Short Track Models

Short Track Forums => Bench Racing-general Model Car discussion topics => Topic started by: Maineboy on August 06, 2021, 10:59:42 PM

Title: Wicked good Vintage racing in Maine
Post by: Maineboy on August 06, 2021, 10:59:42 PM
"Wicked" is a very common saying in this state. Something can be wicked bad or wicked good. These guys get together and race a bit. These cars are often modern day builds of cars that existed many years ago. Taking a clue from David's "cut downs" thread here are some wicked good race cars. Take a look.


Real low rider
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51361195487_3fb486a84e_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2mfBy2e)vintage13 (https://flic.kr/p/2mfBy2e) by Nathan Pitts (https://www.flickr.com/photos/ntp1965/), on Flickr

Nice shoebox Ford hardtop
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51361953586_b988187115_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2mfFrnU)vintage7 (https://flic.kr/p/2mfFrnU) by Nathan Pitts (https://www.flickr.com/photos/ntp1965/), on Flickr

Nice 63. My favorite ford of the 60's
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51362174323_2f427e92fd_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2mfGyZH)vintage12 (https://flic.kr/p/2mfGyZH) by Nathan Pitts (https://www.flickr.com/photos/ntp1965/), on Flickr

Mean looking low nosed coupe
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51362178573_bed21907fd_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2mfGAfZ)vintage10 (https://flic.kr/p/2mfGAfZ) by Nathan Pitts (https://www.flickr.com/photos/ntp1965/), on Flickr

I found a wicked good Gremlin too
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51362180163_33f37eaa62_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2mfGAJp)vintage9 (https://flic.kr/p/2mfGAJp) by Nathan Pitts (https://www.flickr.com/photos/ntp1965/), on Flickr

Just a gorgeous car. My favorite of all on this post. Just looks fast when standing still.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51362694909_b5be2fbcdf_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2mfKeKk)vintage8 (https://flic.kr/p/2mfKeKk) by Nathan Pitts (https://www.flickr.com/photos/ntp1965/), on Flickr

Can't have a collection of cars without a nice stude.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51361965136_58d5807fab_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2mfFuP3)vintage6 (https://flic.kr/p/2mfFuP3) by Nathan Pitts (https://www.flickr.com/photos/ntp1965/), on Flickr

There is at least one guy on here who raced a 57 Chev, many moons back. This one I would describe as just simply "wicked".
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51361967106_5c4290b10d_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2mfFvp1)vintage5 (https://flic.kr/p/2mfFvp1) by Nathan Pitts (https://www.flickr.com/photos/ntp1965/), on Flickr

This one looks like  a David Bogard build. This is simply pleasing to the eyes just looking at it.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51361969056_0f59e02b7a_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2mfFvYC)vintage4 (https://flic.kr/p/2mfFvYC) by Nathan Pitts (https://www.flickr.com/photos/ntp1965/), on Flickr

My kind of race car, a 55 with attitude. Love it's look.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51362189853_81a6b1d6d2_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2mfGDBt)vintage3 (https://flic.kr/p/2mfGDBt) by Nathan Pitts (https://www.flickr.com/photos/ntp1965/), on Flickr

I salute all these guys, their dedication to keeping the past alive, in the best way they know how, and their willingness to spend large amounts of money and sweat on such a venture. Preserving history is always welcomed wherever I see it.

MB
Title: Re: Wicked good Vintage racing in Maine
Post by: David Bogard on August 06, 2021, 11:17:43 PM
Inspiring stuff! They are all terrific but that low-slung humpback coach is really cool!
Title: Re: Wicked good Vintage racing in Maine
Post by: Maineboy on August 06, 2021, 11:23:27 PM
Yeah that car is pretty unique. I did some research with google looking at chevy's of the 30's and think that is what is left of a 36 Chevy coach. Sure is low to the ground. Never seen anything quite like that before.

MB
Title: Re: Wicked good Vintage racing in Maine
Post by: john2 on August 07, 2021, 06:42:07 AM
 :)  I like the Studebaker.  Thanks for the post.
Title: Re: Wicked good Vintage racing in Maine
Post by: Maineboy on August 07, 2021, 07:36:48 AM
It was late last night when I posted the article. Forgot to put in the link to a real good website that they have. Quite a few more pics there. Plus info on what they do.

https://www.wickedgoodvintageracing.com/

The people look like they are having way too much fun.

MB
Title: Re: Wicked good Vintage racing in Maine
Post by: TonyK on August 07, 2021, 08:19:52 AM
Nice variety of cars. Wouldn't be able to pick a favorite.
Title: Re: Wicked good Vintage racing in Maine
Post by: Dirtman on August 07, 2021, 08:45:09 AM
Really cool. Wish they were still the style today!!

Rett
Title: Re: Wicked good Vintage racing in Maine
Post by: Maineboy on August 07, 2021, 08:55:12 PM
Rest assured that you are not alone with that thought. Back in those days what I remember the most......is the fun it was. Yes we spent some money but more than that we spent a ton of sweat equity on it and enjoyed every minute of it. If I could go back and do it again I would do it in a heartbeat.

