Not So Stock

You'll never convince me that those headers
were an optional extra down at the dealership.

The Farmer And The Dutchman

Arnie Beswick facing off against a topless Al Vanderwoude at Lions.

Givin' You The Willys #18

Bogan Renfroe's "Cat Skinner" 1940 Willys

Powered by a hi-riser 427 Ford purchased from Phil Bonner, Renfroe raced the Willys until the end of 1966 when he replaced it with Cat Skinner II, another 1940 Willys. The name "Cat Skinner" came from Renfroe's occupation as a bulldozer driver, otherwise known as cat skinners.
For the entire story on Bogan Renfroe visit georgiadragracing.com.

Image via: The H.A.M.B.

Moparitis #3

Gene Snow's 1965 Dodge Dart started life as a showroom stocker before it became one of the most successful match racers in the country. All steel, apart from a fibreglass front end, Gene won back to back U.S Nationals titles in 1966 and 1967 with this injected Hemi monster.

Images via: The H.A.M.B.

Comet Seeking Missile

Givin' You The Willys #17

Veteran drag racer and engine builder Mike Kuhl's B/Gas Willys
running with injected Hemi power.

Photo by Paul Hutchins.

Mr 4 Speed

Ronnie Sox 1964 Mercury Comet.

Via: Fran Hernandez

D For Drive

Although it may not look like it, Dick Brannan's 9 second Mustang ran a C6 Automatic whilst everybody else were busily banging gears. If you're eager to find out more then visit motortopia.com

Box Top #6

Here's a fantastic piece of box art from Aurora that I found over at the Nostalgia On Wheels blog and I'm guessing the model was the Honda Hawk. Upon closer inspection I noticed that the artwork was signed by none other than Mort Kunstler. I had no idea that he worked at Aurora. If you're not familiar with Mort Kunstler's work, check out some of his fantastic illustrations at :
accidental mysteries.

Via: Nostalgia On Wheels

Kit Car

Long before Carroll Shelby's Cobra became the most prolific kit car on the planet, AMT released this D.I.Y offering for aspiring sports car drivers.

I have posted this box art previously but thought this better scan was worth sharing.

Via: Drastic Plastics

Jungle Fuel

"Jungle" Larry Faust
Mooneyham-Ferguson-Jackson & Faust AA/FD
U.S. Fuel & Gas Championships
Bakersfield 1965

Oriental Oddity #2

Another find from my friendly second-hand record store. If you ever wondered how to spell "The Astronauts" in Japanese, look no further !

Nuts

Gabby Bleeker AA/FA Bantam
Great Lakes Dragaway - circa 1964

A masterpiece in quarter-mile madness.

Via: The H.A.M.B

Li'l Coffin

I finally fired up the scanner and got my Li'l Coffin done for any box art aficionados who may be tuning in.

Spooky The Skull

I'm sure I tried to convince my father to install one of these.

Givin' You The Willys #16

Via : drags.lookskool.com

Doctor Elton A. Eckstrand

Lawyer Al Eckstrand of Detroit is driving Plymouth Super Stocks at the big national drag meets this year. To millions of drag strip fans, this leaves little doubt as to who is the man to beat. Eckstrand has a reputation in quarter mile stock car drag strip racing something like Jack Nicklaus or Arnold Palmer hold in golf. He's the man to watch if you are trying to pick a winner.

He has never had any formal engineering training, nor has he ever earned a nickel as a mechanic. His approach to the sport is that of an amateur with an analytical mind and a great desire to win. He has mastered the engineering principles that go into high performance cars and is guided by them, rather than reacting to every weird rumor that goes around the circuit. He prefers stocks because they hold the greatest crowd interest and offer the toughest driver competition.

Having won his first major victory with a TorqueFlite Plymouth Fury as a Super Stock Automatic winner in the 1960 NHRA Nationals, Eckstrand was a pioneer in demonstrating that the automatics could give the sticks a run for their money.

But he is equally at home in a manual shift car. Plymouth builds both in its 1964 line-up of Super Stocks. They promise to be hotter than ever in 1964 competition.

Via : Winged Warriors

Strip Shot #12

Clester Andrews driving his 1965 A/FX Mustang at Irwindale Raceway. The Wickersham Ford sponsored car was built by Holman Moody and sported a 427 Hi-Riser rather than a S.O.H.C 427. Clester is my second favorite drag racing name after Gaspar.

