Great Oregon Racers

Anybody remember, have info regarding, or pictures of a '66 Mustang hardtop that was campaigned as The Thunder Chev? The story I got when I traded for the car around 1974 was that it was stolen as a new off of a car lot and turned into a drag car. The car was equipped with a Chevrolet 327, Borg Warner T10 4 spd, a Ford Econoline straight axle, a large box type hood scoop over the dual quad carbs, and a wild paint job.

 

The only "Thunder Chev" I remember was a 55-56 Thunderbird, with a big-block Chevy engine. At the same time Larry Kalsch ran a black early bird with SOHC Ford power, and Leo Gorowski (Master Transmission) raced one with a 426 Hemi (The Hemi Bird).

 

Anybody possibly have any good photos of the Potter Brothers or Bill Ireland '61 Ford Starliners?

 

You might PM @Larry Anderson
I think his dad owned one of Bills early cars.
You might also try Marty.

 

Bill Ireland's was a "Cheapie " 2 dr, not a Starliner. Bill Anderson ( Larry' s Dad) bought it and raced it for the '62 season, and drove it on the street. Larry Anderson will fill in the details, the buyer's agreement was that it would not be raced in S/S, because it would outrun Ireland's new '62 - 406 Galaxie, so Bill Anderson removed the front bumper and ran B/G.

 

Man, I guess I'm too young to remember any of these guys, except for Ernie Hall and Justin "Jug" George. I remember them, because they were my uncles. I hung around Ernie's shop when I was a kid - they built fire trucks there, and my dad ran the paint room.

 

I'm glad this thread is back! MORE PICTURES GUYS!!!! THEY HAVE TO BE OUT THERE!!
Come on, scan your pictures!

 

Dave, I bought the front wheels and tires on the Dragster (my Avatar) from Ernie, NHRA rule change wouldn't let him run them on his Top Fueler in the late 80's. He also sold me some other outdated parts, he was a nice guy ! I drive by his old shop often, and gaze into the windows as I pass, remembering all of the Dragsters that sat in the same spot.

 

Richard Schroeders ex Art Whipple Camaro

 

This is from our own Mart's late site, Mart's Real Hot Rods!
Cool no?

 

Here is my Dad's 1967 Mustang at Madras Dragway in about 1973 or 1974. He ran there quite a bit in his early years. He always drove the car to the track, never trailered it. I have heard stories about changing tires and gears before and after races at the track. It is a 289 with a 4-speed. I have heard stories that he was able to get the car into the 12's. It was a hot little car in it's day. My Dad had big plans on turning it into a full blown race car with tubbing, roll cage and the works....thankfully he never did it. Ron Mayfield initially built the car as a fast street car in about 1968 or 69. Many local Redmond folks still refer the car as "Ron's old car" even though my Dad has owned the car for over 40 years.

The car looks exactly the same (with the exception of changing the wheels and tires 3 years ago....the old tires were 40 years old. He changed the chrome steel wheels to American Mags). The car doesn't get out of the garage much anymore, but he does keep it fresh and starts it up regularly.





This picture is in front of Redmond High School in about 1974.

 

One of the first drag strips I ever stepped foot on was Madras about 1971/72, I was 17.
Older friend raced a 66 Belvedere 2 door sedan, original 2×4 426 hemi/4 speed/Dana 60 car.
Took my first ever ride (passenger) down a drag strip, that car was an "animal".
I"ll never forget that experience.

 

Now we need a modern pic of the Mustang for "The Rest Of The Story."

 

Did Dorothy Davis of the Wild Wild West 1964 hemi purchase the car new? txs

 

ha what color was that HEMI Belevedere

 

It was a reddish plum color, I looked it up and I think it's called "dark red poly".
Do you know the car?

 

Here is what it looks like today. Not much has changed. It has 64,000 miles. It is an A code 4-speed. Originally bought in Redmond, OR at Robberson Ford new in 1967. Always has been a Central Oregon car. Rust free dry car.

 

NICE!!

 

Read in the paper today that Merlin Radke has died.
Radke Auto Parts in North Portland's' St. Johns neighborhood was one of the areas "go-to" places for hot rod, custom and racing parts for many years.
RIP Merlin.

Radke Auto Parts history.

http://www.worldofspeed.org/wos-blo...emembering-radkes-speed-shop-in-all-its-glory

 

I went into Radke's in 1958 and bought some chrome exhaust tips for my newly purchased '50 Ford Club Coupe, then drove home to Astoria.

 

When I started going to races at McMinnville in 1960, there were always a few cars with huge "Radke" watercolor banners taped on the doors. The most prominent was "Rapid Richard" Furukawa's black,'62-409 Impala, in S/S. Merlin also sponsored Chet McFallo's Cobra. "Radke's Is the Place To Go, Try Radke's, It's The Place to Go" ! That was their jingle on KISN Radio.

 

30Aroadster......I just missed seeing Mayfields mustang. I graduated Redmond Union High in '66 [barely] and we had few mustangs in town then. Gilbert Shepard drove his mom's white 65 [289, 2 barrel, automatic] when he wasn't driving his 27 chevy sedan with a 327 or his yellow 54 Stude coupe... Richard Cousin's brother drove a hot rod 271 HP/ 4 speed black 65 fastback.
I use to have a modern photo of the old school but lost it in a computer crash.
Oh yeah...we all drove to the Madras track because none of us had a trailer..

 

I attended the first phase of the Northwest Motorsports Hall of Fame, last night at the World Of Speed Museum, in Wilsonville. The Inductees were L to R, Herschel McGriff (Stock Cars), Dale LaFollette (At Large), Rolla Vollstedt (Open Wheel, Oval Track), Bob Lanphere (Motorcycles) Bob Jr. accepting, Monte Shelton (Road Racing), and Jack Coonrod (Drag Racing). What a great event, getting to visit with my old friends Rolla and Jack, and to talk with Herschel again. With Rolla at 98, and Hershel, Jack, and Monte all in their 80's, some real history was told ! More pics next.

 

Rolla and the groundbreaking Indy Car he built in 1963. the first rear engine Offy powered car to qualify at the "Brickyard" in '64. #2 The "Ageless" Hershel at 88 years old, #3 Monte Shelton.

 

Ron Huegli MC for the event, presents the award to Rolla, with Rolla's Son Bruce alongside.

 

Random shots, Jim Livingston (Woodburn Dragstip) visits with Herschel McGriff and Bruce Vollstedt, #2 is three "Old Drag Racers", L to R, Jim Lindsay, Jack Coonrod, and Me, with the "Kamikaze Coupe" in the background.

 

I attended OTI (OIT now) and one of my fellow classmates had a car of the same year and color. I do not recall his name. That was from 67 to 71. Any chance it was your dad?

 

Really great stuff Mr. Strode. The thing I like about Livingston is sometimes when you drive into the gate he is the one at the booth collecting the entry fees. Then you see him parking cars and performing other menial tasks. I love that track. Best in the West. Also the age of the inductees is a testimonial to the fact that hot rods and racing can be healthy hobbies. I wish I would have known about that ceremony; would love to have been there. First Phase? I will have to check it out. Thanks for posting.

 

Just caught on the Woodburn Dragstrip website that Steve McGee has passed. Pretty nice tribute on their site about his accomplishments and what he did for putting the Great Oregon Racers on the map and in the books. I'll be driving by his old shop in Lake Oswego shortly on my way to pick up my son, I think the dyno is still in there.

Sent from my XT1585 using The H.A.M.B. mobile app

 

Sad news.
http://www.woodburndragstrip.com/instant-news/steve-mcgee-northwest-division-hall-famer-passes/