In the late '60's my brother owned a Blue 1955 Chevy C/G drag car. It was the Mr. Tuff car I believe it was driven by Leo Cook. A national record holder that was in Hot Rod and Drag Racing USA. It was a big block car. He changed the name to Tuff E Nuff( it wasn't that big of a deal 40 years ago nobody collected them). The interior was unique it had a glass on the firewall to see engine comp. It also had the old Keep on Truckin mural on the trunk and Butch's Speed Shop on the front fenders. He raced it at the old Fairfield Illinois dragstrip. The last I heard it was in the Chicago area. I would love to have it back if it still exists.
This is a picture of the Mr. Tuff 55 chevy C/G that we are looking for. We sold it in the late 60's or around 1970. the name was changed to Tuff E Nuff
On a whim I listed Mr Tuff in the search box..... And I find this. Leon Cook (my uncle), Larry Jones (my father), and Jim Dorris built Mr Tuff the 55 and the Red Anglia (also named Mr Tuff) I'm interested in all things Mr Tuff. I have all the magazines that it appeared in.... I think I have all of them, but who knows.
here is some pics click Photo: f IMG_0599.JPG | Tri Five 55 56 57 Chevy Gassers album | redlinetoys | Fotki.com, photo and video sharing made easy.#m...
Tom Daniels showed how to build a model of it in the old Rod&Custom magazines. Had a feature on it too.
here is another click Photo: 1955 Chev Gas Mr Tuff | Tri Five 55 56 57 Chevy Gassers album | redlinetoys | Fotki.com, photo and video sharing made ...
Thank you so much for pointing those pictures out. I had no idea that they existed till now. I'll be sure to share them with the whole Mr. Tuff Team! I owe another guy in NY a cold beverage! thanks again. Boxcar
I do, some from a mag and one single...believe dad has many in a shoebox. I'll be after them as well. I'll try to scan smoe tonight. My Uncle Leon Cook was at the helm of the Anglia on its last run. A terrible crash that nearly took his life.
I brought this up to my dad and he had no idea of the glass. So if there was some glass to view the engine compartment it must have been done by the Mt Vernon crew that bought it. I did get a chance to talk to some of the old Southern Illinois racers and everybody said the 55 was one of the nicest around in its day. Made me smile cause that exactly what I'd have expected from my Dad. And I still owe more pictures...I'll get them in when I can
In Street Rodder this month they have a story on the clone that Butch built of the Blue 55 Tuff-E-Nuff, I have sent a letter in telling them of this site and this thread so that they may get the real story on the cars listed.... I really liked this car when it ran back in the days at Fairfield and the clone that Butch built, I hated to see it go to the Auction but glad I was able to give it the ride there that day and meet its new owners not the ones that bought it in Street Rodder but another car nut like my self....Thanks for the history lesson
if this is the same 55.my uncle owned this in the 70s.we live in shorewood its south of chicago.i have one picture of it.i seen it 4 sale.in the late 80s i think for around 1800.00.i did not have money to buy it.i was building a in memory 55 of it.but lost interest.now have a slingshot dragster.every time i talk to my cousin we yap about that car.our dads had some cool cars back then.
I just came across this website and happened to see your post about Mr. Tuff. I was a kid in high school and worked for Cook's Shell Service, (Leon Cook) at the time of both Mr. Tuff cars. I remember them well. You are right, the 55 did indeed have a window in the firewall where you could see the back side of the engine. It sure was an interesting time, especially for a young kid interested in cars.
Writing a book on the Accelaquarter Raceway, 1963 -1973, The Glory Years! A small 1/8 miles track located in Harrisburg, Illinois. I understand both Mr. Tuff cars were raced there in the early and mid 60's. Boxcar's 1928, may I speak with you about the history?
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