Race cars, Movie Stars and Legends…

I consider myself lucky growing up in the great car era of the 50’s-60’s-70’s. I worked on some amazing cars in that era. Drag cars, sports cars, Indy cars and met some interesting people. Even some movie stars: Paul Newman, Steve McQueen and a few others. Recently met movie star and producer, Patrick Curtis, a great guy.

I have competited with and met with some great racing legends, such as: Don Garlits, Tony Ivo, Shirley “ChaCha” Muldowney, Jim Liberman, Ronny Sox and Martin, Tasca Ford, Frank Federici, Jim King, Mario Andretti, Sir Jacky Stewart and countless others. Back in the ‘60’s’ we never took anything serious except for race day.

Every so often someone from way back then will call or send me an email we’ll talk or correspond and share stories about the “Good Ole Days.” We reminisce about the fun we had back then building and racing cars. 

Mr. Chevrolet contestants, left to right, standing: 

Dick Harrell, Kelly Chadwich, Bobby Wood, Bruce Larson, & Malcolm Durham.

Kneeling: 

Jim Maybeck, Frank Federici, Mike Burkhart, & Jim Liberman. 

Not pictured is Mel Perry, driver of Norwood Chevy.

A great friend recently sent me a photo of some racing legends we knew back then. Great guys!

Keep them Rolling!

Bill

MUSCLE CARS!

When did the muscle car era start? Well some say 1964. I say it started in 1957. That is when cars were equipped with BIG engines, fuel injection, multi carburetors and superchargers.

        Examples like:

1957 Corvette 283 FI

1957 Studebaker Golden Hawk with supercharger

1957 Chrysler Hemi with dual carbs

1957 Oldsmobile J2

1957 Ford Thunderbird with supercharger

And the list goes on…

        In the mid 1960’s is when they put BIG 380 plus cubic inch motors into intermediate bodies, could be called the second generation of muscle cars with the 442, GTO, Road Runner, Charger, Chevelle.

        Later they started to put even BIGGER engines into smaller bodies like the Mustang, Camero and Cudas.

        They were stuffing 427-455-426 Hemi's into light weight cars.

This was the height of the Muscle Car Era 1967-1972.

        In the mid 1970’s it call came to an end with restrictions that were put in place by emissions standards and government regulations.

        So ended a great or in my opnion the greatest time in automotive history.

        Now almost 50 years later these cars are revered and sought after by car buffs all over the world. Some of the cars that were built in 1957 have reached that lofty status – “a true MUSCLE CAR”!

Keep Them Rolling!

Bill