Flatheads Forever

June 2005

Upcoming Events June 7th Monthly Meeting Mike Coggin’s Joe Smith’s

June 21-24th 1932 Ford 2005 Eastern National Meet -Hiawassee GA. Roadster

July 2nd Monthly Meeting Melvin’s Classic Ford Parts -Blue Willow Inn Restaurant

August 13th Annual Picnic Gault’s Ferry

Inside this issue: All photos have a story behind it, and this one is no exception. This is Joe Smith in the summer of 1950 and here is the story… Cover Story: 1 Joe Smith’s 1932 Ford I had an uncle who ran a factory in Pennsylvania that made men’s shirts. Since my parents were divorced, I Roadster got sent around to relatives in the summer, which is how I ended up working in this factory the summer of 1949. Since Yankees can’t stand hot summer weather, and air conditioning was just a dream back then, the V8 Lady’s Glove Box: 6 factory hours were from 7am – 3pm to try to work in the cooler hours of the day. Racing Legend:Vicki Wood & The Blue Willow Inn Restaurant I found myself in this small town where I knew almost no one. With the factory hours ending at 3:00 in a town so small it only had one movie theater, I had nothing to do with my time in the afternoon and evening. Article: Evolution of 7-8 So, being the car nut that I am, I asked my uncle if I found an old car if I could put it in the back parking lot behind the factory and work on it. He reluctantly agreed, probably more so to make sure I stayed out of trouble. Being a south boy, the heat wasn’t a problem, and I found a great spot under some trees Tech Section: 9 (hence, the shade tree mechanic!), and went looking for a car. Flathead Date Code About 10 miles away from the factory, I found an true barn car owned by a real Pennsylvania Dutch farmer. It Article: The Verse on 10- was a 32 roadster complete car full fendered, 4 banger, top, bumper, etc., but had not been running in some the Side of the Road 11 years. I bought it for the princely sum of $150.00. My uncle, who was paying me $0.50/hour for 40 hours a Frank Rowesome Jr. week gave me hell for throwing my money away on such a piece of junk.

Feature Article: 12 With the help of a cousin, I got the car back to the factory parking lot and began taking it apart. I junked the Early NASCAR Days fenders, top, running boards, 4 banger, radiator, etc. By this time, my summer servitude was over and I hooked the tow bar to my “junk” and pulled it back to Miami behind my Chevy. Classifieds: 13- 15 Once I was back in Miami, I had a real good after school job for two years as a doorman for an expensive restaurant working tips only and had money running out of my ears. I built a big Merc engine, converted it to juice brakes and drove the crap out of it to school, midnight drags, and all kinds of cool stuff. I kept the car until I sold it when I went in the army during the Korean War and haven’t heard anything about it since.

—— Joe Smith

Editor’s Note: I have been waiting 4-5 years for this month’s cover story! On curves ahead June’s When Barry and I purchased the ’37, my brother-in-law in Tampa Remember, mentioned quite a few times about a Ford antique parts dealer in Anniversaries Marietta that a lot of his friends in Florida always talked about sonny ordering their parts from. Bill gave Barry the phone number and website of 6/1 J.W. & Nell Bailey Joe Smith’s Automotives. Barry and I quickly went on the website, looked That rabbit's foot 6/1 Ronald & Martha Degges around a bit, and then ordered a catalog. (As much as I love the Didn't save 6/4 James & Gayle Knowlson internet, nothing beats good ole paper and ink!) A few weeks later, we got the 6/5 Don & Betty Morris catalog in the mail. The 6/18 George & Nell Howarth 6/24 Luther & Peggy Garrett On the cover is the picture that you see on the front of this issue of bunny 6/24 George & Claire Rawlings the Runningboard. If you know me and my imagination, all kinds of things were Burma- 6/26 John & Mary Pollock going through my mind….Is that the real Joe Smith or is it just a picture with a 6/26 Kelly & Michael Hintz Ford that they found for the catalog? Does he still own the car? Could it be in Shave 6/27 Bill & Hazel Leach the showroom of the part’s store in Marietta? Where was the picture taken? Are there any good stories behind the car? A Special Congratula- A month or two later after we purchased the ‘37, Barry and I decided Attention: tions to Bob & to completely rebuild the engine. Since Barry usually works 2nd or 3rd shift If your Birthday through the week and I am self-employed and work from home, we decided or Anniversary that I would be the one to go up to Joe’s with the list of things needed for the was left out or rebuild. Once I get there, I met Hank Young, very nice guy, who ended up listed wrong, Please I truly feel that there are as helping Barry and I a lot on the engine rebuild. But still it was not Joe, I had to forgive me in advance, but many ways of loving as there are wait about two more years to finely catch up with Joe. also drop me a note, or people in the world and as there are give me a call so you will days in the lives of those people. I am so glad that Joe has decided to go back in the parts business be added to the next list and re-join the RG #24 and participate with the club. For more information correctly! --Dr. Mary Calderone about Joe’s new location and phone number see his ad in the classified sec- tion of the Runningboard. The name has changed but the quality and service The Editor of The Running have not! Joe Smith’s Flathead and Street Rod Parts! Welcome Back Joe! Board Newsletter Let’s Welcome Our New Members! I have also included another story that I have been wanting to share June’s for a while. When RG #24 had the Raffle Engines at Dawsonville’s Moonshine Festival this past fall, Barry and I went to help out, we drove the ‘37. It was Birthdays parked not too far away from the raffle ticket area. I remember stepping over for a coat or something out of the back of the car, and I noticed this man that 6/2 Kathy Kennemore came up to me, he had the biggest smile when he learned that it was my car. 6/3 Julie Ingram David Jenkins We spoke a few words, and chatted about ’37 Fords and then I went back to 6/3 Betty Duncan GA the tent, and did not think too much more about the incident. A little later in the 6/4 Janelle Hatcher 1956 Lincoln Mark II day, the same man came to me and started talking again, and showing me 6/5 Betty Haven 1959 Lincoln Cont. pictures of a ’37 racing on a beach. It took me awhile to really understand that 6/5 Chuck Smith ——————- he was the guy racing on the beach at Daytona! The car was a ’37 being raced 6/7 Betty Morris Jody & Paula Pierce in 1938. His name was Marion McDonald, but he told me everyone calls me 6/8 Ann Silver Snellville, Ga. “Mad”, Mad Marion McDonald! My mind could not comprehend that he was 6/10 Lawrence Garrett —————— talking about himself, I thought it was his dad or someone he knew. He was 6/11 Judy Lawson Mickey & D’Ann Pugh full of stories, I truly enjoyed our talk. 6/13 Katie Lindquist Buford, Ga. 1933 Ford Pickup 6/15 Robert Padovano I have filled this issue about stories of vintage auto racing, stock car 6/15 Jimmy Hopkins racing and NASCAR. Since the front cover is from 1950 I thought it would be 6/17 Bob Butler Sunshine Report!! neat to travel back in time, there is trivia quiz, and interesting tidbits of the era, 6/17 Daryl Williamson Mary Ann Padovano there are several small articles of fads from the 50s (Hula-Hoops, Telephone 6/20 James Dorsey has volunteered be The Cramming, Chlorophyll, the Color Pink)! Hope You Enjoy! 6/26 Peggy Davis Sunshine Committee for 6/27 Ann Butler the club. She will Best Wishes coordinate all information about Julie Ann Knott My grandfather once told me illnesses, surgeries and such, send that there were two kinds of Editor, The Running Board cards, and notify the Running Board people: those who do the Editor about the information work and those who take the P.S. Hope to see you all at the pertaining to fellow club members. Eastern National Meet! credit. He told me to try to be in the first group; there was If you have information that needs to be reported to Mary Ann please much less competition. --Indira Gandhi contact her @ 770-978-7555. Visit Us On The Web at http://clubs.hemmings.com/garg Georgia Regional Group #24 EFV8CA Treasurer’s Report Meeting Minutes, May 3rd 2005 EARLY FORD V-8 CLUB GEORGIA REGIONAL GROUP #24 Hosted by Jerry Wilson of FEB 28, 2005 through APRIL 28, 2005 Joe Smith Early Ford & Hot Rod Parts, Inc ORDINARY INCOME / EXPENSE

President Lindquist called the meeting to order at 7:30. INCOME:

