As a photographer of Bonneville, sometime I wonder if my images have become 'The Same old Same Old'. But with these 'new' images from a hero of mine, who I got to know because of our calendar, added to my inspiration folder maybe I can breathe a little new life to my shot angles. I noticed at lease one shot was taken at the Wendover Airport tarmac where all cars were inspected before heading out to the salt for pit location and set-up. I think it was in 93 was about the last time for the Airport, and I remember climbing a rickety wooden ladder that was attached to the outside of one of the building. It was only 50 years old! And I was holding a large format film camera, so I did it one handed,,, silly photographer. Thanks for bring together another great group of vintage shots, one day someone might find my vintage stuff. And for those that missed the BEST SpeedWeek ever, you have two last chances for the season. World of Speed is on now and World Finals is approaching. And if you have a vehicle get 'er there!!! who know what next years salt will bring. And maybe Pottee will return to reclaim fastest speed for the year,, it too late for the Hot Rod Trophy. And maybe Flash Point will give him a run for his money.
Yes the cars of 66 were cool. But at Bonneville the cars of 18 are pretty much just as cool. We, on the other hand, have aged some. Here is a picture of one of my favorites that is quite like a car than may have run in 66. With an owner who also may have run in 66. Only now it's faster. Also o, right now you could be at Bonneville enjoying the World of Speed meet. Many of the same cars as SpeedWeek and also street legal classes that HAMB guys always seem to want but don't seem to take advantage of as often as they might.
The lead photo of the red '29 roadster was by "Ratliff and Zook", my good friend Dick Zook. Here's another photo of their beautiful roadster at Bonneville from the same year, with Dick at the wheel. You can see more photos from Bonneville that year here: https://mashable.com/2016/09/04/bonneville-salt-flats-speed-trials/#en.Rhhpu4SqN
@Jive-Bomber...Thanks for the series of pics from another great Photographer. I was stunned by the images posted by @jpierce that were captured by his Late Mother. I was equally stunned to find out about his connection to AK his late Stepfather. A truly interesting, personable man and of course a fellow Hamber... I must say I really am in awe of the great connections to the World of Hotrod/Custom/Race that keep on surfacing here. The Hamb continues to offer incredible Historic Reference and Rock Solid Material.
@Jive-Bomber Jay - Thanks for the link to Jeff (@jpierce) Pierce's 1963-1966 Bonneville Pics threads! ... His (late) mother was really a fantastic photographer! Eric "Rick" Rickman (Nov 22, 1918 - Jan 24, 2009) was also a fantastic photographer ... a real gentleman (I first met him in the late '70s) ... and he played a very important part of documenting the history of Hot Rodding. A 69-year-old Mr. Rickman appears in this snapshot I took of the Swamp Rat #33 'liner at the 40th Bonneville Nationals in 1988: Ace HRM photog Eric Rickman passes some words of wisdom onto @Rich Venza (black Isky hat) while Don Garlits waits patiently in the drivers seat. Rod Kempkis holds the canopy open and listens in on the conversation. NOTE: Garlits got into the prestigious Bonneville 200 MPH Club with a two-way average speed of 217.947 MPH (in XF/GS trim) ... as did Don Kehr with a 213.438 MPH average (in XF/FS trim).
@flathead60, the memorable part of your photo, for me, with the 901 'liner is the iconic Bob Higbee in his prime. I had the privilege of knowing him from 1953 (I was 4) through the Don Vesco motorcycle LSR record years (Mid '70's). He personalized everyone's run down the salt with either a safety tug on your shoulder harness, or in my case with my motorcycle, checking if your visor was snapped tight. Thanks for the memories.
I would be interested in the back story of these streamliners, that would never pass tech now, Who? Motors? Class? I think one is in the Casino Hotel.
In 1960, Rod Schapel designed this small streamliner body: In 1961, Craig Breedlove drove the #133 "SUPER CUTLASS KART" (Schapel bodied) 'liner at Bonneville: In 1964, Concord, California shop teacher, Dick Beith (of "WHEEL CENTRE CO." & "E-T MAGS" fame) ran one of these little Schapel bodied streamliners at Bonneville. Powered by a 44ci Mercury Outboard engine, Dick's #90 (H class) 'liner ran 141.50 mph: In 1965, Beith's H class 'liner was entry #190: In 1966, Dick's "WHEEL CENTRE CO" H class 'liner was entry #901: Circa 1967: Don Barr & Tony Lloyd rebuilt the car after it had been wrecked in '67 or '68. The rebuilt #901 "E-T MAGS" liner was powered by a modified McCulloch 3-cylinder outboard (chain driven) motor ... and in 1969, they set a new G class (1000cc) streamliner record at 153.037 mph: In 1975, they set a new I class (1000cc) streamliner record at 164.989 mph (with a top speed of 172.661 mph). Circa 2005, Dennis Varni acquired the car for his San Jose, CA "Speed Nymph Garage" collection: In 2013, Dennis had Tony Lloyd restore the car to it's 1974 glory ... and showed it at the 2014 GNRS "Century Of Speed" exhibit:
The #555 "Ballpoint Banana" streamliner of Skip Andrews, John Cavagnaro (@dan the upholstery man's father), & @Richard Smalley showed up at Bonneville Speed Week in 1965, 1966, 1967, 1968, & 1969 in I class trim ... powered by a (37ci, rope-start, alcohol-burning) Evinrude outboard engine: The car was sold to Arnold Young (of Tonawanda, New York) and the #555 'liner returned to the salt in 1972, 1973, & 1974 in K class trim ... powered by a Quincy Looper outboard engine: Last I heard, the #555 K "Ballpoint Banana" was still collecting dust in a Tonawanda, NY garage.
Louis Bonesio's #126 I class Streamliner out of Gilroy, California ... with a Rod Schapel designed body that was modified by the Hogue Bros. Body Shop ... and Honda power by the George E. Hall Motorcycle Shop (circa 1962 & 1963): In 1964, Louie's #126 I/S got a new entry number (#222): Bonesio also switched to Triumph power ... and named his little 'liner "The ORANGECRATE": In the 2000s, Dennis Varni acquired the car for his San Jose, CA "Speed Nymph Garage" collection: In 2013, Dennis restored the car back to it's 1967 glory ... and showed it at the 2014 GNRS "Century Of Speed" exhibit:
Great History, They would be fun, but for my claustrophobia would get the best of me, I'll stick to roadsters and my 59 Ford XO Production Pickup (223 powered), They are a little more roomier. And I just checked I Gas Streamliner record is 262.188 by Jim and Mary True And I see Jack Costella is playing in the field, and once he is there, you might just as well as pack it in and head home
Bump (click the two attachments). I had no idea how SMALL some of these cars were! I guess I've always seen pictures of them out in the open and thought they were bigger. The picture with the kids pushing it looks about right- it looks like a kid's toy. Hauling ass in those must be something.
Burt was not just a movie character, hang around the Salt long enough and you will still find folks that new him. In his case, real life was probably more interesting that the Hollywood version!