We're here!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Phil Reed]

We're here and yesterday was AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:clap :clap :clap :clap


Picutres..........stories...........and LIES to follow!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:rofl :rofl :rofl :rofl

[oldskydog]

It sure is quiet on the forum without all you heavy hitters.
I can hardly wait for all the pics of a bunch of chubby old bald guys telling lies or taking a nap with a brew in their hands. It'll be like looking in the mirror.:rofl
Dang, I wish I was there.
:cheers

[Dave N]

Had a great time at Norwalk here are some pictures alot of great cars and race cars If you can make it next year I recomend it highly. Its a great facility and a great time Dave n.
Blue 63 Conv.
Green 60 Hdtp.

[walkerheaders]

being one of the people who actually worked on and drove Fred's car, it makes me so sad to see it out without him.

[Dave N]

Here are some more pics I took today.
Dave n.
Blue 63 Conv.
Green 60 Hdtp.

[tripower]

Dave, Thanks for the pics...Sure is nice to see everyones cars together. Sure wish I was there tellen lies with you guys...:cheers

[rstreet]

It sure is quiet on the forum without all you heavy hitters.
I can hardly wait for all the pics of a bunch of chubby old bald guys telling lies or taking a nap with a brew in their hands. It'll be like looking in the mirror.:rofl
Dang, I wish I was there.
:cheers
Cecil: Sounds like you were there by your description :D
Robert

[rstreet]

I made it back to the eastern shore of MD. after a 12 hour tow but it was well worth it. I also enjoyed everything and recommend another try at this GREAT TIME
Phil... I left my glasses at a resturant in Pa. Damn with all of what I lost and forgot out there I need to check the trailer to see if I forgot my car:rofl (Tom K did offer to keep the car if I couldn't start it without keys.)
I can't wait for the group photos to be posted. Cecil will recognize all of us:rofl :rofl
Robert

[oldskydog]

Roberrt,
Were you the only 348 there? Maybe next year I can get my 61 together and take it to Norwalk so you won't be the only one. The only problem is that I haven't decided yet If I'm putting in the 409 or build a 348 for it.
Guess I'll have to grow a beard and get a Boyd Coddington shirt to fit in.:eek:
:rofl

[rstreet]

Cecil: Yes, as far as I know I had the only 348 on the asphalt side or grass side. After looking at all of the "air" under everyone's wheels in the pictures I know I had the only one there!!!! But I had a good set of valve covers on to add to the wow factor. :D We missed you and hope you can make it for a future one with a 348.
Robert

[wc chevys]

Just want to say we had a good time in NORWALK.Glad we went can hardly wait for next year.A great group of people the 409-348 guys.Hope we eased some peoples minds about what would happen with Fred's car( won't change anything) .Cubby claims its still Freds car hes just keeping it up for him. THANKS BO!!

[Ronnie Russell]

To all who live around the country and decided that Ohio is too far to travel for a couple of days of fun......... Our group was camped next to an access road to the strip. AT a point in time, many of us were standing in a group and lying to each other, the 409 Beach Boys song came blaring out of nowhere. Yep, it was Phil and Candy motoring by on the bikes. A huge grin on both of their faces. That is one memory of a thousand I experienced during the weekend. Those memories are worth more to me than any amount of money. I heard someone remark, " I bet the Mopar boys ain't having this much fun." You can bet on it. My heartfelt thanks to Tom and Christine Monroe ( toms63SSQB ) for inviting us into their home and allow us to drive to the event in Toms beautiful 63 SS. Tom also allowed me to make a pass in his car. I now know why the kids of today enjoy " drifting" so much. Sorta fun sliding sideways under power. Doesnt do much for ets but it was a ball. Our nostalgia super stock guys did us real proud. We tried to show support from the grandstands by being as loud as possible. Thanks to Ray and Marcia for feeding the masses. Thanks to Jim Kwi for coordinating our get-together again. My wife and I do little traveling , so this is a big deal for us. As long as our health stays good, we will attend every year. My only regret is that we left too early to attend the tribute for Fred. I do think about him a lot and miss him terribly. Thanks to all for the memories and we will make some more next year. :) :)

[dq409]

I know it was no fun not having me there !!
I`m really sorry I ruined your fun,,,:cry

I`m sure you all just sat around sulking and all bummed out,,

I`ll try harded next year to be there,,,,:evil











:clap :D

[rstreet]

I know it was no fun not having me there !!
I`m really sorry I ruined your fun,,,:cry

I`m sure you all just sat around sulking and all bummed out,,

I`ll try harded next year to be there,,,,:evil

:clap :D

We didn't sulk or get bummed out but Heh,Heh,Heh I do recall talking about you:D
Robert

[models916]

I thought you were there, 'cus I kept hearing your name mentioned.

