History Pre War Lake racing w/Customs 8mm Film

That's what it's all about...

THANK YOU!

 

Thanks for giving us the chance to see this.Video is just flat out stunning with some REAL GOOD music.

 

makes me want to go work on my car. i will drive it in a few months. plan to have it at el mirage in may with a hood . cant wait.

 

Yes thanks. I love the modifieds. Is that shiny black one the Hilborn car? The Bugatti looks like about a 1930ish type 35 (inline 8cyl supercharged DOHC 2.3 litre) or a type 37 (4 cyl. version). The type 35 was capable of 140mph. The gent behind the wheel looks like a popular actor from the day I just can't put a name to the face and then someone mentioned Howard Hughes and that is a strong possibility.

 

Yes! Wonder if it was one of Andy Granatelli's that he would later advertize for sale in the December 1948 CT News. TWO MILLER FORD front drive INDY cars for $10,000, or best offer.

 

Thanks for the great video ! The boat-tail roadster is fantastic, & the slide guitar aint bad either.....

 

Jimmy,

Thanks for the info and correction regarding Rufi's streamliner. I dug out my Chevolet book with the article describing the building of his car, engine and the one way record run.
[One comment about the term "drop tank" - my father was a aviation mechanic on a aircraft carrier back in WW 2 - that was the term he used to describe "belly tanks" - not sure which one is the correct term].

As with others, the more I rerun the video, the more I see - outstanding!

Thanks,
Offy 220

 

Ok I've been doing a little looking It is looking like the footage was shot at the October 4th 1940 scta event.

0:05s - 0:05: #9 Bill & Tom Spalding T modified. Riley OHV heads Mercedes roots blower. Post war Don Blair rebuilt it into The Goat.

0:10s - 0:17s #8 Danny Sakai Modified outfitted with Mal Ord speed equipment.

0:09s - 0:09s #111 Sandy Belond Sandy's Speed Shop.

0:18s - 0:21s #42 Uncle Tommy's A?

0:49s - 0:49s #20 1932 Roadster

1:02s - 1:02s #224 T modified.

0:58s - 1:04s 1939 Ford convertible custom I have seen this pictured somewhere.

1:09s - 1:14s #360 Sprintcar Streamliner

1:14s - 1:22s #9 Spalding bros. Mod

1:23s - 1:24s #26 1932 roadster

1:24s - 1:25s 1930-31 Model A RPU

1:49s - 1:49s #402 Model A Phaeton

2:06s - 2:08s #20 '32 roadster

2:23s - 2:25s #410 1935 FWD Miller Ford entered by Willet Brown owned by Tommy Lee speed 116.88mph

2:26s - 2:31s #311 1929 A roadster banger

2:31s - 2:37s #414 Tommy Lee's 1931 T-51 Bugatti

2:38s - 2:42s #414 Bugatti T-51 straight 8 engine

2:42s - 2:51s Tommy Lee

2:51s - 2:52s #265 '32 roadster

3:07s - 3:09s #350 modified Rod Pugh

3:13s - 3:17s #151 '29 A roadster Clint Seccombe V16 cad 124mph

3:17s - 3:24s #113 '28 A roadster V16 Cad

3:28s - 3:30s #69 Bob Knapton / Jim White (aka Jim Harrell of Harrell speed equip.) Mod was later run by Doug Caruthers and is still around as Art Chrisman's #25 dragster.

3:42s - 3:45s #32 1928A roadster

3:35s - 3:46s Tommy Lee Kurtis Offy special

3:47s - 3:49s #290 '31 supercharged A roadster

3:50s - 3:54s 1940 ford coupe from earlier in clip appears to have had a rollover

3:54s - 3:56s #244 Arnold Birner's '28 A roadster

3:56s - 4:00s #265 1932 roadster Hornets

4:00s - 4:15s Bob Rufi's Streamliner

4:15s - 4:19s #286 Sakai modified.

4:20s - 4:24s #2 entered/driven by Bill Spading. Roadster owned by Bill Kurten. Riley OHV Engine owned by Gene Von Arx.

