harris speedster Posted March 14, 2020 Share Posted March 14, 2020 I am interested in on track pictures. 1944-1960 Racing action, or just pits. Flagman pics at any events ROAD AMERICA, SEBRING, Bahama's Speedweek>> IS OF HIGH INTEREST, 1944-1960 Pictures from the 1951 or 1952 Indy rod and custom show. Pictures of the 1937 Chicago International auto show. Base racing airplanes also wanted. Thanks John 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
playswithbrass Posted March 15, 2020 Share Posted March 15, 2020 Here’s one I have hanging on the wall. Cheers Pete Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
harris speedster Posted March 15, 2020 Author Share Posted March 15, 2020 Thank you Pete !!!! That looks like a Lotus Ford,? That looks like Brabham in the cockpit. From a time When you really needed to know clutch / brake / gas pedal heel finesse. I am horrible at moving pictures, I have a few cool ones, but screw things up trying to post John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1937hd45 Posted March 15, 2020 Share Posted March 15, 2020 Good luck with your search, I'll see what I have, posting here is stone age quality. Bob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
harris speedster Posted March 15, 2020 Author Share Posted March 15, 2020 1937, Beings that racing is what inspired many famous, racing legends, designers and corporations, might be cool to get pre war and post war>> maybe stop at 1960? I personally need the SCCA action 1944-1960. Long story, literally. Been researching this for 32 years. Need a professional and accomplished writer at this time ! Yep, post what you find, will be cool for all car guys to check out? John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1912Staver Posted March 15, 2020 Share Posted March 15, 2020 (edited) I doubt Jack Brabham would be driving a Lotus! Probably a Brabham BT - 19 , F1. A golden era for formula cars. Greg in Canada Edited March 15, 2020 by 1912Staver (see edit history) 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
harris speedster Posted March 15, 2020 Author Share Posted March 15, 2020 Greg, That s why I said looks like a Lotus Ford, wasn't exactly sure> Brabham raced many Ford powered cars, If I recall correctly ? Later they built their own race engine, I think ? Not that up to date on the 60's race cars. Are you anywhere near Watkins Glen race track ? John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1912Staver Posted March 15, 2020 Share Posted March 15, 2020 (edited) The one in the picture is probably powered by a Repco- Brabham V8. A joint effort by Jack and the Repco Co. to replace the previously important Coventry Climax F1 engine that had recently been discontinued. They were current in about 1965 - 1966. Brabham was also very involved with Honda's racing efforts around this same time. There were lots of Ford based engines used in lower class Brabham's but it wasn't until Ford got together with Cosworth and built the DFV V8 that Ford had a F1 engine. The DFV is of course a landmark . Many F Jr., F3, F2 and of course F Ford cars used 4 Cyl based Ford engines, early 1960's right up to modern times I am out on the West coast of Canada so a long way from Watkins Glen. I own a couple of Ford powered Formula car projects , but newer, 1973 and 1983. The older cars and particularly Brabham's are well outside my reach. The engine that is going in my Formula Ford came out of a Brabham Formula Jr.. It was the wrong engine for a F Jr, 1600 cc instead of 1100 cc so once the Brabham prices started to go through the roof the owner replaced it with a correct engine and sold it to me for a very reasonable price. He then sold the restored Brabham for a very substantial figure. Brabham's are vintage racing gold. Greg in Canada Edited March 15, 2020 by 1912Staver (see edit history) 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
harris speedster Posted March 15, 2020 Author Share Posted March 15, 2020 (edited) Pleasure to chat with you Greg. Sounds like you are quite the race car enthusiast. Nice collection of cars. Long time ago when I lived out in Utah, almost pulled the trigger to buy a Merlin>> think that was the brand. >> think it had a 2300 ford in it> I asked about the Glen because a car that I have a part in was accepted into the Invitational Councors d Elegance, and it will also run the old 6 mile 1948-1952, street course, then off to the Glen race track for some all out small CC SVRA racing. >>> have told my partner, just exhibition laps for pics and video's >> HE WON"T LISTEN THOUGH. Also my 32 years of research for the man and machine will finally start to come into light, Ben is being inducted into the Walk Of Fame at the Glen Historical Research center/ He joins some of the greatest race legends ever known. 32 years is a long time. Ben also worked with the top brass to bring FIA racing to North America, he was licensed as a FIA race driver and official in the 1950's WHY I am looking for pics of that era, I need to wind this all down.. Design Hall of fame, SCCA Hall of Fame , H.V.A, and more are the next submissions. The one story on the net, has about 1/10 th of the historical facts and pictures we have. Links at the bottom, maybe 79,000 reads now I need a writer. HOPE TO SEE SOME COOL EARLY PICTURES POP UP. !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! John Edited March 15, 2020 by harris speedster (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1937hd45 Posted March 15, 2020 Share Posted March 15, 2020 Speaking about Watkins Glenn, how many cars were in the 1951 Race? This dash plaque was never mounted on one of them. Bob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
