Art & Inspiration Traditional images that need no explanation.

The best of times for the drags. If only we could go back to where a couple guys could campaign a fuel car out of what basically amounts to a cave.

 

SUB SONIC

 

@40ragtopdown

Hello,

That near to the camera, Studebaker Sedan was once the “Little Eliminator” at the old U.S. Nationals. It was put together at the Speed Engineering Shop in the Westside of Long Beach. (several blocks away from our Westside house.) The shop was owned by Tom McEwen and Ronnie LeGrand. Junior Thompson was the Studebaker sedan owner.

The Little Eliminator Final photo of the Speed Engineering 1941 Studebaker of Junior Thompson in action and trophy scenes. Little Eliminator trophy was a big deal.

Junior Thompson winning the Little Eliminator Trophy for “Speed Engineering” in the Westside of Long Beach… a Tom McEwen/Ronnie LeGrand Speed Shop… a few blocks from our Westside House. (an earlier HAMB thread)

Eddie and Junior Thompson Little Eliminator Champion.

Yes, that Tom McEwen…
Ronnie LeGrand in a 1955 Chevy and his business partner/friend, Tom McEwen in a 1956 Chevy. The advertisement says so… that they have the Home of the “World’s Fastest “D” Gas Coupe/Sedan Chevy…” Tom McEwen Marauders Long Beach 56 Chevy D/Gas Winner 1957.

and… Butch Taylor, a record setting 56 Chevy sedan in G/Stock

Then, in 1959, we saw it at Lion’s Dragstrip almost weekly as they were at the Speed Engineering Shop to get some upgrades and race tune ups. The shop was in the same industrial neighborhood as Venolia Pistons, Clay Smith Cams and other speed shops in the race car world at the time.

This is what the top gas coupe/sedan racers sounded like in full bore acceleration…

Here is the original sound from the fall of 1959 and the film taken in the Summer of 1959. Digitally edited together includes the speed shift between gears and some action.
Junior Thompson

Jnaki


We got to be in the Lion's Dragstrip pits next to the Studebaker between rounds. Our final 1940 Willys Coupe build with the 292 c.i. SBC 671 motor was going to be a challenger to this Studebaker sedan… a tough road ahead… YRMV

 

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