This topic came up recently and some questions
were left unanswered.....
When was the Original Rod Shop racing team started? And by who?
Was it factory backed or private?
My guess was 1970. My only basis is I dont remember seeing any cars prior to the 1970/1971 Challengers & Chargers with that distinct paint scheme.
Posted By: Anonymous
Post deleted by Defbob - 05/06/10 12:18 PM
Posted By: mopacltd
Re: "Rod Shop" Race Team - 05/06/10 05:26 PM
Great article. Thanks for posting the link.
Posted By: Barnstorm
Re: "Rod Shop" Race Team - 05/06/10 06:22 PM
Larry Morgan 1971? Old Iron Butterfly car.
Posted By: 3ddart
Re: "Rod Shop" Race Team - 05/07/10 02:04 AM
there is a older issue of mopar action that did a nice article on the rod shop. i know this as i just came across it last week and took it out to my friend gene dunlap who drove for them and was fairly successful. i thought his family would like to have it rather then it sit in my "library". gene and his son race at the 1/8th mile track that i spend most of my time at, only they have went to the DARK side lol. they were looking for an old colt to but together as gene did drive 1 of those and a demon i believe. i don't recall what issue the story was in though, sorry. dave
Posted By: mopacltd
Re: "Rod Shop" Race Team - 05/07/10 02:08 AM
I just might be talked into selling my '74 Colt.
Thank you Fred. That was very helpful.
Leaned some things too.
Leave it to Reasbeck to have this in his archives.
He's a Guru when it comes to this stuff.
Its not surprising he wrote the article.
Doug
Posted By: StewartP
Re: "Rod Shop" Race Team - 05/07/10 12:36 PM
I have a few photos of some of their cars
1
Posted By: moprod
Re: "Rod Shop" Race Team - 05/07/10 01:11 PM
they were racing earlier.
Posted By: Anonymous
Post deleted by Defbob - 05/07/10 02:07 PM
Posted By: Race&Resto
Re: "Rod Shop" Race Team - 05/07/10 11:30 PM
I have always liked all of the
ROD SHOP drag cars!
Posted By: Frito
Re: "Rod Shop" Race Team - 05/08/10 12:30 AM
I remember Dick Shroyer and the "Shroyer Shaker", Eckerd & Kirk Charger, Dave Conners Camaro rag top,and the Anglia of Stickle & Riffle. I remember the vetts but not the drivers. The 65 Plymouth, 70 Plymouth, Duster and Challenger in 1970 I can't place. Any help??
Posted By: B G Racing
Re: "Rod Shop" Race Team - 05/08/10 12:56 AM
1970 SS/E Challenger,Bob Bonds.
Posted By: Lil Wedge
Re: "Rod Shop" Race Team - 05/09/10 01:05 AM
Corvettes? Ray Noltemeyer? Gene Wood? My fuzzy old memory?
Posted By: Lil Wedge
Re: "Rod Shop" Race Team - 05/09/10 01:08 AM
I remember Dunlap driving Riffles Demon or Dart Sport in Modified (74-75) at National Trail
Posted By: Frito
Re: "Rod Shop" Race Team - 05/09/10 02:09 AM
WEIRD, I just returned from a drag strip in West Virginia, (Kanawha Valley) and as we pulled in I see the orginal Rod Shop Anglia of Rick Stickle and Bob Riffle. It is now owned by George Reese of Scott Depot, WV. It has been restored and repainted by the orginal painters, Bill Roell, Shortround of Cincinatti. Still running with small block and Hilborns.
Posted By: sixpackjeff
Re: "Rod Shop" Race Team - 05/10/10 01:37 PM
Here's what the 1970 Cuda looked like in 1971.
Posted By: moprod
Re: "Rod Shop" Race Team - 05/10/10 05:33 PM
"Team" cars way before the Force, Schumacher's.
Posted By: 52savoy
Re: "Rod Shop" Race Team - 05/10/10 05:45 PM
Couldn't help but notice "Northland Dodge" on the car.. That's a part of ROD SHOP history that never gets talked about.
