Old Timers Thread - Ya remember when......

[Java Junky]

Oh Maebeline . . . honey izzatt'choo?
Your rail DJJ?

[DJJSR]

Originally Posted by Java Junky

Your rail DJJ?

Yup. Don't have it anymore. Got out of drag racing about 1999-2000 when my partner and I started seeing things different ways. Lots of fun, I still miss it a little when I see it on TV.

[Bubblerboy64]

Gotta admit that chevy looks pretty nifty. Would anyone think that grafting parts from a 57,58,59 together would work in any manor shape or form. Now the real challenge. Take the left over pieces and see what you could come up with. Do it twice and really impress. Lets see. Do it in reverse. 59 nose, 57 middle, 58 tail. Make that work??? John

[jagg]

Yikes Don!! What else can I say other than......Yeeehaaaaa!
now I know why you're measuring gallons per 1/4 mile.



don's dragster.jpg

[kgf3076]

To say nothing of the double-pumper Stromberg Triple Barrel (Stromberg didn't make them very long but that secondary would suck the insulation off the inside of the hood and a couple of small children out of their mommas arms)

[kgf3076]

Gently massaged 427...around 650 at the rear wheels on a 4:56 rear for dragging, 4:38 for short road course, 3:58 for long courses. Cam 2 or Sunoco 260 was expensive in those days (39 cents a gallon).

[philiam]

Originally Posted by DJJSR

Must have been a big block. Not known for economy but "there ain't no substitute for cubic inches" torque up the wazoo. Last one I had got 1/4 mile per 2 gallons.

Ford 460 w/4bl. carb. Auto tranny. 60 gal gas tank.

So I go diesel, which was cheap, and they raise the price to be the highest. B#st@#d oil companies. It's much cheaper than gasoline to make. Now we pay more for everything because it cost more to truck it to market!

[Java Junky]

Sometimes ya jus' godda get creative Phil.
Had me a 428 Cougar that jus' use'ta eat gas ad'a prodigious rate. Big ol' Holley double-pumper always relievin' the excess weight'a the fuel from the rear'a the vehicle.
'Fixed that up in short order: figured if a deuce wuz more economical on fuel, 3 of 'em would probably fill the tank'z I drove.
Well . . . . it didn't 'zackly work out the way I planned . . . but lemme tell ya . . when that outer pair'a deuces kicked in . . le's jus' say VTEC ain't show'n me diddly.
All that n' sequential taillights ta boot.
(Why do I know that within 15 seconds'a me postin' this Phil'll have flicks of the ol' racin' Cougars, Jagg'll have 20 different flicks'a Cougars in various stages'a undress in barns, sheds, lean-tos n' the ever-present blue tarps, DJJ'll have a funny-car jointly fielded by AJ n' Evel n' Hell'll (at's alodda hockey sticks) post flicks of an AMT 1/25th scale model.
I am humbled by the great company I keep on this site)
Be well,
Java

[DJJSR]

Well no funny cars, but I did have a shot of a big block Cougar. I got a chance to drive the Mustang equivalent. VERY cool and VERY fast. I've always been a Chevy guy, so it's hard for me to admit that!!

[Java Junky]

No harder than it is for this Ford guy ta admit that Honda makes an impressive vehicle DJJ. Rather that than to miss out on the fun though, eh?

[jagg]

boy, that sure is a nice cobra-jet. (I'm not completly brand oriented, but I do tend to lean towards the Fords)
Got me a buddy with an ol' cougar......I suppose I could stop in for a visit, as it's godda be on my way to somewhere. Is that one of them Dan Gurney Cougars, or a GT?

Here's some flicks for you Don, Chevy Lovin' Elder Statesman!!!
This one sits nose to nose with the old vette. It's a hoot to drive!


Picture 236.jpg

Picture 243.jpg

[Java Junky]

Hmmmm-m-m-m-m . . . doors whut got square rorners n' mags that ain't got 15 holes inn'em to fit most everything.
Is it actually an SS Jagg, 'r izzatt jus' an over-excited replacement wheel?
El Camino mats eh? 'Got the matchin' skivvies?
She's purdy. Go kind'a shiny, but real purdy.

Lemme lead with my chin: There were Dan Gurney Cougars?

[jagg]

Picture 238.jpg Picture 237.jpg




I'm pretty sure you could get all this gear in an El Camino in 1965, the buckets, the a/c the steering wheel......but they didn't put emblems that said super sport on the body from the factory, as it wasn't a model type for the Camino that year. This car was not originally ordered with the nice stuff in it, but I'm under the impression that it was possible, with the right boxes checked on the order form. That's a good question for DJJ, he'll probably know. The chevy guys are just aware of this stuff.

This car has been completly gone over, and upgraded in all the right ways.
When it came off the truck from California, it wasn't real pretty.....but it was super-solid. There's not one ounce of filler on this buggy.

Dan Gurney Cougars......yep, they made 'em in his honor.
I'll google it and get up to speed on it, but I'm certain they made 'em.

