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The 20th California Hot Rod ReunionBack To The Track From the April, 2012 issue of Rod & Custom By Kev Elliott Photography by Tim Sutton
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Originally intended as a one-off event, 2011 saw the 20th California Hot Rod Reunion at Famoso Raceway, near Bakersfield, presented by the Automobile Club of Southern California, and organized as part of the Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum. Given that Steve Gibbs was the first executive director of the museum, and has been involved in drag racing almost all his life, from numbering cars, announcing and managing tracks, to running the staging at the March Meet at this very track in the mid-’60s, it was fitting that he should be named Grand Marshall for the 20th Reunion. The Reunion was almost a debut... The Reunion was almost a debut for this recreation of the Vulcans’ ’32 Vicky—it appeared at the Long Beach Autorama a couple of weeks previously—which raced at Lions. Jeb’s Metal and Speed built much of the car, including turning a sedan into a Vicky, then channeled it 5 inches. The distinctive “hoops” through the cowl and hood feed the fuel mixture from two World War II tank updraft Strombergs to the blower. The modern tires and rollcage deviate from the original as the Vicky will see track time. The Reunion was also Gibbs’ idea, the event growing to become what must be the largest nostalgia drag racing event in the world, offering the chance to not only see, hear, and in some instances watch racing some of the sport’s most famous cars, but to also meet the drivers, builders, and teams. Many old dragsters are restored, and while not legal to race any longer, are fired up to participate in the Cacklefest on the track on Saturday night, with over 50 at this event! The Reunion also includes the finale of the NHRA Hot Rod Heritage race series, and while Nostalgia Funny Cars weren’t part of the event originally, at the 20th there were over 30 competing in qualifying sessions, 13 of them running in the 5-second zone. But you don’t even have to be a fan of nostalgia racing or old race cars (though it’d be hard not to once you’ve witnessed this event!) to enjoy the Reunion. While you’d not be able to ignore the sound of the action on the track, you could spend a full weekend at Famoso without watching a single car run, and still have a hard time seeing it all, what with the ever-expanding swap meet, the huge car show in the Grove behind the bleachers, and the opportunity to wander through the pits, getting an up-close look at the race cars as they’re torn down between rounds. Then there’s the opportunity to talk to racing and hot rod heroes alike. We spotted John Force riding through the pits on a golf cart, “TV Tommy” Ivo being interviewed for, er, TV, and even Ed Iskenderian blasting down the return road in his iconic T roadster. They were all there enjoying the event along with everyone else, and happy to chat. With so much to do, it’s no wonder the Reunion is a popular destination for attendees from literally around the world.  Here was your chance to own...  Here was your chance to own a unique piece of drag racing history. Restored by Chuck and Carole Sarno, “The Outlaw” was originally raced by Jim “Jazzy” Nelson, to the tune of 9.75 e.t.’s at 145 mph.  Each year the Reunion spotlights...  Each year the Reunion spotlights a group or individual, and this year that honor befell the Chrisman family: Art, Lloyd, Jack, and sons, Mike and Steve. A number of their old race cars were present, including Art’s No. 25 car and Hustler 1. However, the highlight for us was seeing Jack’s ’29 A sedan restored, complete with a 392 Hemi built by Art.  Left: Ralph Whitworth clearly...  Left: Ralph Whitworth clearly selected the right team to restore Big John Mazmanian’s “Football” Austin, the stunning little Gasser made its debut at the Doubletree on Friday night, then appeared at the track over the weekend. This is the original body, and original valve covers, though the rest is new or uses parts identical to the original. Left and below: Suede-painted early customs were out in force at Famoso, with a variety of makes to please everyone, just so long as you liked ’em long ’n’ low!  Left: Ralph Whitworth clearly...  Left: Ralph Whitworth clearly selected the right team to restore Big John Mazmanian’s “Football” Austin, the stunning little Gasser made its debut at the Doubletree on Friday night, then appeared at the track over the weekend. This is the original body, and original valve covers, though the rest is new or uses parts identical to the original. Left and below: Suede-painted early customs were out in force at Famoso, with a variety of makes to please everyone, just so long as you liked ’em long ’n’ low!  Left: Ralph Whitworth clearly...  Left: Ralph Whitworth clearly selected the right team to restore Big John Mazmanian’s “Football” Austin, the stunning little Gasser made its debut at the Doubletree on Friday night, then appeared at the track over the weekend. This is the original body, and original valve covers, though the rest is new or uses parts identical to the original. Left and below: Suede-painted early customs were out in force at Famoso, with a variety of makes to please everyone, just so long as you liked ’em long ’n’ low!  The latest from prolific builders...  The latest from prolific builders the Boling Brothers, is this ’30-31 pickup with Y-block Ford power and period Firestone rubber.  New to us from the Cavaliers...  New to us from the Cavaliers out of Long Beach, CA, this Model A roadster featured a unique rearend treatment and welded-up doors.  Not usual R&C fodder granted,...  Not usual R&C fodder granted, but we were at the drags, and who wouldn’t lust after this injected, straight-axle Belvedere GTX?  This ’29 Model A sedan was...  This ’29 Model A sedan was a newly built and for sale. With a stock body channeled 3 inches over a custom frame with 6-inch front and 12-inch rear kickups, it ran a 350/700-R4/ 8-inch powertrain.  Apart from the chop on this...  Apart from the chop on this ’54 Chevy, and the frenched headlights and shaved trim, body mods were minimal, though the paint scheme certainly helped it stand out.  The Reunion offers the chance...  The Reunion offers the chance to meet any number of racing heroes, though “TV Tommy” Ivo was unavailable for a while when he was being interviewed in front of his restored dragster.  While there might not be much...  While there might not be much more than the steering wheel left of the original car, it’s still the Winged Express, and it still performs long, crowd-pleasing smoky burnouts! This was followed by a 7.85/186 pass!  Take a good look at Ron Hope’s...  Take a good look at Ron Hope’s Rat Trap Altered and you’ll see the blower has just lifted. This is exactly what blower-restraining belts are for! Period push cars and trucks are all part of the Cacklefest experience with almost every team fielding one. Jason Rupert, in the Mert Littlefield tribute car was just 1 of over 30 Nostalgia Funny Cars at the event, the class won by John Hale with an impressive 5.589/255.97 in his ’69 Camaro, the quickest and fastest Funny Car pass in Reunion history.  Take a good look at Ron Hope’s...  Take a good look at Ron Hope’s Rat Trap Altered and you’ll see the blower has just lifted. This is exactly what blower-restraining belts are for! Period push cars and trucks are all part of the Cacklefest experience with almost every team fielding one. Jason Rupert, in the Mert Littlefield tribute car was just 1 of over 30 Nostalgia Funny Cars at the event, the class won by John Hale with an impressive 5.589/255.97 in his ’69 Camaro, the quickest and fastest Funny Car pass in Reunion history.  Friday night’s reception at...  Friday night’s reception at the Doubletree host hotel in Bakersfield sees a number of race cars fired up for the crowds, as well as hot rods in the parking lot. Though the latter were down in numbers this year, this altered wheelbase A coupe was one of many in attendance.
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