We obviously love soap box derby cars around here, as Ryan did a terrific post on them a while back. I just came across these 1940's p... <BR><BR>To read the rest of this blog entry from The Jalopy Journal, click here.
i wish that kinda thing was still around my way...even when i was growing up there was no such a thing around my area. very cool read...
Thanks for that post. You know the Derby Hill is/was over off 8 mile rd and Mt. Elliot, very near the abandon Vellodrome that was posted on Jockey Journal. What a great way to introduce young people to cars, mechanics, and working with your hands.
That is something I never had and I still want to do! Too bad there is no car culture around to push this kind of events.
What a way to learn. America needs that spirit back again. Reminds me of a thread a few days back. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=589417&highlight=mike+rowe
My father-in-law worked for the Detroit News back in the day. He was somehow involved in the sponsorship of the soap box derby program. He still has an 8x10 picture hanging in his basement of him, in a parade, riding in a mid '50's Corvette with a "Detroit News Soap box Derby" sign on the door. Pic was taken in the 60's (?) and the vette is wearing a set of chrome reverse wheels.
I couldn't wait for this to be featured in the newsreel they showed before the movies. I would stay after the show and watch it again before the next show. I was knocked out by it. Great stuff. Thanx!! ~sololobo~
Thinkin' the young man in the 1st photo might've had a thing for P-40 fighter planes (cool nose art) I have a helmet from 1952 & a large banner for the races in my "collection". Neat read, thanks JB!!!
I think there was more than one Derby Hill in Detroit. We had one on the west side in Rouge Park on Spinoza Drive between Warren & Joy roads. Still remember the white line lanes painted on the street. We would race our bikes down the hill. When we got bored with that we would ride a bit north of there back into the park to a place we called "Suicide Hill" Many a broken bikes and limbs were a result of some of those rides.
derby is alive and well I am the father of the 2010 michigan super stock all american champ my daugher also raced in the national series and was the 2010 national points champ here are some pics of her cars check out www.aasbd.org www.ndr.org
My buddy, George Annibal, and his Dad used to sell derby car kits out of a little shop on Grand River and Hubbell in Detroit in the late 50's, early 60's. His Dad had a regular day job but sold wheels, axles, instructions in the evening..............Those were fun days. When completed, some of the kids Dads brought their cars to my Dad's body shop, Farris Collision on Puritan and Hubbell, for paint jobs even though the kids were supposed to build them themselves........
I dont see why this couldnt get started....!! Imagine this at a show as part of it..NOW how cool would that be..? Or pick a spot close by to have it..??!?! MAN..I want in..!!
the NDR (national derby rally ) national race has a ultimate speed division no age restrictions the track is still there in flint needing repairs the track in saginaw is fantastic and can be rented
Great idea! I wonder if I can still get my fat ass into this? Probably not. Mine from 1970 just before it was shipped to Akron.
When I built my car the weight limit was 250 lbs. I had to build weight into the car to get it heavy enough without going over. If an old timers class was added I'm sure a lot of us wouldn't have any problem meeting the weight limit. Mine would have to be made out of Styrofoam.
I have a fiberglass body and am curious what ERA was this from? It came with blue plastic wheels and two red metal wheels with rubber treads. What wheels are correct for this car I can get better Pix if needed
my guess would be mid 80's nice wall hanger / decoration diggin the shoulder blisters but the only sanctioned All American Race it could run in is ultimate speed where the big boys play red steel wheel phased out in the 80's here is a link to the pa. keystone assoc. http://www.keystonerallies.org/
Thank you derbydad yea its a wall hanger, I put it in the bed of my truck some times, it looks cool. Have any leads on red steel wheels for this. What's a fair price? For two or four of them.
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