Doug Smith gave the invocation. BANK TRANSACTIONS President Lindquist led the Pledge of Allegiance SERVICE CHARGE SERVICE CHARGE $6.00 Guest Dave Dober was welcomed by president Lindquist. TOTAL -$6.00 New members Jody Pierce and David Jenkins we approved, welcome guys. CLUB DUES National director Jerry Reichel reported some problems with the V8 Times, all 2005 DUES $820.00 magazine and membership problems are to be directed to Cornerstone, their National Dues $90.00 toll free number is 866-427-7583. TOTAL $910.00 V8 Times correspondent Burns Cox again reports expected good coverage for FUND RAISING BIRD HOUSE $20.00 RG24 activities. NAME TAGS $24.00 Runningboard editor Julie Knott needs recipes for the cookbook for the VALENTINE PARTY $715.00 national meet, she also needs Ga. or Ala, tags for her birdhouses. CLOTHING & ACCES. SALES $0.00 Treasurer Bob Schwartz reported membership is at an all time high for 2005, 2005 MEET RAFFLE TKSTO BE TRANSFERRED $2,641.00 TOTAL INCOME $4,304.00 many new members are due to the exposure the raffle engines are bringing. V.P. Bob Padovano announced the June meeting will be at Mike and Cindy EXPENSE Coggins. MEETING REFRESHMENTS $143.55 Upcoming tours, Sunday May 15th at the downtown Varsity, meet at 2:00, VALENTINE PARTY $714.40 th NATIONAL DUES TO NATIONAL $120.00 Don Morris announced the club picnic will be Aug 13 at Gaults Ferry, bring Newsletter Supplies TONER $473.77 your old car, more details to follow. Newsletter Mailing $104.96 A tour of the Fox Theatre is being planned for Sept 24th , watch for details. 2004 PHOTOS EXPENSE $373.64 Wayne Hicks is planning a [cruise-in] in Tucker, watch for details. CLUB CAR INSURANCE $139.00 CLUB CAR TOWING $188.00 Eastern National meet is fast approaching, volunteers need not be registered, CLUB CAR TAGS $23.53 chairman Lamar Hart reports [ELVIS IS IN THE BUILDING] VALENTINE PARTY —- FLOWERS $64.30 President Lindquist announced that Maryann Padovano is the club “sunshine TOTAL EXPENSE $2,345.15 lady”. NET INCOME $1,958.85 President Lindquist thanked host Jerry Wilson and his crew. Being no further business the meeting was adjourned. ASSETS CHECKING BALANCE 4/29/2005 $5,323.77 Attendees: Robert Ralston, Jerry Reichel, Charley Adams, Bob Schwartz, CD #1 INVESTED 9/28/2004 $5,000.00 Loans of CD to 2005 Meet $5,444.28 $0.00 Rod Hill, Julie Ann Knott, Bob Mobley, Doug Smith, Bill Bellinger, David Posey, Joe Smith, Harold Smith, Wayne Hicks, Jerry Grayson, Harold Thompson, GRAND TOTAL $12,282.62 Burns Cox, Jim Duggan, George Rawlins, Roy Watson, Don Morris, David Jumper, Rick Wilson, George Missbach, Keith Strickland, Bob Padovano, 50s Fads—-HULA HOOP Morris Bailey, Mike & Cindy Coggins, Jerry Wilson, Cleve McAfee, Fred Lindquist, Marcus Bailey. Total 31 People In Attendance Respectfully submitted: Jerry Reichel, secretary. Richard Knerr and Arthur "Spud" Melin, founders of the Wham-O Company, are the architects of the biggest fad of all time - the hula hoop! Here Is A Couple of Funnies! At Sunday School they were teaching 50s Fad—Think Pink! In 1957, an Australian visiting California told them, quite casually, that in how God created everything, including his home country, children twirled bamboo hoops around their waists in human beings. Little Johnny seemed Formerly considered a "girlish" gym class. Most of us would have thought, "how nice" but for Knerr and especially interested when they told him color, pink invaded men's wear. Melin an idea spawned. how Eve was created out of one of Yessir, pilgrims, even real tough Adam's ribs. Later in the week his mother hombres were donning pink ties, They understood how popular such an item could be and proceeded to noticed him lying down as though he shirts, and bathrobes. Serious cor- manufacture one made of plastic, Marlex specifically, a lightweight but were ill, and said, "Johnny what is the porate types could be seen wearing durable plastic then recently invented by Phillips Petroleum. matter?" Little Johnny responded, "I have pink under their grey flannel suits. a pain in my side. I think I'm going to This display of sartorial splendor The name "hula hoop" came from the Hawaiian dance its users seemed have a wife." was a radical departure from the to imitate. drab neutral colors that once limited Talk about sales! Wham-O sold 25 million hula hoops in two months. Little Johnny watched, fascinated, as his men's clothing choices. mother gently rubbed cold cream on her Almost 100 million international orders followed. They were manufacturing 20,000 hoops a day at the peak of popularity. face. "Why are you rubbing cold cream Pink was everywhere. There were on your face, Mommy?" he asked. "To pink bathrooms with accessories to Not all nations thought this was such a spiffy idea. Japan banned the make myself beautiful," said his mother. match, pink cosmetics and of hoops thinking they might promote improprieties. The Soviet Union said A few minutes later, she began removing course, the ubiquitous pink poodle. the cream with a tissue. "What's the mat- And then there was Elvis with his the hula hoop was an example of the "emptiness of American culture." ter?" asked Little Johnny. "Giving up?" famous pink 's. Well, okay, maybe they had a point there :>) 1950 History Trivia “Mad” Marion “Mac” McDonald: Marion McDonald was raised in a home built We all now know what Joe Smith was doing in 1950, now let’s in 1887 at McDonald Station, Florida and see how much you remember! learned to drive in the family orange groves. "One day I hit the railroad tracks and my car 1. The infamous Brinks Robbery in 1950 where $2.8 million was stolen in 17 jumped a four-foot gate on the other side. minutes, occurred in what city? After that I never opened that gate again, " Boston New York he said.

2. "Old soldiers never die...they just fade away," was said by... In 1938 Mac went to work at Bill France's gas station in Daytona Beach, and that same year he entered the time trials for the beach-road race. In a Gen. Dwight Eisenhower 74 - mph dash, he posted a time two mph faster than France. At age 21 he Gen. Omar Bradley entered the race driving his personal car, a 1937 yellow Ford Phaeton (No. 14). Mac was tied into the car with a rope and carried an open knife taped Gen. Douglas MacArthur to the dash to free himself in an emergency.

3. Catcher in the Rye's portrayal of Holden Caufield's 16 year old life was a During one Mac grabbed a hamburger from one of his pit crew. huge success. Who wrote the book? The fans were amused to see Mac racing into the North Turn and down Herman Wouk J.D. Salinger William Faulkner A1A eating a hamburger. One fan remarked, "Look at that madman eating lunch while driving in a race," and Marion McDonald became "Mad" Marion McDonald. 4. In 1952, the now longest running daytime drama moves from radio to TV.

Which soap? As he sped down the beach on a later lap, Mac came up on a car stalled Days of Our Lives General Hospital Guiding Light across the North Turn. The driver was out of the car and running across the track toward safety. To avoid hitting him, Mac took the high side, 5. In 1952 Richard Nixon makes one of what will be many speeches in answer climbed the dunes on two wheels, and drove on. He discovered that taking to allegations against him. This one is called the "Checkers" speech which the turn on two wheels improved his speed and began entering the turns refers to ... more often than not on two wheels. His daredevil style delighted the fans, but Mac describes it as "just Sunday afternoon driving." A cocker spaniel dog The game of politics A favorite pas- time Mad Marion raced the beach course in 1938 and 1939. He got married in 6. In 1953 Edmund Hilary and Tenzing Norgay become the first humans to... 1940 and at the request of his bride Break the sound barrier Summit Mt. Everest Run a 4 minute tried to settle down. But the roar of the mile engines was too strong, and without his wife's knowledge, Mac raced the Florida short tracks in a 1935 Ford 7. Francis Watson and James Crick become famous for discovering... nicknamed the White Ghost. The polio vaccine The transitor The "double helix" of DNA McDonald's last race was in Casselberry in 1946, and he still has 8. In 1954, the landmark case Brown v. Board of Education was about... vivid memories of the crash that ended his racing career. "A car in front of me hit a guardrail, and the rail came through my windshield and out the School segregation School sports Affirmative action back window. It just kept coming and coming." Mac escaped without serious injury, but even today he flashes back to that guardrail. After the 9. Nash-Kelvinator and Hudson Motor Car Co. merge to form... Casselberry race, Mad Marion retired from racing and became a General Motors American Motors gentleman farmer.

Mac's racing skills were 10. Hold the pickle! Hold the lettuce! The first ______opens in 1954. unexpectedly revived in 1973. Burger King Pizza Hut McDonalds On February 27 he was driv- ing on Florida State Road 15 11. Psychologist Joyce Brothers won the $64,000 Question. What was her when a station wagon with topic? two women and two small boys overturned in a ditch. A Eastern philosophy American literature Boxing three-year-old boy was pinned under the crankcase with four inches of clearance. Mac tried to dig under 12. In 1955, Congress authorizes all US currency and coins to say... the boy but failed; he tried to flag help, but again failed. He drove his truck through the mud and up the steep canal bank, lowered the power lift tail In God We Trust of America Liberty gate, backed under the car, raised the front, and pulled the child to safety. He received a commendation from the Florida Highway Patrol for his 13. Rosa Parks' refusal to give up her seat on a bus led to a Supreme Court heroic action. Marion McDonald lives with his wife, Mary, in Port Orange, decision outlawing bus segregation. Where did this happen? Florida and is a member of the Living Legends of Auto Racing Things To Do, Places To July’s Monthly Meeting Go, People To See! Date: Saturday, July 2nd Time: 10:00 AM June 10-11 Cartersville, GA Gas Light Location: Melvin’s Classic Ford Parts Friday Night 30th Annual CHVA Southeastern National 1521 Dogwood Drive Show at Cartersville High School on Saturday Info: Ken Conyers, Ga 30012 Phone: 770-761-6800 Barrett (770) 424-7639 or Tom Evans 770-386-3929 From Atlanta: Take I-20 East to Exit #80 (West Avenue), Turn Left June 11th Monroe GA Crepe Myrtle Festival Antique Car & 2nd Traffic Light (Dogwood Drive), Turn Left, Tractor Cruise In at Criswell Park on Hwy 11 Info: CMF 770 1/2 mile on you right. -868-5137 or Melanie 770-267-0923

Map for driving tour for the Blue Willow Inn will be distributed at the June 21-24 Hiawassee GA Early Ford V8 Club of America meeting. (Try and bring your old Ford!) 2005 Eastern National Meet Info: Lamar Hart 770-496-9928

Lunch will be at the Blue Willow Inn Restaurant in Social Circle following the Recap: Meeting.