Most of these cars trigger that nostalgia in us old guys.

MB
Title: Re: Wicked good Vintage racing in Maine
Post by: Brian Conn on August 07, 2021, 10:30:44 PM
....Looks a whole lot like the asphalt version of what we have around here running dirt in the vintage class...always a blast to watch :)
Title: Re: Wicked good Vintage racing in Maine
Post by: TarheelRick on August 08, 2021, 01:25:52 PM
It was late last night when I posted the article. Forgot to put in the link to a real good website that they have. Quite a few more pics there. Plus info on what they do.

https://www.wickedgoodvintageracing.com/

The people look like they are having way too much fun.

MB
[/quote]
Went there just doing a quick scan and in the gallery "Race Days 2019-2020" (I think) there was one particular car that caught my attention.  The site will not allow copying of the pictures.  About 3/4 the way through that particular gallery there are pictures of a black #18.  The full on side view doesn't show the issue very well but a couple pictures later it is quite obvious.  They have grafted a '62 Chevy frontclip onto the body of a '59 Chevy.  Pretty cool looking racer.
Anyway, thanks for posting this site.  I had the opportunity to see some of a group of local vintage racers back in 2011.  They do race, but they do as little rubbing as necessary.  I imagine those old bodies can get quite expensive to replace.
Title: Re: Wicked good Vintage racing in Maine
Post by: Maineboy on August 08, 2021, 02:02:27 PM
I think this is the one you are talking about.

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51366120914_11d492fb08_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2mg3Nbo)18 (https://flic.kr/p/2mg3Nbo) by Nathan Pitts (https://www.flickr.com/photos/ntp1965/), on Flickr

Now that there is kinda bizzare to say the least. I missed that in my looking at the photos. This is most definitely one of a kind for sure. I think from the rear photo a bit earlier it may be a 60 back end. 60's had the outer part of that wild fin flattened off. They still look the same from the side. That is the glass top they used on them for several years. Thing that stands out to me is the drastically altered wheelbase. Rear axle has been moved ahead a lot. Don't know who would build this. But then Ed Roth built hot rods that nobody ever thought anyone would ever build.

That is surely a strange animal in my book.

MB
Title: Re: Wicked good Vintage racing in Maine
Post by: TarheelRick on August 08, 2021, 02:23:42 PM
Yeah, now that you mention it, it is a '60.  But this picture seems to show it with the '60 front clip, notice the slight crease line in the fender forward of the wheelwell.  A couple later shots with the 3/4 front view clearly shows the '62 clip.  That altered wheelbase definitely caught my attention.  I started a '62 body with that particular wheelbase modification, but when I tried to 'bubble' the front fenders I put it back in the parts box.  May have to dig it out and see what can be done with it.
BTW how did you copy that picture?  The site says at the bottom "copying is not allowed" and it would not let me copy.
Title: Re: Wicked good Vintage racing in Maine
Post by: john2 on August 08, 2021, 04:09:28 PM
 :)  lol  lol  lol  lol

I once saw a Tri 5 LM  -  a '56  Chevy, with the rear fenders and trunk off  a '55. No one seemed to notice or care, but it wasn't as wierd as that thing.   
Title: Re: Wicked good Vintage racing in Maine
Post by: Dirtman on August 08, 2021, 04:59:57 PM
Rest assured that you are not alone with that thought. Back in those days what I remember the most......is the fun it was. Yes we spent some money but more than that we spent a ton of sweat equity on it and enjoyed every minute of it. If I could go back and do it again I would do it in a heartbeat.

Most of these cars trigger that nostalgia in us old guys.

MB
You  nailed it! I'd go back in and do it again, only better.  Along that line, I'm flying back to Milwaukee for a Hales Corners Speedway reunion in September. Seeing racers I haven't seen in nearly 50 yrs is going to be a blast!!!


Rett
Title: Re: Wicked good Vintage racing in Maine
Post by: Maineboy on August 08, 2021, 06:30:45 PM
  .........."Along that line, I'm flying back to Milwaukee for a Hales Corners Speedway reunion in September. Seeing racers I haven't seen in nearly 50 yrs is going to be a blast!!!".....

I bet that will be a great time.  Wish I could see some of the guys I raced with. Many of them are gone sadly. But the memories will live on as long as I do.
Title: Re: Wicked good Vintage racing in Maine
Post by: Maineboy on August 08, 2021, 06:38:33 PM
Yeah, now that you mention it, it is a '60.  But this picture seems to show it with the '60 front clip, notice the slight crease line in the fender forward of the wheelwell.  A couple later shots with the 3/4 front view clearly shows the '62 clip.
BTW how did you copy that picture?  The site says at the bottom "copying is not allowed" and it would not let me copy.

That was a "screen shot" taken off my computer with the "snipping tool" in Windows 10  You can copy any page, or part of a page you want. I would not use such a copy for commercial use but don't think using it on a blog like this would ruffle too many feathers. Here is a link about how to use it. If you have problems figuring some of it out, just ask and I would do what I could to help. Took me awhile but it comes easy after you do it a bit.

