Things were happening fast in central Pa. racing during the 1962 racing season.
The number 1080 and the later version number 1 were at the top of the competition in 1960 thru 1962.
These were all built by the legendary mechanic Davy Brown.
At 83 years of age Davy is still building motors and the crew chief on the Don Kreitz owned #69 sprint car driven by Lance Dewease.
1961 # 1080
First car in Pa. to run fuel injection. Driver set back and some engine set back.
(https://images59.fotki.com/v1653/photos/4/3814514/14361353/Johnny1080-th.jpg) (https://public.fotki.com/Bob-P/old-race-cars/johnny-1080.html)Hosted on Fotki (https://www.fotki.com)
Same 1080 to start 1962 season.
327 Chevy power, rear shortened, lowered and more engine set back.
(https://images49.fotki.com/v1658/photos/4/3814514/14361353/facebook_1517012067099-th.jpg) (https://public.fotki.com/Bob-P/old-race-cars/facebook-1517012067099.html)Hosted on Fotki (https://www.fotki.com)
(https://images44.fotki.com/v1655/photos/4/3814514/14361353/DSC02716-th.jpg) (https://public.fotki.com/Bob-P/old-race-cars/dsc02716.html)Hosted on Fotki (https://www.fotki.com)
After a month or so into 1962 the new #1 arrived at the speedway. The car was too small for the number 1080 so it was changed to car number 1.
This car had a narrowed frame, cut down body, straight front axle, disc brakes, torsion bar rear suspension and was much lighter than the previous car. The old style steering box was also gone and replaced by the type of steering used on sprint cars today.
(https://images41.fotki.com/v1647/photos/4/3814514/14361353/img093-th.jpg) (https://public.fotki.com/Bob-P/old-race-cars/img093.html)Hosted on Fotki (https://www.fotki.com)
During this time period some of the cars raced without a hood.
(https://images51.fotki.com/v1654/photos/4/3814514/14361353/img094-th.jpg) (https://public.fotki.com/Bob-P/old-race-cars/img094.html)Hosted on Fotki (https://www.fotki.com)
This new number 1 arrived at the speedway very late in the 1962 season.
First weekend at the track unpainted.
(https://images53.fotki.com/v107/photos/4/3814514/14361353/Mackison1962latesilvera3-th.jpg) (https://public.fotki.com/Bob-P/old-race-cars/mackison-1962-late.html)Hosted on Fotki (https://www.fotki.com)
After paint job.
The old number 1 is parked beside the new car.
(https://images59.fotki.com/v1653/photos/4/3814514/14361353/Mackison1962colorlate1-th.jpg) (https://public.fotki.com/Bob-P/old-race-cars/mackison-1962-color.html)Hosted on Fotki (https://www.fotki.com)
My model of the new car posted previously on Fred's forum.
The antenna on top was just for show. Some teams thought they had two way radio's.
(https://images53.fotki.com/v1657/photos/4/3814514/14525275/MaCKISON1011-th.jpg) (https://public.fotki.com/Bob-P/johnny-mackison-1-model/mackison-1-011.html)Hosted on Fotki (https://www.fotki.com)
I have a model build of the last 1080 on my bench now to be finished soon.
I hope you enjoy this history lesson.
Bob
Nice little article Bob. Enjoyed it. A friend of mine owned the 1080 car. Not sure if he still has it. he also has the 43a that Goodling drove and the 19 of Larry Hare that I sold to him about 8 years ago.
Great stuff, thx!