SMOKE RISE Date: Saturday, July 2nd Time: After the Meeting (Around 1:00) BASPTIST Location: Blue Willow Inn Restaurant CHURCH CAR 294 North Cherokee Road (GA Hwy 11) Social Circle, Ga. Phone: 770-464-2131 SHOW 50s Fads Chlorophyll The Smoke Rise Baptist Church held its annual Beat odor. I figured your first question would car show on Saturday May 7. Georgia Regional Group #24 be - what is that supposed to do for you? And the member Doug Hollandsworth organized the first show answer is that it was widely believed that seven years ago. The show has continued to grow each chlorophyll eliminated bad smells. So they added year and there were about 100 entries this year. There is a it to every kind of product imaginable. The picture desired shady parking spot under a tree that some to the right just suggests the variety and number members arrive early in order to park their in this of items to which chlorophyll became a coveted location. The tree has grown each year, so the promotable ingredient. shade increases each year. This year Harold Thompson, Yes, chlorophyll is the stuff that makes registration no. 2, and Doug Hollandsworth, registration no. plants green. Today many people still tout the 3, both were parked in the shade, but they had to arrive a benefits of it for health. No, I don't think you can 7:30 A.M. to get their spot. just go out and eat a shrub and get the same

result. Georgia regional Group #24 had a good turnout While not engaging in the debate of for the show with a number of Fords and also a Hudson. chlorophyll's therapeutic properties, suffice it to Many registrants won the nice door prizes that were say that it sold well. Until "The Journal of the awarded. Ray & Barbara Allen won the award for the best American Medical Association" pointed out grazing goats virtually live on chlorophyll and antique with their 1939 Ford convertible. Wayne & Joy they smell bad just the same. And that's all she wrote on that one! Hicks won the best street rod award for their 1939 coupe. Bill Leach won the best hot rod award for his 1932 three window coupe. Telephone Cramming: Oddly enough, this fad began in South Africa, spread to England and then in 1959 went straight to - California! The following individuals won a top 50 award: The idea was to cram as many people as possible into a Doug Hollandsworth, 1950 Ford convertible; Bill Leach, telephone booth. A competition sport, cramming soon spread across 1939 Ford tudor; Bob Leach, 1967 Ford; Fred Lindquist, college campuses as each one tried to set a new record. 1939 Ford coupe; Grady Green, 1940 Ford coupe; Jimmy & Sometimes called Telephone Box Squash, there were very few Sharon Dorsey, 1984 Mustang. In addition, the following rules except that it was widely accepted that the booth must still members were also in attendance: Harold Thompson, 1940 contain a phone. Under British rules, you had to be able to be able to Ford coupe; Bob Butler, 1951 Hudson; Bob Padovano, either place or receive a call, but that did not apply anywhere else. The 1951 Ford tudor; Morris Bailey; David Jumper; Lamar Hart. door was left open and only half of a person must be inside the booth A big thank you goes to members Jimmy & Sharon Dorsey to be counted. And the booth had to upright. who were in charge of the show. The South African record of 25 people withstood all challengers. The English only made it to19 and hey, they had wider booths. A Canadian group made it to Everyone enjoyed the show and was able to see 40 but the booth was on its side and so that figure was discounted. a lot of nice cars there. Mark your calendar to attend this As for the spirit that built the West - the most efficient bunch we had was a group at St. show next year. If you want a shady parking spot, you will Mary's College in Moraga, California. (Pictured above) In an effort to beat the South African have to arrive before Harold & Doug though. record, they managed to cram 22 people in a booth. Well, you can't win them all. Cramming expanded into other venues and VW Beetle cramming enjoyed a brief Submitted by Fred Lindquist popularity. But like all good fads, this one ended rather quickly. The V-8 Ladies The Recipe Box Glove Box Asian Beef Skewers 3 tbsp hoi sin sauce 3 tbsp sherry 1/4 cup soy sauce 1 tsp barbeque sauce 2 green onions, chopped 2 cloves garlic, minced Living 1 tbsp minced fresh ginger root 1 1/2 pounds flank steak Legend of Skewers Auto In a small bowl, mix together hoisin sauce, sherry, soy sauce, barbeque sauce, green onions, Racing: garlic, and ginger. Cut flank steak across grain on a diagonal into 1/4 inch slices. Place slices in a 1 gallon resealable plastic bag. Pour hoisin sauce mixture over slices, and mix well.