Via: Photos Of Irwindale

First And Last

1960 Italian Grand Prix Monza
Phil Hill - Ferrari 246


Phil Hill's victory at the 1960 Italian Grand Prix was the first for an American driver since 1921 and the last for a front-engined Formula One car. It was also the golden age of team headwear.

Via: ten-tenths

Strip Shot #11

Rather than let The Magnetic Brain die an agonizingly slow death, I thought I would dredge the depths of my computer and post some more of my favorite drag racing images. The beautiful Fuel Altered Bantam of Walker & Geary or Geary & Walker - depending upon which side of the track you were spectating.

Desmodromic Love

Via: Zellaby

Givin' You The Willys #15

The thing that strikes me most about Jimmy Varacalli's Willys is that great crest painted on the door. I suppose drag racing could be considered a modern form of jousting.

Oriental Oddity

My latest vinyl acquisition is this Japanese E.P by The Dragsters or The Dragstars, depending upon whether you're reading the front or back of the cover. Hot Rod Best 5 even includes lyrics so you can sing along .....

"Adjusted to my car, now she really peels,
Looking real tough with chrome reverse wheels,
Blue coral wax job sure looks pretty,
Gonna get my chick and make it out to Drag City."

Snake Bits

Thunderbird Motel - Jacksonville, Florida 1968

Every serviceman's dream .

Via: saacforum

I Like Ike

" ..... I don't know nothing else. Strats and Telecasters. "

Ike Turner

Via: fender.com

Cold War Cliffhanger

Suspense, intrigue, espionage and a commie nympho queen !!!

Via: swallace99

In Memoriam

R.I.P.

Carroll Hall Shelby
January 11, 1923 – May 10, 2012

El Santo

Bet you were expecting a Mexican wrestler ......

Via: Truus, Bob and Jan too !

Pit Stop #51

1964 SCCA USRRC

Greenwood Roadway, Iowa.

Chuck Parsons' Hilton Racing Cobra, CSX 2290, looking fine before it caught fire on the fifth lap.

Via: greenwoodroadway.com

The Farmer

Arnie "The Farmer" Beswick.

Morrison, Illinois' favorite match-basher.

Via: dragracersreunion

Givin' You The Willys #14

Jr. Thompson performing a little gasser maintenance - no jack required.

Via: dragracersreunion

Panic Button

Can Skinny McGinty and Skywolf save America from the the Axis of Evil ?

Via: Golden Age Comic Book Stories

Splitsville

A word from our sponsors.

Campionati Del Mondo

I love this MV Agusta brochure, it reminds me of a ransom note.

Via: bevelheaven.com

Moparitis #2

There is every possibility that Ken Holwick's 1965 A/FX
Dodge Coronet lived up to its name.

Via: The H.A.M.B

Givin' You The Willys #13

Tangerine isn't a color that springs to mind when you're thinking tough. But when you're speaking Willys it doesn't make any difference.

Box Top #5

I picked this up on the weekend complete with a bunch of parts from the gluebomb graveyard. I may do something with them ..... or then again I could just enjoy the box art.

Hard Charger

Bench seat, blown wedge and burning rubber.
The precursor to the funny car.

Rodentville

Gizmo zoomies are always a hit with the ladies. Or zoomie gizmos depending on your inflection.

Skate City

Before the advent of the stereotypical skateboarder, guys were content to ride their boards in leather shoes.

Via: retronaut

Moparitis

The Magnetic Brain has generally been lacking in conveyences of the Mopar persuasion, therefore I thought it high time to share the plethora of images which I have accumulated over the years. Presenting the Sox & Martin Barracuda for your viewing pleasure. Stay tuned for more Mopar.

Smash 'Em Up

24 Hours of Le Mans, 1965

The only Ford to finish in 1965 was the crumpled Shelby Daytona Cobra of Jack Sears and Dick Thompson. CSX 2299 finished 8th outright despite an oil pickup problem.

Via: definemotorsports

Dangerous Curves

Box Top #4

Shoebox

Fast in Fuchsia

Ed Hedrick campaigned this 289 Cobra, CSX 2093, after purchasing it from Jim Costilow in 1966. Costilow and Bruce Larson had previously been very successful in the A/SP and AA/SP classes having won both the 1965 Springnationals and the 1965 Winternationals. Under Hedrick's ownership "The Fuscia One" took home the 1966 NHRA World Championship.

Via: The H.A.M.B
Link: csx2019.com

Rockabilly

" Rockabilly ..... the acetate arena where a long-playing bum can sing gibberish and coin a fortune. "

Harlan Ellison

Image via: dailypress.com