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Features VINTAGE SPRINT CAR PIC THREAD, 1965 and older only please.

Discussion in 'Traditional Hot Rods' started by Joshua Shaw, Jan 17, 2008.

  1. Rootie Kazoootie
    Joined: Nov 27, 2006
    Posts: 8,134

    Rootie Kazoootie
    Member
    from Colorado

    Jim Culbert sold a bunch of the 505 model, convertible sprint/super- cars/kits/plans back in the 60s.
     

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  2. Rootie Kazoootie
    Joined: Nov 27, 2006
    Posts: 8,134

    Rootie Kazoootie
    Member
    from Colorado

    Not sure why, but a lot of modern sprint cars look more like supers than the supers did back in the day. :confused:
     

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  3. lostmind
    Joined: Aug 21, 2011
    Posts: 3,308

    lostmind
    Member


    I remember seeing it at Dover, Ohio fair grounds--30 years ago?
    Doesn't help much now.
     
  4. Dick L
    Joined: Dec 21, 2010
    Posts: 138

    Dick L
    Member

    Actually Easter this car was driven by Jerry Lepinski {pictured} and was owned by Tom Wilke here in St.Paul. This was the car to beat for a long time. It then became a sprint car and ran very well.
     
  5. Dick L
    Joined: Dec 21, 2010
    Posts: 138

    Dick L
    Member

    Very ugly in my humble opinion.
     
  6. easter
    Joined: Nov 25, 2010
    Posts: 554

    easter
    Member

    [​IMG]
    Jerry (Haircut) Lepinski preparing to run at Cedar Lake with car owner, Tom Wilke, giving directions. This sprint car was run as both a modified and as a winged sprint.

    The above info was copied and pasted from www.gotomn.com. My understanding is Johnny Rutherford won the Little 500 in this car, then Jerry Richert drove this car for Frank Wagner, and then Tom Wilke bought the car and put the top/cage on it. Maybe I'm wrong.​
    Maybe Wagner bought it from Wilke?
     
    Last edited: Dec 15, 2013
  7. easter
    Joined: Nov 25, 2010
    Posts: 554

    easter
    Member

    <IMG aria-label="... Consoli | all galleries >>&#65279;Misc. Dirt Track Racing >&#65279;63 Jerry Richert" id=yui_3_5_1_5_1387114985046_765 style="HEIGHT: 490px; MARGIN-TOP: 0px; WIDTH: 736px" alt="" src="http://m9.i.pbase.com/o6/27/4627/1/417829.uPgJpHqT.63_Richert_Jw.jpg" width=790 height=526>

    Jerry Richert in this photo from Al Consoli
     
  8. I am not sure about that correct order of car owner lineage but Jerry Richert drove this car for Wilke at the 1976 Cheaters Day race in Sioux Falls as a sprint car. He came from 14th starting position to win a record that was intact until the speedway was demolished to build a parking lot.
     
  9. Rootie Kazoootie
    Joined: Nov 27, 2006
    Posts: 8,134

    Rootie Kazoootie
    Member
    from Colorado

    It was originally built by Don Shepard for Dave Beatson for J.R. to drive. It was then sold to Wagner. FYI- J.R. didn't win the Little 500 but did sit on the pole in the "highsider"
     

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    Last edited: Dec 15, 2013
  10. easter
    Joined: Nov 25, 2010
    Posts: 554

    easter
    Member

    This is my last comment on the subject, because I'm sure you're all getting tired of hearing my 2 cents. But, I don't think the car above in Rootie's post is the same car that is known as the "high sider" driven by Jerry Richert in my previous post: different tail, different "high side", different roll bar, and the car looks much longer. Rootie will know for sure.
     
    Last edited: Dec 15, 2013
  11. I think we would all agree that your 2 cents will never, ever be tiring. I enjoy your perspective with each of your posts and it also brings back some vivid memories.
     
  12. Rootie Kazoootie
    Joined: Nov 27, 2006
    Posts: 8,134

    Rootie Kazoootie
    Member
    from Colorado

    Same car, there were changes made, but, if you look closely, both pics show the same 4 radius rod setup which was pretty uncommon back in 62.
     
  13. willbierfarms
    Joined: Oct 25, 2013
    Posts: 145

    willbierfarms
    Member
    from palmyra mo

    Here are a few pics from this summer at osky and Knoxville

    Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!
     

