One of my top ten favorite cars. I'm glad I had the opportunity to speak to Nunzi several years ago at the Dover Nostalgia race. Pat
John Barkley telling George Cureton a story about his parts busting 4-speed Corvette Stocker at the recent Tri Fives in Bowling Green.....I wish I would have recorded the conversation. Priceless!!
I've seen the tribute car to the Jolly Green Giant in video coverage of this years Tri-Five Nats. Excellent job whether by the Gunning Brothers or someone else. Hope to see more of it soon.
Gunning Brothers Here is the tribute car along with the Gunning McMasters. The tribute car was built by a guy in Texas and has some parts from the original car.
The JGG2 tribute car was beautifully built in Texas by good friend Steve DeWoody. The build includes many original parts and pieces from the original car including the custom made '63 Chevy grille that we made in '65. It is a stunning and exact recreation of the original. The McMaster & Gunning 4dr hardtop is a 99% original car from the late 60's including the Jenkins Competition engine that was built in 1967. Jack and I (Ken) were honored to drive both cars in the Jr Stock parade lap at this years Tri Five Nationals in Bowling Green, Ky. and were the first cars to run that day.
Whoa a 60 Buick racing!! Hard to find any pics or info on 59/60 buicks going at the track. Got any more info on this one mate? Love this thread!!
What was great about class racing, is any car you drive, could be classified, where you landed in the class is whether you could be competitive. My Mothers 304 V8 4speed Gremlin fell into a class called A Mini AHRA. Our mechanic made a Pass, won class and ran under the national record that day. I still have the trophy. It was dead stock.
Junior Stock and Modified Production were two of the most popular classes the N.H.R.A. ever had. The N.H.R.A. lost thousands of racers when they made this stupid decision! They have done many stupid things over the years, but this one took the CAKE! Just my opinion Jimbo
The Pro classes are on life support. Multiple cars with one owner is one indicator they have $$$ priced themselves out of existence. When racing was Racing....see note: 64 car field at Bakersfield.
That Buick is Russ Mathews from Lafayette In. One day a neighbor of mine walked over to my house because he heard our race car running. We started talking drag racing and he asked if I had ever heard of his uncle Russ Mathews. I said of course and would he like to see several pics that I had of that car. Small world.
I remember our mechanic saying that it had more, ran in the 14s. Was the early Gremlin with the fenders that rusted out.
I remember Russ coming to Phenix City, Al for an NHRA divisional in about 1967 or so, he was traveling all over the country in an attempt to win the stock national championship. I can't remember what he was towing with but he had a really clean operation and got a lot of attention.
Anyone know what happened to the Jenkins prepared 55 Chevy, Tinkers Toy ? For 50 years, I thought it was the original Grumpy's Toy until I read a post here about the Monster Mash. This car saved me a ton of money and frustration. I towed my 55 Chevy to Island Drags one Sunday and as I remember had nothing running I/stock for weeks. I had a strong 265 with 455 gears that gave me the impression that I was actually in the race when the lights came down. It was only seconds before I realized I was totally out classed with this car running on or close to the then National record of 13.7.
The Jalopy Journal
