The Jalopy Journal

**Ryan** · 09-11-2009, 10:03 AM

A few weeks ago, we featured the first belly tank to ever hit Bonneville. It was built by a mild mannered yet seriously respected man by the name of Bill Burke. Assuming you don't know the name would ...

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

1950ChevySuburban · 09-11-2009, 10:06 AM

Fun read and visit back in time. Great way to start the morning, thanks!

Ol Deuce · 09-11-2009, 10:37 AM

Bill Burke is a very intersting man to visit with, He has so
many Bonneville stories of his early days. Bill is a very cool
person!

Ol Deuce

**denis4x4** · 09-11-2009, 12:06 PM

I've enjoyed more than a few wet lunches with Bill when he was the one and only ad salesman for Car Craft, Hot Rod, and Rod & Custom. Most, if not all, of our clients were more than happy to contribute parts, pieces and and a helping hand to Bill. A true living legend and a hell of a nice guy.

**HEMI32** · 09-11-2009, 12:50 PM

Ryan ... I've been meaning to start a "Bill Burke Pictorial History" thread ... now I don't have to!

... thanks for the cool pics and the history lesson!

Flying Tiger · 09-11-2009, 08:36 PM

Great read. Thank you for sharing.

Bugsy · 09-12-2009, 06:52 AM

Talk about a pioneer on so many levels. And talk about balls on so many levels. These depression era inovators like Bill Burke are national treasures to say the least. When you think of the advancements in mechanical technology and speed that took place during a 20 to 30 year period it's mind blowing. Also, this was also one of the last times in our history where the military was taking it's cues from the civilian sector as far as engineering, horsepower and speed. Whether it was in the air races over Cleveland or on the dry lakes of California. Guys like Bill Burke were pushing the limits with no safety net or compensation. They hung it out there, spent their hard earned dough and set and broke records at a break-neck speed, both figuratively and literally!!

I can't imagine what a buzz he caused when he rolled up with the belly tank for the first time! What a wild assed ride that thing must have been.

G. Hacker · 09-12-2009, 04:29 PM

Hi Gang....

I visited Bill Burke last week and took some shots of him with the belly tank we recently built. Attached is one of the photos. Bill is in purple and his son Steve is standing next to him.

Hope you enjoy...

Geoff

flamingokid · 09-12-2009, 06:55 PM

The Kellison and also that streamliner are just plain cool.

**Bib Overalls** · 09-12-2009, 09:00 PM

I've told this tale before. When I was in grammar school my walk home, with a slight detour, took me by the Burke house in the San Gabriel Village. If I was lucky the garage door would be open and I could get a look at a belly tank or stream liner parked inside. And once or twice, a car was actually pushed outside. But I never saw anyone outside and I did not have the nerve to knock on the door. My loss. Many years later I found out Bill's son Steve and my brother Mike were best of friends.

fiat128 · 09-14-2009, 11:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by G. Hacker

Hi Gang....

I visited Bill Burke last week and took some shots of him with the belly tank we recently built. Attached is one of the photos. Bill is in purple and his son Steve is standing next to him.

Hope you enjoy...

Geoff

Got any more details on this car? That looks seriously fun.

G. Hacker · 09-15-2009, 08:55 AM

Hi Fiat128....

Here’s a summary of links on the internet about the belly tank. These are the stories covered by Hemmings in the last few months. Hope you enjoy. Just click on the first link and then the remaining links for each story.

This shows the progression from when we started the belly tank project, it’s arrival and showing at Bonneville, and it’s final stop on the journey at the NHRA Museum in Pomona California. Here are the links:

http://blog.hemmings.com/index.php/2...ion-under-way/

http://blog.hemmings.com/index.php/2...ion-continues/

http://blog.hemmings.com/index.php/2...to-bonneville/

http://blog.hemmings.com/index.php/2...hits-the-salt/

http://tinyurl.com/lons3k

Hope you enjoy…

Geoff

09-11-2009, 10:03 AM	#1
Ryan Administrator Join Date: Jan 1995 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 13,620	The Birth Of Bill Burke A few weeks ago, we featured the first belly tank to ever hit Bonneville. It was built by a mild mannered yet seriously respected man by the name of Bill Burke. Assuming you don't know the name would ... To read the rest of this blog entry from The Jalopy Journal, click here.

