Dads race car!!

With a lot of interest in Auto's here, only wingless machines please!

Dads race car!!

Postby visitor » Sun Jul 20, 2003 9:51 pm

This is my Dads race car, the first photo was
taken in 1939 at Fort Smith Arkansas, Flying
Saucer Speedway, one mile round track, no
straights!! He raced 1939/40 and then 1946/47.
The car sat until 1978, then was completely
rebuilt and taken around the country to show
off until 1983 when it was loaned to a museum.
The cost of restoration was $15,000 and the
car is currently worth $70,000.
The second photo was at Thunder Valley Speedway,
Fayetteville Arkansas, in 1982,
The car weighs 1100 pounds Has 268 ci. and has
been clocked at 133 MPH. The engine is a Furguson
Tractor block with all Wenfield racing parts, Making
about 300 HP at 6000RPM. It's a Alki' burner!!
My father was a WW2 pilot and received several
medals from US and Britian, He was killed in a
plane crash Thanksgiving day 1962 south of Witchia
Kansas, He worked for United Airlines, But was not
in a United plane at the time!!
He flew mail from Dallas to Kansas City in 1929/31
He worked for several aircraft companys, as a pilot
and a welder, until the start of the war, He flew
P-51s and P-38s and later was a carrier landing
instructor at Blyeville Air Corp Camp, Blyeville Ark.
I was told he had 30 to 45 "Kills" mostly trains!!
Three confirmed Aircraft!!
I did not know my father very well, but his friends
have made me proud to be his son!! I have been
told "He knew no fear, or wasn't smart enough to
know what it was ;D"!!
Last edited by visitor on Sun Jul 20, 2003 10:32 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Dads race car!!

Postby Fly2e » Mon Jul 21, 2003 11:27 am

Hey Brad, sounds like your Dad was "is" a great man. Definatley liked speed!!!
Sorry to hear of your loss. Even though he is not with you today, his memories will never die.
Cherish your time with Kimber, I am sure he watches over you both.

I think you should put this post in "The Cafe"..
Alot more people might see it. I for one never even look in the autos section.

Dave   8)
COMING SOON!
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Re: Dads race car!!

Postby OTTOL » Mon Jul 21, 2003 12:13 pm

Even in this day of modern technology, nothing can top an old B&W photo, when it comes to, putting yourself in that moment. Sometimes we forget that our parents were young too. Unfortunately, I came to this realization at my Grandfather's funeral while staring at a collage of his B&W photos. With all the
WWII downloading that goes on at this site, I can bet that there is more than a few us here that belong to the" I was born too late" club.  Just remember, someone might look at us one day and say "that must have been a cool time to be alive!" Live for the day.
                    Sorry for you're loss. Cool car, by the way.
.....so I loaded up the plane and moved to Middle-EEEE..........OIL..that is......
OTTOL
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Re: Dads race car!!

Postby ozzy72 » Mon Jul 21, 2003 2:48 pm

He must have been brave to drive that, it reminds me of the gorgeous old Bugatti racers of the 30s, lovely but dangerous. A bit like some women I've known....
Be proud and never forget X.

Ozzy
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Re: Dads race car!!

Postby visitor » Mon Jul 21, 2003 3:28 pm

Ozzy;

I drove the car at Indy, not in the race ::),
but at the track, we were racing midgets, 1980,
and got permission to take it to the big track,
Tom Senvea [spelling?]was testing and let me have
3 laps, A day I will never forget!!
Thank you all for the replys

Brad
Last edited by visitor on Mon Jul 21, 2003 3:58 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Dads race car!!

Postby BMan1113VR » Mon Jul 21, 2003 3:30 pm

That is one beautiful car. . .Your dad sounds like a very amazing and interesting man. . .sorry that he is not with you now :(


.
Sincerely,
Me

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Re: Dads race car!!

Postby Smoke2much » Mon Jul 21, 2003 5:39 pm

That is one hell of a car X, and one hell of a man that drove it.

I'm not sure which took more guts, driving the car in a 1930's race or flying against the Nazi's!

Will
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