Looking for a particular '57

[G B.]

http://www.jerrybramlett.net/images/wanted_poster.jpg

I apologize if this post is inappropriate for the Technical Discussion Board. Please delete if anyone considers it so.

[Bruce B.]

Re: Looking for a particular '57

Jerry,

Try and Google Dianna / Ripes.
There is a link to "The Hamb" which might give you some useful info.

Bruce B

[Bruce B.]

Re: Looking for a particular '57

Jerry,
Here is some more info from my Google of "John Dianna Drag Corvette".
Apparently John Dianna worked or works for Bukaroo Comunications (Hot Rod Mag?).

Below is an article from The Hamb, but it looks like the pictures did not copy.

11-30-2008, 05:43 PM	#986
colesy Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 1,336	Re: NHRA Junior Stock Hot Rod magazine ran this Junior/Stock series in 1969 titled Project Jr. Vette and written by John Dianna. The injected Vette ran in I/SA with an A-1 Ripes glide. According to the article, Alex Jarrell (remember the Farm Wagon 56) built the engine which features a Moroso deep sump pan, Racing Head Service heads and Stahl adjustable headers. Attached Thumbnails

[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.
The electric tach on the steering column is a SW 8000RPM electric unit from the late 70’s.
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.

[G B.]

Re: Looking for a particular '57

Thank you all for your responses.

Tom - I'm pretty sure Richard doesn't have this particular car, but I'll look into it.

Bruce - I've been googling all kinds of terms looking this car, but I haven't found anyone who's seen it since 1971. I also went through my old car magazine collection looking for photos and feature articles. Other than the write-ups that appeared in Hot Rod in the early seventies, I found only one photo of the car. That photo was in a seventies issue of CARS Magazine. It was a tiny nose shot and didn't identify the owner. In a seventies issue of Super Chevy, Doug Marion mentioned buying the "1962" FI unit that had been on the car. However, the one 1971 engine compartment photo I've found shows a '60 - '61 style FI unit installed. John Dianna also wrote that he ran a 1961 FI unit in one of his articles.

Jim - I wish I knew the VIN, but I don't. Thanks for posting photos of the car you found. I don't see anything in the shots to tell me it isn't the Hot Rod car, nor do I see anything to tell me that it is. I believe Marv Ripes is still living in the L.A. area. Do you know him? I think his A-1 Transmission business moved out of CA around 5 years ago.

[Nicholas L.]

Re: Looking for a particular '57

Here is link to A-1 Transmission in Vancouver, WA. They say they bought business from Marvin Ripes. Marvins picture is on their website and talks about his drag racing career.

http://a-1perf.com/ABUS.html

[James G.]

Re: Looking for a particular '57

Here is link to A-1 Transmission in Vancouver, WA. They say they bought business from Marvin Ripes. Marvins picture is on their website and talks about his drag racing career.
http://a-1perf.com/ABUS.html

Jerry, this is neat stuff. Marv may remember where the car went.

[Rick G.]

Re: Looking for a particular '57

Jerry, this is neat stuff. Marv may remember where the car went.

Jim,

I agree this is really neat stuff. Let's keep this thread alive and find this important part of corvette history. Someone must have an idea of the where abouts of this car.

Rick

[G B.]

Re: Looking for a particular '57

Nicholas - I'll contact the new A-1 and ask them to forward a message from me to Marv Ripes. I'm hoping to convince him I'm not a pest or stalker. I really just want to buy an old car he used to own. Uh... even that sounds kinda sick, doesn't it?

Todd - Thanks for the Craigslist tip. Like Jim's Lizard '57, that green car could be it or not. I don't know yet. I'm trying to get some more photos from the seller now.

Gary - There's no need to be secretive or subtle. I'm not trying to sneak up on the current owner. If he doesn't know why I'm interested, I'll tell him. Then he can either sell the car to me or not. Either way, I'll accept his answer.

[Dick B.]

Re: Looking for a particular '57

Jerry, a good friend of mine drove and maintained the A 1 car in the early 70's (70-71) At the time it was owned by Lloyd Dixon of Kearney Nebraska (He also bought Diiana's 1956 Wagon). Lloyd sold the Corvette to one of the owners of Newton Chevrolet in Fairbury Nebraska. I think the car was owned by Kenney Junker.The car had an alumminum powerglide, 283 , carb was a WCFB. Ran at Great Bend Ks , Denver, Omaha (where I saw it run) Ran low/mid 12's N/SA or IS/A If I can find them I'll post a couple of pic's. My friend thinks the car went to Michigan ???

[G B.]

Re: Looking for a particular '57

Dick - Thanks very much for your response. That's the first solid lead I've received. Please tell me if the car had been re-painted or re-lettered when you saw it run at Omaha.

[Dick B.]

Re: Looking for a particular '57

Dick - Thanks very much for your response. That's the first solid lead I've received. Please tell me if the car had been re-painted or re-lettered when you saw it run at Omaha.

Jerry Thecar was medium/dark brown (you will love this ) with Lace Pattern in the coves. The delership .is now call Midway Chevrolet. Hope this helps PS. my buddy also Drag raced a 1966 427 Coupe went to Indy a couple of times, He now runs 1965 Nova wagon (drag car all its life ) He's 71


.

[G B.]

Re: Looking for a particular '57

Dick - Actually, love isn't the sensation I'm feeling about the new brown color scheme. I'm sure grateful for the update on its appearance, however. Thanks so much.

Your friend sounds like a real pistol.

[John N.]

Re: Looking for a particular '57

Jerry, a good friend of mine drove and maintained the A 1 car in the early 70's (70-71) At the time it was owned by Lloyd Dixon of Kearney Nebraska (He also bought Diiana's 1956 Wagon). Lloyd sold the Corvette to one of the owners of Newton Chevrolet in Fairbury Nebraska. I think the car was owned by Kenney Junker.The car had an alumminum powerglide, 283 , carb was a WCFB. Ran at Great Bend Ks , Denver, Omaha (where I saw it run) Ran low/mid 12's N/SA or IS/A If I can find them I'll post a couple of pic's. My friend thinks the car went to Michigan ???

Dick
Didnt John wreck the wagon in Indiana Labor Day weekend approximately 1967?
Regards

[James G.]

Re: Looking for a particular '57

DAN HAMPTON needs to chime in here. HE MAY HAVE AN IDEA ABOUT THIS CAR. Dan owns

The Pizza Man, '54 Corvette (serial no. 99). Eight time NHRA World Record Holder in E/F/G/H Modified Production.
Won more World Championship Points in three consecutive years ('67-'69) than any car in Street Eliminator history.
Powered by a 292 GMC 6 Cylinder with a B & M turbo Hydro, it was billed the "World's Fastest Six Cylinder Corvette".Campaigned from 1962-1971. Fastest recorded quarter time was 12.17@118 mph. Unofficial fastest time:11.97 in 1970. Beat Dick Landy and the Dodge Factory Team at '68 Winternationals.