Interesting side note. Because I’m a camera degenerate, I can’t help but wonder what kind of rig Tom Cobbs was hauling around. I don’t have his negatives—just scans—so figuring out his weapon of choice is damn near impossible. BUT—I’ve been fixated on the first and last shots of each roll. The tech who scanned them usually leaves a sliver of the negative border, just enough to frame the whole shot. And on the first frame of this roll, something caught my eye. Look at this crop: See that little black square in the top left? I’ve burned through a stupid number of film cameras from the ’40s through the ’80s, and only one has ever left that particular scar on a negative—a Leica M3. That square is the first cog of the film take-up spool. Does this confirm Tom was shooting with an M3? Not necessarily. But it tracks. The man was wired for precision, had a deep appreciation for mechanical excellence, and wasn’t exactly scraping by. A Leica would’ve been right up his alley. Anyway, I warned you—pure, unfiltered nerd shit.
Great photos! I love going to PP, but I've never been for the race. I had planned to go last year, bags packed and all, but I cancelled last minute to stay home and work on my F-100.
I've been twice. The first time I was 12... the second time was last year. Ironically, I helped on an EV crew... Had a ball both times. We don't have many racing venues in the states that I would consider magical. Pikes Peak is one of em...
It's also awesome to see the exterior of Glen Cove hasn't changed a bit! I guess I had always just kind of assumed that it was a newer building made to look like a log cabin, like so many parks have. I didn't realize that it was as old as it is.
I met the contractor that "restored" it in the 1990's last year. If I remember correctly, he was a train car restoration guy... He was just one of those kind souls that talks softly while saying big things.
Everything in those 1959? photos is traditional! I'm not able to appreciate the photographic details, but I love the nostalgia.
No idea on the year either... I'm guessing 1958 to 1961? That's one of the hardest things about this archive... I have ZERO context to any of the images.
I've mentioned this before, but... I went to Pikes Peak many moons ago. I think maybe in the mid 70's or so. I was in the Chaffey Collage Automotive Racing class (no longer available). They had a 69 Mustang fastback with 70 front sheet metal that they went to many different racing events with. I got to go on a couple of outings. The fun thing, the engine, belonged to Ak Miller. He also drove the car. An 8 or 9 day trip total, with LOADS of fun. Long story, just glad that I was there. Mike
First thing I noticed too! In one shot it even looks like it's providing a push start. I've been to/up the peak twice, drove once road the rail once, but never been for the race. Absolutely beautiful! I recall a pic from one years race when there was a lot more dirt, gravel. I think it was Foyt taking one corner in a open wheel car. Both rear tires throwing gravel, or would have been if one of them had not been hanging out over the edge. Great big brass ones needed to run that road that fast in that type of vehicle.
Man, that Continental towing a race vehicle. People were so much cooler back then. The amount of people that told me that I couldn't tow a tiny camper with my Galaxie blew my mind. V8, 9", leaf springs, yeah that's so much different than a truck Now... that Continental is a bit nicer than my old road dog Galaxie, but that just makes it even cooler!
Thanks for the pix. I went up to the top in about '03,04 on my bike with my wife on the back.. We froze and it rained ( locals say it rains at the top every afternoon). There was still clay/gravel the last few miles to the top. I recommend the trip to everyone; just do it in the morning. I understand the road is paved all the way now.
Probably not 1958, I see a 1959 Oldsmobile in one of the photos and that wouldn't have been available until fall of 1958 which is after the Hill Climb of 1958. https://www.jalopyjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/No_1-06.jpg
AWESOME pics! My guess as to the date, is most likely 1959. See a '59 Chevy and a '59 Olds there, but nothing newer, and I think the next year models wouldn't be out by the time of the race ....not to be "that guy", but a '56-'57 Continental Mark II is not a Lincoln, it was it's own brand at that point, lasting only two years....those fellas get pretty damn uptight about that little nuance.
Way cool pics. Some unusual hot rodding, what looks like a Pontiac V8 stuffed into that number 56 sprint car.
In 2018 I went up on Fathers Day (June). It took 4 hours to get from the gate to the summit because an overnight blizzard had dumped a few feet of snow on everything higher than 10,000 feet and I was 20 cars behind the snow plows all the way to the top. I had a one hour lunch in the parking lot of Glen Cove. From there I went straight to Garden of the Gods, where it was 85F.
The sign of a well heeled owner. That wasn't a "Lincoln" but a Continental MK II. It was the most expensive car built in America at the time, a true Halo product. Ford lost money on each one even at the near 10 grand price - Today that would be close to $120,000. I've got one on my bucket list. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Continental_Mark_II
I’ve got some kind of face-blindness… never been great at recognizing the same person across different photos. But damn if that doesn’t look like Dan Gurney to me!
A Continental towing an Offy powered big car and 3 extra Halibrand IndyCar wheels! What a time to have been alive!
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