Here's a link that will explain it.

 https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/open-snipping-tool-and-take-a-screenshot-a35ac9ff-4a58-24c9-3253-f12bac9f9d44#:~:text=To%20open%20the%20Snipping%20Tool,Snip%2C%20and%20then%20press%20Enter.

MB
Title: Re: Wicked good Vintage racing in Maine
Post by: Maineboy on August 08, 2021, 08:39:52 PM
That #18 car really is pretty weird. I found a few more pics of it and still not sure what the front end is.


Seen from rear, obviously a 60 Chev.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51365202882_e48720d120_n.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2mfY6hf)chev12 (https://flic.kr/p/2mfY6hf) by Nathan Pitts (https://www.flickr.com/photos/ntp1965/), on Flickr

Seen from driver's side
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51365210717_7303fc1b2c_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2mfY8Bk)chev15 (https://flic.kr/p/2mfY8Bk) by Nathan Pitts (https://www.flickr.com/photos/ntp1965/), on Flickr

Closer on driver's side and front end
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51365204782_204141b4e0_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2mfY6R1)chev13 (https://flic.kr/p/2mfY6R1) by Nathan Pitts (https://www.flickr.com/photos/ntp1965/), on Flickr

front end, wow, not a 60 for sure.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51365966336_e2cf2d31c7_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2mg31ef)chev14 (https://flic.kr/p/2mg31ef) by Nathan Pitts (https://www.flickr.com/photos/ntp1965/), on Flickr

60 Chevy Belair for comparison
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51366280843_8480046e76_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2mg4BHM)chev16 (https://flic.kr/p/2mg4BHM) by Nathan Pitts (https://www.flickr.com/photos/ntp1965/), on Flickr

A 62 for comparison.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51366098111_bc647f49e4_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2mg3Fpe)chev17 (https://flic.kr/p/2mg3Fpe) by Nathan Pitts (https://www.flickr.com/photos/ntp1965/), on Flickr

I Don't believe Car #18 has a 60 front end. The grille certainly looks like a 62 and I think it looks like a 62 hood too. What a weird  race car body. Reminds me of some models  built out of parts boxes. I noticed that there were a number of tri 5 chevys in this group. A tri 5 2 dr post or 2 dr hardtop, in barn find shape, not rusted too badly, will bring 10 grand in my part of the world.A lot of expensive sheet metal went into some of these cars. Don't think they found bodies out behind the barn like we used to back in the day.

MB
Title: Re: Wicked good Vintage racing in Maine
Post by: Dirtman on August 08, 2021, 09:23:00 PM
I thought it looked like a '60 Ford at first, now I don't know!

Rett
Title: Re: Wicked good Vintage racing in Maine
Post by: Maineboy on August 09, 2021, 06:23:26 AM
I thought it looked like a '60 Ford at first, now I don't know!

Rett

Funny but I thought the same thing the first time too.  This is a pretty  strange critter. BTW if you had a 60 car why would you put something else on it for a front end?  Hmmmmm.

MB
Title: Re: Wicked good Vintage racing in Maine
Post by: Dirtman on August 09, 2021, 07:42:51 AM
I saw a '56 Chevy with a Nova front sheet metal in Canada back in the 70's. Quite a nite of racing there too, spectators got mad at something and threw big rocks out on the track!!!

Rett
Title: Re: Wicked good Vintage racing in Maine
Post by: David Bogard on August 09, 2021, 09:33:10 AM
We might need to give this #18 fella a break. This is a 1960 Chevy Impala, nose to tail. And yes, it has a 1963 Chevy grille stuck in it (just because somebody had one laying around). As far as the wheelbase, many of these "vintage" cars use more modern, or recently used and out-dated underpinnings, and that usually means shorter wheelbases on the old "big" cars.

As Brian mentioned, vintage racing is a growing segment and we have a healthy contingent in central Illinois that race on dirt. The cars are cool looking and I applaud the racers that build and maintain them to entertain the crowds! I might start a thread just for vintage car photos to hopefully inspire someone to build something.
Title: Re: Wicked good Vintage racing in Maine
Post by: David Bogard on August 11, 2021, 11:48:01 AM
Here's your Vintage Maine bunch! (see link)

https://mainevintagerace.org/
Title: Re: Wicked good Vintage racing in Maine
Post by: David Bogard on August 11, 2021, 11:56:32 AM
And another good Maine Racing site for you Maineboy!

http://www.catamountstadium.com/MaineRaceTracks_4.html

Title: Re: Wicked good Vintage racing in Maine
Post by: john2 on August 11, 2021, 05:04:46 PM
 :)  I do hope y'all get this figured out.  lol
Title: Re: Wicked good Vintage racing in Maine
Post by: David Bogard on August 17, 2021, 10:29:35 PM
(https://media.fotki.com/2v2aczA7VxAyY5G.jpg)