Thread: Anyone from Danville, Illinois?

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I grew up there, and just happened to think I might find someone from my hometown here!

I used to run over to Danville back in the day,bought speed goodies from Fagan's, also used to cruise there when we wanted to go somewhere different.I graduated in '63 from Champaign High School.I drove dirt track 67-69 at Farmer City,there were a lot of legends from Danville in Sprint Cars and modifieds I would like to find some pics of them but no luck so far.Gene Henson,Larry Cannon,and Bobby Carrigan(The Twinburger Special #1)cosponsered by Barkman Chevrolet. I moved to Phoenix in '70 then to CA and back to Phoenix in '92 still here.My 54 Ford Customline came from Tucson if I can get it finished my goal is to drive it back next year to my 45th class reunion in Champaign as I had a 53 & a 54 in Auto Shop my Jr & Sr year.

Does it count that I lived there a L-O-O-O-N-N-N-G time ago? My father was a project manager on a manufacturing plant (GE) being built there. And I was a wee tad.

Originally Posted by Jeff B

I used to run over to Danville back in the day,bought speed goodies from Fagan's, also used to cruise there when we wanted to go somewhere different.I graduated in '63 from Champaign High School.I drove dirt track 67-69 at Farmer City,there were a lot of legends from Danville in Sprint Cars and modifieds I would like to find some pics of them but no luck so far.Gene Henson,Larry Cannon,and Bobby Carrigan(The Twinburger Special #1)cosponsered by Barkman Chevrolet. I moved to Phoenix in '70 then to CA and back to Phoenix in '92 still here.My 54 Ford Customline came from Tucson if I can get it finished my goal is to drive it back next year to my 45th class reunion in Champaign as I had a 53 & a 54 in Auto Shop my Jr & Sr year.

Jeff, Small world! I graduated in '66 from a farm school north of Danville. I bought parts from Fagan's, and used to cruise Champaign in a white 327 '57 Vette! I believe the Cannon brothers were barbers, and cut my hair as a little guy. One of them went to Indy! I worked at Barkman Chevrolet in '67-'70 in parts, and sold them crate motors for the sprint cars. I moved to Tucson in '75. Tell me about your '54. If it was a "glasstop", I had some dealings with one here years ago. Jay

Originally Posted by Irelands child

Does it count that I lived there a L-O-O-O-N-N-N-G time ago? My father was a project manager on a manufacturing plant (GE) being built there. And I was a wee tad.

"Child", My mother-in-law worked many years at the GE plant. When were you there? Maybe we went to kindergarten together. :-) Jay

BTW, Danville has a website at " allarounddanville.com ". The message board doesn't have a lot of activity, though with time I've located a few old friends. It also has pictures of many people, and current and historic places in the area. Jay

I grew up in Danville, California, does that count?

Pat

As a kid, I would have probably changed places with you! Like most young people, I thought I was living where nothing ever happened. I remember when a local bought a gorgeous black '57 Nomad with flames, out of California. We all worshipped that car since it was more of a real custom, being from the left coast! :-)

Jay,my '54 is a 2 door Sedan,I did have a '54 Glasstop in '69 with a 312 y-block that ran strong,if you cruised in Champaign most of the rodders hung out at Steak n Shake by U of I and Dog n Suds on Prospect .Yeah ,the Cannons were barbers.When Larry ran, the track announcers called him "The Mad Barber from Danville" when he went Indy he got the nickname "Boom Boom" Cannon.I used to make it up to US 30 Dragstrip in Gary,Ind saw a lot of the Legends there, saw a website recently showing whats left of it,really sad! I haven't been back to Illinois since I left in '70 have you? Jeff

Jeff, I was usually at the Steak and Shake. I miss their fries, Chili Mac", and "Chili Three Ways". :-(

I usually felt "fast", when I was cruisin' the '57 Vette, but a couple times a local silver 427 Cobra would park by me, and it would rattle the windows in the Vette. (Very Humiliating) :-)

I left in '75, and went back when a close friend died about 1980-'82. EVERYTHING HAD CHANGED! I realized then that "home" is not just a place....but also a time. I haven't been back since, but, thanks to the "net", I still stay in touch with several old friends. Unfortunately, I just lost another one. I still hold those days precious. Jay

I guarantee you'll not miss Steak n Shake these days,I too longed for those same treats,so on our trip last October we stopped at one in Memphis,no carhops,overpriced,portions half the size of yesteryear and lacking in taste I should have just kept the memories,cause they sure screwed up a good thing.The one in Champaign is still there according to the website,but I wonder if they ruined it too.I hope I can still get a good pizza when I go back!

Jeff, The '54 glasstop I was involved with was becoming a '50s custom. It got '56 Packard Clipper rear fenders, and a top chop.

I had done a '56 Chevy pickup for the same guy that made the cover of Truckin' June of '88, and it is now in California. This was his next project, but he was fighting cancer, and I don't think he finished it before he passed away.

If you ever hear of, or see the '54 I described, please post it here.

Jeff, I I don't know if you follow drag racing, but I thought I would mention the exploits of Danville drag racer Keith Stark.

He has run many cars, but switched to injected nitro dragsters over the years. In the 90s he held big records in NHRA.

I don't know if he is currently racing, as his car was rebuilt to fit new IHRA rules changes, and then rendered non-competitive by other changes in their organization.

His name seems familar,I try to catch IHRA whenever they are on Speed TV especially the Pro-Mods.A few months ago there was a post on the HAMB about 52-54 Fords and a lot of pics were posted also a 54 customized glasstop was on ebay from CA within the last 30 days looked like it had the packard tailights.Jeff

Jeff, Keith Stark was on TV a lot about 3-5 years ago. If you see his car on TV, It's an injected fueler that says "Stark Raving Mad", I think on the injector scoop. I attached a picture of a recent car. He uses a Spitzer chassis and a Fontana motor. He has been competitive for many seasons, under both NHRA and IHRA, was teamed up with former Pro Stock racer, Albert Clark from Cayuga, Indiana (Clark Chevrolet), and won the Indy Nationals. Here is a link to an in-depth article about him:

http://www.risesales.com/pages/Dragr...ith_stark.html

It's possible that the '54 Ford glasstop went to the coast, since that is where his truck went.

Apparently Danville isn't an "uncool" place to be after all. Of the friends I stay in touch with, three have rods, two race, another is building a Wildrod 'glass '37 coupe, and the rest have at least an interest in cars and racing. Maybe I should move back...........Naaaah! :-)