Loudbang have always liked the orange 62 since seeing it for sale on Ebay some years ago. Has the right look IMO. As to the Joint Venture car (s) they appear to be a pair of midyears racing in MP, as they have some of the same sponsors and their assigned number is only one number apart. Pretty cool to be racing a nice pair like these. The 59/60 on the hauler with the parachute sure brings back memories. Not many enclosed trailers in those days-open trailers and haulers for the most part. On the subject of gassers I have wondered on occasion why today there is such a trend towards gassers (which I am one of the real fans) and yet so little effort to recreate the modified production cars. I really enjoyed the gassers back in the 60s but it I was given one wish to go back and re-witness an old drag race (let's say of old Corvettes) it would most likely be the modified eliminator racing with the high winding small blocks and the whole show they put on including the dry hops. A completely different look in regards to stance etc but IMO pretty damn hard to beat for spectating. Some of the old Corvette gassers morphed into MP cars, but of course the straight axles were pitched and guys had to concentrate on a more bullet proof drivetrain (as well as valvetrain). Here is a picture that I believe Loudbang put up in another thread that got me thinking such waxed nostalgia wonderings. I would love to see this car make a pass like it most likely did back in the old days. The problem may be the newer track prep that may make it a bit different but I bet it was a hoot to witness. Have a Happy Thanksgiving.
Loudbang once again some cool pictures. The Seaport Automotive 62 was a great car. Here is another picture of it when the car was sold and ran in D/G. You will note the 57 Vette Prontito behind it that ran in B/G with BBC power. Then here is another picture of the ad trying to sell the car. Wonder where it is now. The picture you have of it was when Ken Clark drove the car and it was out of Ohio. Ran at one of the local tracks (Milan) on a number of occasions. When it went to Canada and Don Chapman owned it they knew where to go to make good power, as I have read they tapped on Butch Elkins (later went to Dart) to work his magic on the heads. They also used Diamond pistons and General Kinetic cams which were the choices of the Woodard guys such as the Midwest crew. I believe they ran in both D/A and D/G as was the same with Gianino who also ran at the local tracks a lot. The red 62 Wife Trouble is another great example of early Vette drag cars. It does survive and has been restored. The Semersheim and Reed car is a car that I have seen in pictures but have no information on. Same goes with the midyear you posted.
I have always liked this car, looks like a real bruiser , a bit rough around the edges and ready to fight. Jim, do you know anything about this vette?
Mad Mikey, I never ran across this Vette but have seen this picture and I have to believe the guys that ran it must have been real characters. These cars were dirt cheap in the 60s and many were kind of a mess. I did the bodywork on a 57 Vette that ran in B/G and the condition of the car that my buddies bought in 1966 was absolutely deplorable. I believe they paid $200 (maybe less-long time ago). It was dirt cheap for a reason. This 58-60 car was more than likely neglected and the guys that ran it did not worry about how it looked apparently. They probably had some fun.
Going through some photos today I realized this shot is over 44 years old. Where does the time go? I saw this Corvette just this one time at an all 'vette show at Celozzi-Ettleson Chevy in Elmhurst, Il. I never saw it at another show or at the track.
This post is X rated LOL Doug Thorley’s “X Corvette,” nose up and poised for liftoff. It may well be the ugliest Corvette race car ever made. Doug Thorley's Originally created for Bonneville, the X Corvette was modified for drag racing Connecticut Dragway Devastation
Loudbang, I don't think I posted this earlier so I'll take the chance. I shot this in 1968 or '69 at Oswego Drag Raceway, Oswego, Illinois. (Damn "Instamatic" cameras).
Good stuff Loudbang. In regards to the Mauri Rose shots I believe that is Mauri Rose Jr. I run into him occasionally at swap meets where he sells various bits and pieces. I have bought a number of items from him. He has set up at a local swap meet we have in January at the old site of the Mount Clemens Speedway, a roundy round dirt track that closed in the 80s and was sold to Gibralter who set up a flea market group of buildings. The GibralterTrade Center closed this year and are moving the popular swap meet to another venue in Novi. Hopefully Mauri Rose will attend this year. If I see him I will ask about the Vette(s). We had done some small talk on drag racing and his dad but I had no idea he raced Vettes. Cool shots.
Was sent to me who spotted it on e-bay, says it's a 60's gasser ( I've grown to hate that term) buy it now 39K. 1959 Chevrolet Corvette 1959 Corvette Real Deal Nostalgic Race Car Pat
The Jalopy Journal