harris speedster Posted March 16, 2020 Author Share Posted March 16, 2020 Bob, That is a cool old metal plaque. You could sell that on Ebay pretty easy. Seems most races back then were called Grand Prix's. To point; 1951 Watkins Glen Grand Prix. Not exactly sure, but I think about 30 cars in the feature big bore cars. Cunningham, Finch, Kimberly, Collier, and other racing legends were at the event. Maybe another 30 or more in smaller bore classes. 1948 was the Glens first street race, 6 miles. 1952 ended the street races. Fred Wacker from Chicago in a Allard, Crazy 8, swung out too much and clipped the huge crowds lining the side of the streets. Unfortunately it killed a 8 year boy. Ben was on the front row of that race, Last Queen Catherine Cup Race. Street racing in Europe, and the US had too many causalities coming about. Street racing basically died in the US at the same time . SCCA was soon to be under different rules and Regulations, .. Ben Harris was coming into light. Need to stop, or I will get carried away >>> John PLEASE DRAG OUT MORE OF YOUR TREASURES GUYS & GALS !!!!!!!!!!!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TerryB Posted March 18, 2020 Share Posted March 18, 2020 Don’t have any info, pics had nothing written on them Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
harris speedster Posted March 18, 2020 Author Share Posted March 18, 2020 TerryB, Nice old pictures. I would guess post war but they could be pre war too. Flat dirt track Midget racers. AAA race sanctioned, in all probability. Looks like some cars have the 12 inch Dayton racing wire wheels, which were used a lot back then. Montgomery Wards dirt track tires were common also. Helmets almost look post war? great pics thanks Terry !! Wonder what the full body hot rods are? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1912Staver Posted March 18, 2020 Share Posted March 18, 2020 They look like Model A Ford roadsters. You are researching a significantly more difficult era compared to post 1960. The SCCA and Sports car racing in general were a relatively small portion of North American competition prior to 1960. And once you look at the era before 1950 events and participation really thin out. So much of the U.S. racing scene was circle track, both professional and amateur. But post war things did indeed slowly get rolling. Unfortunately I don't have any pictures of my own previous to about 1975 . Even my father who went to circle track races from the later 1950's onward didn't take any photo's. It was just a spectator event for most, my father included. Unless you knew one of the drivers and took a few snaps you just came back in a week or two and saw the action live all over again. There are photo's out there , and probably by the thousands . It's just a matter of finding them. Most racing action photo's I have seen appear to have been taken by pro photographers for the newspapers. Few average people had camera's that took decent pictures with moving subjects prior to the mid 1960's. Best of luck with your quest ! Greg in Canada Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill Boudway Posted March 18, 2020 Share Posted March 18, 2020 July 1951 Wachusett, MASS. Hillclimb 1917 Locomobile Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
harris speedster Posted March 19, 2020 Author Share Posted March 19, 2020 (edited) BILL, Neat old picture. Must have been a wild ride up the hill ? As I recall reading, Locomobiles had huge engines, lots of torque, low horsepower ? Seems at least 4 Eastern states had many hill climbs, pre war and post war.. They had become quite popular around the whole country. Not sure when Pikes Peak first race was > ? Edited March 19, 2020 by harris speedster (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
harris speedster Posted March 22, 2020 Author Share Posted March 22, 2020 (edited) Edited March 22, 2020 by harris speedster (see edit history) 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
harris speedster Posted March 22, 2020 Author Share Posted March 22, 2020 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
harris speedster Posted March 22, 2020 Author Share Posted March 22, 2020 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
8E45E Posted March 22, 2020 Share Posted March 22, 2020 When things get back to normal, hopefully sooner than later, you might want to check out the World of Speed Museum in Portland. https://www.worldofspeed.org/ Lots of mid-Century racing archives to see there. Craig Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
harris speedster Posted March 22, 2020 Author Share Posted March 22, 2020 (edited) Craig, Thanks for the heads up on the museum. I will go through the link in entirety.Will hopefully find a bunch of mid century pictures you pointed out Trying to concentrate on AAA & SCCA pre 1960 racing action, tracks etc. As 1912 Staver said, the pictures are few and far in between. This is in attempt to finish work on a 32 year research project. Edited March 22, 2020 by harris speedster (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
8E45E Posted March 22, 2020 Share Posted March 22, 2020 Inside that museum. Craig Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
harris speedster Posted March 22, 2020 Author Share Posted March 22, 2020 (edited) Craig, Very nice pics. Love that Flathead Ford, ruled the streets and tracks for decades, Wonder if they gave that black car a name? I have one similar o it, shell, would sell it. The old midget racing dominated for decades, wooden board track, and more Edited March 22, 2020 by harris speedster (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
harris speedster Posted March 22, 2020 Author Share Posted March 22, 2020 (edited) Revs Institute. They have a very large collection of Cunningham race cars, inc LeMans cars Collier, founded the museum, as in Collier County in Florida.> Huge well staffed archival dept, nice people. # 64 may be Dan Gurney, 57-59 Edited March 22, 2020 by harris speedster (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
