PDA

View Full Version : Hot Rod Reunion Bakersfield, CA


1PROGTO
10-09-2003, 09:20 PM
Well now that I think I have recuperated from the most excellent trip to the southland for this event, I'll share a few photos.

Reedracing, Royal Bob, Dan Willms, and I embarked on a little roadtrip this past weekend to attend the 12th Hot Rod Reunion held at the famed Famoso Raceway in Bakersfield, CA. We took the truck and trailer to bring back a '55 drag car, which will be another story. About 2400 miles roundtrip, a great time to share with my buds and introduce Dan Willms to Deadbolt and a little Reverend Horton Heat.

For those who may not know what this event is about - It is pure old school drag racing. Original gasser style cars, AFX, Super Stockers, vintage Funny cars, and of course vintage FED front engine dragsters. Yes, the smell of Nitro was in the air, as we were brought to tears after a smokey burnout and nitro greeted us.

The place was packed with vintage cars on display, a nice swap meet with items such as NOS M&H Racemaster pie crust slicks, and how about a Pontiac Hilborn Injection setup, or better yet when is the last time you saw a Pontiac intake with 6 Rochester 2 bbls? Then there was the vendor area with lots of cool stuff. The pits, well you could spend all day there. And of course the drag racing. Non-stop action with the diggers running 5.90's in the quarter in the Top Fuel class.

Probably the highlight was the night finalle. The Cacklefest - One by one the vintage nitro lit machines were push started, the old way down the return road, where they looped into the staging area and down the track, and angle parked right in the middle of the famed 1320. After the 25 or so cars came to rest, the public was allowed to walk down and partake in this site to behold. My shoes were sticking to the tarmac all the way to the eighth mile. It was a true treat to attend. Hope you enjoy the pics.

1PROGTO
10-09-2003, 09:26 PM
The Vagabond, a true mid 1960's Top Fuel dragster. Every hour or so as you walk through the display area they would light one off. Unbelievable!

1PROGTO
10-09-2003, 09:28 PM
Look at this Keith Black Hemi, what a sight to behold.

1PROGTO
10-09-2003, 09:40 PM
Pontiac Hilborn unit. Dan was counting all his twoonies to scrape up enough $$ to buy this.

1PROGTO
10-09-2003, 09:42 PM
This is just plain C 8) 8) L

1PROGTO
10-09-2003, 09:47 PM
Jim Green, from Lynnwood, WA and his freshly restored FED with blown SOHC Ford. Unreal.

1PROGTO
10-09-2003, 09:49 PM
Here's an early '60's dragster. They started really short wheelbase in '60, '61, '62.

1PROGTO
10-09-2003, 09:51 PM
A little Pontiac for you.

1PROGTO
10-09-2003, 09:54 PM
AWB - AFX '64 Pontiac Pouncin' Poncho; Injected Pontiac for power. He actually took an Olds Hilborn unit and adapted it to a Pontiac mill.

1PROGTO
10-09-2003, 09:55 PM
here's the mill

1PROGTO
10-09-2003, 09:56 PM
'64 T-Bolt

1PROGTO
10-09-2003, 09:58 PM
AFX early Nova/ Chevy II; straight axle, gasser style!!

1PROGTO
10-09-2003, 10:00 PM
This was a vintage '69 Nova funny car, brought back to life. It was great talking with these guys.

1PROGTO
10-09-2003, 10:02 PM
Here's a little racin' action: The Pouncin' Poncho.

1PROGTO
10-09-2003, 10:04 PM
Ford vs. Chevy

1PROGTO
10-09-2003, 10:06 PM
The famous Drag On Lady Dodge Dart

1PROGTO
10-09-2003, 10:07 PM
Early Mustang Funny car

1PROGTO
10-09-2003, 10:09 PM
Here's that Nova Funny doing an 1/8 mile burnout

1PROGTO
10-09-2003, 10:13 PM
OK, I thought this was just plain too cool. Mark D. you better start building one of these for Matthew. Make sure it is the Super Comp Hooker big tube version though. I don't want to see any of that 1-5/8" crap.

1PROGTO
10-09-2003, 10:15 PM
The NWL W.C.A. posse hangin' with the rat rods from Utah.

1PROGTO
10-09-2003, 10:17 PM
This is a period style '41 Willys. I love it!!!

1PROGTO
10-09-2003, 10:19 PM
The Cacklefest. One sweet trip down memory lane.

REED_RACING
10-09-2003, 10:20 PM
More pics dude, need to relive last weekend. :D

1PROGTO
10-09-2003, 10:22 PM
A ton of metal flake and lot's of Nitro, quite a nice mix, don't you think?

1PROGTO
10-09-2003, 10:27 PM
Quite a sight to have them all roll out one by one and then line 'em up. Reminded me of the old days at SIR with 64 FUNNYCARS!

Hope you all enjoy the pics. If you want to check out more of this kind of stuff, there is the Oldies drag weekend in Mission held first weekend of August, as well as this event in Bakersfield, followed by another smaller version in November that is put on by Goodguys.

67DropTop455
10-10-2003, 10:02 AM
Damn... all that AND I missed the reverend! (RHH) I saw him the last time he was performing here in Seattle. :twisted:

Sounds and looks like a great trip! I'll have to hear more on the "new" 55!

... well, there's always next year...

Thanks for sharing! - Brett - 67 Drop Top 455!

THOR
10-10-2003, 04:34 PM
Holy Open Headered Candy Appled Nitro !, this event looks cool !
I wish I get to see the Pouncin’ Poncho some day, I didn’t even know it existed anymore. It's obvious that it was well worth the trip.

We look forward to seeing the ’55 real soon. Thanks for posting such cool pix

jimish
11-09-2010, 01:56 PM
Pontiac Hilborn unit. Dan was counting all his twoonies to scrape up enough $$ to buy this.

Can anyone tell me how to contact the seller of the Pontiac Hillborn unit? I am looking to purchase a set for my '67 lemans convertible

Jimish

1PROGTO
11-09-2010, 02:24 PM
Well...seeing I posted this originally 2003! I have no idea. But there is one listed on E-bay right now:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=250718908440&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT

MikeS
11-10-2010, 09:05 PM
Brad - thanks for posting these excellent pics. This must be an outstanding event to attend.
I hope to make this trip in the next few years, myself.

REED_RACING
11-10-2010, 09:42 PM
03? Wow!