Posted By: Frito
Re: "Rod Shop" Race Team - 05/10/10 06:21 PM
Now West Virginia resident and ADRL competitor Carl Kirk was the service manager at Northland Dodge located on Morris Road, just East of the old Northland Mall. He had a Willys before he teamed up with Ed Eckard and a fellow named Blackwood to campain the Rod Shop B/A Charger.
Posted By: moprod
Re: "Rod Shop" Race Team - 05/11/10 02:10 AM
I thought it was Gil Kirk involved with the Rod Shop cars.
Posted By: THE GLASS MAN
Re: "Rod Shop" Race Team - 05/11/10 03:55 AM
We were busy running 1 & 2 Willys gassers in the 60's and early 70's , and I remember that National Trail Raceway would have "Rod Shop Day". Does anyone else remember those events?
Posted By: Frito
Re: "Rod Shop" Race Team - 05/11/10 07:06 AM
Gill Kirk owned the Rod Shop. Carl Kirk lived on Eisenhower Drive just off Morse Road before moving to Kermit, West Virginia. Carl was involved in some Rod Shop stuff and an owner of the B/A altered Charger. I don't recall Gill Kirk ever driving one of the Rod Shop cars. Jeff, chime in here.
Posted By: Frito
Re: "Rod Shop" Race Team - 05/11/10 01:52 PM
Quite a nice crowd at "Bluegrass"
Posted By: sixpackjeff
Re: "Rod Shop" Race Team - 05/11/10 06:07 PM
Thanks Fred! Glad to see your still kickin'. (52 Savoy was a Columbus, Ohio Hemi owner, before Hemis were cool!) Frito, Gil Kirk was as much a driver as Roland Leong. He's been down the track, but it really wasn't his thing. He did however OWN almost all of the doorslammer vehicles. We should have a contest to see who can name the most Rod Shop drivers. There were dozens.
Posted By: Frito
Re: "Rod Shop" Race Team - 05/11/10 10:17 PM
Caroll Fink, Judi Bortman, Dave Bortman, Ray Noltmeyer, Gene Dunlap, Don Carlton, Butch Leal, Larry Morgan, Bill Mcgraw, Ed Eckard, Rick Stickel, Dick Shroyer, Carl Kirk, Bob Riffle, Dave Conners, Ronnie Sox, Bob Bonds, Jim Thompson, Mike Fons, Tommy Ivo. Thats who I can come up with off the top of my head, some more may come to me later. I'm sure thats not all.
Posted By: moprod
Re: "Rod Shop" Race Team - 05/12/10 01:53 AM
In 1972 while in Columbus to attend the NHRA Spring Nationals, I stopped in the Rod Shop with some friends.
Was met inside by a great guy, Cliff Ghetti, who designed the Rod Shop paint scheme for the cars.
Took us out back to see the cars getting ready for the weekend.
Very small shop but some big time racing & drivers ran out of that shop.
Posted By: StewartP
Re: "Rod Shop" Race Team - 05/12/10 12:31 PM
Posted By: Frito
Re: "Rod Shop" Race Team - 05/13/10 02:22 AM
Clyde Sutton. (Clyde's Camel) I can't get the pic to reduce, maybe Jeff can help. E mail on the way.
Posted By: ram87
Re: "Rod Shop" Race Team - 05/13/10 09:18 PM
I haven't seen a picture of the '67 Fairlane. Can't remember if it was a Super Stocker or Stocker.
Posted By: rodshop
Re: "Rod Shop" Race Team - 05/13/10 09:54 PM
Let's add Dick Shroyer, Tom Schumaker Doc Dixon, Arlen Vanke.
Posted By: Frito
Re: "Rod Shop" Race Team - 05/14/10 01:31 AM
The wagon had Rod Shop livery on it. Check out the attachment on Jeff's last post for a pic. Thanks Jeff.
Posted By: mgpanos
Re: "Rod Shop" Race Team - 05/24/10 02:11 AM
The 64 Dodge was run by the Fink Brothers in Rod Shop colors with a max wedge for a couple of years. Bruce and Larry later returned it to its Hemi beginnings and it was painted red when I saw it in maybe 1985?
Posted By: Barnstorm
Re: "Rod Shop" Race Team - 05/24/10 02:32 AM
Yeah...Rick Johnson bought it from Jimmy DeFrank and still plans to run the car in Brainerd this weekend. WELL acomplished car in SS/BA.