harris speedster Posted March 22, 2020 Author Share Posted March 22, 2020 (edited) Not sure what type of car? Pre war. Anderson special, KC Missouri Men and their Machines. Edited March 22, 2020 by harris speedster (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1912Staver Posted March 22, 2020 Share Posted March 22, 2020 There is quite a bit of history about this car and its owner on the " Old Motor " site. Greg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alsancle Posted March 22, 2020 Share Posted March 22, 2020 Is this the locomobile? 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1937hd45 Posted March 23, 2020 Share Posted March 23, 2020 3 hours ago, alsancle said: Is this the locomobile? Remove the Motometer, if the radiator cap is original it will have LOCOMOBILE in script on top. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill Boudway Posted March 23, 2020 Share Posted March 23, 2020 Nice guess. Yes, he same vehicle. As shown many times in 2019. Where did you see it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
harris speedster Posted March 23, 2020 Author Share Posted March 23, 2020 Schoof Ford Special, early 20's 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
harris speedster Posted March 23, 2020 Author Share Posted March 23, 2020 (edited) Depalma Vanderbilt Race. 2nd race ever held in the US. Edited March 23, 2020 by harris speedster (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A. Ballard 35R Posted March 23, 2020 Share Posted March 23, 2020 1 hour ago, harris speedster said: Depalma Vanderbilt Race. 2nd race ever held in the US. t Interesting picture in that rear of car is on jacks yet DePalma and mechancian are posing as though ready to race. Mercedes #22 was campaigned successfully by DePalma in various races including winning Indianapolis in 1915. Any idea where this picture was taken and please explain "2nd race ever held in the US" comment. Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
8E45E Posted March 23, 2020 Share Posted March 23, 2020 (edited) 23 hours ago, harris speedster said: Wonder if they gave that black car a name? That black car is the 1959 'Kennedy Special', built by Don Collins of Portland for Bud Kennedy. Craig Edited March 23, 2020 by 8E45E (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
harris speedster Posted March 23, 2020 Author Share Posted March 23, 2020 (edited) 8E, Craig, thanks for the info, there are not many cars with such unique designs. Researching made easier, Thanks. >>> BTW >> another car that is LIKE it, is the 1954-55 Buick Wildcat II, GM concept car. A Ballard, I was wondering if anyone would catch the comment on the 2nd race remark. Good eye seeing the rear jacks !! Not sure, with what looks to be mountains in the back ground, maybe up in NY, Con, Maine ? Perhaps a wooden board race track? The collector that had the Harris Speedster loaned to him, had a chain drive early Mercedes in his collection like this car. Had a 1958 Ferrari TR race car and many other highly desirable cars >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> First recognized race was in the middle of a snow storm, Chicago. Birth of the National SCCA was in Chicago too. Boys in Chicago also are the boys that put Road America together and were stock holders. CA boys liked to say for years that they were the birthplace of the SCCA, 1948 I believe, not true. Birthplace was back east in 1944. I have the original minutes from that meeting. Matter of fact, my last research, had tried to get with this man for 5 years, Wacky Arnolt's son, told me that he knew his father, Wacky ,was a stock holder in Road America, as was Ben Harris. 99% sure that Harley,Zora, Buehrig, Cord, Wacker, Kimberly, plus more, were all stock holders and helped design Road America>> they had a plan !! john. Edited March 23, 2020 by harris speedster (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1937hd45 Posted March 23, 2020 Share Posted March 23, 2020 7 hours ago, harris speedster said: Depalma Vanderbilt Race. 2nd race ever held in the US. You may want to do some reading, just basic stuff before posting info like that. Bob 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
harris speedster Posted March 23, 2020 Author Share Posted March 23, 2020 1037 hd, You may want to do some reading, just basic stuff before posting info like that. Bob Which picture, one above? the car ran in the Vanderbilt cup race. Not sure where the picture was taken. was not the first race in the uS, First US race was in Chicago. Bob with respect, I am kind of confused? John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
harris speedster Posted March 24, 2020 Author Share Posted March 24, 2020 1958 Pomona Ca Hemmings motor news 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1937hd45 Posted March 24, 2020 Share Posted March 24, 2020 1 hour ago, harris speedster said: 1037 hd, You may want to do some reading, just basic stuff before posting info like that. Bob Which picture, one above? the car ran in the Vanderbilt cup race. Not sure where the picture was taken. was not the first race in the uS, First US race was in Chicago. Bob with respect, I am kind of confused? John Ford & Winton never meet on a Race Track? Bob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A. Ballard 35R Posted March 24, 2020 Share Posted March 24, 2020 Bob's comments are understandable. In which Vanderbilt race did the car compete and how is this relevant to the 1895 Chicago Times-Herald race? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
harris speedster Posted March 24, 2020 Author Share Posted March 24, 2020 22 minutes ago, A. Ballard 35R said: Bob's comments are understandable. In which Vanderbilt race did the car compete and how is this relevant to the 1895 Chicago Times-Herald race? " My error." I did confuse some of my early race's Best I know, DePalma, 1914, Vanderbilt cup race, California, please correct if I have it wrong again. 1895 Chicago race; I guess because many people consider the Vanderbilt cup races held back east as the first competition type race in the US. I should have explained and elaborated a bit more, but did not, sorry. Do get in a hurry, and as here, end up being corrected, which is good.. Best regards, john Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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