Re: Street Racing in the 60's & 70's - Tell them your story
[Re: Hemi_Jack]
#506199
02/21/10 02:58 AM
02/21/10 02:58 AM
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Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 27,347 Today? Who Knows?
1_WILD_RT
Management Trainee
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Management Trainee
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 27,347
Today? Who Knows?
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Quote:
I remember the article in Car Craft Eight seconds over Detroit. Didn't that Volare have the hemi from Lisk's Challenger?
I know Steve's Hemi wound up in a Black Volare but I hadn't heard it got a blower...
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Re: Street Racing in the 60's & 70's - Tell them your story
[Re: fullmetaljacket]
#506202
02/21/10 03:27 AM
02/21/10 03:27 AM
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Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 2,275 Desert Tracker
HYPER8oSoNic
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FMJ, Do you remember the old Connecting strip outside of Astoria and J-Heights in Queens? You know about a mile, maybe two on the BQE north of L.I.E.?
"Stupidity is Ignorance on Steroids" "Yeah, it's hopped to over 160" (quote by Kowalski in the movie Vanishing Point 1970 - Cupid Productions)
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Re: Street Racing in the 60's & 70's - Tell them your story
[Re: fullmetaljacket]
#506204
02/21/10 08:52 AM
02/21/10 08:52 AM
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Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 718 new york
paris401
super stock
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new york
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Quote:
It was the only place I felt comfortable for both the drivers and spectators.
guess u never ran at south ave on staten island... it was the 'premier' place to run certainly in the city, and places beyond..
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Re: Street Racing in the 60's & 70's - Tell them your s
[Re: Kirby]
#506207
02/21/10 06:39 PM
02/21/10 06:39 PM
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Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 12,812 Tulsa, Oklahoma
Wagonmaster
I Live Here
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I Live Here
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 12,812
Tulsa, Oklahoma
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My first "real" street race was in the summer of 1972. Had my Chrysler [1959] and a '59 El Camino. Elky started life as 348/3 on the tree. I stuffed a 400 HP 409 and a 4-gear into it, along with a 61 Impala rear, with 3.70 Posi.
Was driving home from my G/F's house at about 11:30, and I got jumped by a '66 Nova at a light.
Firewalled the 409, blew past the Nova in second and in third, he was a length and a half behind - but, the next light was approaching. I stopped a the light, he blew the light. Cop in parking lot, Nova nailed. I still grin when I think of it.
Last "real" street race was in 1996, on the way to Bakersfield, CA, with wifey and kids. On I-40, just west of Santa Rosa, NM. About 2:30 AM, cruising about 65, radio on, wifey and kids snuggled up, beautiful full moon. Doesn't get any better than a BB Mopar burbling along in the moonlight.
A guy in a '63 Impala pulled alongside, stayed even for a bit. Saw him laugh in the instrument lights of his car, and he pulled away, shaking his head and waving. I probably came close to bending the steering wheel...but, wifey and kids were curled up, asleep...
About the time all that was flashing through my mind, the wifey - without opening her eyes, I think, said "just blow him off the road. You know you can and want to." I couldn't believe it!
Off we went. I passed him at about 80, rapidly gaining speed. Wifey was sitting straight up, by then, kids still curled up in the back.
Guy gave chase, wifey watched his headlights shrink out of the back window. Said "why is our car smoking?" Wasn't our car...glanced in the mirror...Impala was smoking bad. His lights dimmed, he hit the shoulder.
Wifey said "Serves him right for waking me up," and went back to sleep.
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Re: Street Racing in the 60's & 70's - Tell them your story
[Re: RV2]
#506209
02/21/10 09:23 PM
02/21/10 09:23 PM
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Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 718 new york
paris401
super stock
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Quote:
The bad part about south ave was when the cops blocked off both ends you were trapped. I received many summons there.
i guess the blocking occurred after 'the accident'.. prior to that, they (not me, as i only had a 318 63 fury..but it was 2 doors ) would run all nite... never a cop in sight...
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Re: Street Racing in the 60's & 70's - Tell them your story
[Re: fullmetaljacket]
#506210
02/21/10 09:50 PM
02/21/10 09:50 PM
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Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 2,275 Desert Tracker
HYPER8oSoNic
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Quote:
I know it very well and got off some runs there a few times even after it's heyday.
It is now 2/3rds relatively new and smooth concrete with only the starting line left in a very mild state of black top repair. It was the only place I felt comfortable for both the drivers and spectators.
