Sorry, no pictures of the Comet. Thanks to my brother throwing out about 15 years worth of my pictures. I have no pictures of my cars and my time in the army. We don't talk anymore. The Comet was a dark Green 65 convertible with a Torino style hood scoop.
Funny deal about Detroit Dragway as bad as it was in restrospect I have many great memories from the place. Motor City was not nirvana either but good memories there as well.
So I saw this jacket from 65 online that was sold. I also saw the same coat being work by an old timer at one of the Detroit Dragway Reunions and thought “man that would be bitchin to wear while hanging in the parking lot next to the Falcon”...so I started the hunt for a Jacket...Dickies makes the Ike Jacket in colors...Red being one of them..I wanted chain stitch embroidery, like the original....so for less than a hundred bucks I got a new addition to the wardrobe..I think it will look cool in the back seat..
I can't post pics because my gig was an O/T car, but I forged lasting friendships racing there in the final decade of it's life. I was there for the last 2 cars that ran down the track. Used to remember who and what they were but not now. In my youth I stashed my car off King road one night and went through the fence. We walked the 1/2 mile through weeds and brush to get into the pits for a nitro F/C show. Mosquitos were brutal but it was worth it. The show got rained out and continued on Tues night, went back and paid (discounted ticket ) and got to see the full eliminations. "The Snake" was running an Arrow F/C that year for context. We lived in Allen Pk, about a 1/2 mi from the I-75 Dix exit in Linc Pk and I could hear the fuel cars that far away. Saw a Pro Stock match race in 71 and my dear late Mom fel in love with a Challenger, all black n gold, the "Motown Missle" and so much so they damn near bought one. They used to run 4 at a time to speed up eliminations and I'm old enough to have seen that just once. One season I made enough points to run for "the D" at Indy. 1st round win with a .004 light and dead on dial at 10.770. Went red the next day for round 2 with a -.002. Yes, I ran a delay box and no, No, it's not a guaranteed good light. You can go from hero to zero in thousandths of a second, like I did. Got back to Detroit and my car was more than a 1/10th quicker with a way better 60' time. For all the "dirt" that made it "the dirty D" the track itself was truly a racer's track. The announcer, his brother and Tim set the place up with lasers and shit to be a true 1/4 mi, lights at perfect specs, and any and all electronics remaining in top condition. Some pics of my car, "theHIGHLANDER" (go figure, huh?) have been popping up on FB over the last week and friends have been sending em along to me. Mike Grosso always took excellent shots and he's just as good at any other type of pic taking as well. Fond memories, a lifetime's worth.
Yep, I grew up in Southgate, just off Trenton Road near Fort Street. First time to DD was 1967, honest to gosh Double A Fuel Dragsters. Big Daddy, Kalitta, Prudhomme, Ramchargers, Warren-Coburn-Miller, heaven! From 68 to 70 saw all the top Funny Cars. God I love nitro!
Here’s a pit pass that I have, assume it’s 1960’s era, anyone know more exact timeframe? Sent from my iPhone using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
Many memories running there in my youth. Remember them running 4 at a time like post 43 (with 2 bikes in one lane). I recall a few of us running cars that should have been in the junkyard. A wonder we didn't kill our selves. Probably do the same thing all over again.
I remember the stock optional classes in AHRA which allowed stock cars with headers and slicks. The E/stock optional class would have about 40 cars running for a trophy. The same amount used to run at Motor City. It was hard for me to get to Detroit Dragway on Saturday's because I worked construction and worked most Saturdays. It was heaven for me when we got a road job right down the road from DD and could get off work and be there in 5 minutes. I lived in Mt. Clemens and running at Motor City on Sunday afternoon was much easier than towing all the way across Detroit. My brother drove his 66 big block vette in C/sp and I drove my 65 Comet and my buddy ran his C/Altered 31 model a coupe.
If memory serves me right, Ed Eaton was the owner of Detroit and he also owned NY National Speedway which became a housing development. Pat
Is that an original sign or a reproduction? Either way very cool. If it is a reproduction where did you get it? Spent a lot of time there with lots of good memories.
Pat I believe Gil Kohn owned both Detroit Dragway and NY National Speedway and I thought Ed Eaton managed the NY track. I remember Gil Kohn at Detroit but I do not remember Ed Eaton at Detroit (although it may have happened). I remember Gil Kohn sticking up for a particular point of view when there was the occasional argument, at Detroit.
Got my drivers license in 1962 and Detroit dragway was a destination many weekends in the summer. We ran our street cars there. It was the time of Garlits, Kalitta, Prudomme, McEwen, Bob Ford, Packer Pontiac, Ramchargers and Dyno Don. Those racers got the car blood flowing in my veins. A friend of mine ran A fuel FED there and at Milan his FED was called the Brute. I have a nostalgia car now.
I remember after the NHRA Nationals moved from Detroit Dragway to Indianapolis DD would have a big Super Stock show either the weekend before or after the Nationals. West coast and East coast super stocks would use it for a tune up or stay to run. Don’t know how many they had but SS would run way late into the night during eliminations. All the big names would be there.
I bought this at an art show years ago..it’s an original piece..hand painted...guy was a sign painter..not authentic to DD...but for 70 bucks I thought it was killer..
My favorite fuel dragster guy back then was Dick Lahaie probably spelled that wrong , but he was a real gentleman and always took time for the fans.
I wonder how many of us crossed paths back in the 60's 70's? I notice Detroit area guys ended up all over the country.
I first met Gil Kohn at 9mile and Northwestern 1952-53. I will have some Gil Kohn stories later. I also noticed detroit hoods all over the country, all in a warm part of the country.
The Jalopy Journal
