerry lost badly to the Willys.

This is the original Swindler II. It was restored by Mike Wales. We ran into it at the Hunnert Car Heads Up in Decatur Illinois this past weekend. We could not pass up the photo op.

[cactus1]

Too goddam cool.

[thamesvan]

Originally Posted by Novadude55

Just read that Lenny Woods committed suicide.
http://blog.hemmings.com/index.php/2...re/?refer=news

Unbeleivable,sometimes truth is stranger than fiction.Seems a waste

[Chuck Carman]

Great thread. Here's my version.

[51 Hemi J]

I remember these photos from the Larry Davis "Gasser Wars" book. One thing I absolutely love about this particular pic is the trash can...

I can only imagine it reads: "Chevy Parts"

[redlineracer42]

Originally Posted by Ryan

Â*


I was actually tooling around this guy's blog and happened upon these photos. Ironically, I think he ac...
To read the rest of this blog entry from The Jalopy Journal, click here.

Those photos are also in Don Mongomerys book about Gassers They are at Wayne Artegas garage on the road in Indianna match racing.The Artega/Helmoth? Coupe was running A/G back then and Wayne lettem use his shop for some repairs...Don Montgomery is Rockerhead on the Hamb.I have spoke to him personally and he is a hellava nice guy! He ran a Willys coupe as well! R~R

[redlineracer42]

Originally Posted by biscaynes

one of my earliest memories about drag racing as a kid...the SWC willys.

The Black car is the one I idolized as a kid! Swore I would build one as close as possible...My avatar is best I could do.... It's a 42 Stude D/G raced at the 68 World series. Built by Kenny Aiken R.I.P. Morrison Il. Home of "The Flyin Farmer"...

[57tony31]

Heres one from the past weekend.................

[treeserv]

I WENT TO THE 10th GASSER REUNION AT BEAVER SPRINGS DRAGWAY AND WAS HONORED TO SEE THE LITE BLUE CAR # II BUT WAS SUPERED HONORED TO BE ON THE COVER OF THR GASSER REUNION VIDEO WITH THE REAL STONE WOODS N COOK CAR VERY COOL . CHECK IT OUT!http://www.flickr.com/photos/treeser...in/photostream

[lolife]

I think this pic was from the 64 Winternationals. Check out the stands!

[outlaw256]

that little blue car is all i thought about when i was a kid.i have loved that car for 40yrs at least.i have never been able to see it in person but ive got plenty of pics of it taken from mags and the computer.someday ill see it.when i think of drag racing thats what i think of that willys.it is drag racing in its purest form.and i dont care if the owners were green id still love that damn car.i got a glass 41 willys but it wont ever be as cool as that car. never.but if i ever get it done ill sure as hell pretend its what im driving.lol

[Bowtie Coupe]

Here's the Swindler II at Jalopyrama III in 2006.

[Jalopyrama Mike]

The 2006 Jalopyrama was the premier showing of the freshly restored SWC Swindler II. We've debut'd many original/re-furbished/restored significant hot rods over the past 8 years of the Jalopyrama.

---

Here's the Swindler II at Jalopyrama III in 2006.

Attached Thumbnails

__________________
Jalopyrama - A Traditional Hot Rod Show

[Deuces]

Here's one of my favorite shots....

[A100]

Originally Posted by Sean Cook

The Gassers had more rules than the Funny Cars....the orginal rules required the frame starting as a stock piece, they were then boxed and strenghtened, required to run gas and be doorcars....there were many more rules, that's the basics.

Funny Cars had full on chassis, longer wheelbase, fliptops and ran Nitro.

The first 'modern' car to be a gasser was Ohio George's Mustang....once it was allowed in more modern gassers followed....SWC built a mustang gasser in 68, that Ray Cook drove.

The Dark Horse 2 was the first SWC Funny Car and only one that Doug Cook drove...it was a doorcar but had a lengthed wheelbase and ran a percentage of Nitro....one of the first FC in the 7's over 180 MPH....in 1967.

Picture taken in the spring of 68 at Mt View Dragway outside of Denver.



This picture was taken at NEITA (Cedar Falls Raceway) in Iowa. The SWC car was running with the Coca Cola Calvicade of Funny Cars Tour in 69

[todztoyz]

My all time favorite! Could be why I tire of seeing all these new low Willys of today.

[1 shot]

Lenny Woods, Chino Hills Ford Owner, Found Dead in Dealership

Wednesday, 22 September 2010 20:30



Cheryl Brown –
Timothy “Lenny” Woods was in business and a very proud owner of Chino Hills Ford for 30 years. Woods was found dead at his dealership on Tuesday morning.
Woods was born in Riverside, 64 years ago, into a family of builders and racecar enthusiasts. His father Timothy Leonard Woods, had the first Black owned construction company and built neighborhoods on the eastside of the city. The family was also the first Black drag car racers and raced a 41 Willy’s car named Stone, Woods, and Cook. They were always race favorites and have many trophies to show for it.
In Riverside, he attended Longfellow Elementary School before the family relocated to Los Angeles. He later graduated from the University of Notre Dame.
Fast forward, Woods knew the car business and was prepared when Ford instituted the Minority Dealership Program.
He was one of a few Black owned dealerships in the nation to be developed by automakers in the country. He was highly successful and had developed a market niche.
In 2003, the market began changing, housing was exorbitant, gasoline was on an upward climb, and the ap petite for American cars changed drastically.
In April of 2010, due to a failing economy, he became one of the casualties and was forced to close his dealership and return or sell his inventory. He was unsuccessful in getting a loan from the banks after their bailout, a loan from the city, that had recently received stimulus money, and when that failed he had no where else to turn.
Known as a hard-nosed businessman with a soft side, he helped little league teams, car racers, and community organizations of all kinds especially in Chino but he could not overcome the economy.
Wife Cynthia, daughter Dana, son Timothy III, and two grandchildren, sister Sandra Woods-Wellington and a host of relatives and friends survive him.
Memorial arrangements are not announced at this time.

[ironpile]

Wayne Ortega was a photographer out of St Louis.Lots of his work appears in prominent places in and around St Louis.