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  14. Denny Zimmerman
    Joined: Jan 8, 2010
    Posts: 504

    Denny Zimmerman
    Member

    easter, Your comments are always welcome.. Denny Z.
     
  15. Rootie Kazoootie
    Joined: Nov 27, 2006
    Posts: 8,134

    Rootie Kazoootie
    Member
    from Colorado

    FWIW- per Don Shepard.
     

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  16. hamb n egger
    Joined: Aug 3, 2009
    Posts: 26

    hamb n egger
    Member
    from California

    Henry & James Spl.
    Riverside Int'l Raceway, Labor Day 1958
    Driven by Jack Rounds

    This car was built/owned by my late father-in-law Jim Yoshida and Hank Higuchi. Powered by a Wayne headed GMC 6 it won the 1957 CRA Championship driven mostly by Billy Cantrell.
     

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  17. s55mercury66
    Joined: Jul 6, 2009
    Posts: 4,335

    s55mercury66
    Member
    from SW Wyoming

    hamb n egger, Big Mac started a thread on here a couple days ago looking for info on a Bonneville trophy, won by "Buck and Yoshida", in 1953. Any connection?
     
  18. oldebob
    Joined: Oct 21, 2008
    Posts: 782

    oldebob
    Member
    from Spokane WA

    Anyone able to help out with a photo of an AJ Watson sprint car? . 4 bar pre cage . I am trying to identify a chassis I would suspect to be a real late 60's build. Thanks guys.
     
  19. deucemac
    Joined: Aug 31, 2008
    Posts: 1,483

    deucemac
    Member

    Just read on Bang shift that Stu Hilborn passed away yesterday at 96. Where would most forms of racing be without him?
     
  20. KKx125
    Joined: Dec 22, 2008
    Posts: 72

    KKx125
    Member

    I first met Stewart in 2006 when i asked Don Enriquec a Technical question while visiting Hilborn engineering. Don introduced me and my son to Stu who,I believed worked in the workshop several days each week. Stu insisted my son Photograph me with his First Fuel Injector for a flat head Ford. What a gentleman. The world has lost a great Man, RIP Stu Hilborn, Speedy.
     
  21. 32STUPRES
    Joined: Nov 9, 2008
    Posts: 360

    32STUPRES
    Member

    Thought some of you might enjoy seeing this old program (circa 1964) from the Blytheville, Arkansas Speedway....noteable names...Hooker Hood, Otto Scrape, Bobby Ward, Elmer Gray, Sam Swindell (Slammin Sammy's father) etc.

    Last two pics of Hooker Hood in the early days....He was an absolute legend in the Mid South!
    The first pic is Otto Scrape ...Otto (Wes), his son, is now 66 and still runs very competitively in the Florida Sprint Car Assn...(Jacksonville area)..........................................................Joe
     

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    Last edited: Dec 17, 2013
  22. hamb n egger
    Joined: Aug 3, 2009
    Posts: 26

    hamb n egger
    Member
    from California

    s55mercury66...I'm not sure. I have never heard that Jim ran on the salt, but it would not surprise me if that info has yet to be unearthed. I know he ran Track T's and Dragsters. I will try to make contact with Big Mac and gain some additional info. Thank you, Gary
     
  23. Paul Martens
    Joined: Feb 25, 2010
    Posts: 15

    Paul Martens
    Member

    Any luck on the Ralph Pruiett contact info. I'd also like to contact him.
     
  24. wvjimmie
    Joined: Jan 28, 2010
    Posts: 18

    wvjimmie
    Member

    For Bob Easter. Bob I found this pic today on my computer. You may have seen it but I'm not sure. A guy in Parkersburg sent it to me years ago. Your dad at the Little 500 in the Buckley Towing car. Can't see much but it gives you an idea of the crash.
     

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  25. easter
    Joined: Nov 25, 2010
    Posts: 554

    easter
    Member

    It was a long time ago. I don't remember him going on through the turn like this photo. What I do remember is: Buzz Gregory ran out of fuel on the last lap. Dad was coming off of #4 and slowed to bump Buzz across the finish line. Dad said he didn't want Buzz to go that far and not finish by a few feet.

    Dad actually thought he was in the lead, but it turns out Buzz was. After he saw Buzz was going to make it, Dad crossed the finish line and took the checkers. Going into #1 he was rear ended damn hard by someone he used to race against at Parkersburg. Dad said it was a payback for something that wasn't his fault. The fuel dumped onto the long exhaust pipes and he went well into the air in a huge ball of fire, over the guardrail and into the catch fence in #1. Our local Sheriff and several deputies traveled from Coshocton, Ohio to watch Dad race. They were burned by some of the fuel that splashed into the stands.