Vicki Wood Refrigerate 2 hours, or overnight. Preheat an outdoor grill for high heat. Discard marinade, and thread steak on skewers. Oil the grill grate. Grill skewers 3 minutes per side, or to There's a lot to be said for women drivers, and Vicki desired doneness. Wood has said quite a bit. But she knows what she's Note:Hoisin Sauce also called Peking sauce, is a thick, reddish-brown sauce that is sweet talking about. She has watched both men and women racers, and spicy, and widely used in Chinese cooking. It's a mixture of soybeans, garlic, chile and she has driven with them and against them. peppers and various spices. It can be found in Asian markets and many large supermarkets. Vicki stands 5'3" inches tall and weighs in at 136 Look in the Asian or ethnic section. If this item is not in stock at your local store, ask your pounds. Her start in racing followed a trip to the local track in grocer to special order it for you. Most grocers will be happy to do this for their customers. . Vicki recalls that during the powder puff race she commented to her husband, Skeeter, "If I couldn't drive any better than that, I'd quit." The next trip to the track, Skeeter took her into the pit area, pointed to a car, and said, "That's The Blue Willow Inn Restaurant your car." She finished ninth. Skeeter also influenced Vicki's driving style. He told her The Blue Willow Inn is located in the heart of the historic that when she approached two cars if she could not get district of Social Circle. through on the inside or outside, she should go Every time you enter the formal hall of the between them and they would move apart. "I did as he said," magnificent Greek Revival mansion or are seated in one Vicki recalls, "but when they saw my car between them, they of the elegantly appointed dining rooms you have the both closed in and all three of us sat out the race." feeling of dining in the ante-bellum South in its glorious past. Seconds and even thirds are At the beach in 1958 Vicki drove the same car as a well encouraged in the bountiful array of Southern dishes. "To die for Southern Fried Chicken" known male driver. He drove the car to an average speed of and nationally acclaimed fried green tomatoes are a must for each guest. 139 miles per hour with a one-way run of 142 mph. Then After dining, guest are encouraged to linger and rock in the oversized rockers on the came Vicki's turn. Her average speed was only 136 miles per front porch or relax poolside with the refreshing sounds of the fountains. The Blue Willow Inn hour, but her top one-way run was 143. Gift Shop located poolside is the perfect setting for browsing and shopping for that special gift Between 1955 and 1960 Vicki set records on the beach or memento of your visit to the Blue Willow. Featuring gifts from local artisans to international -road course. In three of those years she recorded times selections, the gift shop is a must for every visitor to the Blue Willow Inn. faster than any of the men. In 1960 she drove a Lewis Grizzard's legendary column, published nationwide proclaimed "Every dish one-way record speed of 150.375 miles per hour. was authentic and delicious." Lewis Grizzard gave the Blue Willow Inn his "absolute highest Vicki's name is still in the NASCAR record books. She mark, 5 bowls of turnipgreens". Such publications as Southern Living, A Taste of Home was third in the two-way flying mile in 1955 with an Gourmet Magazine, USA Today, Food & Wine Magazine, Guideposts and regional average speed of 125.838. In 1956 she was second with a publications have established the Blue Willow Inn Restaurant as the South's finest Southern speed of 136.081. That same year she had the fastest Cooking restaurant. CNN Travel Series featured the Blue Willow Inn Restaurant as one of the one-way run in measured mile history -- 143.827. In 1958 "Best in the South" in Southern Living Readers' Choice Award. and 1959 she won the Pure Oil Performance Trials in the Since opening in 1991 the Blue Willow Inn Restaurant has quickly become one of passing test against male competition, and in 1959 set a new the finest examples of authentic Southern cooking. Proprietors Louis and Billie Van Dyke treat (all drivers) measured mile record of 147.420. She holds the each customer as if they were guests in the Van Dyke's home. Gracious Southern Hospitality woman's record for the measured mile (150.375), the is the standard for all at the Blue Willow Inn. woman's record at Daytona International Speedway Whether dressing for the theatre or casually touring the area you are invited to enjoy (130.379) and the woman's record at Atlanta International the Blue Willow's Southern feast. No one is allowed to leave hungry after feasting on a variety Raceway (121.30). of Southern salads, meats, vegetables, breads and desserts. Along with your meal enjoy Even today there is nothing slow about Vicki Wood. On sweetened iced tea, the "champagne of the South", and real lemonade a recent trip to Las Vegas, Vicki was riding with friends on a The mansion is decorated in deep greens and burgundies which are complemented long, straight, modern highway. The husband of one of the by antique furnishings and accessories. The walls are adorned with fine art and part of the women was driving 90 mph when this 81-year-old Van Dyke's Blue Willow dish collection. The Van Dykes have been amateur collectors of the grandmother smiled and said, "I thought you said you could Blue Willow pattern china since the early 1970s, and their fondness of this pattern resulted in drive fast." the name of the restaurant, the Blue Willow Inn. The tables are set with Blue Willow china Vicki lives in West Palm Beach and can often be and adorned with fresh-cut flowers. The Walton Room is the buffet service area, and the Southern buffets served in the found at Living Legend Of Auto Racing events. If you would like to learn more about some of the first women Walton Room are served in a catered style. Guest choose from an array of four to five in auto racing please visit this website: meats, nine to ten vegetables prepared Southern style, soup, chicken and dumplings, salad www.legendsofautoracing.com fixings and home made biscuits, muffins and cornbread. Last but not least is a delicious spread of pies, cobblers, puddings and cakes. In 1955, and Ford, Evolution of a stock car: Part II mirroring their intense spirit of competition that's displayed in 2001, also had It all started with races on the famed Daytona factory-backed programs. But it was beach/road course in the late 1940's. Throughout Chevrolet's introduction of the 355-cubic inch the 53-year history of NASCAR, its race cars have "small block" V8 engine that was one of the been transformed from road-going, lumbering true most significant developments in the history "stock" cars into the sleek, technologically of stock car racing. That engine, with very advanced machines that we see today on minor changes, is still in use by General Evolution of the stock car: Part I ultra-modern speedways. In tracing the evolution of Motors race teams across the country in the cars that we know today as the Winston Cup most racing series. Throughout the 53-year history of NASCAR, Series, it's necessary to go back to the beginnings Through this period, Marshall its race cars have been transformed from road-going, of NASCAR and its "Strictly Stock Division." Teague of Daytona Beach, one of racing's lumbering true "stock" cars into the sleek, true innovators who was largely credited with technologically advanced machines that we see today bringing the on ultra-modern speedways. In tracing the evolution For a certain number of years, that concept of the cars that we know today as the Winston Cup certainly worked and, through the support of fans, and Pure Oil into racing, pioneered the use of Series, it's necessary to go back to the beginnings of competitors and manufacturers, it continued to Chevrolet truck spindles and suspension NASCAR and its "Strictly Stock Division." thrive. But the variety of race tracks in use and the parts when he was competing in AAA stock When NASCAR was formed in 1948, there car racing. The giveaway that a car was was a definite shortage of new cars in the post-war intensity of the competition level necessitated era. The feeling was that race fans wouldn't stand for various modifications. While many of these were running the heavier axles and beefier new cars being beat up on a race track while they instituted "in the interest of safety," manufacturers suspension components was a six-lugged were driving a rattletrap pre-war automobile, so wheel, not the typical five-lugged version. "Modified" cars were the early staple of NASCAR found that there were ways to integrate "high racing. performance" parts and pieces into their main- unveiled a major coup in However, in 1949, NASCAR president Bill stream production line, thereby making these "hot" 1957 when it had finned aluminum brake France Sr. re-visited the idea of racing the cars that parts eligible for use in Grand National racing, the drums on its Buick Roadmaster. The car, people actually drove on the street -- late model made famous by , used a family sedans. Since no other racing organization had forerunner of the Winston Cup Series. seized the idea, France figured it might take root and braking system that dissipated heat more create added interest. One of the first items produced specifically for stock efficiently due to the use of aluminum and the The success of the modern Winston Cup finned design. Series proves he was correct. From the racers' car racing was a racing tire manufactured and perspective, putting a race car together was not a distributed by the Pure Oil Company in 1952. Prior As the decade of the 1950s began high-dollar deal. If a brand-new Buick sold for about to that time, street tires were all that were available to come to close and the super speedway $4,000, due to the lack of modification that could be for racing applications. era was about to dawn; GM made a major done to it, the car could be raced for very little more of change to the frame design of its cars in an investment. In some instances, rental cars were actually Not everything that was developed through this 1958. It debuted an "x-frame" design with a used as race cars by point-chasing drivers who had period was an integral part of the cars themselves. coil spring rear suspension, departing from no locked-in "ride" for an event. Cars were typically Two-way radios were first used in a NASCAR race the "box frame" with leaf spring rear either driven to the track or "flat-towed" behind suspension that was more popular and better pick-ups and family sedans. at the 1952 Modified-Sportsman race on the beach/ Other than tweaking and tuning of the road course at Daytona Beach, Fla. Their use understood by the racers. engine, nothing could be done to these early Strictly developed until they became an indispensable Consequently, very few 1958 Stock cars. The window glass front, back and sides were used; particularly early in was intact. Ropes and aircraft harnesses were used piece of equipment on a Grand National race car. as seat belts. Roll bars -- which were mandated in the season, as the racers chose to go with 1952 -- were neither required nor often installed. In the early 1950s roll cages also made more of a what they were familiar with. However, One thing the strictly stock designation en- widespread appearance. won the 1952 innovative mechanic Henry "Smokey" Yunick couraged was a great diversity of manufacturers on had the system figured out and driver Paul the track. The first official Strictly Stock Division race Modified-Sportsman race in Daytona Beach, but had nine makes come to the line, including Buick, was disqualified due to his roll cage being made of Goldsmith won the final beach/road course Cadillac, Chrysler, Ford, Hudson, Kaiser, Lincoln, wood. Although some novel uses of bed frames race, using a 1958 with the new Mercury and . and other iron devices were created for roll bars, design. Some of the biggest problems were tire; The newer setup would prove to be wheel and suspension failures brought on by stresses their use stiffened race car chassis and improved that were atypical of normal road use. These con- cars' performance. the "hot tip" on the big tracks that would cerns brought about novel solutions such as one de- begin to open with the advent of Daytona tailed by two-time Grand National (forerunner of International Speedway in 1959. It was the Winston Cup) champion Tim Flock, who described a One of the first major changes in race car trap door in the floorboard of his race car that he development came in 1953, when the Oldsmobile, next step in the ongoing evolution of the could open with a chain to check right front tire wear. Lincoln and Hudson car companies introduced Winston Cup stock car. "When the white cord was showing, we had about one or two laps left before the tire would blow," "severe usage" kits, primarily composed of said Flock of the 'early-warning system.' suspension parts, in response to an alarming spate Flathead Fords and Due to the rough-surfaced dirt tracks that of failures to spindles, hubs, axles and other Nostalgia Drag Racing were predominant in the early days of the sport, the suspension pieces. only modification that was allowed was a reinforcing steel plate on the right front wheel to prevent lug nuts The 's flathead V8 was from pulling through the rims on conventional wheels. The manufacturers were also discovering that they at the very root of drag racing when in 1949 Otherwise, racing stock cars in the early could introduce high performance options in their a pair of Merc-powered hot rods clutched off days of the sport was very much a seat of the pants street cars that would make them eligible for the endeavor. But it was one that spawned innumerable at Goleta in the first organized drag race. legends of drivers who created them, literally, with race track. Hudson's "Twin H" carburetor setup was Despite all odds, it's still around, but even its their own hands, feet and indomitable wills and one such tweak that Hudson drivers used to win 22 courage. "modern" replacements are now out of date of 37 races in 1953. nostalgia pieces. Mercury added a twist to the manufacturers' battle While much of the mystique of Evolution of a stock car: Part III when it entered racing in a bigger way in 1963 with its this engine was as much hype as it was Marauder model. Bill Stroppe, the West Coast's fact, at the time Ford claimed it spent $1 While a "super speedway boom" occurred answer to Holman & Moody, handled the Mercury million chasing the development curve on from 1959 to the early 1960s, with no less than four major speedways being built in Daytona Beach, Fla.; competition program with a similar assembly line Chevy's power plant. , Hanford, Calif.; Concord, N.C.; and Hampton, Ga.; the approach. Unknown newcomer Billy Wade swept four driving Fox's 1963 Chevrolet, sat on a lot automobile manufacturers -- who had signed an straight races in 1964 driving a Mercury. of front rows with the combination, but as agreement that "got them out" of racing in 1957, gradually realized that to sell new cars, it certainly Mercury prompted the switch of legendary had often been the case with other potent helped to win races. NASCAR car owner Bud Moore to the Ford Motor Co. mixes, in most cases the car was either a Despite accruing the knowledge of what it camp when Moore -- in the absence of significant top-5 finisher or it broke. took to win Grand National races, the period was support from General Motors -- switched from Pontiac interesting in that both engine and body configurations went through several "generations" and radical to Mercury. Weatherly took the 1963 championship Among the team's accomplish- changes as race cars, by and large, matched what was but had to pick-up rides for most of the year. Ford ments in 1963 was sweeping the front pushed in the showrooms by the manufacturers. scored another coup when it grabbed Fireball Rob- row for the Firecracker 400 at Daytona One of the most interesting occurrences in erts, who won his first race for Ford in 1963 at Bristol International Speedway, with Johnson 1959 came when the Ford Motor Company abandoned its "top of the line" Galaxy model to use its (Tenn.) Motor Speedway. The swapping of personnel and G.C. Spencer doing the honors. Thunderbird as the race car of choice. The Galaxy was is one part of stock car evolution that has been a fairly bulky car that year, so Holman & Moody, Ford's around since the beginning. The "engine wars" reached a acknowledged racing arm, built a "fleet" of T-Birds to compete in Grand National racing, the forerunner of the peak when in 1964 brought Winston Cup Series. Shock development, which today is acknowledged as a hemispherical combustion The T-Bird was lower and sleeker than the critical to race car performance, also experienced chamber engine, or "hemi," and cleaned Galaxy but it still fell within the dimensional parameters more emphasis in the early 1960s. The popular "Air house at Daytona, including winning the set in the NASCAR rules...even though the car had been created as a "sports car" that was designed to Lift" shocks were being phased out and Monroe and first of seven Daytona 500s. The compete with Chevrolet's Corvette. Gabriel became heavily involved in shock Plymouth and body styles had Although the T-Bird continued to compete, development for racing applications. been streamlined somewhat first. The Ford returned to its "premier" Galaxy Starliner model in hemis: Plymouth's "Super-Commando" 1960. Conventional, full frame cars were still the Tire development also continued. Firestone was the and Dodge's "Hemi-Charger" now had norm as purpose-built tube frame race cars were still dominant tire company, but Goodyear was involved to an appropriate platform in which to sit. out on the Grand National horizon. Stories of race a limited degree. Increasing speeds made these teams -- as 's did in 1960 to win the -- picking up cars from showrooms only days be- developments important. The end of this period also The engine had first been fore races and converting them to race cars were brought an end to one unique item. Through the early produced in the early 1950s, but had commonplace. 1960s, Lorenzen still used a trap door in the driver's been shelved with the AMA ban in 1956. In the General Motors' camp, teams had compartment to check tire wear. By 1965, however, Chrysler engineers also came up with a figured out the coil spring rear suspension setup that was introduced in 1958 and virtually everyone was nobody used the device that was once a favorite of double rocker arm system used in running the 1959 Chevrolet on the big tracks, where it dirt track competitors. conjunction with the hemi heads. This was particularly effective. This "light bulb" effect combination, which created a free- certainly led some to believe that the racers must have Another significant advance during this period breathing combustion chamber, produced gotten some suspension geometry help from Detroit, but the manufacturers were still laying pretty low due to occurred as roll cage structures began to become a a good bit of top end horsepower, the Automobile Manufacturers Association (AMA) more integral part of the car and as such, were used particularly on high-speed facilities. agreement that had disassociated them from the sport. to stiffen the chassis and improve a car's handling as Through this period, of course, innovation often was the answer to necessity, and with many well as serving as vital protection. Ford came back with its "tunnel NASCAR races still conducted on dirt tracks and with A variety of triangulated bars, from front to port" 427-cubic inch engine. And Ford pavement tracks sometimes coming apart, screens, back, across the mid-section of the car and also in the had a very well handling race car. grillwork and other protective devices were often de doors were as much to stiffen and strengthen the cars Following the Daytona 500, the fourth rigeur. The early days found race teams not necessarily locked-into a particular manufacturer's as they were to serve as protection. There was a point race of the season, Ford won 11 out model or even make. They were able to do some tremendous amount of flex inherent in the "x-frame" of the next 15 races -- 13 of which were amazing things with cars that looked particularly cars used in the 1958-60 period. was on short tracks. Plymouth and Dodge unwieldy to the naked eye: Witness the monstrous Oldsmobile with which won the inaugural one of the first car builders to use the roll cage as an won two races apiece in that stretch. Daytona 500, which was a somewhat tank-like ride. integral part of the car's chassis. Petty jumped back and forth between Chrysler and As was the case in many other Oldsmobile in that time, depending on which car was Ford had unleashed the flow of relatively open factory aspects of racing, NASCAR kept a close more suited to the task at hand. As the "superspeedway boom" era support when it repudiated the AMA agreement in eye on these developments and took continued, manufacturers began to pay more attention 1962. While General Motors remained mostly silent, action, as it became necessary. to aerodynamics. The 1963 Ford Fastback Galaxy was within a few weeks Chrysler announced it would The repercussions from that highlighted used in the manufacturer's literature and was develop "high performance" parts for stock car racing. the next period in the evolution of a stock advertised as a race car. The 1960-61 Starliner had what was actually an effectively aerodynamic roofline. car. In fact, with the 1962 car a pretty boxy proposition, Another big issue of this period was in the engine ran a 1962 Galaxy with a 1961 Ford compartment. Noted mechanic Fox was the roof in a one-shot deal for the Atlanta 500 -- and won They think they can make fuel the race in the car's only appearance. mastermind behind Chevrolet's so-called "mystery from horse manure. Now I don’t General Motors had a grip on the Grand engine," a 427-cubic inch "high lift" high performance know if your car will be able to get National championship in the early 1960s, with Rex piece that would replace the 409-cubic inch engine thirty miles to the gallon, but it’s White and winning titles in 1960-1961 in that was often referred to as a "boat anchor" because Chevrolets and copping the titles in sure gonna put a stop to 1962-1963 -- primarily in Pontiacs. In the 1961-1962 of its weight. Yunick, the other half of the legendary siphoning. season Pontiac won more races than any manufacturer mechanical pair that lived in Daytona Beach, was also - Billie Holliday in the history of the Grand National Division in involved in the development of that engine. consecutive years: 52. Tech Flathead Date Code Specialized Suspensions: On late model flatheads without the bell housing