[gearhead409]

yes we did talk about you, wasn't your ears burning? you need to be here next year to defend yourself!

[JimKwiatkowski]

dq,I have some left over window stickers,from members that did not show up.Send me your mailing address and I'll send you a sticker for all the abuse your taking :takethat

[CDNpontiac409guy]

I just want to thank the members who were there, for taking the time, and making such an effort with the SPECTACULAR photos:bow :bow :beerbang ... and sharing them with the rest of us.
I, for one, will likely never be able to see an event like this, yet alone participate in one... which is quite depressing... 'cuz you know I like to show off;)

The drag cars were OBVIOUSLY doing their job:bow
Denny, your car is ABSOLUTELY NUTS:beerbang :beerbang

[rstreet]

[QUOTE=CDNpontiac409guy;78241

The drag cars were OBVIOUSLY doing their job:bow
Denny, your car is ABSOLUTELY NUTS:beerbang :beerbang[/QUOTE]

To sum Denny's car and his runs this weekend "AWESUM":clap :clap :bow :bow
Robert

[Phil Reed]

Well............Candy & I got home last night about 6PM. We took off Sun AM and went to see a dear friend up by McHenry and Crystal Lake, IL. So we didn't get home until Tues. evening.

We had a blast!!!!!!!!!!!!! I can't imagine ANYONE having more fun than we did.......rode our Harleys 1877 miles to hang out with friends who own and race 409s!!!!!!!!!:clap :clap I haven't have a chance to down load any of my pictures but if I have anything different than what's been posted.....I'll add them.

It's really hard to put into words the feeling that all of us had. It was just awesome. Next time JimK plans a party........try to be there!!! You won't be disappointed!!!

I had the Beach Boys CD in the Ultra so when we turned the corner at the race track and headed down the road where ALL the cars were pitted........I just flipped it to the outside speakers, hit song #2 for our National Anthem and cranked it wide open!!!:rofl :rofl Everybody along the fence knew "we" were there for the weekend...we gonna kick behinds and not take any prisoners!!!!:rofl :rofl We "had" to play the song sereral times on Friday and Saturday!!

The greatest part for me was getting to meet people whom I had talked with for as many as 18-20 years and had never met in person!! Ray Lehberger with the white bubbletop Dyno Don 409 was one. The car was immaculate and run's in the mid 10's!! Found out Ray is a Volvo mechanic during the week!! And I got to meet a lot of the guys here too!! I really enjoyed that part of the weekend. The racing was awesome but I'll post about that later!! Got to spend time with Steve Moyer and Carl Banks.........what a nice pair of guys!! Steve is Carl's son-in-law. How would you like to marry into that family???!!!:rofl :rofl By the way.........Carl is real stout...huge upper body. So I just asked if he used to lift weights. He said yes and told him some term for it. Don't remember what it was but........not too long ago he could pick up 685 pounds!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Holy crap........I'm not messing with him!! Said he put the Jerico in Fred's car..........didn't need "any" assistance with the job!! Just think..........if you took the intake and carbs and exhaust manifolds off your 409.........Carl could put it in your car WITHOUT A CHERRY PICKER!!!!:bow :bow

I'll think of more stuff to add but wanted to say a BIG THANK YOU to JimK for promoting this event. Everyone had fun and will probably return next year!!! I'm sure we will be there too!!!

[Phil Reed]

Here are my nominees for the following catagories for the Blue Swede Cruise awards ceremony:

BIGGEST THANK YOU AWARD: That has to go to JimK for all his efforts for the last year. He really was persistent and got a lot of us to go!! If you are having any kind of party...call JimK. His phone number is BR 5409!!!

HARD LUCK AWARD: This goes to JimK also. He got 10 miles from his house on Friday and his MSD in the 57 shot craps. He had to be towed back home. And all the work he did on that car to have it ready to show and race!! He was really disappointed but it never got his spirits down. Sorry about that Jim and I know next year will be different.

