This trans was also Krylon "Cherry Red" under the orange paint.

Some more lightening holes in car as found.

This pic is from when the car was constructed, gave Bucky's fabricator, Cole McAllister, a good idea of how to form new removable trans tunnel. Cole did a great job with fabricating car back to Butler build status.

Just curious with all the lighting mods. did this car have lezion (spelling)glass or stock for the class it was in?

Talking to Bagshaw, the rules required the use of stock window glass.

Car being loaded from John Gastman's Roanoke Motor Chrysler/Dodge dealership in snowy Roanoke, Illinois in January 2011 to be taken to Bucky's Ltd in Martinsburg, West Virginia.

Once Bucky got it in his shop, they stripped the car to bare metal, and did the necessary floor work. Cole left the existing roll cage that Butler installed in 1970, and was careful to cut the floors to fit around the bars. As mentioned earlier, the second down bar in the entry was removed, since that second bar had been installed later, possibly late '71 or '72. The cage in the restored car is as it first rolled out at Indy in 1970.

The original Hurst Airheart brakes were still on the car, and were sent to Gold Line Brakes where they were complete restored/refurbished.

Great thread, thanks for posting! Look at that beautiful back-half race car body. Too bad no one at NHRA has the vision to go back to that.

Happy to post, thanks! I hear ya on building cars like this again. I was shocked to learn that these early Pro Stock cars were still leaf spring suspension. Later as the class developed, larger tires were used, and eventually the tubs and ladder bar/later 4 link suspensions started showing up. Here's the rear of the car after dismantling, I believe I mentioned that the car was a little rough... Bucky eventually had to replace the tail panel.

Just curious if the car has a VIN number and if it is an original Hemi car? I was at S&M shop picking up some parts when they were building their PS and they had an original Hemi car and a body in White. They used parts from the original Hemi car to build the race car. I think that is what the parts guy said, IF I remember correctly.

Interesting in the picture of the rear wheel well, you can see the spring hanger moved over to the frame. I would have thought it would have been moved into the frame by someone later on. Truly a really good find.

Thanks for the pictures. When we could root for a car/driver because they raced cars like we could buy. Way Cool

Awesome to see a memorable car like that restored to its original "race" status! If Bucky and Travis painted it, i'm sure i'll be beautiful.

Isn't this car going to lead the SS/AH parade at the start of the Hemi Challenge at Indy? Just another great reason to be there Friday!

I sold some of the missing parts to Bill. We spent more than as few hours talking on the phone he is a classy guy and it was truely an enjoyment

Bill is looking for any photo's he can use for the story board. if you have any contact me via a PM.

this was Indy 1971

ScatPack- In 1970, Bill was given a body in white from Chrysler and a brand new Hemi Challenger... Orange with dog dish hubcaps. Similar to your recollection of the Sox build, Butler and Bagshaw used the parts off the complete Orange Hemi car and built the race car from the body in white. On the location of the spring hanger, the history of the car from late 70's to 94 is a bit hazy. We were pretty happy to have the car as complete as it was.


Frito- You and I met at Chryslers at Carlisle, good hearing from you. You are correct, the car is scheduled to lead the SS/AH parade on Friday... it will be an awesome deal, hope to meet up.

HemiFred- Fred, you were a tremendous help in locating those hard to find parts, so THANK YOU. Bill had a great time talking to you, thanks for hunting down pics, love that pic of the car with the transporter!

Speaking of pics, attached is pic from Bill's press pack of the car. Bill and his wife are seen lifting the hood off the car.

Same press kit, motor shot. The restored car is remarkably close to what you see here. If anybody has those Dodge decals on the valve covers, please pm me.

Arvid Svendsen

Ok, back to build pics at Bucky's. Rear of shell after dismantling, metal work being done.

Travis Hess, Bucky's son, who handled the paint is pictured explaining work that has been done, and work that still needs to be finished. The great thing about having Bucky and Travis handle the restoration was their passion for preserving the car as an important part of drag racing history. They also build some nasty early iron hot rods.