Section: cast into the block, there is a code stamped on the right rear Hot Rods corner of the intake gasket face of the block which will give you the manufacturing date of your flathead Ford or Mercury. The classic American hot rod era lasted from You can see it with the intake manifold and heads still on the 1945 to about 1965. Like Baja Bugs, classic hot How to Help Your Car Keep Its Cool: rods required significant modification by their Clean, Flush, Refill engine. It consists of a series of a letter, a one or two digit number, and a second letter. The first letter is the month. The owners. Unlike Bugs, however, which are built number is the day, and the second letter is the last digit of the on Volkswagen chassis, hot rods were built on a 1. Begin with the engine cold and year. variety of old, often historical, car models: Cars ignition off. Remove the radiator The letter code is M=0, G=1, B=2, L=3, A=4, C=5, manufactured before 1945 were considered pressure cap. K=6, H=7, T=8, R=9, S=10, E=11, F=12. ideal fodder for hot rod transformations because 2. Open the petcock at the bottom of G 20 B would be an engine manufactured on their bodies and frames were often in good the radiator and drain the coolant January 20, 1952. shape, while their engines and transmissions into a bucket. As for the other styles of blocks, most folks can needed to be replaced completely. For hot rod 3. Close the petcock and fill the radia- identify the engine series if not the exact date of assembly. If enthusiasts, this was exactly what they wanted, tor with water. you can't, refer to one of the flathead books available or one for it allowed them to install more reliable and 4. Start the engine and turn the of the other flathead web sites. powerful engines, such as the flathead Ford V8 or the Chevrolet V8. heater control to hot. Add cooling Please remember that it is possible, even likely, that

system cleaner and idle the engine the year the engine was assembled will be the year before the One popular hot rod was known as the for 30 minutes (or as per the in- car's model year. Also, I have heard, but never verified, that if T-bucket because it was based on the Ford structions on container). Ford rebuilt an engine, they changed the date code to reflect the rebuild. I have seen flatheads on which the date code Model T. The stock Ford suspension on the front 5. Stop the engine and allow it to cool of the Model T consisted of a solid I-beam front for five minutes. Drain the system. appeared to be missing, although I suspect this is an artifact of time, rust, and/or machining. axle (a dependent suspension), a U-shaped 6. Close the petcock, fill the radiator The shiny reflection on this engine's surface is buggy spring (leaf spring) and a with water and let the engine idle where the date code is located. wishbone-shaped radius rod with a ball at the for five minutes. rear end that pivoted in a cup attached to the 7. Repeat step No.5. Close the transmission. Ford's engineers built the Model T petcock. to ride high with a large amount of suspension Install new 50/50 mixture of water and movement, an ideal design for the rough, ethylene glycol antifreeze/coolant. primitive roads of the 1930s.

Time for a But after World War II, hot rodders began ex- Change perimenting with larger Cadillac or Lincoln engines, which meant that the wishbone-shaped radius rod was no longer applicable. Instead, If you change your modern car's they removed the center ball and bolted the ends motor oil, you know how difficult it of the wishbone to the frame rails. This "split can be at times to remove the filter. wishbone" design lowered the front axle about 1 It's oily and slippery and the wrench inch (2.5 cm) and improved vehicle handling. doesn't get a good grip, so try this: Unclogging A Spray/Aerosol Can Lowering the axle more than an inch required a Place a strip of sandpaper between brand-new design, which was supplied by a the wrench and the filter to stop it company known as Bell Auto. Throughout the 1. Shake the can like it says in the from slipping. You'll be amazed at 1940s and 1950s, Bell Auto offered dropped instructions. Most say for two or how much easier and quicker the tube axles that lowered the car a full 5 inches more minutes. Look at a clock job goes. (13 cm). Tube axles were built from smooth, and shake it for two or more FULL steel tubing and balanced strength with superb Polishing Wheels and minutes, not the 20 seconds we THINK is long enough. Chrome Parts with aerodynamics. The steel surface also accepted Toothpaste chrome plating better than the forged I-beam 2 Turn the can upside down and give it a spray to clear the axles, so hot rodders often preferred them for nozzle. Most of the time there should only be air at this point. their aesthetic qualities, as well. Tip: When polishing aluminum or You are now ready to spray. chrome on your car, it is unnecessary to buy expensive Some hot rod enthusiasts, however, 3. When you are done spraying, turn it upside down and clear polish. You may just find that ordi- argued that the tube axle's rigidity and inability to the nozzle and pickup tube by spraying out all the paint that is nary, white toothpaste works just as flex compromised how it handled the stresses of in the tube and nozzle. Remember, the end of the tube is up in well. With just the right amount of driving. To accommodate this, hot rodders the propellant at the “bottom” of the can. It is like spraying air fine abrasives needed to clean teeth, introduced the four-bar suspension, using two through a spray gun when you clean it. THIS IS VERY mounting points on the axle and two on the it seems ideal for expensive wheels frame. At each mounting point, aircraft-style rod and chrome parts. It's also readily IMPORTANT! ends provided plenty of movement at all angles. available if you finish washing your The result? The four-bar system improved how car and then realize that you forgot If you do this EVERY time you use the can, you WILL use it till the suspension worked in all sorts of driving to stop by the local auto parts store. it is empty and never throw away a can for being clogged again. conditions. The Verse by the Side of the Road (The Story of the Burma-Shave Signs and Jingles) Chapter 6: By Frank Rowsome, Jr. Free-Free A Trip To Mars