MOST BUGS PER SQUARE INCH IN HIS RADIATOR: This fine honor goes to Tom Kochtanek. Tom and his mechanic friend James drove the 62 all the way from Cloumbia, MO!! I don't know if Tom had more fun or I had more fun in getting there!! It had to be great cruisin' down the ole Interstate with the carbs open and the glass packs a crankin'!! I believe Tom would get the long distance driven award also!!!!

FAVORITE MASCOT: Hands down...........Lord Winston all the way from Ontario!!!! Never complained the whole weekend!!!

REDDEST FACE AT A DRAG STRIP: Tie between Ronnie Russell and Fatride!!! Ronnie's was from sunburn and Ray's was from the Bloody Marys that JimK was giving him!!!!!!! Hey Ray.......was that 10 shots per drink????????? Anyway...both gentlemen were red faced and havin' fun!!!! Either one could have hired out as Santa Claus this weekend!!

BEST RESTAURANT AT BLUE SWEDE: Another tie.....this time between Denny & Deb and Ray and Marsha!!! Those folks fed all of us for the weekend!! And never asked for a penny!! Drag racers know how to eat!!!! Many thanks go out to these two families for being such gracious hosts!!

MOST UNUSUAL TOW VEHICLE: Hands down..........Gerry Gostenick. Gerry has a black 61 409 Belair hardtop with a 400HP 409. But his tow vehicle is a 70's Suburban...3-door. He has a 409 with throttle body injection!!! It looks absolutely factory!! Took off the 340HP heads and put on truck heads, 1961 #776 intake with all the injector bungs welded in and wall ah.........tow engine!! The computor is down by the battery. It is an amazing piece of engineering!! Congratulations to Gerry!!

I guess that's it for the awards. If anyone else has any suggestions....chime in!!!

[Phil Reed]

We only got to see the racing on Sat. but I'm telling you...it was awesome!! JimK had to get me to sit down in the grand stands.....I was having too much fun!!

My favorite 2 races....Allen George in his 62 Impala against Ray Lehberger in his bubbletop. Allen cut a perfect light and ran 11 flat. Ray ran a 10.67 but was slow off the lights. ALLEN WON BY .001 OF A SECOND!!! It was awesome!!!!

My second favorite race was Denny and Allen. Both cars came off great and I think Denny went 10.76 to Allen's 11.0. Great side by side racing!!!!

I probably shouldn't mention this but here goes. Hope this doesn't give someone the big head!!!! Tom Monroe gave Ronnie Russell a chance to drive his 63 SS down the track. Ronnie cuts a .004 light!!!! THAT'S RIGHT.....NOT A MISPRINT!!! A .004!!!! Now Sunday night I see John Force and Del Worsham cut a .079 and a .114 in their quarter final rounds on TV. What are these guys thinkin????????:doh :doh They could hire Ronnie and WIN BEFORE THEIR CAR EVER GOES DOWN THE TRACK!!! Think of all the money that would save them!!!! Anyhow...Ronnie was real proud to say the least!!!! I would imagine Tom gave the time slip to Ronnie so he can show all of his friend's back home in Texas!! Maybe next year Barry and his 409 Nova??? Ronnie takes a couple of passes in it...then ole Phil takes a couple of passes and compare notes????!!!!:dunno :dunno

There about 12 old gassers and then put on a great show too!! Someone posted a picture of the light blue 61 Pontiac. Denny said that car runs in the 8's!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:bow :bow

GREAT TIME!!!

[DIV1RACER-2]

Got home Sunday evening & the rest of the week has been a blur, i took the week off befoe BSC to get my stuff done & now my business wants paid back :bang


Boy , what more can be said ? :dunno One very memorable weekend , other than some rain, it was the "BEST " :clap :clap :clap



Thanks every one for the complements, we were just having fun !!



Jim k. nice job on putting together this event & for the pics. { gotum yesterday }
Everybody that came long distance Tom & Jim Phil & Candy Ronnie & wife & everybody else that attended :clap :clap :clap



Deb & morgan [ granddaughter ] & myself are all still smiling. Been a lotta places & have done a lot of racing & the " 409'" & nostaglia events are without a doubt hard to beat!!!


Our late evening theater shows were awsome '

Ray & Marcia thanks for breakfast !


Thanks everyone for attending & can't wait until next time !!!...............:hug

[Phil Reed]

Everybody that came REALLY had a ball!! We all really enjoyed seeing and meeting each other. But one person really stood out among all of us as having WAY TOO MUCH FUN!!!! And that person is................Tom Monroe!!!













