Drag News

[Fran Preve]

A buddy of mine just returned from a family vacation in Maine. Somewhere he stumbled across a guy clearing out junk and bought a couple of cardboard boxes containing a few Hot Rod magazines from the late 50's/early '60's (I had them all) and a collection of Drag News which was a newspaper like National Dragster out of California, from 1961 to 1976!, not all isssues but many from every year. WHAT READING!. Especially the cars for sale in the back, many I've seen so far (just started reading them) seller was well know name and/or car was very recognizable, and prices, even adjusting for inflation were CHEAP!. One car was a 1963 Pontiac Tempest (being sold in 1964) which was a one of one aluminum front end drag car, being sold by a guy in Michigan, long description. Selling price?, $3200!!!!. Also a few issues with ad's from Mr. Norms the famous Dodge dealer, 1965 Dodge ALUMINUM FRONT END Hemi drag cars, more than one, price?, $3950 F.O.B. his dealer. Evidently over the years he sold many race only Dodges. Anyway, interesting reading.

[unworthy]

Those for sale ads make me sick. I love '41 Willys, I remember a '41 in the back of an old Hot Rod, straight axel, blown big block, halibrands, and all 4,000. :doh

[Fran Preve]

May 1st, 1965: 1941 Willys coupe, glass front end, doors, rear fenders and seat. New interior and paint. Chev truck rear end, positraction, 4.88 gears. $850.00. Jr. Thompson. Now to appreciate this you have to know who Jr. Thompson was, a LONG time A/GS competitor and I'll bet this where he got the money for his Austin bodied car. Point being, this car was RIGHT in every way.

May 24th, 1964: 1963 427 Chevrolet engine, $800, Forged Tru pistons, blovk surfaced, rods bushed, balanced, clearanced, high rise manifold, Jardine headers, Mark VII camshaft. Will sell complete engine only. Also 1940 Willys coupe, 10:00x16 M&H's on Halibrand wheels, fiberglass front end, car complete less engine and transmission. Car set up for small block Chevy and hydro. $825. Call bill or Joe Pasadena, CA

There was a second ad for these two and yes, the 427 Chevy engine was a Z-11. Every issue has cars like this, and Super Stock cars both new and used. Figure you could buy a new or year old Super Stock car for the same price as a Top Fuel dragster (!), $3000-$3500 dollars. And more interesting is the cars and the names of the sellers, us old timers would recognize them. One dragster was being sold by a guy named Garlits out of Tampa Florida, no price given tho'.

[unworthy]

Jr. Thompson's Willy's for 850.00 :doh

I just talked with Jr. on the phone about a belt driven, frame mounted fuel pump for my Willys.

[Fran Preve]

Ask him about the ad is Drag News, see if he remembers, that would be cool.