[jagg]

This is not from my hand, borrowed from cougar website, and it's a great read about a great car.
Okay, I know it's not a Stewie, ........But this is the oldtimers thread.
jagg

A 1968 XR7-G

Owner: Jim Brennan

In 1968, famous race car driver, Dan Gurney, signed with Lincoln-Mercury to promote cars that year and this special Cougar became Lincoln-Mercury's way of celebrating the contract. Although not a Dan Gurney Special-- which is a completely different car--the G did stand for "Gurney". The XR7-G hit the showrooms in March of 1968. The only promotions were a full-page ad in the April 26, 1968, issue of Life magazine and a commercial ad for the power operated sunroof.

The XR7-G package was based on certain equipment added to or in place of, the basic XR7 equipment. The special features included Lucas fog lamps; Mustang hood-locking pins; a fiberglass, simulated air scoop; a bullet-shaped, racing-type rear view mirror shipped in from England; GT exhaust extensions--a pipe-in-a-pipe chrome tips; special XR7-G lower valance; and unique XR7-G emblems on the pillars, trunk latch, head light door, dash, and wheel center caps; and lastly, the spider-webbed wheels. The spider-webbed wheels were also known as "Rader Wheels", which were later replaced with the five-spoke style steel wheels. Lincoln-Mercury later recalled the Rader Wheels, replacing all XR7-Gs with the five-spoke style steel wheels. Lastly, all XR7-Gs had unique consoles with Shelby-type shifter handles, different than all other Cougars.
Six different V-8s of engine power existed to pick from: 302-2V, 210hp; 302-4V, 230hp; Marauder 390-2V, 280hp; Marauder 390-4V GT, 325hp; 427-4V, 390hp; 428-4V CJ, 335hp. Of the two larger engines, only six cars were known to have a 428CJ in them.

[Java Junky]

Too soon oldt, too late schmadt.
Thanks (sigh)
I remember the ad for the sunroof.

[DJJSR]

OK, enough of that Ford stuff. Gettin back to that Elky, you're right jagg, most of the SS stuff was available without getting an SS. Buckets, console, etc could be had. I think all you would be missing are the badges and the SS steering wheel.

I recently read somewhere that because of the availability of repro parts, more of some models of the Super Sport exist today than were originally built. I think they were referring to the 427's and 454's.

People that are getting ready to plop down big bucks for an original really gamble these days. Used to be you could check the numbers, but now numbers are changed and you can even get a build sheet created. There's nothing wrong with a clone, as long as you know that's what your getting.

[DJJSR]

The good old days of workin on your own car. Ya just did what ya had to do........



(no, that ain't me)

[philiam]

Did someone mention Dan Gurney? Had to dig in the archives for this one. that was when stock cars were more like what we drove.

[jagg]

are you sure that ain't you Don? looks an awful lot like the guy that was running the dragster. Yeeeeehaaaaa!

In retrospect, after looking at this photo, ..........
well, I guess I've done stupider s@#t.

Regards,
jagg

[DJJSR]

Originally Posted by philiam

........ that was when stock cars were more like what we drove.

And that's when it was a lot more fun to watch! Unfortunately, not many races were televised back then. Once in a while I find some old footage on SPEED or ESPN2 and I love it. Today's cookie cutter cars are ok, but not nearly as thrilling as the cars of yesterday.

Phil - are you the Phil that took the pics?

[DJJSR]

Originally Posted by jagg

In retrospect, after looking at this photo, ..........
well, I guess I've done stupider s@#t.

Jagg - When I first looked at that picture, like everyone else I think the guy's an idiot for using 4x4's as jackstands. Then I looked a little closer. I think that guy is welding a gas tank! One way or another that probably ended badly. Oh well, his genes shouldn't be passed on anyway.

[philiam]

Originally Posted by DJJSR

And that's when it was a lot more fun to watch! Unfortunately, not many races were televised back then. Once in a while I find some old footage on SPEED or ESPN2 and I love it. Today's cookie cutter cars are ok, but not nearly as thrilling as the cars of yesterday.

Phil - are you the Phil that took the pics?

Guilty as charged. I used to shoot for a little weekly racing newspaper just to get press credentials and get out on the track. Then I was able to sell some of the shots to magazines. But that's another story.

[Java Junky]

Damn! You guys got some great stuff. I remember seein' that Ford (sorry Don, but I do)
'Muss'a been sweet duty Phil.

N' as worked'z they were, those buggys wuz the same ones we drove ta work n' the market. Race on Sunday: sell on Monday.
When your marque took the checkered, you shared the victory n' your friends with brand X took your abuse for a week.
These one-off rockets that they're racin' now r' neat n' all, but bear little resemblance to the cars they're supposed to represent. Decal headlights?
N', while I've great respect n' considerable investment in Snap-On n' Matco n' the like . . . I don't drive one. Though it's alot easier ta get behind them, 'cause . . come ta think of it, don't drive no Tide neither.

[philiam]

Been to one Nascar race in Fontana. 3 boring hours, packed in the stands watching identical cars go round and round. Taint what it used to be. That's why I like the historics at Laguna Seca. Lot of variety.

[Java Junky]

Phil, is your avatar gettin' more'n more detailed?
'You doon that too?