These pictures are posted with the full approval of Christine Monroe and Virginia Russell!!!!














I guess everybody "needs" a power nap sometime!!! At least Tom sleeps with his legs crossed!!!!:rofl :rofl :rofl

[gearhead409]

i always wondered how old guys could race all weekend, now i know!!!!

[oldskydog]

Everybody that came REALLY had a ball!! We all really enjoyed seeing and meeting each other. But one person really stood out among all of us as having WAY TOO MUCH FUN!!!! And that person is................Tom Monroe!!!













These pictures are posted with the full approval of Christine Monroe and Virginia Russell!!!!














I guess everybody "needs" a power nap sometime!!! At least Tom sleeps with his legs crossed!!!!:rofl :rofl :rofl

That's what I'm talking about. Looking in the mirror.
I've got to go next year so I can play with kids my own age.:rofl

[CHEV601234]

kids my own age.......I like that!!!!!!!!!!!!:beerbang

[Phil Reed]

More Norwalk photos!!!

First one is Shannon Dally and his 62 Biscayne. Beautiful car!!

Second is Denny Ford in His "office". Notice the "original" 1967 wood grain steering wheel!!

Third is Denny Ford on the left, Loren Bowers..ie: gearhead in the middle and Loren's friend Jimmy. I think Jimmy is right??!! The reason Denny has his mouth open.........I had just "guaranteed" Denny that I could get his Biscayne in the 9's!! Bear in mind....it runs a strong 10.70's. He thought I was crazy!! I said no, I could do it. But he didn't bite!! I was hoping he would let me take it for a pass and then bring it back with a 13.50 time slip!!! I didn't care as long as I got to drive it!!! That's what friends do!! TomK let James drive his 62 down the quarter....Tom Monroe let Ronnie drive his 63...... Oh well..........

Fourth is Ronnie Russell on the left, JimK in the middle and Shannon Dally on the right.

Good friends and good times!!

[chevymusclecars]

Somehow I just don't think that steering wheel looks right, I think it would look better in my Chevelle.

Bill

[DIV1RACER-2]

Looks good in there !! I think it will stay . :brow :brow

Needed somthing smaller to clear my " overhang " :rofl :rofl

[bjburnout]

WoW!!.......:D

Looks like a great weekend........sure wish we coulda made it..........:beerbang

Now that the 61 is ready to go I'll be watching for news on the next event.
Would love to have seen all the racing 409s and meet some new members
and get reacquainted with some we met in '04
I now have a few converts to 'W' motors waaaayy up here............:scratch
maybe we can get them to tag along

Thanx to everyone for sharing photos and their stories, I sure hope
we make the next one............:bow

:cheers :cheers
bj

[chevymusclecars]

Denny

When I bought my 62 it had a steering wheel made out of welded chain that is even smaller and easy to grip. It might give you that extra room to make you more comfortable.

Bill

[rstreet]

That 65 Impala my daughter found for me in Colorado had one of those "clearance" welded chain steering wheels.
Robert

[Phil Reed]

Thought we'd show Robert's car along with his lovely bride Ann. It sure was nice meeting both of them!!

Robert's car is really neat!!! I'm sure it gets a lot of attention wherever he drives it!!

[Phil Reed]

Didn't get the pictures attached:bang :bang :bang

[Phil Reed]

I posted earlier about Gerry's Surburban. I'm guessing it's a mid 60's 3-door!! But he put the 409 in it and it not only looks awesome..........it looks all factory original!! 340HP short block, #333 truck heads, a 61 #776 409 intake manifold and throttle body injectors!!!:clap :clap Looks like to me...........one sweet ride!!

Geryy has a great imagination and talent to put this all together!!:clap :clap

[Phil Reed]

Here's Gerry's 61. Unfortunatley had fuel pump problems. I know Denny was trying to get him fixed up for Sunday but I haven't heard if they got everything all squared away.

NICE LOOKING CAR!!!:clap :clap :clap

[Dick MacKenzie]

Thought we'd show Robert's car along with his lovely bride Ann. It sure was nice meeting both of them!!

Robert's car is really neat!!! I'm sure it gets a lot of attention wherever he drives it!!

Good looking people...those Delmarva folks! :D

[wc chevys]

Gerry's suburban is a 67-72 3 door model, not sure exact year.