    When the car came down off the fence back onto the track, Dad was trapped. His right leg had been jammed up under the in/out box and he couldn't get it loose. My mom, grandpa, and I were sitting in #2. I saw Dad struggle wildly, but no use. He passed out and went limp. We he did, his leg relaxed and he slid down over the left side of the car onto the track.

    He laid there for a few seconds with smoke pouring off of him and when he stood up, he stumbled down the bank and was hit by Bobby Black which flipped him into the air and then he rolled into the infield. Somebody grabbed the bottom of the catch fence and we all went under it and over the guardrail and down to the pits.

    Dad was sitting and leaning against a stack of tires while pealing off his golf gloves and rubber goggles. Mom, who wasn't allowed to cry, asked if he was OK. He said: "Give me some F---ing Excedrin Carol" and Uncle Charlie handed him a Blatz. He downed all of both. And then in true racer fashion, the old man said: "When they get that fire out, drag that thing up on the trailer. I gotta be at work a 6:00 in the morning."

    Following an unheard of Little 500 scoring dispute, Dad was paid for 9th. The flagman told Dad he was sure he had taken the lead with a few laps to go, but that's how it is. I do think the car rolled down the bank after Dad bailed out. Hell, I was only 12 or 13 at the time and now I can't even remember if I zipped up my pants after the last visit to the bath.

    Thank you Jim for the photo and the note. Dad and I didn't get along his last few years, so these photos and stories really mean a lot to me and my kids. All of Dad's trophies and other cool racing things were snatched up by other family leaches just in spite. That's ok, because I was there for the real deal. Thanks again. Bob Easter

    PS: I'll bet this is right after Dad rolled into the infield and the car rolled on it's own down into #2. It burned for quite awhile.

    PSS: Looking at the scoreboard (which I don't remember), it says Laps 64. Dad's wreck was at the finish.
     
    Last edited: Dec 22, 2013
  26. RABs32
    Joined: Nov 14, 2009
    Posts: 807

    RABs32
    Member
    from new jersey

    Sprint3, If this is the cataloge You're talking about in the message You sent Me , This is the only info in the cataloge about an in/out box....Rich
     

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  27. easter
    Joined: Nov 25, 2010
    Posts: 554

    easter
    Member

    Dad's wreck in '69 Little 500. #98 Ray Wright; #51 Luke Easter; #33 Jerry Blundy; #9 Steve Lehnert. Photo taken from stockcarextreme.com. I believe that's my dad in the lower left corner with the "flamed" helmet (no pun intended). And, I believe the guy in dark next to him with the shop rag hanging out of his pocket, is one of Dad's crew men, the late Russ Garber from West Lafayette, Ohio.

    [​IMG]
     
    Last edited: Dec 22, 2013
  28. Speedwrench
    Joined: Nov 21, 2009
    Posts: 1,032

    Speedwrench
    Member

    Following an unheard of Little 500 scoring dispute, Dad was paid for 9th. The flagman told Dad he was sure he had taken the lead with a few laps to go, but that's how it is. I do think the car rolled down the bank after Dad bailed out. Hell, I was only 12 or 13 at the time and now I can't even remember if I zipped up my pants after the last visit to the bath.

    I hope you used the term " unheard of Little 500 scoring dispute" wwith tongue in cheek.

    As I remember it the griping about scoring was an annual and neverending situation.

    And while it may be of small comfort, your dad isn't the only one to get screwed out of a little 500 win. Ask Butch Wilkerson sometime.
     
  29. easter
    Joined: Nov 25, 2010
    Posts: 554

    easter
    Member


    Yeah, I said it with a bitter grin. They had a bunch of high school kids up in turn #4 keeping track of the cars. There was a set of bleachers under a manual score board, and those kids occupied the top few rows. After a few laps, even the pit crews couldn't find their own car, lone enough a bunch of kids playing grab ass. Crazy.
     
  30. jjones752
    Joined: Apr 3, 2008
    Posts: 205

    jjones752
    Member
    from Indy

    I hate to be a "wet blanket" (which Luke Easter could've probably used), but these cars all have cages and fat tires; I have a feeling this is a different year and a different wreck...
     

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