Selling shaving cream by jingle may have been an odd way to Something about the road-sign operation seemed to invite the make a living, but it had its compensations. For one thing, the mail was full unexpected. Leonard recalls a time n the Thirties, posthole-digging his way of surprises, and Clinton Odell’s don’t-offend-people dictum meant that all across New England, when he had just completed the laborious installation complaints, however odd, had be judiciously considered. Not all complaints of OLD MCDONALD/ ON THE FARM/ SAHVED SO HARD/ HE BROKE HIS were acted on, though. THE WHALE/ PUT JONAH/ DOWN THE HATCH/ ARM/ THEN HE BOUGHT/ BURMA SHAVE. He was driving slowly past the BUT COUGHED HIM UP/ BECAUSE HE SCRATCHED drew criticism for signs to check them when he noticed from the mailbox, and verified from irreverence as well as indelicacy, but the signs stayed up. On the other Fidelia’s route list, that the farmer’s name was in fact McDonald. “I didn’t hand, to ease problems of lettering space for Kam’s signs, a little simplified know what to do. I figured that we probably ought to take down the whole spelling was employed experimentally— e.g., tonite, thot, sez—but it took set, even though it was getting on toward dark. Finally we nervously hunted only a few reprimands in the mail from English teachers to bring that to a him up. He was a big man, kind of solemn. When I explained, he just looked speedy end. And a minor classic of the thirties, NO LADY LIKES/ TO at me a long moment. Then he burst out laughing. Turned out that he got a DANCE/ OR DINE/ ACCOMPANIED BY/ A PORCUPINE, although it big kick out of it, and of course the whole neighborhood did too.” seemed wholly innocuous, drew an inflamed reproof composed on the In another case a sailor sent in a long letter. His sip had just letterhead of the Porcupine Club of Boston. We’ll have you know, the returned from an extended training cruise off Alaska, and he wished to re- executive secretary wrote in thin-lipped indignation, that our fraternal late a most remarkable occurrence, memorable to the several hundred organization gives frequent dances, attended by ladies who give every young trainees on board. They had been steaming above the Aleutians and, evidence of enjoying themselves. To Leonard Odell fell the task of sending the weather being favorable, had passed through the Bering Straits in to the a soothing response. After assurances of exceptional respect by the Bering Sea. Those off duty had gathered on deck during the passage Burma-Shave Company for porcupines everywhere, he explained that in through the Strait, with Big Diomede Island on the portside and beyond it the the New York Advertising Club he was personally a member of a subgroup mainland of Asia. Ice floes dotted the dark waters. As the ship nosed past a called the Exalted Order of Goats, and that, speaking as an ex-Grand large floe, those on deck were flabbergasted to see a familiar row of small Odor, he never felt badly about unfortunate references to namesakes. It red signs strung along the ice. Binoculars revealed that all but the last was a reply that appeared to mollify the Porcupines. sign—- which clearly said Burma-Shave—-were lettered eerily in the The mail was unpredictable. WITH GLAMOR GIRLS/ YOU’LL Russian alphabet. One sailor with a smattering of Russian announced that NEVER CLICK/ BEWHISKERED/ LIKE A/ BOLSHEVIK, appearing in the jingle appeared to make some Cyrillic witticism about polar bears. The 1940, brought an especially testy complaint. It was postmarked from New ship steamed slowly on, bearing several hundred baffled trainees. It was York City, with an address from a locality near Union Square. Keep up this only later that the explanation circulated through the ship’s company: the sort of thing, it rasped in Humphrey Bogart manner, and the old red herring signs had been planted, as an elaborate but thoroughly rewarding practical will really get you. Allan held this letter for some days, eyeing it uneasily. It joke, by the crew of a helicopter flying ahead on ice reconnaissance. was evidently still on his mind a week latter when, returning from lunch, he The friendly relationship between Burma-Shave and the U.S. found a parcel on his desk bearing a similar postmark. As he was opening Navy was reflected later, during Operation Deepfreeze in Antarctica. Would it gingerly, peering into a corner of its wrapping, he suddenly realized that it the company care to contribute some signs The Navy asked gravely, to ticked ominously. It took only a few strides for him to race to the mixing sustain the morale of the men stationed on that remote subcontinent? room down the hall and plunge the package into a tank of water. This Gosh, yes, Allan replied, enclosing a list of the sign sets then available. The reaction virtually convulsed the office and factory staff, all covertly three jingles chosen mirrored nicely the circumstances near the South Pole. watching, who had collaborated in assembling the package, and in One set was a public-service admonition on forest fires, and was erected on choosing an old alarm clock for the dangerous implications of its tick. a road from a airbase at McMurdo Sound some thousands miles from the Burdette Booth also remembered a moment of surprise. “We nearest combustible tree. A second set reflected the generally whiskery were on the Texas route, changing copy and giving out half-ounce tubes state prevailing: DEAR LOVER BOY/ YOUR PHOTO CAME/ BUT YOUR as sample. In Austin we noticed that some cartons of samples were DOGGONE BEARD/ WON’T FIT/ THE FRAME. The third jingle chosen leaking—- poor crimping on the tubes, maybe. I phoned Minneapolis and recalled, perhaps wistfully, the fact that human females were not permitted Al said to destroy them. “ Don’t just leave them on the dump where in Antarctica: USE OUR CREAM/ AND WE BETCHA/ GIRLS WON’T WAIT/ someone might find them” he said. So early next morning, in the misty THEY’LL COME/ AND GETCHA. dawn, we stopped the truck on a bridge over a fair-sized river and pitched It was characteristic of the luck of the Odells that photographs of over the eight or ten leaky boxes. I knew the cartons would come apart and the last series— erected in a howling wilderness with a snow tractor in the the tubes would sink. background and five politely interested penguins gracing the foreground— “ That afternoon in a town a hundred miles away I was parking were picked up by United Press International and distributed to scores of the truck when I saw a Texas Ranger in the left-hand mirror. Then I saw U.S. newspapers. Even after allowing for the fact that Burma-Shave had another one in the right-hand mirror, and they both had their guns drawn. become a sort of national institution, it was evident that Allan and Leonard “All right” they said, just like Gary Cooper. “Get out slowly, with your hand had a knack for unpaid publicity that Barnum would have envied. high.” They made us unload the whole truck while they inspected the During the great days of radio, hundreds of “mention permissions” contents. What happened, I found out, was that a housewife had reported were granted to everyone from Amos ’n Andy to Jimmy Durante and Bob seeing two men on the bridge heaving a dismembered body into the river. Hope. When television bloomed, it was not unnoticed that the signs could be So the authorities dragged the river but all they found was a piece of carton as visual as the jingles had been oral. Many of the mentions on network air with Burma-Shave on it, and then they radioed out to pick us up. I were brief (e.g., said Fibber McGee scornfully, I’ve read better poetry than explained what we’d done. “All right, but don’t do it again” the captain said, that on Burma-Shave signs with the last two posts missing”), but some were and we sure didn’t. It’s sweaty work unloading the whole truck while not, as in 1941 when Bob Hope devoted almost fifteen minutes to a Burma- hard-eyed guys hold guns on you.” Shave episode. Fred Allen had a particular fondness for gags built around the signs. One night on the Texaco Hour he devoted so much time to a skit titled “The “So Frenchy showed up here with a bubble on his head, dressed in Murder of the Burma-Shave Poet” that the Odells concluded that “we a silvery space suit with a big red owl on the front. They rented a Brink’s probably got more out of that network broadcast than Texaco did” Requests armored truck to deliver the jars; it had a big sign on it, Sending Frenchy to for permission to mention usually arrived by phone or telegram, with a note of Mars. We gave him some full jars he could use in Mars to barter for goods urgency, and everyone in the office, down to the newest secretary, was and services. It made quite an affair for the TV and news photographers. The authorized to issue permission “just so it was clean and wouldn’t offend Frenches spent the night in Al’s house, and he drove them to the airport in people.” the morning. In Mars, there was a three-day festival that was a dilly, with dancing in the streets and people coming in for miles around. The Frenches Sometimes it was even possible to exploit a slightly misfiring jingle, had a marvelous time, and when they got home they wrote us a wonderful In a time when retailing was being deviled by a fad for coupons, Allan wrote a letter. We still get Christmas cards from them. satirical jingle: FREE OFFER! FREE OFFER!/ RIP A FENDER/ OFF YOUR CAR/ MAIL IT IN FOR/ A HALF-POUND JAR. While some 99 percent of “It was a real fun kind of thing.” Leonard Odell concluded. “And those seeing this jingle interpreted it as satire, or at least as the light-hearted syndicated right across the country.” lunacy to be expected from Burma-Shave, the remaining 1 percent constituted a problem in cleanliness and rubbish disposal. Scores of fenders One more chapter of the Verse on the Side of the Road...Stay Tuned! of notable decrepitude arrived at the plant by parcel post and express. Many enterprising people scavenged Minnesota junkyards, triumphantly bearing off rusty horrors that they lugged to the Burma-Shave offices. Others shipped in Roads and Automobiles in the 1950s fenders forcibly detached from toy cars. Which at least had the merit of depositing less dirt and rust. Each donor was greeted with simulated polite After World War II the demand for faster more stylish cars increased. Style surprise, and courteously presented with a jar of Burma-Shave. As Leonard was king in the 50's and gas mileage wasn't a concern with gasoline at about observed, it was one of those delightful little things that happen occasionally. 10 cents a gallon. Cars were big with chrome bumpers and tail fins that Perhaps more to the point, by later relating the anecdote to the press, the mimicked the aviation look. Cars included the: , Plymouth Odells reaped far more value in publicity than the worth of the jars given out. Fury, American Motors Rambler, Chevy Corvette, Ford Edsel, Cadillac, 57