[philiam]

Originally Posted by Java Junky

Phil, is your avatar gettin' more'n more detailed?
'You doon that too?

Naw. I found a little bigger version and put it up some time ago. If it appears to be changing, you better check and see what's in your java.

[kgf3076]

Originally Posted by philiam

Guilty as charged. I used to shoot for a little weekly racing newspaper just to get press credentials and get out on the track. Then I was able to sell some of the shots to magazines. But that's another story.

A fellow press/sports photog...was a stringer/free-lancer for over 20 years...AP/UPI and locals...

[DJJSR]

Originally Posted by philiam

If it appears to be changing, you better check and see what's in your java.

UH-OH.........Ever hear of Dorian Gray?

[Java Junky]

'At's not a new Stewie color izzitt?

[philiam]

Originally Posted by DJJSR

UH-OH.........Ever hear of Dorian Gray?

Where did you get a picture of my family?

[jagg]

Sorry to see it Phil, but the ol' family tree seems to be lacking some branches. I see it here in yonderland every once in a while too.
Don't let it get you down, as you should still be well suited to a career in politics, or automobile sales.........best of luck to ya.

jagg

[DJJSR]

[Java Junky]

Don, either you're extremely agile with a keyboard 'r you got one helluva library n' an equally impressive filin' system.

[DJJSR]

Anybody remember the Can-Am series? One of my favorites. Unlimited engines and light cars, what a great combination. With the exception of a couple of years that Porsche had success, the series was pretty much dominated by Chevy powered cars. Although I don't think he ever won the championship, Jim Hall and his Chaparrel were my favorite. This picture is of the Can-Am version of the car. I think this car must have been restored, it looks too new.........

[jagg]

Anybody remember the Can-Am series? One of my favorites. Unlimited engines and light cars, what a great combination.

Fondly Don!! Very fast racing for the day. Exciting for the spectators too.
The Can-Am cars tended to self destruct in dramatic fashion, if they just grazed an unmoveable object........not the safety conscious machines that we see now.

jagg

[Java Junky]

I jus' knew I wuz in special company.
Hall n' his Chapparalz? We tread hallowed groun' here fellow appreciators'a ultimate machinery.
Sucker! Sucker! It's an ugly ducklin' but it's been a while since I seen that outlawed sucker!

[philiam]

Can Am? I covered every race in the region. Fond memories. I did a little pr for one of the drivers, Lothar Motchenbacker (I forgot how to spell it). Walked around the pits and saw legends like Graham Hill, Jim Hall, et all. Couldn't afford real long lenses back then, so I would stand on the tracks edge. I picked out a ditch or a gully to dive in should something come my way. Lothar thought I was nuts. I was. Porsche killed the series when they dominated with 1000 hp cars.
The others couldn't compete. As I seem to recall the wings on the Chaparrals would change angles on corners, acting as air brakes. The sucker was in interesting car. Had a small engine in the back pulling the car down. They used Lexan skirts to creat a partial vacuum.

In a related area, I did an article on what were supposedly the first RC cars. A Mustang and a Chaparral. They were made from scratch by 2 gentlemen separately. The Chap had a 2 speed gear box and independent suspension.

[Java Junky]

I know I keep sayin' it, but thanks Phil.
'Got a couple'a my absolute most-admired (in the eye-candy department anyway) Lolas in there too.
That series fielded the sharpest-lookin', entertainin', serious n' alodda times home-grown full-bodied cars ever ta run in my estimation.
If I remember, under the headin' a home-grown, Hall actually used a snowmobile engine to run eventually, two evac fans. I do know that they (his competitors n' the powers that be . . 'r, been) didn't take kindly to the edge that that gave him n' rather than makin' everybody else godda run home n' build their own active-evac system to be competitive (such wuz the edge it gave him), they outlawed anythin' but "normal" down-force stuff (I love gettin' technical) whut used forward-air-speed ta work.
The fella that I borra'd my first ride in Stewie was a Trans-Ammer (I'll mention that I'm not referrin' to the Poncho for any'a the young'uns that might be followin' this) n' while I truly loved watchin' the pony-cars go out n' abuse the hell oud'a the courses, my absolute, bar-none favorites were the Can-Ams.
N' like M. Ali, (who I originally cheered on as Cassius Clay) and the light-switch that was thrown on my interest in boxing when he finally retired, when Can-Am folded up it's tent . . samey-same.
Havin' seen the best, it spoilt me fer the rest.
Thanks again Phil.

[philiam]

Those articles from long ago brought back a whole mess of memories. I realized all of the great drivers that used to run that series. It was no weekend club meet. The cars were supposed to be 2 seaters, sort of, but Roger Penske drove in the middle of his. I never knew how he was allowed to do that.

Slot racing was big then, remember. That's what got me working with magazines. I couldn't afford to go racing so we had a 20 ft. track in my garage. Friday nights my brothers and friends would come over, we'd get some pizza and had a ball. We built our own cars and I even figured out a lap counter from a couple of surplus counters and relays. Good times.

Ciao,
Phil

[DJJSR]

Diggin thru my junk, I found this. I suspect the photographer wanted a picture of the Fords, so he had to wait until all of the Chevys went by.