(Words Greg Rourke – Photos: Rourke and Bob Chiluk) – June 7 and 8th marked the 5th Annual Hunnert Car Heads Up, hosted by the Chrome Czars Motor Club of Chicago. As in years past, all cars were 1965 or older, and more or less period correct. This event keeps getting better each year, and Bob Chiluk and I will continue covering it until we are old and gray. Well, older and grayer than we already are.
On hand were many vintage race cars, as well as new construction cars with vintage flavor. Eric Koopmeiners brought out his two 55 Chevys that raced in the 60’s. The “Superstition” 57 2-door wagon raced in California back in the day and still wears the air brushed lettering that has been confirmed by the artist to have been done in 1969. Mike Bilina was busy scraping the chrome off the back bumper of his famous ’56 Chevy all weekend. As Brian said in his article, this car does it’s wild wheelies and just legs it on down the track every time, no matter which way it’s pointing when it gets all 4 wheels back on terra firma. Don Moyer towed from Ohio with his Rebel Reaper AMC powered Willys. It’s a recent build, he started with a four door Willys to get the frame, then bought parts he needed to complete the car. It’s dead nuts correct, Don has strong feelings about making Gassers accurate. He made many passes against Wayne Stine’s Haymaker Willys pickup, and both drivers were never bashful about running against Bilina in his wicked 56. A few front motor dragsters were on hand and were tipping the can.
Besides the guys racing, many cars were on display only. One notable was the 1957 Ford new construction that was driven about 200 feet before being loaded in the trailer. It was amazing, and loaded with NOS speed parts.
The Hunnert Car Heads Up is associated with another vintage racing event, the Meltdown Drags held at Byron Dragway, which takes place on July 20 and 21 this year. We’ll be there, too. That’s a promise!
DRAG GALLERY:
Killer stuff! The Top Hat ’57 is perfect as is the bumper dragging ’56 Chevy….
Greg and Bob crush another blog item.
Some cool stuff here! But I do have t say WTF with the T-bird dragster thingy??
It’s owned and built by a Y Block Ford parts company. Their logo says “The Trailing Edge Of Technology”. The chassis is from an Altered, the body is fiberglass. Maybe not for everyone, but it sort of grew on me. At one point I was at the 100 foot timers, the driver did a long burnout. He stopped by me and smiled for the camera, and didn’t put in in reverse until I snapped a photo.
Except for that one early 70’s challenger convertible that was there…. Awesome cars!
Their was open test and tune going on also, so a few non vintage cars were their. On Friday night a nine second hearse showed up, the one featured on BangShift recently.
That Top hat is one bad ass ride..Took balls to build it black!
Wow, fantastic pics! Thanks!
Great story and pics! See you at the Meltdown Drags July 20 & 21 http://www.meltdowndrags.com
Great to see Koopmeiners cars out there, I remember his Dad, he ran a 55′ back in the day…they build them right on, glad to see the skills for building beautiful cars got passed along to your boy! Nice 55 guys!
Thanks for covering the show again! And thanks to everyone who came out to the show. We hope you all had a great time! We have some ideas to keep the show growing and getting better. And now, on to the Meltdown!
Django (Chrome Czars)