Looking for a particular '57

[James G.]

Re: Looking for a particular '57

i found this car in 2010 at an estate sale. Vin # 2628. 1957 corvette drag race car from bellflower;jim russell was the owner, but he had recently died and his brother was in charge of the estate.
1977 cal plate sbra for south bay racing association
car was called lizard. Car has been sitting since 1977. It is best described as a 1957, vin #e57s102668, built around march 20, 1957. It has a hardtop only. Interior shows the speedo, clock and 4 small gauges (oil, amp, water, battery) are installed along with aftermarket stewart warner oil pressure, oil temp and water temp. The tach in dash is a ac 4000rpm unit used in trucks of the era, not corvettes.

body damage around head light bezel, and right rear fender may have been replaced. All four bumpers are missing front and rear.
steering wheel is missing. There is no radio.
car has a 3858174 engine block with a small harmonic balancer. This engine was used in all passenger and truck and corvette 1966 chevrolet vehicles with 327/300hp. The intake is an edelbrock. There is no carburetor. The car has a hole in the floor with a competition plus-4 hurst shifter coming thru mounted to probably a 4 speed. Corvette valve covers have breathers in them. The hood has 4 pins for easy removal. Deep dish ansen front wheels, steel in the rear. I offered 20-25 range on 1-10-10. Car went back to brother of deceased owner in durango, co. Recently sold to a fellow in mass. I have his name and contact if this looks like it may have been the car.

this car was sold to a fellow in new england, who is bring it back to street.

[Terry B.]

Re: Looking for a particular '57

Mr. Bramlett: I've read these posts several times and not sure I understand. Were you looking for "Ken Junker's" 57 or were you looking for the "Hot Rod Magazine" 57? Were these two different cars or was there one car owned by two parties? I agree with Bruce ... sounds exciting ... no yawns from me either. I remember the Hot Rod 57 ... in fact I may still have that issue. Keep us informed.

[G B.]

Re: Looking for a particular '57

Terry, I was looking for the Hot Rod Magazine "Project '57 Vette" that was raced in 1971. During my search, someone suggested Junkers' '57 might be the Hot Rod car, but I'm certain now that it isn't. They were similar in that they were drag cars, but they are definitely two different '57 Corvettes.

[G B.]

End of story.

Craig Wood in southern Michigan has evidently completed his restoration of the Hot Rod Magazine "Project '57 Vette". You can see a photo of it on the CorvetteForum in the thread about the Detroit Autorama: http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c1-a...-autorama.html And that, as they say, is that.

[Leif A.]

Re: End of story.

what a GREAT story of perseverance...I still believe that a lot of what keeps this hobby going is the depth of desire of those of us who love these cars and want to perpetuate their existence...no yawns here whatsoever. G. A. thanks for a terrific story with a fabulous ending!!

[James G.]

Re: End of story.

RECEIVED TODAY FROM MY RACE CAR REGISTRY CANADA PERSON WAYNE ELLWOOD;

Jim,


OK, I didn't get quite as much as I thought on tape but there is a basic story.


In effect the car is famous and, at the same time, has been raced very little. The "fame" seems to derive both from HOT ROD magazine and the fact that John Dianna (editor at Hot Rod) was a bit of a lady's man. If I got this right, he left HOT ROD for his attention to the ladies over the magazine.


The car was a 1957 (no details) and was set up for drag racing with sponsorship from HOT ROD magazine for the 1970-71 season. It appears that John Dianna and Marv Ripes were partners in the car and that John campaigned it for four moths in1970 followed by Marv Ripes (for one month) once John left HOT ROD.


The car was sold to two guys (unknown) in Fort Wayne (IN). They raced it for about 18 moths and then went idle.


The car was bought by Craig Woods (Coldwater, MI) in 1985. Restoration began in 2012 and the car first seen at Detroit this spring. The car had 1200 hours of shop time.


The car will be shown again at (someone's) Hall of Fame in York (PA) this July. marv Ripes will be re-untied with the car for the first time since he drove it in 1970.


That's what I had on tape.


I have Craig Wood's cell number ( I CAN SUPPLY IN NEEDED). He works at Corlite Inc in Coldwater (MI). But prefers to have contact on his cell versus email. I'll ask about that to verify, as it would be easier for us to contact via email.


They're still at the show so it will take a few days for them to get settled-in after the show.



Wayne Ellwood
Corvette Articles & Photos
466 Ambleside Dr.
London, ON. N6G 4W9
CANADA

519-679-7660 (T)
519-636-2135 (cell)
wayne.ellwood@rogers.com