http://www.competitionplus.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=8811&Itemid=51
Well, this is a blast from the past. When I saw this on Bobby's site, I had to watch it. I was there when this was filmed. The white 54 Ford was my step dad's bracket car. The Camaro belonged to Valley Head Service Owner, Larry Ofria. (as you can see the stickers on both cars) The black cat on the side of the ford was for my mom who was nick named "Kitty". When you see the Canyon on the car, my mom was the President of the car club Canyon Ford but they had to take off Ford for obvious reasons.
The car did run well in the 1/4 mile that day, and well, I already knew who won, I was in the stands. Got outta school for 2 days for the filming at Lion's Drag Strip. Yep, that's the now fabled Big Cat Track down in Long Beach.
The guy, Fat Charlie was the actual character "Big Willy" out of Terminal Island and there was a big push to get the street racers off the street and out to the track.
The Camaro really did break at the starting line, I can't remember what he broke, but the script was such that McCord was supposed to win, but not that way. This was AHRA Sanctioned and before my parents switched to Super Stock and ran NHRA, this car was B-Modified Production. (As I kid, I always thought the wheels were much cooler, what a suprise that was to see LOL!!)
My step dad actually had to drive the car. When they tried to get Kent McCord to sit in the car so he could drive it, it was pretty loud and he didn't feel too safe. Larry was driving his car too. So it was just like a regular day of racing for us, Ford Vs Chevy and we raced each other all the time, either OCIR, San Fernando, Lions or Irwindale until my mom started working for Wally at NHRA in Toluca Lake.
The internet is an amazing tool to see this in it's entirety 37 years after filming it. It was filmed in either December or January of 71/72. WOW!! What a trip. Dick Clark and Crosby were really nice guys too. They named Crosby (If I remember correctly) after my step dad, but changed it from Ted to Ed Wells. (for those of you who knew Ted and know me, note to self: Step Dad)
Well, this is a blast from the past. When I saw this on Bobby's site, I had to watch it. I was there when this was filmed. The white 54 Ford was my step dad's bracket car. The Camaro belonged to Valley Head Service Owner, Larry Ofria. (as you can see the stickers on both cars) The black cat on the side of the ford was for my mom who was nick named "Kitty". When you see the Canyon on the car, my mom was the President of the car club Canyon Ford but they had to take off Ford for obvious reasons.
The car did run well in the 1/4 mile that day, and well, I already knew who won, I was in the stands. Got outta school for 2 days for the filming at Lion's Drag Strip. Yep, that's the now fabled Big Cat Track down in Long Beach.
The guy, Fat Charlie was the actual character "Big Willy" out of Terminal Island and there was a big push to get the street racers off the street and out to the track.
The Camaro really did break at the starting line, I can't remember what he broke, but the script was such that McCord was supposed to win, but not that way. This was AHRA Sanctioned and before my parents switched to Super Stock and ran NHRA, this car was B-Modified Production. (As I kid, I always thought the wheels were much cooler, what a suprise that was to see LOL!!)
My step dad actually had to drive the car. When they tried to get Kent McCord to sit in the car so he could drive it, it was pretty loud and he didn't feel too safe. Larry was driving his car too. So it was just like a regular day of racing for us, Ford Vs Chevy and we raced each other all the time, either OCIR, San Fernando, Lions or Irwindale until my mom started working for Wally at NHRA in Toluca Lake.
The internet is an amazing tool to see this in it's entirety 37 years after filming it. It was filmed in either December or January of 71/72. WOW!! What a trip. Dick Clark and Crosby were really nice guys too. They named Crosby (If I remember correctly) after my step dad, but changed it from Ted to Ed Wells. (for those of you who knew Ted and know me, note to self: Step Dad)
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