History Drag cars in motion.......picture thread.

Another Harold Gunderson car, circa 64-65?

 

Gary what part of the NW did you grow up in?

 

Knuck and Gary, I can't thank you enough for posting your previously unseen (here) photos. They really make this thread interesting again.

 

Hey Y,
The first time I filmed this Altered Coupe at Lions Dragstrip, I probably remembered who built it and who was driving, being a teenager and all. They were Lions locals. We would see them almost weekly while we raced our cars there. But, years later, memories fade and were revived when the films got digitized. I was able to start the process of identifying all or most of the racers. It was research to back up the films shown.

This original Fiat Altered that we saw was the 112" version, but over the last 59 years, names and memories need a boost or two to get it right. Those photos are not just copied and posted. They are original photos from my films. So, in order to verify who it was, I put out a "help" post in the HAMB. Then, I contacted one of the owners.

They said, at first, no, it was not their Fiat Coupe. Then after looking at the whole thread post again and the films that I sent them, they emailed me to say that... "Yes, it was their original blue, 112" Fiat Coupe at Lions in 1959 and Bakersfield in 1960." Whew, finally, I had a name verification to my films and photos.

So this post in the Lions Dragstrip 1959 is/was a tribute to that Blue, Fiat Altered Coupe from the team of Ratican, Jackson, and Stearns.
https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/lions-drag-strip-in-1959.1073655/#post-12445599

original film

We were no longer in drag racing after our C/GAS Willys Coupe accident by the time the RJS Blue Fiat got a shorter 90" chassis for the run to Nationals victory. But, the photos and story were still fascinating in the research.

Jnaki
That team of Ratican, Jackson, Stearns gets our drag racing approval every time we read about them or see them firing up at the recent historic, drag racing events. Kudos to that team and that cool looking/sounding Blue Fiat Coupe!

 

I grew up in Portland, the suburb of Milwaukie. Was a kid in the 60's, got my drivers license in 1969.

 

Earl Floyd drove, Fuller Chassis, Arnie Roberts body. Columbia Racing Engines.

 

Eagle Electric sans tailpiece Vern Schotz photo

 

Pic by Marty Strode (?) Sorry, I can't recall the name. I believe Marty said he was the 1966 Woodburn gas class champ. What a cool car!

 

I don't have credits or names for lots of these, I got them from various NW strips sites.

 

Is this Page or Craig? I just can't remember, it's the "white Tornado".

 

Ed McCulloch

 

The Norton Brothers

 

One of MANY cool Ken's Speed Shop Corvette's.

 

Not my pic Gary, last time I saw that '40, Charlie Haskall had it, running it at vintage drags.

 

Ken Achs

 

Bucky Austin

 

Dave Grassi

 

Wenling,Simonson&Hickson

 

Gordon Craig.

 

Nick Wheling the Driver, along with Simonson and Jackson AA/D, always a tough competitor for Ernie Hall.

 

Always amazed at your ability to ID cars, drivers, owners and events from the past. Very interesting and thanks.

 

Herm Petersen -Beach Imports

 

Bob Mitchell- There were quite a few top fuel cars in the NW!

 

Rich Rogers

 

Thanks for another Great Trip down Memory Lane

Jimbo

 

Gary, keep posting these, please, and thanks!...these NW cars never got the coverage that they deserved, so it is great to see them here.