Photos of event were taken by Dave
Lehr as well as the written article. It has been slightly editied by Denny for clarity
and visual effect.
These photos have been released to the Garage Club for use as we see fit.
All rights reserved 2006 |
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Click on any image to see larger version.
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You might know from the previous newsletter (November's issue from
2006) that my '56 Chevy Gasser was invited to be shown at Bruce Larson's open house
on November 11th, 2006.
YEAH, Look what I was parked next to. THAT"S RIGHT, IT WAS THE REAL STONE, WOOD
& COOK WILLYS. I never thought some piece of junk I owned would ever be parked
next to that car.
Note: There's a "GARAGE CLUB" license plate in my side window. |
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This is the car that set a record in B/gas in 1961. It was restored
to 1961 specs including a correct blown 394 Oldsmobile engine.
This car still had the original custom interior in it from 1961. |
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I was invited to show my car by my good friend Bill Schoffstall from
Wiconisco. Bill is also known as "WILLY BILL" because of his crazy, blown,
all steel '41 Willys Gasser.
Bill brought his latest creation to this show, a custom '71 Ford F100 Pro Street.
The future for this mill is a bolt on paxton style blower. |
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Just in case you don't know who Bruce Larson is, he is the famous
driver of the USA-1 Chevelle and Camaro Funny cars of the 60s. He also drove the
Corvette funny cars in the 70s and was finally the winner of the NHRA World Funny
Car Championship in '89.
He shook my hand while I was unloading my car. (Byt the way, I still haven't washed
my hand.) He still has most of his Funny cars in a barn in Dauphin, PA, only about
40 minutes from here. |
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Pictured above and to the left: I should not say barn. It's
more like a drag racing mini museum. How would you like to find this barn on a back
country road during a Sunday scouting trip looking for some old iron?
The Sentry Olds Funny Car is the 1989 NHRA World Championship car. |
| Here's Bruce's first funny car. Kevin Holland checked the block numbers.
It came up '70 LS6 Chevelle. |
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Bruce was sponsered by Sutliff Chevrolet in the 60's & 70's, &
was super famous for driving the Red White & Blue USA-1 Chevys, but guess what
he drag raced from 63 to 65 ......... before the Chevys. |
| This is a super rare hard top '63 Cobra which set records all 3 years
it raced. What do you think this car is worth? Rumor has it, $2 Million to $3 Million.
Not your typical barn find. |
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Left: Bruce's collection of "WALLEYS".
Right: Check this out. You know every drag racer was once a street racer.
Bruce is no exception. This is the starting light they used in the 50s in Harrisburg.
They used to race across the bridge on 2nd street that spans the river. COOOOL ! |
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Here's some other cool rides that showed at Larson's open house:
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Left: How about a real Flat head dirt car. This one was called
the "RAMBLER REBEL". It was built when all race cars had a NAME.
Right: HOLY CRAP! This crazy Willys drove in from 20 miles away. It has a
non-pump gas 572 and a blower. Beaver Bob told me the owner, Leman, drives this into
Beaver and runs high 9's. |
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Left: How about this perfectly restored 50's flat head rail
job.
Right: The real "NORRISTOWN FORD" 427 Galaxie. It was for sale for
$100,000. |
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I wasn't the only club member to show. Andy Jensen made an appearance.
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I really want to thank Bill Schoffstall for inviting me. I had a great
time. I learned alot about the vintage racing movement. Being a parts dealer, everything
is about money. These guys are different. They are not about money. They are about
preserving racing history.
I leave you with a picture of my car which I found in a collection of original racing
pictures. This shot was taken in 1964. |
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