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Ran world gs3/5/2023 Here’s Beswick’s earliest hot rod, a ’58 Pontiac C/Gasser for the Morrison, Illinois legend.īerkley, Michigan’s Mike Fons was an early Pro Stock racer who preceeded his Pro days running his big-block Camaro in A/Modified Production with power from the talented Dick Arons. Most drag racing fans know “Farmer” Arnie Beswick as an early Funny Car driver and currently a nostalgia match racer with his “Tameless Tiger”. The car runs at nostalgia Gasser events with an injected small-block Chevy and a manual four-speed, just like in the old days when Gassers ruled! Gene is a 2016 inductee and will have the car on display at the ECDT Hall of Fame Weekend, October 14-15-16, Henderson, NC. This ’52 Chevy Deluxe is Gene Schwartz’s current project. Schwartz is an inductee in the 2016 East Coast Drag Times Hall of Fame! Gene Schwartz is also known to fans as a world-class blues bass guitar artist along with his brother, Glenn, both having performed for many years with Robert Lockwood. The late Sam Gellner, also a Cleveland native, was Gene’s favorite engine builder. Schwartz won his favorite class, E/Gas often, and held both ET and MPH class records in NHRA. Schwartz’s “Strawberry Fields” ’52 sedan was hastily built to compete in the 1966 Nationals. ![]() It was replaced by a second car, a ’52 sedan, with psychedelic airbrushed paint and a “Strawberry Fields Forever” scheme. His first was a ’52 Deluxe coupe (above) lost in a crash. Schwartz was a regular and popular Midwest drag racer with his two E/Gas ’52 Chevys. ![]() He gathered it in and avoided disaster, ending up on the grass in the opposite lane as shattered alloy pieces and eight quarts of oil exited.Īnother Cleveland resident, Gene Schwartz made a name in two distant careers. Here Ault’s ’63 F/Gas Corvette is in dire straits, sideways and trying not to take out the Christmas Tree, or roll over! This became one of the most photographed Nationals Modified Eliminator finals ever as Ault lost to Don Coonce when an aluminum connecting rod disintegrated at 8,500 rpm, oiling the tires and sending Jerry awry. (Bob Rogers pic)ĭayton’s Jerry Ault was an annual participant at the Nationals. Ault’s sponsor was his family business, Ault & James Speed Shop, a popular Dayton, Ohio speed parts and race engine builder still operating today! Ford T carried correct period equipment including injected small-block Chevy, American mag wheels and M&H Racemaster “Pie Crust” rear slicks. Jerry Ault chose a uniquely original Ford Model-T coupe for this early B/Gas project. This is but a cross-section of the amazing talent and lore of these storied drivers and their cars. This week we explore a handful of America’s Heartland Gasser stars. None were as active or respected as those who raced Gas Coupes and Sedans, Modified Productions and Street/Modified Eliminator. The Heartland also created a huge crop of racers who themselves gained legendary status. Speed parts distributors such as Midwest Auto, Summit, Gratiot Auto, Jeg’s, The Rod Shop, Van Senus and others sold the parts. Gasket, Lakewood, Hurst, Holley, and others became cornerstones of the auto aftermarket. A few created companies that became large corporations, building and distributing racing and performance products. Some of these built businesses that provided parts and services for the racing hobby. Much like “down South”, full-bodied, full-fendered vehicles were preferred for racing, first on deserted streets and rural roads, later on circle tracks and drag strips. They also brought with them a strong love of the auto, and competing. At its head stood General Motors, the world’s largest corporation and following closely behind was the American steel industry and those that supported them.įrom across America men came to work in the industries of the nation’s blue-collar working masses. Indeed, the American auto industry was once the nation’s largest single non-government employer. It’s also where much of America’s heavy industry once ruled. Sadly, it’s now often called “The Rust Belt” for its decaying cities and rust-covered plant sites where once the nation’s mightiest industries once ruled. ![]() It’s within this region that much of America’s agricultural staples – corn, wheat, soybeans – are produced. The Hill Brothers’ ’33 Willys, “The Red Baron” has since been skillfully and strikingly restored by Ken Kull, continuing its crowd-pleasing tradition while appearing at nostalgia Gasser events across the nation.Īmerica’s geographical Midwestern region includes what is often called the “Heartland”. race car was known for its beautiful paint, chrome and workmanship as well as blistering performance that made all fan favorites. They built and ran a series of very successful, traditional Gassers. The Hill Brothers, Bill and Pete, were charter members of the famed 1960’s informal group known as “The Ohio Gassers”.
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