HISTORIC RACE CARS 2010 GNRS

[parrot]

Visited the Grand National Roadster Show in Pomona a couple of weeks ago where the Historic Race Car display in Building #9 was one of the most talked about that weekend. Circle track, land speed, and drag cars from the past plus a boat or two were on display. Most were restored, some were as found. Here's some of the circle track stuff.

Didn't think I'd ever see the A.J. Foyt #2 modified '32 coupe, supposed it was long gone, but it was there, Ardun equiped flathead and all.

As a kid, track roadsters were my favorite. The #29 appears mostly original, while the #48 is either a very nice restoration, or recreation. Didn't say, but it's a very nice job of a southern California '23 T track job.

During the sixties, Hardtop racing at Vallejo Speedway (California) was popular. This orange #5 was apparently a top car. Not really restored, just freshened up a bit. Like to have seen them race.

The 1951 Schroder Indy car was this #52 Blakely Oil Special. Driver was Bobby Ball.

[parrot]

Can't leave out the midgets, they were some of the best looking cars in the building.

#3, a 1968 Edmunds owned by Roy Brizio, the well known street rod builder from the bay area. Chevy II engine.
#19 Serar midget, 1948 Kurtis.
#2, 1945 Kurtis Kraft with a 102.5 cid Offy
#48 "Spike Jones" midget. Sampson engine. Everyone remembers seeing this car somewhere, if nothing else, was in movie "The Big Wheel"
#17 Welsh Special. no info on this one. Was another there that I forgot to photograph that was powered by an engine I'd not seen used before, a 154.3 cid 6 cyl. Studebaker flathead.

[Jerry Lee]

Thanks for sharing these BP! As much as I dig that A.J. Foyt coupe, it's hard for me to pick a favorite out of all those.

[JRKracer]

The Blakley Oil Car is my favorite. I watched my dad beat the best BCRA boys at Canyon City, and almost again the next race at Pueblo with a sick engine. The car carried the number 36 on. Herring bought it and the Jack Hinkle car from R.D. Wittington sometime in '59. Dad drove it the rest of '59 season and about 1/2 of '60 before the "Insendent" at Pueblo. I was 8 years old and I remember that like it was yesterday. It was the first time I witnessed an erogant man angered by defeat. Dad thought he was joking until we went to Nortan KS for the next race. Berrnie Shyers was in the car. Gene Pastor was in the car at a BCRA race at Englewood. He tells the same story as he claims to have beaten Gordan also and got fired. I beleive Gene assisted in the restoration of the car as well. I was a dream of mine to own that car someday---- when I got big. Its wonderful to see it survived and will remain with our countries other racing treasures. There is a great picture on page 176 of Gene and Gordan at Englewood in the "Decades of Daring"