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Post Info TOPIC: St. Thomas Dragway, Sparta Ontario early 1970's


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St. Thomas Dragway, Sparta Ontario early 1970's


Great stuff! You'll see some Pontiac's and a couple of Beaumont's



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Wonderful drag racing memories at Sparta. I went there a number of times in the last few years and always a good trip. Thanks for sharing. 



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1957 Pontiac Pathfinder Deluxe sedan restored 261 six

1974 Chevrolet Caprice Estate wagon low mileage original 400 V-8



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That truly must be from the early 70's. The newest cars I saw were '72s, like the Demon 340 & 'Cuda. The 69 Ford LTD in the pit return road isn't rusty, and it likely was swiss cheese by 1975.  Remember how those Fords rusted?

One of those rails had a nice tow vehicle, a '65 Parisienne convertible.

The Rambler SC/390 with the "B" paint scheme at the 5:50 mark looks like the car I used to see on a trailer in the Whitney Plaza part of Hamilton from the late 70s into the early 80s, right down to the black steel wheels on the back with slicks. I mean, how many of those were around in Ontario? Probably the same car. And the black Cougar looks like one I saw not far from it circa 1977, by then wearing Cragar SST mags (like chromed Centerlines). Who knows?

It looks like an inline six in the slingshot dragster at the 5:33 mark, followed soon after by a '68 Beaumont. Also a neat '69 Beaumont post at the 6:21 mark. I wonder if it could have been an SD? Probably not, but maybe... Also a '63 Studebaker at the end.

As for the guys racing the Kawasaki triples, they must be brave. Those things were nuts!

Thanks for sharing!



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Great period footage. I wonder if any of those cars still exist? 



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Here's something from 1989 at St. Thomas

https://youtu.be/xc95KebpZuU



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......big block, 4 speed, bench seat, it doesn't get much better

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Circa 1977/78 our C/MP 55 running high 12's. 327-365, M22 and 488's. Car got wobly at speed, scared me a couple times.

So I built a rear engine dragster to go, low 8's.

Difference between a car built for speed and a 55 Chev, the dragster only wanted to go straight and was a sweet ride.

481 big block Chev (125 over 454) Dart heads, Barry Grant 1050, MSD 7AL, PG 198 first and 456 gear (spool). Car ran 8:33 best.

Bernie 55 Chev St Thomas 1.jpgBernie 55 Chev St Thomas 2.jpgBernie 55 Chev St Thomas 3.jpg



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......big block, 4 speed, bench seat, it doesn't get much better

 happy motoring :burnout



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bjburnout wrote:

Circa 1977/78 our C/MP 55 running high 12's. 327-365, M22 and 488's. Car got wobly at speed, scared me a couple times.

So I built a rear engine dragster to go, low 8's.

Difference between a car built for speed and a 55 Chev, the dragster only wanted to go straight and was a sweet ride.

481 big block Chev (125 over 454) Dart heads, Barry Grant 1050, MSD 7AL, PG 198 first and 456 gear (spool). Car ran 8:33 best.

Bernie 55 Chev St Thomas 1.jpgBernie 55 Chev St Thomas 2.jpgBernie 55 Chev St Thomas 3.jpg


 Bernie, do you have any pictures of your dragster. You have got to love old drag racing (vintage) machines. Nostalgia drag racing rules and modern drag racing is the biggest bore fest, as far as i am concerned. 



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1957 Pontiac Pathfinder Deluxe sedan restored 261 six

1974 Chevrolet Caprice Estate wagon low mileage original 400 V-8



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Have attended many nostalgia races in the last 20 years, always nice to see the old stuff running strong.

As for the new drag racing, I still find it interesting but you have to follow the drivers and especially the crew chiefs to appreciate it.

Lotsa 'bore fest' when it comes to auto racing today.....and the TV wanna be announcers make it worse. At least in drag racing on

Fox sports you have Tony Pedregon (2 time Funny Car world champ) and several other 'racers' on staff to explain.

Some pics of our car in an album (remember film). I'll dig up a few and scan them.



-- Edited by bjburnout on Monday 8th of June 2020 05:49:36 PM

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Were you running the 4:88 gears in an original 10 bolt Chevrolet housing ? I have a P case from 1962 with 4:88 gears .

Al

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Taylor55 wrote:

Were you running the 4:88 gears in an original 10 bolt Chevrolet housing ? I have a P case from 1962 with 4:88 gears .

Al


 Rear end in the 55 was a 12 bolt. Was in the car when I bought it.



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......big block, 4 speed, bench seat, it doesn't get much better

 happy motoring :burnout



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Chassis and body built at Competition Automotive (Pro Stock racers 80's/90's) by Joe Roy in Richmond Hill, Ontario 1989/90.

218" wb, chromoly chassis, aluminum body, fabricated Ford 9" rear end. Weighted about 1500 lbs w/o driver.

Called the car 'Lady in Red' hoping my wife would consider driving but 0 to 100 mph in 2 1/2 seconds sort of gave her second thoughts.

She still crew chiefed for me for 7 - 8 years all over Ontario, Quebec, Ohio and Indiana. These pics are at St. ThomasDragster 20902020 (2).jpg

Dragster 10902020 (2).jpg

 



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......big block, 4 speed, bench seat, it doesn't get much better

 happy motoring :burnout



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This coild be a long shot but at time frame 3:56 there is a blue Chevy 2 with steel wheels. I took my 66 duece 327/350 4:56 gears to St. Thomas and ran it 12:90 @ 108 It may be a coincidence but that sure looks like my old car. Also the white Camaro looks like Peter Fedun's car, saw it the day I was there. Maybe?????

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Bernie, very sweet looking drag machine you had there. Can you share any more information about the car that you and your wife campaigned then. 



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1957 Pontiac Pathfinder Deluxe sedan restored 261 six

1974 Chevrolet Caprice Estate wagon low mileage original 400 V-8



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ARCADIAN wrote:

This coild be a long shot but at time frame 3:56 there is a blue Chevy 2 with steel wheels. I took my 66 duece 327/350 4:56 gears to St. Thomas and ran it 12:90 @ 108 It may be a coincidence but that sure looks like my old car. Also the white Camaro looks like Peter Fedun's car, saw it the day I was there. Maybe?????


 The name Peter Fedun brings back many memories. Pete was a staunch Chevrolet competitor in the stock classes. Is Pete still among us. 



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1957 Pontiac Pathfinder Deluxe sedan restored 261 six

1974 Chevrolet Caprice Estate wagon low mileage original 400 V-8



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Yes George I see him and his son Joe regularly at swap meets. The Camaro ran NHRA "F" Stock, my Chevy 2 ran NHRA "A" Stock!

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ARCADIAN wrote:

Yes George I see him and his son Joe regularly at swap meets. The Camaro ran NHRA "F" Stock, my Chevy 2 ran NHRA "A" Stock!


 I am glad to hear Pete is still burning rubber at the line. 



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1957 Pontiac Pathfinder Deluxe sedan restored 261 six

1974 Chevrolet Caprice Estate wagon low mileage original 400 V-8

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