Hot Rods what are vintage driver face covers called?

Hi, Figured someone on here might know what the name of cloth/nomex covers that covered just the lower half of the faces of race car drivers back in the early days of racing? Not the full balaclava's they have today and not the fuelie makes of nitro cars.
Steve McQueen, Jackie Stewart wore them and have seen something like it even earlier then the 60's
Looking to buy or make something similar. Anyone know where to buy? Thanks

 

Still a Balaclava... just an earlier version. Personally, nothing like a good old bandana worn by the USAC guys (and bandits!). Gary

 

bug deflectors

 

Oil , steam and fire.

 

Real tough guy racers like A.J., Parnelli and Johnny Rutherford didn't need anything more than a bandana or shop rag. If you really want something store bought go to a sporting goods store or e-bay and look for 1/2 face masks like skiers use.

 

A white bandana worked for me.

 

This is perhaps a bit more appropriate for a bobber chopper, but it would work. Or just appreciate the artsy side of it.

 

That helmet rocks. Like in a Hendrix way. Love it.

 

Marty...Man, you look good in there...Classic Bell, and train bandit mask...
My classic leather-side Bell helmet is missing the snap-visor on front. Drat!
The Strode roadsters had the perfect lines.
Spalding Roadster Repro follows a solid stable.

 

THONGS!!

 

http://cacklefest.com/store.shtml

 

That is absolutely beautiful!!!

 

Here is another drivers mask.

 

I liked the Hannibal Lector mask, brown leather with the little grille on it...
If they won't move over, scare 'em outa the way!

 

Two different things...some are face covers that just prevent the driver from having his features sandblasted off, but starting at least by 1960 dragster drivers had to have (somewhat) fire proof ones. I think those were referred to as something like flame masks or fire masks...usage probably varied.

 

what are vintage driver face covers called?

WRINKLES

 

Not even in my neighborhood.

 

We just called them face masks. This one was leather. Got it from Bell.

 

Shit eating grins

 

Best answer yet!

 

Beautiful

 

I have seen several references over the years that driver fire protection started coming in around that time. Avoid the 'vintage' ones though.... A commonly-known fact is that the late, great Steve McQueen died of lung cancer, almost always attributed to his cigarette smoking. What's less known is it was mesothelioma, a type of lung cancer now associated with asbestos exposure... which was used in some drivers safety gear in those days.

 

If you ever encounter any vintage racing fire protection equipment, face masks, suits etc., stay as far away from them as you can.
Dispose of them like you would nuclear waste.
The risk is real.
http://www.asbestos.com/blog/2011/08/24/famous-people-who-battled-mesothelioma/

 

I was going to say "Vintage Face covers" were called bandanas.

Well, dig that crazy lunch box.

Just wanted to note that some of the things I am seeing posted would best be suited for a mad max movie or an S&M parlor.

 

Norm Rapp up in the Frisco area used to make a mask very similar to this for the circle track crowd only using the rubber framed " tanker " style goggle.

 

Probably more likely from the brake dust from the asbestos brake linings.

 

That is highly unlikely, unless he did a lot of his own wrenching.

Steve McQueen, Actor (1930-1980)


Steve McQueen, nicknamed The King of Cool, was well known for his anti-hero roles in "The Magnificent Seven," "Wanted: Dead or Alive," and "Sand Pebbles." By the early 1970s, he was one of America's highest-paid actors.

McQueen believed his exposure to asbestos started in the U.S. Marines Corps, then continued during his days racing motorcycles and cars – his passion – when he wore the flame-retardant driver suits.

He took his fight against mesothelioma to Mexico, where he traveled in search of alternative treatments. He died from a heart attack, shortly after surgery to remove a large tumor.

 

That's interesting, when he started racing they were still dipping their coveralls in a liquid the nigh before the race. I have no idea what the liquid consisted of but it was a flame retardant.

But he continued to race about forever. He was a real go fast junky that one.

 

We just called them a "fire mask" in the early 60's. The one I used was a pleated leather
face cover with goggles sewed into the top and an elastic band to go around your helmet.
I will try to post an "Instamatic" photo with me wearing it in the dragster.