4:24s - 4:39s Earle Bruce '40 Ford Custom

4:29s - 4:29s #44 sprintcar streamliner class

4:40s - 4:43s #155 T modified

4:43s - 4:47s #270 T modified

4:47s - 4:54s #265 '32 roadster

4:54s - 4:56s Tommy Lee Kurtis Offy special

4:56s - 4:59s #265 '32 roadster

 

Thanks for posting this fantastic footage.

I am pretty sure that is Tommy Lee in the Bugatti.

 

Jimmy B - I'm stunned! Thanks for all the data, what a resource. I've been searching for years for data from another SCTA event, in October 1939. I believe it was at Harper, too. I still have my dad's paper entry tag (although it's in rough shape after 70 on the garage wall). His name was Jim Welles, he ran an AV8, and his club was the Detonators. Would you have any info on this event? Thanks,

Dave

 

Jimmy B....your the Rikster of the Lake Beds! Thanks man for all the work, I was going to attempt that but fortunately for me you beat me to it!......

 

I had been thinking it was Russetta because of the coupes running, but I can't remember when SCTA let them in.

I was wondering if that was a Miller/Ford... It looked like FWD.

Awesome stuff!

 

Great stuff right here. I was watching on YouTube the other day but you get more info here! The HAMB is a great place for sure!

 

Thanx for posting...........

 

Holy crap, Jimmy B!!! Thanks for the list!

 

The guy in the Bugatti looks like he showed up at the wrong event. Dressed differently than the rest, perhaps looking for the hillclimb.

 

So, do we still consider a Tipo 31 Bugatti O/T...?

Boy, things just got a lot more complicated...!

 

No worries Dave. Glad to do it. sorry, I don't have any programs from then. Though I have looked through a friend's Dad's SCTA programs from '38-'41, stupidly I didn't think to take pictures as I was being too careful as they were so fragile & brittle. They were printed on real low quality paper.

Your dad's name rings a bell, did he run Post-War?

Thanks Jack!

Pre-war SCTA allowed coupes to run though there was no coupe class.
Apparently Tommy Lee had 2 Miller/Fords at this event.

No worries, it was fun... it took a few hours but was enjoyable.

http://www.ahrf.com/category/photos...=search&position=111&keyword=tommy Lee&page=4

http://www.ahrf.com/category/photos...e=search&position=73&keyword=tommy Lee&page=3

http://www.ahrf.com/category/photos...=search&position=111&keyword=tommy Lee&page=4

http://www.ahrf.com/category/photos...e=search&position=67&keyword=tommy Lee&page=2

http://www.ahrf.com/category/photos...e=search&position=72&keyword=tommy Lee&page=3

http://www.ahrf.com/category/photos...e=search&position=70&keyword=tommy Lee&page=2





Tommy Lee Purchased his own Timing equipment and a house near Muroc dry lake and ran his cars

haha yeah it did


Robert Stack


Miller/Ford


The V16 roadster of Clint Seccombe

 

This is great stuff.i can never get enough of it..

 

holy crap !!!! you have running footage of the ORD Danny Sakai car !!!!!!!!!!!

I know his niece would love to have it !!! Ill have to tell her

 

SUPER thanks a lot.

 

Wow. Sorry if I'm ignorant but who WAS this guy? Google "Tommy Lee" and all you get is pictures of some goofy lookin dude banging Pam Anderson....

 

awesome, thanks!

 

He inherited a bunch of Cadillac Dealerships, with a tight exclusive contract with GM. Also real estate and broadcasting businesses. Committed suicide and a distant Uncle inherited it all.

 

Tommy Lee's father was a Cadillac dealer if I understand the story correctly, his dealership cover California, ALL of California. If I've got that wrong someone will correct me I'm sure.

 

Dave, I have an issue of Automotive Industries around here somewere with a story on that event or another early one, there are 3 or 4 photos as well. I'll find it over the weekend and add it to this post. Jimmy B, thanks for IDing all the cars. Bob

 

wow very cool

 

Thanks man that was bad ass

Only if I was born in that time period and new what I new now

 

Tommy Lee....
http://www.jalopyjournal.com/?p=7365