Thread: Nostalgia

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I was looking for info on "The Greek's" 204 mph run at Alton in April, 1960 (I was there!) and I found this photo of Stan Lomelino from my hometown, Virden, IL. Stan was a blacksmith by trade, and a local hero to the car guys. He won Indy several times in the F Dragster class (flatheds).

This is an experimental twin he built. It was too heavy and too complicated, but an interesting experiment. The rear end was set up with two pinions running one ring gear, and used floating truck axles.

Stan was one of the reasons I started working on hot rods - hanging around his dirt-floored shop watching him work. He was always receptive to young folks, and helped a lot of us out. He was one of the unknown, unrecognized pioneers.

I remember a unique use he had for a flathead. He ran it on four cylinders, and used the other four as an air compressor.

Stan still has a listed phone number in my home town. If I ever get back, I need to look him up.

If he's listed, maybe you should give him a call. If he is interested he may enjoy hearing from someone who experienced his efforts back then. Last time I promised myself to stop in to see someone when I got back home, they died before I could get back. I've regretted not picking up the phone and reaching out.

If he dumps you off, his loss not yours.

Cool stuff! I saw the Greek's 204 car at the Museum Of Science & Industry in Chicago. I grew up in Danville, and had family in Decatur and Clinton. Went to U.S. 30, Indy, Charleston, and Paris tracks, but didn't start going to the drags until '62. Remember the white "Agitator" Anglia from Springfield, or The Kentucky Colonel AWB '65 Dodge? How about that great little white and blue Metropolitan altered with the Max wedge, or the "Snoopy" Anglia?

BTW, that blower setup on the rear motor looks like the same setup that someone asked about in the last couple days.

I was in college by '62, and wasn't following the drags until '68 when I got my first engineering job and bought a '68 GTO. By then, I was in Omaha, and didn't have any connection with central IL hot rods.

I rember the 204 run very clearly. The Speed Sport roadster and Lou Congelose were there also. Lou lost it and wiped out the lights at the far end. The Greek grenaded the engine and couldn't back up the 204.

I was there in my '52 Chevy running K Stock and running low 18's - or something like that. Seems like Nicholson and Profitt were there also, running Super Stockers. It was a pretty big meet.

Somewhat reminiscent of the ol' Bustle Bomb of the mid '50s.

[COLOR=black]I rember the 204 run very clearly. The Speed Sport roadster and Lou Congelose were there also. Lou lost it and wiped out the lights at the far end. The Greek grenaded the engine and couldn't back up the 204][/QUOTE]

A phenomenal speed for '59! As you probably know, it was on hydrazine, a rocket fuel which was unpredictable, unhealthy to be around, and soon outlawed by NHRA. No doubt that had something to do with the engine damage. I think Garlits finally went faster, but it was about 6-8 years later.

As you also probably know, Red Greth (of Fisher & Greth) is from Tucson. I bought the body from Speed Sport 2 about 1987, to save it from being lost or cannibalized. It eventually it found it's way back to Red. He has a replica of the famous roadster, an updated version of a roadster, and is currently running a '70s style Cuda nostalgia Funny.

Since we are talking nostalgia, here is a sign I bought the same time as the roadster. It came from their shop, where Fisher built some of the earliest spoked wheels. Red told me that the car in the painting is a little-known front engined car that they wrecked right after they built it,....I think in Alton, Illinois. The sign is now in a large collection of drag race memorabilia, in Florida.

where int he heck did you find pictures of the bustle bomb! if this is the same bustle bomb i am thinking of i could tell ou a story i heard from a geezer and it would probably fill up a whole page!

here you go henry, you might need a magnifying glass to read it. go to this page and scroll down to the start of the article. it looks like this!!

http://cacklefest.com/Greek-204.shtml

Yep, I've read that article several times. One thing I vividly remember is when two of the fuelers launched - one was the Speed Sport roadster, and I'm not sure who the other was - a guy decided to cross from the right side of the track to the left side. He walked across the finish line while the two fuelers were bearing down on him. I don't think he knew they were coming. I thought it would be a Darwin Award moment, but he made it.

By the way, I wonder if any of the <ahem> younger generation know why that site is called "cacklefest." You old coots hang back for a minute and see what answers we get.

What was the old dragster that ran a Hemi and a SBC on the same car?

You mean this one? Or the other?

If you like twins with unusual power plants this one might interest ya.............

Yup, them big old Hemi's take a heck of a good starter!!! Guess I was wrong, them sbc's aren't totally worthless!!!!!!

Hey Jack, call the guy today!!!! From personal experience I can tell you if you wait till you get around to it, it will probably be too late!!!!!

"Cacklefest" refers to the way all of the old Fuel engines sound because of the timing they ran. They are actually louder than the new Top Fuel cars for that reason. Correct?

Any one want to make a list of V8 "twins"?

Here are a few including some shown. Feel free to add or correct this.

Bustle Bomb
Odd Couple
Jack Moss
Dragmaster Two-Thing
Eddie Hill's Double Dragon
Der Weinerschnitzel fueler
Gopher State Timing Association
Frakes & Funk
Freight Train
Logghe Stamping liner
Ivo twin buick
Fry Brothers
Enriquez & Adams injected twin, and turbo twin fueler
Ambassadors Car Club twin Chevy
Paris Bros. rear engine fueler
Don Hampton Corvette Funny Car
Dillington Nova twin SBC F/C
Flathead Jack
The Syndicate fueler

I have some cackle fest videos .....good eye watering stuff......