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Bringing back the Legendary Big John Mazmanian Gasser

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by beegator, Jun 20, 2012.

  1. WillysRule
    Joined: Feb 22, 2007
    Posts: 799

    WillysRule
    Member
    from Central FL

    Rocky:

    Just to be clear, I wasn't trying to down anything you're doing with the Mazmanian car. I hope it turns out great. I just wanted to point out some of major differences in the car from near the end to when Bones drove it. Some people don't realize there's a difference. I should have known you and your crew will pick up on the finer styling differences. Good luck and make Big John proud.
     
  2. Scottrodsllc
    Joined: Dec 13, 2009
    Posts: 232

    Scottrodsllc
    Member
    from ohio

    Thank's Rocky,Myself,my son and the folks that work for us can't wait to see it!!
     
  3. Carnuba
    Joined: Mar 19, 2012
    Posts: 430

    Carnuba
    BANNED

    So, then what car has been displayed around California the past few years?
     
  4. landseaandair
    Joined: Feb 23, 2009
    Posts: 4,485

    landseaandair
    Member
    from phoenix

    That aught to be the recreation done by Ken McIntyre out of the old Graham Cracker car.
     
  5. WillysRule
    Joined: Feb 22, 2007
    Posts: 799

    WillysRule
    Member
    from Central FL

    Yes, that's Ken McIntyre's "tribute" car. I've heard he sold it, but haven't heard who owns it now.

    Big John's car was sold to the Hill Bros in late 66 when Dick Bourgeois' tour was done. The Hill Bros ran it through April or May of 67. They installed a 426 hemi, and eventually re-fabbed the supension. Looking to shave some more ET, they cut about 4" off the bottom of the nose and the rest of the car (similar to the last SWC car). They eventually wrecked the car, but noone really knows what happened to it after that. The Hill's yanked the drivetrain out of it, and put it in the 33 Willys they built with Chuck Finders, which debuted in June of 67.

    Hill Brothers BJM1.jpg Hill Brothers3.jpg
     
    EVL401 likes this.
  6. Carnuba
    Joined: Mar 19, 2012
    Posts: 430

    Carnuba
    BANNED

    So, why another tribute? Thanks guys
     
  7. hotrod40coupe
    Joined: Apr 8, 2007
    Posts: 2,561

    hotrod40coupe
    Member


    I thought it did but apparantly it was destroyed. However, there are already some outstanding clones.
     
  8. snaptwo
    Joined: Apr 25, 2011
    Posts: 696

    snaptwo
    Member

    Wasn't Gil's auto body one of the shops that were responsible for The Maz look. I knew they were friends at one time.
     
  9. WillysRule
    Joined: Feb 22, 2007
    Posts: 799

    WillysRule
    Member
    from Central FL

    Yes. If you look a few more posts up, you'll see the pic I submitted of Maz's car in 66. The Hills kept Maz's candy red paint and left most of the gold leaf lettering on the car. They changed the doors to reflect their name, added Mr Gasket, Crane Cams on the hood, and a couple other sponsors.
     
    Last edited: Jun 24, 2012
  10. Boss Hydro
    Joined: Sep 1, 2008
    Posts: 849

    Boss Hydro
    Member
    from Phila


    After the NHRA announced they were having a "Showcase Eliminator" for the "classical AA/GS" cars. I thought how cool would it be to have my friend Bones return to Indy and race again. Since I had been collecting parts to build a period correct 40 Willys AA/GS car, I figured if I'd look into the possibility of having it completed by Indy. My main problem was the body I have is in really rough shape and there was no way we'd have it done in time. In stepped Scott Leber of Scotts Rods. I have dealt with Scott in the past and his bodies are some of the nicest being made today. Him and his crew worked over-time to have it completed and delivered it to the Thompson Gasser Reunion in early June. Since I always LOVED the 64 Big John car that Bones drove, I decided to pattern our build after it. After some conversations with Fred Bear and Bones it was decided to ask Vic Mazmanian for permission to use his fathers name, which is copy righted. The understanding is as follows, as long as the car looks like the original and is competitive with todays cars along with being SAFE, Vic would allow the use of the name for Bone's race at Indy. Sooooooo... To answer your question this is much more than a "tribute", its about bringing back one of the true legends of drag racing to return to the race he won fifty years earlier...AND to have him race in one of the most famous A/GS cars that ever graced a drag strip. To me and my entire crew, this is a honor, and we really look forward to having Bones compete in one of our cars. It's also a equal honor to have the chance to bring back to the fans of drag racing one of the biggest names in the history of the supercharged gas class.
     
