How Many Of Us Have Seen One Image And The Conversations Went On All Day?...(Credit Given For Image As Signed)...
Somewhere I have a photo of me beside one of his Monsters at Rockingham in '68 or '69...Now I have to find it!
Nice old bit of history from the Midwest... Hello, Being upstart teenagers, we were into drag racing of all kinds. When we were told that Art Afrons was bringing the Green Monster out west to Lions sometime in 1959. We could not miss this event. The anticipation was tremendous. we were going to be able to see an aircraft powered motor in a race car going fast!!! Even our dad was intrigued. We were fighting for a front row position on the spectator’s side low fence. That was a ring side seat for us. 1959 If I had a zoom lens, the movies would have been life size. But, we cope with what we have. It was a great place for an all day stay, as our 58 Impala was right behind us full of a cooler of my mom’s great cooking. But, it was still a short walk to get those famous, "Lions Pits" hot dogs and drinks. 1959-60 LIONS the boys on the spectator side 50s-60's garb The Green Monster was an unusual set up, not anything like all of the other dragsters that were racing during this time period. It looked like a pure homemade race car. (It was) The sound was like an airplane because it was an Allison V-12 airplane motor. It did go by in a flash and not as loud as the top FED+ racers of the time. (Sidewinder, Kenny Lindley/Don Hampton, H&H Garage Lefty Mudersbach, Dragmaster, etc.) The Green Monster at Lion's Dragstrip 1959 "Number 11 was probably the best running of all the cars, but by the time of its performance, aircraft-powered dragsters were relegated to the exhibition classification." Jnaki For the latest in original “Sound” from 1959 Afrons Allison Powered Race Car” Film from 1959 July... Original sound from September 1959
Hello, When we got wind of a good swell hitting the Los Angeles South Bay Coastline from Palos Verdes to Santa Monica, we knew where we wanted to go surfing. Hagerty’s Cove on the Palos Verdes Peninsula side of the South Bay oceanfront. It is a fickle place, but when it is good, it is really good. Luckily, we could put in the rear window and lock up the Flathead powered 40 Ford Sedan Delivery. The parking area made the sedan delivery look as if a “worker” lives nearby, or is there for some home improvement job. There was no indication of it being a surf transportation hot rod. No racks, all locked up and simple looking sedan delivery. That was the advantage. We always parked away from the station wagons with racks or other sedans that indicated an association to a bunch of surfers. So, our sedan delivery was relatively safe from the local intruders. Jnaki But, as we got down on the trail leading to the surf spot, it was raining. Raining? Well, rocks were raining down the cliff side. They did not hit us, but none the less, the locals were throwing rocks at the visiting surfers with surfboards. What a bunch of “kooks.” The surf was as predicted, good shape and powerful enough to get some great “going left” action. Everyone knew a surfer paddling for a peak was going to go left. The swell and long wall was dictating the direction of the waves. So, most were able to be ridden with only one surfer. Plus, one had to do well, as it was a long paddle back out to the take off point and with a consistent white water wall coming in regularly, it was a lot of duck and roll motions and paddle like, well, Superman. YRMV We were lucky, our precautions helped keep the sedan delivery untouched and the ride home was a happy one. Tired, but a smile across our faces for the great rides and powerful waves. Even some of the locals out in the water were friendly, when the visiting talent in the water had great surfing skills and not at a beginner stage. But, that paddle out to the next set of waves... and rolling under, what seemed like endless amounts of incoming white water wall of power, took a lot out of everyone. Whew! The rides and power was worth the effort... yes! And, our Flathead, 1940 Ford Sedan Delivery was sitting safe and sound enjoying the day, ready for the trip home...
The Jalopy Journal
