(Photos and words by Doug Gregory) – Anytime you visit a land speed event you are bound to see some interesting stuff that isn’t going to run the track. As we check out the competition we shoot cars and such in the pits and spectator areas that catch our eye. This event was no different in its offering a interesting mix from traditional to historic.
None other than the original Hemi Healy of Bob Ida was there. This is the original blown 392-hemi car that Bob rebuilt. Its truly a page right out of early drag racing lore. On Sunday bob even fired it up a couple times to let folks hear what once was. The car is built to the standards of the days it ran and thus is not safe to take down the track today. Still, seeing and hearing it and Bob talk about those days is enough for us.
How’s an Alfa Romeo V-8 in a early Ford Roadster for off-the-charts cool…? We totally dug the Chevy-six-powered Henry J. A trio of blue B-bodies came rumbling in and you know my son can’t let that pass by. The early Dart was complete with modern suspension and brakes, but powered by the never-dying, faithful slant-six. Cool. The Chevy hearse claims to be powered by Cummins and appears to have the chassis from a heavy-duty truck. Tow-vehicle maybe… the John Deere garden tractor pit vehicle was great. It even had a setup on back to tow the motorcycle. You’re not going to get yelled at by track personnel for speeding through the pits with that. Enjoy.
Nice early Dart!
A bunch of great pics, thx
Oh my Gawd!
The Hemi Healy is without a doubt the singly best car I have seen on these hallowed pages since I started our love affair over 2 years ago!
The best thing about it – apart from those Cragar 5 spokes – is the sound of tweed-clad gentlemen of a certain age dying of apoplexy after merely hearing of this beauty!
RIP Austin Healy Owners Club members….
And a big hurrah for good ol’ American hot rodding!
Bob Ida – I salute you!
Well then – this person who like chevys will just put you right over the edge –
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MVzW6p45H0A
Want sound – here it is.
Nice recumbent racer