  11. ME.GASSER
    Joined: Sep 18, 2007
    Posts: 3,627

    ME.GASSER
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    Rocky,
    Knowing you and your crew like i do this car will be nothing short of amazing and safe for bones to drive. I can't stop thinking how it is going to make Freddy Bear and Bones feel to be racing on that track again. It is going to be one hell of an event and i'm so glad that i'm going to be part of it. If you need anything just let us know.
    Wanda
     
  12. Mr. Jean
    Joined: Dec 13, 2007
    Posts: 603

    Mr. Jean
    Member

    I agree Wanda. They put on a great show too. Best of luck with it Rocky.
     
  13. Carnuba
    Joined: Mar 19, 2012
    Posts: 430

    Carnuba
    BANNED

    I hope more people follow your lead and bring back more cars from that era (whether OG or tribute) to be RACED. Good luck with the project!
     
  14. beegator
    Joined: Apr 14, 2006
    Posts: 248

    beegator
    Member

    Spy photos.... Thank you Michele :)

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]
     
  15. outlaw256
    Joined: Jun 26, 2008
    Posts: 2,022

    outlaw256
    Member

    now will my glass 41 willys be accepted here?lol
     
  16. violet springs
    Joined: Apr 2, 2006
    Posts: 389

    violet springs
    Member

    Wow, that crank centerline is going to be at the maximum hight, Looks Good.
     
  17. beegator
    Joined: Apr 14, 2006
    Posts: 248

    beegator
    Member

  18. pappy1
    Joined: Jan 7, 2007
    Posts: 36

    pappy1
    Member
    from Penna.

    Thanks for posting the pics, Bee
     
  19. beegator
    Joined: Apr 14, 2006
    Posts: 248

    beegator
    Member

    Pappy, are you going to paint it?
     
  20. pappy1
    Joined: Jan 7, 2007
    Posts: 36

    pappy1
    Member
    from Penna.

    No, He has someone.
     
  21. ME.GASSER
    Joined: Sep 18, 2007
    Posts: 3,627

    ME.GASSER
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    I can't wait to see this at Indy. Pappy it was good to see you at York this weekend.
    Wanda
     
  22. d2_willys
    Joined: Sep 8, 2007
    Posts: 4,285

    d2_willys
    Member
    from Kansas

    Fantastic! Always loved that Willys! Had two sets of hot rod cards when I was a kid, one of the cards was BJM and his willys. Love it!
     
  23. corncobcoupe
    Joined: May 26, 2001
    Posts: 7,259

    corncobcoupe
    SUPER MODERATOR
    Staff Member

  24. nwbhotrod
    Joined: Oct 13, 2009
    Posts: 1,243

    nwbhotrod
    Member
    from wash state

    Yes i saw the vettte in a private collection in Nebraska. very private and very cool
     
  25. Boss Hydro
    Joined: Sep 1, 2008
    Posts: 849

    Boss Hydro
    Member
    from Phila

    Here's the finished product...

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]
     
  26. Boss Hydro
    Joined: Sep 1, 2008
    Posts: 849

    Boss Hydro
    Member
    from Phila

    The Original and the tribute...

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]
     
    EVL401 likes this.
  27. Boss Hydro
    Joined: Sep 1, 2008
    Posts: 849

    Boss Hydro
    Member
    from Phila

    At the California Hot Rod Reunion... with Bones Balogh at the helm..

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]
     
  28. Boss Hydro
    Joined: Sep 1, 2008
    Posts: 849

    Boss Hydro
    Member
    from Phila

  29. Boss Hydro
    Joined: Sep 1, 2008
    Posts: 849

    Boss Hydro
    Member
    from Phila

  30. Boss Hydro
    Joined: Sep 1, 2008
    Posts: 849

    Boss Hydro
    Member
    from Phila

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