Man, the Ernie's Camera Special was a clean machine. It certainly warrants the admiring glances. Is that a '61 Ford 2 door wagon I see in the background?
Joe Piranello from San Diego. The Dodge rpu was featured in the film "The Lively Set" when it was painted red. Mick
@frank spittle “I didn’t get to see Art smoke the tires in the Chrysler powered “Hustler” at Bakersfield back in the day…” Hey FS, Would you settle for a short film from 1959 Riverside Raceway as Art Chrisman tried to uphold the Westcoast contingent laurels, during the run to the top eliminator trophy? It was the biggest drag race meet in Westcoast history, as the Eastern/Midwestern drag racers came out West to go against the best of the West and Arizona. Chrisman Cannon 1959 Riverside Raceway Friday Art thread... December 1959 Jnaki As mentioned before, as a teenager, we had seen most of the Westcoast drag racers, but to see the biggest names in drag racing from the East and Midwest was a lot of fun. We only saw them in the Drag News, weekly papers and it was impressive to be able to walk right up to them up close and personal. We had never been to Riverside Raceway and although it was December 20, 1959, the sun was out in full force. Most of the day was warm weather. But, as soon as the sun started its journey West and a nice setting sky, it was full jacket weather. Even in So Cal, it does get cold in the shade and Winter months. I was able to get up to the starting line and set my position for taking my movies. Nothing was there as a barrier to keep us away from being so close. The sound was tremendous. Sorry, I have been looking for original drag racing sounds from the same racers during this time, in the hopes that we all can see the movies and sound at the same time with my edits. Enjoy... East vs West 1959
What we really need is a thread for gasser/drag race Ford shoeboxes. It might not be a big thread but there’s gotta be some great old photos out there. How ‘bout it LB? You’re mighty good at foraging on the WWW.
Your wish is my command https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/drag-race-and-gasser-ford-shoebox-photos.1250342/
Carl Swift Hello, The best way to describe this cool looking 51 Ford racer is to use my own words from several years ago in a topic about grilles. It had the most unusual grille, but its intended purpose was evident. At the 2017 Lions Dragstrip Museum event, there was a 51 Ford sitting in a wing of the complex. People walked by and glanced at this old race car from back in the early 60’s. It was worn and showed signs of a car that had been raced many times over in So Cal. It had an unusual front body panel that served as a platform for the gas tank, and as a shroud for the motor compartment. There was even a matching air cleaner scoop for the carburetor. The interior was immaculate in its machining and metal work. The information posted on the window just called for more research of its history. The Ford was owned by Carl Swift. He was given the title of Irwindale Raceway’s “Mr. Unbeatable” because of his race records. A local racer with a win streak a mile long, turning times that any racer would love to have racing. He wasn’t the “big time” Gas Class Champion with a blown Hemi or in a lightweight Willys, but a 51 Ford with a Flathead motor. Jnaki As I was standing there admiring the Ford, an old drag racer walked by and said, “That car was always the Class Champion at the drags. Boy, he won everything.” Carl Swift, Irwindale Raceway’s “Mr. Unbeatable” Add to the story is an article from the Hot Rod Network: Article By Dick Martin “A young man who was about to be shipped to Vietnam approached Swift to sell his 51 Ford Flathead with fender mount headers built by Doug Thorley. Fender mount headers for a Flathead v8? Exclaimed Swift, thinking there was no such thing. He bought them for car for $200. Years later, Doug Thorley told Swift if he ever had a problem with them, he would repair them for free. Swift’s drag racing numbers advanced by tiny increments.” “So, anytime he could shave some weight off or gain a horsepower or two, was a bump up. He happened to stumble on Flathead gold. Or should we say Canadian Aluminum Gold, in a Glendale auto parts store, when he asked if they had any Ford Flathead parts. They said there were some old Aluminum Heads the store thought about tossing. He purchased the pair for $35. They were a point higher in compression than the cast iron heads.” “The aluminum intake manifold was courtesy of the Long Beach Swap Meet for $35. An aluminum timing cover was laying in the dirt at an auto repair shop in Pomona, which Swift promptly bought for $15. (note Swift’s dazzling aluminum shaping after he restored the coupe.) Swift’s drag car became a nickel and dime project over the years, as were most early hot rod race cars. Yards project, but built many a 32 Ford and Swift’s 51 Ford was no exception. This was not a thrown together a work in salvage progress over the years. The aluminum work that Carl crafted speaks for itself, doesn’t it?”
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