Been there recently myself. I was around in 02'-05'when they were reconstructing the original surface over Northern blvd/CTX freight line from Hell's Gate (South Bronx THE HUB)and the East/West Spurs. A lot smoother and faster surface there. You are right, it was always a GOOD, SAFE place to run. As long as there was no foolhardy knuckleheads drawing the cops, you always could make a good run. At least the spectators were COMPLETELY out of the way, which was good too. Unlike the other haunts, this place was ideal for the heavy action. Except for the flooding of the roadway, if the cops were tipped off or caught some action going off. This WAS the first functional CITY DRAGSTRIP!!! SOUTH AVE has it's deep history and picked up the ball AFTER the Connecting was finally shut down, but could not generate the image of the Connecting. Still all in all, a SUPER runner-up spot for street action!! (NO disrespect for the fellow S.I. guys). Some pro runs out on 440 north and south made that dropped my jaw!!!! Good vibes and great memories man!!!
"Stupidity is Ignorance on Steroids" "Yeah, it's hopped to over 160" (quote by Kowalski in the movie Vanishing Point 1970 - Cupid Productions)
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Re: Street Racing in the 60's & 70's - Tell them your story
[Re: HYPER8oSoNic]
#506212
02/21/10 10:37 PM
02/21/10 10:37 PM
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Joined: May 2004
Posts: 177
440Demon
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I ran on and remember many of these South Ave Staten Island stories. My Uncle was a local terror with a 65 Belvedere and later a 68 Dart - he'd tell tales of meeting his boys at the Wetson's on Forest Ave and heading out to South Ave, Newark, Conduit, etc... during the 70's. Me, I ran South ave in the early to late 80's with a black primer 72 Demon and a white 67 LeMans vert. The cars there on any given night - awesome. PG Performance buick ( the 225 ) the orange Charger, the box Nova, Chef's red 442, the "Sleeper" white Firebird, a certain red big block 68 Cuda (that whipped my azz) and many others. I met the gentlemen known as Silverado a few times, and once he was nice enough to not ticket me for blowing thru stop signs in reverse... Great Times. Great Cars. And a miralce we're all here to point, click and type about it. Rock on John 72 440 4spd Demon 72 340 Auto Demon 02 WS6 T/A Vert 02 Durango R/T
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Re: Street Racing in the 60's & 70's - Tell them your story
[Re: 440Demon]
#506213
02/21/10 10:49 PM
02/21/10 10:49 PM
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Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 2,275 Desert Tracker
HYPER8oSoNic
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Quote:
I ran on and remember many of these South Ave Staten Island stories. My Uncle was a local terror with a 65 Belvedere and later a 68 Dart - he'd tell tales of meeting his boys at the Wetson's on Forest Ave and heading out to South Ave, Newark, Conduit, etc... during the 70's. Me, I ran South ave in the early to late 80's with a black primer 72 Demon and a white 67 LeMans vert. The cars there on any given night - awesome. PG Performance buick ( the 225 ) the orange Charger, the box Nova, Chef's red 442, the "Sleeper" white Firebird, a certain red big block 68 Cuda (that whipped my azz) and many others. I met the gentlemen known as Silverado a few times, and once he was nice enough to not ticket me for blowing thru stop signs in reverse... Great Times. Great Cars. And a miralce we're all here to point, click and type about it. Rock on John 72 440 4spd Demon 72 340 Auto Demon 02 WS6 T/A Vert 02 Durango R/T
Amen brother. (Wetsons, a blast from the past!!, Great big burgers!)
"Stupidity is Ignorance on Steroids" "Yeah, it's hopped to over 160" (quote by Kowalski in the movie Vanishing Point 1970 - Cupid Productions)
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Re: Street Racing in the 60's & 70's - Tell them your story
[Re: 440Demon]
#506214
02/21/10 10:57 PM
02/21/10 10:57 PM
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Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 2,275 Desert Tracker
HYPER8oSoNic
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That PG performance Deuce and a Quarter, if it was a convertable, that was Scotty's ride. Super hot ride!!
"Stupidity is Ignorance on Steroids" "Yeah, it's hopped to over 160" (quote by Kowalski in the movie Vanishing Point 1970 - Cupid Productions)
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Re: Street Racing in the 60's & 70's - Tell them your story
[Re: HYPER8oSoNic]
#506216
02/22/10 01:51 PM
02/22/10 01:51 PM
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Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 718 new york
paris401
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Quote:
Amen brother. (Wetsons, a blast from the past!!, Great big burgers!)
my buddy worked at weston's on forrest in 69.. said when he wanted a burger, he'd clean the grill...
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