09-11-2009, 10:06 AM	#2
1950ChevySuburban Member Emeritus Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Tucson AZ Posts: 6,239	Re: The Birth Of Bill Burke Fun read and visit back in time. Great way to start the morning, thanks! __________________ *My '29 Sedan build thread can be viewed here:* /showthread.php?t=635145

09-11-2009, 10:37 AM	#3
Ol Deuce Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Mt. U.S.A. Posts: 974	Re: The Birth Of Bill Burke Bill Burke is a very intersting man to visit with, He has so many Bonneville stories of his early days. Bill is a very cool person! Ol Deuce __________________ http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/s...d.php?t=354670

09-11-2009, 12:06 PM	#4
denis4x4 Alliance Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Colorado Posts: 1,465	Re: The Birth Of Bill Burke I've enjoyed more than a few wet lunches with Bill when he was the one and only ad salesman for Car Craft, Hot Rod, and Rod & Custom. Most, if not all, of our clients were more than happy to contribute parts, pieces and and a helping hand to Bill. A true living legend and a hell of a nice guy.

09-11-2009, 12:50 PM	#5
HEMI32 Alliance Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Bay Area, California Posts: 3,789	Re: The Birth Of Bill Burke *Ryan* ... I've been meaning to start a "Bill Burke Pictorial History" thread ... now I don't have to! ... thanks for the cool pics and the history lesson! __________________

09-11-2009, 08:36 PM	#6
Flying Tiger Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Japan Posts: 479	Re: The Birth Of Bill Burke Great read. Thank you for sharing.

09-12-2009, 06:52 AM	#7
Bugsy Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Kansas Posts: 819	Re: The Birth Of Bill Burke Talk about a pioneer on so many levels. And talk about balls on so many levels. These depression era inovators like Bill Burke are national treasures to say the least. When you think of the advancements in mechanical technology and speed that took place during a 20 to 30 year period it's mind blowing. Also, this was also one of the last times in our history where the military was taking it's cues from the civilian sector as far as engineering, horsepower and speed. Whether it was in the air races over Cleveland or on the dry lakes of California. Guys like Bill Burke were pushing the limits with no safety net or compensation. They hung it out there, spent their hard earned dough and set and broke records at a break-neck speed, both figuratively and literally!! I can't imagine what a buzz he caused when he rolled up with the belly tank for the first time! What a wild assed ride that thing must have been. __________________ The "Dust Bowl Spl." http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/s...d.php?t=681152

09-12-2009, 04:29 PM	#8
G. Hacker Grenade Inspector Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Tampa, Florida Posts: 132	Re: The Birth Of Bill Burke Hi Gang.... I visited Bill Burke last week and took some shots of him with the belly tank we recently built. Attached is one of the photos. Bill is in purple and his son Steve is standing next to him. Hope you enjoy... Geoff Attached Thumbnails

09-12-2009, 06:55 PM	#9
flamingokid Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Olathe,Kansas Posts: 1,052	Re: The Birth Of Bill Burke The Kellison and also that streamliner are just plain cool.

09-12-2009, 09:00 PM	#10
Bib Overalls Alliance Member Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Jonesboro, Arkansas Posts: 3,674	Re: The Birth Of Bill Burke I've told this tale before. When I was in grammar school my walk home, with a slight detour, took me by the Burke house in the San Gabriel Village. If I was lucky the garage door would be open and I could get a look at a belly tank or stream liner parked inside. And once or twice, a car was actually pushed outside. But I never saw anyone outside and I did not have the nerve to knock on the door. My loss. Many years later I found out Bill's son Steve and my brother Mike were best of friends. __________________ Plan ahead. Sweat the details. http://www.flickr.com/photos/ratpoison/

09-15-2009, 08:55 AM	#12
G. Hacker Grenade Inspector Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Tampa, Florida Posts: 132	Re: The Birth Of Bill Burke Hi Fiat128.... Here’s a summary of links on the internet about the belly tank. These are the stories covered by Hemmings in the last few months. Hope you enjoy. Just click on the first link and then the remaining links for each story. This shows the progression from when we started the belly tank project, it’s arrival and showing at Bonneville, and it’s final stop on the journey at the NHRA Museum in Pomona California. Here are the links: http://blog.hemmings.com/index.php/2...ion-under-way/ http://blog.hemmings.com/index.php/2...ion-continues/ http://blog.hemmings.com/index.php/2...to-bonneville/ http://blog.hemmings.com/index.php/2...hits-the-salt/ http://tinyurl.com/lons3k Hope you enjoy… Geoff

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode