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The "Big John" Mazmanian Drag Austin!

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by FRITZ, Oct 21, 2009.

  1. FRITZ
    Joined: Sep 6, 2001
    Posts: 1,209

    FRITZ
    BANNED

    Lucky me! or am I? I get to restore the body to "Big John" Mazmanian's the "football car" Drag Austin. I have saved some cars that should have been crushed but this Bad boy has been driven and put away wet! The owner told me it was in rough shape but i figured "yah well I can fix anything" And I still know I can but there are some spots that need more time then I thought.
    the nose piece fits Ok and the pass door is the best fitting fiberglass panel on the car the drivers side door has never fit properly since the day this monster jumped off the starting line for the first time. (I.E. see original photo) the deck lid has an uneven ill fitting gap but I can live with it and well......thats just the way race cars are I guess, Guys that want to go FAST don"t pay much attention to silly show car stuff like door gaps, LOL but "I DO" and I am determined to make this car dreamy!
    enjoy the pics and I'll keep ya updated
    FRITZ
     

    Attached Files:

  2. Pinstriper40
    Joined: Sep 24, 2007
    Posts: 3,611

    Pinstriper40
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    It'll be beautiful Mr. Fritz! I've got faith in you! Do you get to do all of the painting and lettering too?
     
    Last edited: Oct 21, 2009
  3. One of my favorite gassers of alll time. I need to come visit and make myself usefull!
     
  4. i got to subscribe to this. wow, thats an awesome piece of history.
     

  5. ro51_hemi
    Joined: Sep 17, 2006
    Posts: 432

    ro51_hemi
    Member
    from York,Pa

  6. 'Mo
    Joined: Sep 26, 2007
    Posts: 7,432

    'Mo
    Member

    Wasn't this car chopped and painted by Gil Ayala?
     
    Last edited: Oct 27, 2009
  7. LeadSledMerc
    Joined: Nov 29, 2003
    Posts: 4,105

    LeadSledMerc
    Member

    HAHA...yea, "the drivers door doesn't fit right"...with a twisted frame!:D

    That's awesome you have the opportunity to bring it back.:cool:
    Whats the story with the chassis, etc?

    Keep us updated on the progress you make...please!
     
  8. Steves32
    Joined: Aug 28, 2007
    Posts: 1,280

    Steves32
    Member
    from So Cal

    Is this the one that was for sale on Gasser Madness for quite some time?
     
  9. and the beat goes on and on and on,,,,,,,,,,,,to cool
     
  10. sodbuster
    Joined: Oct 15, 2001
    Posts: 5,039

    sodbuster
    Member
    from Kansas

    Nice!.......and is that heater from Ryan's garage when he lived in KC? That sucker would melt snow.

    Chris
     
  11. 296ardun
    Joined: Feb 11, 2009
    Posts: 4,682

    296ardun
    Member

    it was chopped by Gil Ayala...he and John Mazmanian were good friends, long before John got into drag racing, Gil customized a '40 Merc convertible for him.
     
  12. FRITZ
    Joined: Sep 6, 2001
    Posts: 1,209

    FRITZ
    BANNED

    Sodbuster>
    LOL yah I bought that heater from the home depot, and yah it gets so dang hot in the garage I work in a T-shirt all winter!

    Steves32>
    I have no Idea, all I do is make 'em shine!

    LeadSledMerc>
    A guy named Eric from Liberty Perf. in MN. built the rolling stock for it.

    and Yes it was chopped by Ayala! its tuff. not the way work is done today I can tell you that but how often do we get to walk in the footsteps of our hero's?

