Roadrace cars... vintage, nostalgia, historic

I can't believe a thread with "Roadrace Cars" in the title on H.A.M.B. has gone this far without mention of Ak Miller's El Caballo De Hierro, (Horse Of Iron) which he entered in the 1953 and 1954 Mexican Road Race or Carrera De Pan America.

Ak has been called "the Greatest American Hot Rodder" in an article in Hot Rod Magazine.

The car was basically a '27 Ford Model T body on a modified '49 Ford frame and powered by a 340 cid Oldsmobile V-8 engine.

He DROVE the car from Whittier, California to the Southern tip of Mexico and raced 1,921 miles, and then DROVE it home to California. He finished 8th in 1953 and 5th in 1954 in the large displacement sports car class, running against very expensive Ferraris, etc.

 

The cars of Ak Miller, Ray Crawford, and Walt Faulkner With Hershel McGriff's Olds in the background

 

1958 Echidna at Goodwood, 2004

 

If you've got some time to kill on a cold, wintery day, read the article in Hot Rod Magazine entitled "Ak Miller - The Best Hot Rodder In The World"

http://www.hotrod.com/thehistoryof/hrdp_0606_ak_miller_history_best_hot_rodder/1927_t_roadster.html

This guy is truly 'something else'!!!!

15ASedan; I also wanted to post some pictures of the Mexican Road Race Lincolns and a little bit of a story about them, but couldn't find a suitable picture quickly enough. Thanks for posting that! The Lincolns were one of Americas real road racing achievements of that era.

JG

 

50s homebuilt:

 

Ken Miles homebuilt:

 

Got any close-ups of the Studebaker #11?
Does anybody have info on a Trans-Am Studebaker?

 

__________

 

Thanks!
I looked around a bit and found a bit more on another site.
I like the orphan makes especially when they are made into race cars!

 

Not pure road racers, per se, but for you guys who also appreciate fine craftsmanship in wood or metal, or interesting design, here are some Morgan build photos. The links are from a quick google on the Morgan Factory. Gary

http://www.flickr.com/photos/34090573@N02/sets/72157622328549035/
http://www.annandave.org/Morgan factory.htm
http://www.detailingworld.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?p=2352848
http://www.morgan-motor.co.uk/

 

great thread!

 

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=526884

 

I can't remember if I posted this before, but I recently ordered and recieved my DVD copy of 'CAN-AM THE SPEED ODYSSEY' ordered at www.canamfilm.com I think it was $32. I am THRILLED with it.

These were real hot rods that Americans can be VERY proud of.

The DVD is in doccumentary format and includes almost 2-hours of original, rare Can-Am motion picture archival footage.

interestingly, it points out that at one of the tracks they raced at (Riverside, I think) they also had a FORMULA ONE race at the same track during the same year. The CAN-AM CARS (Mostly American-bulit hot rods) WERE FASTER than the F-1 cars!!! on the same track!!!

Way cool!

JG

 

A few I had.

 

JG. I think that would have been at Watkins Glen as that's where the US F1 race was back then. Can Am cars were very entertaining and sooo loud.

 

The Gentleman that built/owns/drives that Stude restored my 1968 Camaro Trans Am car about 8 years ago, he does beautiful work and a great guy. The Stude has some race history from the glory days but not in Trans Am...

 

What series did it compete in?
It rather reminded me of the "Gray Ghost" Pontiac LeMans that made several appearances, I think in the Trans Am series.

 

Cool photos,
The Green 36 Dodge is my fathers and I now own Dick Vermeulens 35 Ford.

QUOTE=Jimmy B;4685826]





































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Same thing happened at Watkins Glen and Mosport. 2 years in a row. They were absolutely the most bad ass race cars ever, record speeds or not.

 

I was there for the air display. Lyn was getting LAPPED by Doc & Chip Robinson in the Group 44 Jag. Not enough room for 3 wide at the start/finish.

 

A 35 Ford special called The Henry 7 at Speed on Tweed driven by Dick Vermeullen.

 

66 AH sprite

 

A few from Lime Rock Park Historic Festival (2010)

Siata


Devin MG


Another Siata (wasn't racing, but gorgeous car)


Shift gate on a Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa


Aston Martin DB2


Polished Aston Martin


Sprint car that went well on the track


Indy car that wasn't well suited to Lime Rock, but damn fast on the straights


Alfa Romeo Straight 8