Chevrolet Bel Air Sport Coupe V-8. Other domestic and foreign vehicles, like Once, however, the Odells met their match as amateur Barnums. the VW Beetle, were also popular. Again the initiating jingle had been written by Allan, in this case the repeat of an earlier spoof: FREE-FREE/ A TRIP/ TO MARS/ FOR 900/ EMPTY JARS. Although this offer seemed safe, the Odells had not reckoned on Arliss To accommodate these new vehicles and the longer distances that needed to French, manager of a supermarket in Appleton, Wisconsin, one of a chain of be driven (and to improve military logistics) a more modernized road system Red Owl stores. Mr. French, widely known as Frenchy and no mean exploiter was required. The excellent United States road conditions and infrastructure himself, took up the challenge with enthusiasm. He wired Burma-Shave that that we take for granted today, and sometimes still complain about, was very he accepting their offer and where should the jars be shipped? After a bit of inadequate in the 1950s. As suburban areas grew, high-speed access to, pencil-chewing, Allan wired back: If a trip to Mars you’d earn, remember, between and in urban centers was needed. The 1956 Federal Aid Highway friend, there’s no return. Act authorized the construction of a multi-billion dollar; 41,000-mile interstate highway system as well as providing aid for primary, secondary and lesser But Frenchy was not easily putt off; and besides, business in his roads. This constituted the largest construction program in the nation’s store was being stirred up gratifyingly. He countered with a second publicized history. telegram: Let’s not quibble, let’ not fret, gather your forces, I’m all set. To this the Odells sent an almost obligatory response: Our rockets are ready; we ain’t splitting hairs; just send us the jars—arrange you affairs. They also sent The Year was 1950... Ralph Getchman, the general manager of Burma-Shave, to Appleton to see 1950: Radio program My Favorite Husband moves to TV as I Love Lucy. just what was going on. 1950: Flow-Matic, the first English language data-processing compiler. 1950: CBS broadcasts in color to 25 television sets. As Leonard remembers it, “Ralph telephoned me soon: “This boy’s 1950: The FCC adopts the CBS color TV standard, changes its mind serious! He’s got big reproductions of our signs running the full length of his three years later. store. He’s putting full-page ads in the local paper saying Send Frenchy to 1950: Vidicon camera tube improves television picture. Mars! In the store he’s got jars heaped up in a huge pile. Any time people buy 1950: More than 3 billion tickets sold at U.S. movie theaters. Burma-Shave he empties the cream into an ice-cream carton and keeps the 1950: Dennis the Menace in the comics. jar. He’s got some kind of rocket plane in the store that kids are swarming all 1950: In U.S., residential postal deliveries cut from twice to once a day. over, and he’s got little green men on the roof firing toy rocket gliders out over 1950: From Earl Hilton, the credit card. the parking lot.” I told Ralph the best I could thick of for the moment was to 1950: Party lines make up 75 percent of all U.S. telephone lines. send him to the Mars Candy Company down in Chicago for a weekend on the 1950: FCC Fairness Doctrine reverses 1941 Mayflower; stations must town, which was just barely good enough of an idea to get me off the phone. carry opinions. 1950: Ray Bradbury's, The Martian Chronicles expands science fiction “Meantime, though, the Red Owl chain was getting a big kick out of themes. it, especially with the way the volume in the store was up. To help Frenchy 1950: Changeable typewriter typefaces in use. they hired a publicity man named Moran, a fellow with a big red beard. He 1950: Kodak Colorama exhibited at Grand Central station, 18 feet wide came to see us and said that we had a great idea going here. He’d x 60 feet high. discovered that there was a little town in Germany called Mars—spelled 1950: Oscars: All About Eve, José Ferrer, Judy Holliday. Moers actually, but pronounced Mars—population about a hundred and 1950: Also at the movies: Born Yesterday, Sunset Boulevard, Harvey. twenty-two near Dusseldorf. He said that if we’d pay the plane fare, he’d take 1950: Nielsen's Audimeter tracks television audiences. care of the rest, and that’s how we did it. We decided to send Mrs. French 1950: Xerox photocopiers roll off the assembly line. along too, figuring that since she had eleven or twelve children maybe she 1950: Average U.S. home has two radios. could use a little vacation. Robert “ 1949 Season Recap 1949 saw the NASCAR Winston Cup Series' (then know as Robert “Red” Byron holds a record that the Strictly Stock Series) first can never be broken: he was the first champion crowned as the NASCAR points champion. Byron was eight-race season gave birth to born in Boulder, Colorado but moved to not only NASCAR, but many of Anniston, at an early age. He NASCAR's early stars and future began racing in 1932 in unorganized champions. The first champion of races at a little-known track at NASCAR's premier series was Talladega. Atlanta native Red Byron, who

piloted his '49 Oldsmobile to two During World War II, Byron served as a tail gunner on 57 missions in a race wins and a grand total of $5,800 in race winnings. B-24. He was shot down over Kikta in the Aleutian Islands on his 58th Unlike the NASCAR Winston Cup Series of today, many drivers did not mission -- one he flew for a friend whose wife was expected to give compete in every race on the circuit for a number of reasons (cost, damaged birth to their first child at any moment. Although the doctors did not equipment, travel expenses, etc.). The points standings were often skewed know if he would ever walk again, Red was determined to race. toward the drivers that were entered in the most races. Seven of the top eight in

the final point standings in 1949 started in six of the eight races that season. Only After 27 months in military hospitals with doctors trying to rebuild his two of the other fifty drivers that scored championship points in 1949 started in left leg, Red returned to racing in February 1946 at Seminole more than four races. Speedway near Orlando, Florida in a car owned by LLOAR Director FIVE RACES TO GO: Langhorne, PA - Points leader Red Byron Raymond Parks. With his badly damaged leg in a steel stirrup bolted to entered the fourth race of the 1949 season coming off of a 22nd-place finish in the clutch, Byron posted a win over some impressive competition: Roy Hillsboro, NC. With five races remaining and a firm grip on the points lead, Byron Hall, Mad Marion McDonald, Bob and Fonty Flock, Bill Snowden, and turned in a third-place finish at the famed circular one-mile dirt track in Bill France. Langhorne, PA. Most of Byron's rivals in the point standings also enjoyed

success in the race, however. edged Hillsboro winner Bob Flock by Byron’s next start was the Daytona beach-road race in April. He 20 seconds at the finish, while points contender Bill Blair also scored a top-five chased Roy Hall for the first half of the 50-lap race. Around the 16th lap finish, coming in fifth. Lee Petty, who was entered in his third race of the year, the tide started coming in, and Hall, knowing that the harder the sand came in seventh. Challenger Fonty Flock had engine trouble and finished in 45th the faster the car, ran with his right tires in the water. On lap 19 Hall’s position - last place in the largest field to start a race that season. car veered toward the fans in the North Turn. He quickly turned to the FOUR RACES TO GO: Hamburg, NY - None of the leading point right and went into the surf. Moments later he was back in the race, but contenders entered the Strictly Stock race at Hamburg Speedway. Jack White, Byron had passed him. who was making his first start of the season, took the checkered in a flag in a

field dominated by Northern drivers. After a short career in AAA cars, Byron returned to stock cars in 1947 THREE RACES TO GO: Martinsville, VA - Red Byron all but sealed the and won half of his 18 races. Although he competed in less than half of NASCAR Strictly Stock championship with his dominating performance at the races that year, he finished third in points. . Byron finished 3 laps ahead of runner-up Lee Petty while

pole sitter Curtis Turner faded down the stretch and finished ninth. Bill Blair Red won the first NASCAR-sanctioned race on the beach-road course stayed in contention for a top five in the points race with another fifth place finish. on February 15, 1948. He won 11 races that year, finished in the top Brothers Fonty and Bob Flock damaged their championship hopes by turning in three 23 times, and captured the first NASCAR championship. 12th and 14th place finishes, respectively, out of the field of 15 drivers.

