TLOR proxy race poll...

[Robert Livingston]

The Pyro (and later Life-Like) '32 Ford roadster is a lot more common than the ancient Revell kits, and so might be a better starting point for a '32 Ford roadster rod-road racer. But are any of the old "tracksters" mentioned in TLOR?

I read Brock Yates book "The Hot Rod," about a similar road racer, based on a '25 Ford T-bucket, with Sprint car mechanicals (including full race Chevy V-8). Some other early track/road racers based on hot rod technology are shown in the book. But this isn't THR, this is TLOR.

Just for laffs, here is an original Revell Ford roadster, with coupe conversion top, as sold back in the 1950's. It was based on their Model A hot rod roadster kit, changed into an oval track racer. Scale is 1/32:







Here is a Life-Like kit on e-bay, "buy it now" price $12.80:

[macknnc]

Another thing of note is there isn't a lot of mention of what was happening on the left coast. Sure, you've got Phil Hill mentioned in all 3 books and a few other folks from the far West. Burt's key character, Buddy Palumbo is a mechanic in Passaic NJ who gets caught up in the East coast "sporty car" community. He was only peripherally aware of racing on the West Coast. There the racing community was more welcoming to folks who weren't members of the "Lucky Sperm Club"... like Jews, Asians and... gasp... hot rodders.



Greenman62

You know Greg, looking over some info I have and thinking back..it's a shame Burt's fictional SCMA (obviously based on the SCCA) doesn't visit down here more often in the books and in real life..the SCCA got off to a slow start down here..but with those 'good old boys" of NASCAR's skills at modifying cars to go faster, we Southerners has a great deal in common with California "hot rod' set than with the Northeast "Lucky Sperm Clubbers," and I bet some great specials would have grown up from those days..

[greenman62]

You know Greg, looking over some info I have and thinking back..it's a shame Burt's fictional SCMA (obviously based on the SCCA) doesn't visit down here more often in the books and in real life..the SCCA got off to a slow start down here..but with those 'good old boys" of NASCAR's skills at modifying cars to go faster, we Southerners has a great deal in common with California "hot rod' set than with the Northeast "Lucky Sperm Clubbers," and I bet some great specials would have grown up from those days..

I've been reading The 200 MPH Steam Roller. I got it from Burt this past weekend. It's told from the point of view of Hank Lyons, Buddy Palumbo's Motorsports Journalist friend. Buddy is busy with his very successful restoration/race prep business and is thinking about moving away from Passaic to Connecticut to be closer to where his clientele are. The early part of the book he is at the first Daytona Road race (I think in 1963), which I believe wasn't a 24 hour race. There is some cross-pollination of NASCAR drivers mentioned. So as I like to say "stay tuned"!

OBTW, how I got the book involves driving down to Eugene to meet Burt and to help him with a presentation to the NW Alfa Club at their annual road rally fund raiser for the March of Dimes. I didn't have too much time to talk him up about the TLOR race. It was a work weekend and he was busy selling books and schmoozing with customers. That said, our little proxy race is definitely on his radar screen.

Greenman62

[macknnc]

Well That is certainly good news!!

[GT6]

Mainly the moocher

Here's a PR thought:
Seeing as Burt L considers himself a top notch ride mooch, how's about inviting him out to a round of TLOR proxy located in his vacinity and having him "mooch" a proxy racer ride. Do a little write up and promote it on the forum and elsewhere, get some publicity shots both he and we can use to promote our associated endeavors, swap a few lies, have a few beers ... everybody wins.

cheers
Scott

[greenman62]

Here's a PR thought:
Seeing as Burt L considers himself a top notch ride mooch, how's about inviting him out to a round of TLOR proxy located in his vacinity and having him "mooch" a proxy racer ride. Do a little write up and promote it on the forum and elsewhere, get some publicity shots both he and we can use to promote our associated endeavors, swap a few lies, have a few beers ... everybody wins.

Yup... all over that... That's why we have a couple venues in the Chicago area..

Greenman62

[macknnc]

Well if Burt shows up at one of the proxies...I don't think there is any doubt he will take a shot at driving one of the cars...

[Wet Coast Racer]

Hi Folks.

Please note that this Thread has now been moved out of 1/32 Forum to Race Events and Proxy Racing here. Also note the new Rules Thread that has been started.

[silverhelmet]

Aw the poll is closed! Shucks!

only 29 voters. Certainly if we kept it open there could be some more enthusiasm generated. But maybe it was open long enuf. I've been trying to get people interested in TLOR proxy around here and I hope they still see some activity. Even if they can't vote in our poll.

By the way (longhand for btw) pick up yourself the latest copy of Vintage Motorsport magazine. Sep/Oct 2010. Lots about the XK-120s in the USA, and a great shot of some racing on the streets around Elkhart Lake on page 86. Look close enuf and you can see Greg P. at age 8 sitting on a hay bale. Oh no, that was page 84.