    FRITZ
     
  13. Hey cool maybe you could do one side as Big John built it and the other side as it was when K.S.Pittman had it.:rolleyes:

    I remember the first time I saw it was at a little car show we had a Gardena H.S. back in '67 or so.
    Later when I was working with Goeske in '69 we were at US 30 in Gary Ind. and I helped K.S. for a minute on the starting line and got burned when the traction liquid caught fire:eek:
    I have lots of memories of that car, I have seen it on Gasser Madness for a long time, glad it is finally being restored.:)

    What's the plan for a chassis, I heard the original went under Pittman's Opel:confused:
     
  14. FRITZ
    Joined: Sep 6, 2001
    Posts: 1,209

    FRITZ
    BANNED


    It did go under the Opel. a brand new chassis and running gear was all built by a shop called Liberty Performance in MN.
    FRITZ
     
  15. jkperformance
    Joined: Oct 9, 2008
    Posts: 84

    jkperformance
    Member

    LeadSledMerc>
    A guy named Eric from Liberty Perf. in MN. built the rolling stock for it.



    FRITZ[/QUOTE]
    The chassis for the Football was built by Jeff Kirkpatrick (me) in Muncie Indiana. anyone else laying claim to that fact would be a liar.
     

    Attached Files:

  16. Now that
    is cool.
     
  17. FunnyCar65
    Joined: Mar 11, 2007
    Posts: 2,092

    FunnyCar65
    Member
    from Colorado

    Fritz,you get to work on all the cool stuff!Must be living right.
     
  18. FRITZ
    Joined: Sep 6, 2001
    Posts: 1,209

    FRITZ
    BANNED

    The chassis for the Football was built by Jeff Kirkpatrick (me) in Muncie Indiana. anyone else laying claim to that fact would be a liar.[/QUOTE]

    Hey thanks for chiming in. I'm glad you posted 'cause I have no idea who did what on the car, all I did was pick it up from liberty. don't blame Eric, Blame me for not having my facts straight. And now they are.
    Thanks, Fritz
     
  19. DocWatson
    Joined: Mar 24, 2006
    Posts: 10,280

    DocWatson
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    Thats awesome Fritz, when your done just have it shipped to me.....
    Doc.
     
  20. FRITZ
    Joined: Sep 6, 2001
    Posts: 1,209

    FRITZ
    BANNED

    NAh, I just try to get by on my good looks, mountain dew and snicker bars
    Fritz
     
  21. 4MALS
    Joined: Oct 14, 2009
    Posts: 28

    4MALS
    Member

    Gotta see that when its done ! Nice work!
     
  22. J.Ukrop
    Joined: Nov 10, 2008
    Posts: 2,818

    J.Ukrop
    SUPER MODERATOR
    Staff Member

    What an amazing car!
     
  23. iBorg
    Joined: Feb 20, 2009
    Posts: 17

    iBorg
    Member

    Mercy that's a great car from my past. Never saw it run but I stared at the Hot Rod feature on it for at least two years. I'm thrilled its being restored.

    Mike
     
  24. jivin jer
    Joined: Sep 14, 2008
    Posts: 3,323

    jivin jer
    Member

    John served in WWII on the Enterprise.How cool is that?
     
  25. publicenemy1925
    Joined: Feb 4, 2007
    Posts: 3,187

    publicenemy1925
    Member
    from OKC, OK

    See there is my problem. I have no good looks, I drink Dr. Pepper and I like payday bars! I doubt the fact I have a small penis has anything to do with it.
     
  26. FRITZ
    Joined: Sep 6, 2001
    Posts: 1,209

    FRITZ
    BANNED

    Hey every now & then I have a payday bar, Love 'em and Von Franco is a Dr. Pepper fan! there's hope in the world, LOL
    FRITZ
     
  27. robt500
    Joined: Nov 6, 2006
    Posts: 432

    robt500
    Member
    from Lex, KY

  28. Keep postin Thanks
     
  29. Steves32
    Joined: Aug 28, 2007
    Posts: 1,280

    Steves32
    Member
    from So Cal

    I love the football Austin!

    [​IMG]




    [​IMG]
     
  30. Ya cant beat a Dr.Pepper and a Moonpie to get things rollin in the shop.........dig the matchin trailer with whitewalls........
     

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