TWO RACES TO GO: Pittsburgh, PA - Trying to make a late season Red retired from racing in the early 1950’s to head a run at the points title, Lee Petty did himself one better than last week's race in team. He died in 1960 and was inducted into the National Martinsville by winning his first NASCAR race at the half-mile Heidelburg Hall of Fame in 1966. In 1998 he was named one of the top 50 Speedway in Pittsburgh. It was not enough, though, as Red Byron was not NASCAR drivers. entered in the 200 lap race and still retained the points lead going into the season finale. Bill Blair, Curtis Turner, and the Brothers Flock did not enter the Byron was a pioneer of stock car racing, an Atlanta garage owner who race either, banking on a solid performance in the final race of the season to prepared his own cars during the undocumented 1930s and won more determine their positions in the year-end point standings. than his share of races. An Air Force tail gunner during World War II, FINAL RACE: North Wilkesboro, NC - Red Byron's challengers made a he was a founder of NASCAR after the war and he won its first gallant effort to sneak back into the points race in the season finale at North championship, which was run in modified cars, in 1947. The following Wilkesboro Speedway. Bob Flock, Lee Petty and Fonty Flock finished 1-2-3 in year, the Grand National division was established, and Byron won that, the race, while Curtis Turner ran ninth and Bill Blair followed him in tenth place. too. However, a top ten finish was not enough to catch Red Byron, who put the finishing touches on his championship season by finishing in 16th place. Lee Poor health forced him out of driving but not out of racing. He worked Petty's late-season surge awarded him a second place finish in the final point for a time with Briggs Cunningham, who was trying to develop an standings and Bob Flock's two wins helped him clinch third. Bill Blair was winless American sports car that could win Grand Prix races, and then became on the season and finished fourth in points. Fonty Flock and Curtis Turner were manager of a Corvette team that had the same goal. Neither project both bitten by their inconsistency and finished fifth and sixth, respectively. Ray succeeded, but Byron enjoyed sports cars. When he died of a heart Erickson, Tim Flock, Glenn Dunnaway and Frank Mundy made up the rest of the attack at the age of forty-four, he was managing a team in Sports Car top 10 in the final point standings in NASCAR's inaugural season. Club of America competition. Early Ford For Sale: 1948-50 F-1 Pickup Drive Shaft Marketplace $25.00 Classifieds Submit your ad to The

Running Board Editor 1949-53 (8ba) Right Side Exhaust and let us help you sell Would you like to advertise your product Manifold $13.00 your Early Ford cars or or service in The Running Board parts. Newsletter? Steel Spare Tire Cover (believe it’s

32-33-34) $16.00 You can even post want ads too! Please contact Bob Padovano for more

details! Phone 770-978-7555 1943 Boeing B29 Super Fortress It’s free to all Georgia Regional Group #24 Flight Engineer Bucket Seat club members! Running Board Advertising Rates (Aluminum) $800.00 Commercial Ads (Full 12 Months) Full Page $100.00 For Sale: Columbia Overdrive Axle: Call Frank Andre (770)461-7734 Half Page $50.00 Bought as N.O.S unit for 1939 & 1940 Buis. Card Size $30.00 Ford & Mercury $2400.00 OBO Wanted: 1940-41 or 1946-47 Four 6:16 WSW Tires by Benman very Pickup Cab (Cab Only) little wear. $55.00 each or four for $200.00 Call Frank Andre (770)-461-7734 For Sale: 1942-48 Ford Car Chrome Dash Pieces $150.00 Call Burns Cox: 770-493-7426 or OBO 478-994-6006 Franklin Submitted by Jerry Courter For Sale: 1939 Ford 1/2 Ton For Sale: Set of (4) Chrome Wire Truck, Harold Aldridge 912-427-7450 Wheel with Tires, Chevy. 4 3/4 bolt In The process of being restored. pattern. In Very Good Condition. Can be used on Ford hubs with adapter studs. Wanted: Windshield Knob and $800.00 OBO Call Bill Bellinger regulator for a 1939 Pickup, Call Julie Knott: 770-358-1564

Tucker Auto Collision 3756 Lawrenceville Hwy Tucker Ga.

Ask About Our Lifetime Warranty

Mike Mele 770-491-7425

Snellville Auto Collision 2480 Eastgate Place Snellville Ga. 30078

Ask About Our Lifetime Warranty

Chris Spinks 770-736-7336

Flathead Engine Breaks 300 mph Barrier Recycled Teenager Shatters 300 mph Barrier; Sets New Speed Record With "Antique" Ford Engine Bonneville Salt Flats, Utah -- Driving with ideal weather and surface conditions, Ron Main, 60, a reinforced steel contractor from Chatsworth, California, recorded an astonishing top speed of 302.203 mph during a one-way run, solid proof that the car, was still accelerating past the timing lights. At the controls of Flatfire, the handcrafted, super- charged technologically advanced streamliner; he inked a new land speed record with an unprece- dented 296 miles per hour average.

Where each mile-per-hour achieved on the brutal salt flats is the result of dogged determination and exhausting work, "Rebar Ron" qualified at 295.668 m.p.h. (terminal speed 301.173 m.p.h.) and backed up his speed bid with a return run of 297.988 m.p.h., bumping up his own 2001 record by nine miles-per-hour to 296.828 m.p.h. in the blown fuel streamliner class. Already the world's fastest flathead, Flatfire flew across the five-mile racecourse to establish the new land speed record on August 14, 2002, during Southern the 54th Annual Speed week, conducted by the Bonneville Nationals, Inc., a division of the Southern California Timing Association.

Trophy & Awards The Flathead, introduced as Ford's first V8 in 1932, is considered an "old tech" relic at best in modern racing circles. A 50's rock-and-roll fanatic with a passion for period films, Main's 1946 cast-iron engine block produces a whopping 700 plus horsepower and runs in Blown Fuel Streamliner Class. The "overnight success" took only 14-years to realize. "We broke 300, what I consider to be the

sound barrier for the Ford flathead," remarked driver

Main, "The car handled like a boulevard cruiser and it was still pulling hard when I shut it off. Most people

may find it hard to believe that the payoff is nothing

more than a tiny piece of paper with a few numbers

printed on it, but for me it represents a lifetime

achievement and without my dedicated crew it never Tony Thompson, President would have happened." Main is quick to cite that Flatfire's 4425 Highway 78 remarkable engine was "updated" with the expertise of several high-performance notables including Dick

Lilburn, Georgia 30047 and Mike Landy, of Dick Landy Industries; Jim Middlebrook, of Vortech Engineering; Bruce Crower, (770)972-5515 of Crower Motorsports.

STRICKLAND TRUSS, INC. Office 770-945-0639 Fax 770-945-9727

Products: Services: *Prompt quotes, bids by phone or fax. * Custom Design Roof And Open-Web Floor Trusses For Both Residential And *Engineering completed on plans within 1- 3 days Commercial Buildings *Delivery of roof and/or floor trusses and metal roofing in less than two (2) weeks *Metal Roofing Materials For Residential, Commercial, And Agricultural Buildings  Dependable quality and commitment in all orders (Available In Colored Or Galvanized)   Over ten (10) years of experience

Strickland Truss Inc., P.O. Box 33 Buford Ga., 30515

Contact: Roger-Keith or Brian Office 770-945-0639 Fax 770-945-9727 Georgia Regional Group #24

2005 Officers

Fred Lindquist President 404-237-0546

Bob Padovano Vice President 770-978-7555

Jerry Reichel Secretary 770-945-0749 Early Ford V8 Club Bob Schwartz Treasurer 770-889-3819

Accessories For Sale The Running Board is the official If you have questions on sizes, etc., or publication of The Georgia Regional would like to make a purchase or place Group #24 of the Early Ford V-8 2005 Directors an order, please contact: Club of America. The objectives of the Lamar Hart 770-496-9928 group are the preservation, restoration, Wayne Hicks 770-934-5008 Larry Tanner and utilization of the Ford Motor Bobby Mobley 770-461-8416 61 Church Road Company vehicles which made use of Charlie Adams 706-865-5330 Stockbridge, GA 30281 the Ford Flathead engine, just the way Doug Smith 770-938-9537 (770) 474-8648 Henry built them. These vehicles were Julie Ann Knott 770-358-1564 built between 1932 to 1953. Member- David Jumper 770-513-1042 ship applications are welcome from any- The Following club items are available for sale one having an interest and desire in fur- with the Early Ford V8 logo: thering our club objectives. Owning a 2005 Committees Jackets $60.00 Ford Flathead V-8 is not a require- Fred Lindquist Tours Hats $12.00 ment for membership. Regional mem- Bob Padovano Meetings/Programs Golf Shirt $24.00 bership dues are $20.00 per year, pro- Bob Schwartz Activity Payment/Dues/ Roster Sweatshirt $25.00 rated for those joining after the first Larry Tanner Club Accessories Denim shirt $30.00 short sleeve quarter. National membership in the Lamar Hart Valentine’s Day Party/ $35.00 long sleeve Early Ford V-8 Club of America is a 2005 National Meet Chairman requirement for membership in any re- Burns Cox V8 Times Correspondent Tag Toppers $25.00 painted gional group. Georgia Regional Group Morris Bailey Membership Tag Toppers $20.00 unpainted Meetings are held on the 1st Tuesday Roy Hatcher Telephone Committee of every Month at 7:30 P.M., unless Julie Ann Knott Running Board Newsletter Editor Hand-painted License Plate otherwise noted in this publication. Mary Ann Padovano Sunshine Committee Birdhouses Waymon Brownlee Club Car $20.00 Special Order

The Running Board Newsletter The Official Publication Of The Georgia Regional Group #24 Of The Early Ford V8 Club Of America

Please submit Articles or Information Intended For Publication To:

The Running Board Julie Ann Knott, Editor 1541 Hwy 341 South Barnesville GA. 30204

Phone (770) 358-1564 Email [email protected]