Boosted1
Well-known member
Great story on Lou's old Bonneville racer.
Above 1200 Sq/FT Restored 1930's Auto Shop
- Thread starter BB767
- Start date
Wokspaces above 1200 squarefeet.
realvc
Well-known member
What a great story that we get to see happen in real time. Thanks one more time for sharing the COTU with us.
Did the salt racing/Lou connection start in part with finding the Y manifold?
Vince
Did the salt racing/Lou connection start in part with finding the Y manifold?
Vince
67ImpalaSS396
Member
Re: Lou Bingham '28 Roadster - Restoration Update
Thomas,
I think the smile on Lou's face in this picture pretty much says it all...
Very cool.
Regards,
John
When we got to Lou's house last week, he opened his garage door and look what was sitting inside!
Thomas
Thomas,
I think the smile on Lou's face in this picture pretty much says it all...
Very cool.
Regards,
John
Thirdyfivepickup
Well-known member
that is so cool for Lou!!! Now slap a turbo on it and shoot for 200mph!!
markviii
Well-known member
realvc -- no, we knew Lou before the Y-manifold appeared while clearing the property. BUT, as luck in the COTU would have it, Lou knew the maker of the Y-manifold back in the day. We were able to connect Lou with Jacob, a relative of the maker, who had been looking for a Jerrauld Y-manifold for years. We actually took it to Jacob (he lives near Lou) so it could be back with its original family after many years in the COTU. Lou and Tom now crew for Jacob and his son at Bonneville with their motorcycle.
HOTFR8 -- Lou and Tom are always busy at Bonneville. They go early to set up the SDRC pit area and have a fun time out on the salt. This year will be even more fun with the roadster being there.
While the guys were working on the roadster, I took some pictures of the progress. I also got lots of reading done, finishing 2 books. Our main reason for going to San Diego was to attend the San Diego Roadster Club awards banquet. SDRC is officially the fastest car club in the world, but I'll leave that story for Tom to tell because he can tell it with accurate details. Suffice it to say that we saw many of our land speed and vintage racing friends. And we didn't bring rain for the first time in 6 or 7 years since CA is officially out of its drought. It was in the low 70s and sunny the entire time we were there, much better than the 40s and rain back at the COTU.
Lou is one happy old salt racer!
Chris
HOTFR8 -- Lou and Tom are always busy at Bonneville. They go early to set up the SDRC pit area and have a fun time out on the salt. This year will be even more fun with the roadster being there.
While the guys were working on the roadster, I took some pictures of the progress. I also got lots of reading done, finishing 2 books. Our main reason for going to San Diego was to attend the San Diego Roadster Club awards banquet. SDRC is officially the fastest car club in the world, but I'll leave that story for Tom to tell because he can tell it with accurate details. Suffice it to say that we saw many of our land speed and vintage racing friends. And we didn't bring rain for the first time in 6 or 7 years since CA is officially out of its drought. It was in the low 70s and sunny the entire time we were there, much better than the 40s and rain back at the COTU.
Lou is one happy old salt racer!
Chris
fish369
Member
Awesome! Lou must be in his glory!! Now we need to see a recreation of the picture of him and the car.
On a sadder note, look what I found at the Wisconsin capital yesterday...
On a sadder note, look what I found at the Wisconsin capital yesterday...
Awesome! Lou must be in his glory!! Now we need to see a recreation of the picture of him and the car.
On a sadder note, look what I found at the Wisconsin capital yesterday...
O M G !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The absolute horror of it all! Hideous to my eyes! I can't stand to look at it! The problem is you can't un-see something once you've seen it! Now I'll have to carry that terrible sight in my mind forever!! Oh the humanity!
Deeply, deeply, deeply disturbed Thomas
Old Man Roger
Well-known member
It's like they were mocking you..lol
mrob12
Member
O M G !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The absolute horror of it all! Hideous to my eyes! I can't stand to look at it! The problem is you can't un-see something once you've seen it! Now I'll have to carry that terrible sight in my mind forever!! Oh the humanity!
Deeply, deeply, deeply disturbed Thomas
Yes, those mitres are bad.
Vette60
Well-known member
Hi All.
Been following along and posted once or twice in the thread, but the story of Lou and his roadster just really made my day. It's way too cool to see the original builder, in the garage it was built working on the car again. Makes me really smile!
Thanks.
Been following along and posted once or twice in the thread, but the story of Lou and his roadster just really made my day. It's way too cool to see the original builder, in the garage it was built working on the car again. Makes me really smile!
Thanks.
MrScott99
Well-known member
Awesome! Lou must be in his glory!! Now we need to see a recreation of the picture of him and the car.
On a sadder note, look what I found at the Wisconsin capital yesterday...
My former father-in-law (who worked for the Federal government at the time) used to say.... "close enough for government work". Guess he wasn't kidding.
1/2 Cup
Member Emeritus
Thomas thank you for sharing Lou's story, appreciated
HOTFR8
Banned
It would be interesting to get a closer look at this vehicle as it has so much history to it.
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dpljmurphy
Well-known member
OK Chris and Thomas, I've always wanted to do the salt flats and in my mind i'm on a crew or helping in some way and close to the drivers and cars. I hope to retire next year; please pm me with any opportunity to help out. We're out Seattle way so not too hard to head down there. Cheers, and thanks for sharing, David
Thirdyfivepickup
Well-known member
I've said it a million times and probably once already on this thread... If you've never been to Speed Week you're missing out. Seriously... If you're a car guy or enjoy anything mechanical at all you will LOVE Bonneville.
(I'm not exaggerating either... the salt is life changing for most)
Finallygotit
ALLIANCE MEMBER
^^^^^^
9C1
Well-known member
^^^^^^
Me too. The salt is one of those bucket list things.
Been there and got that T-shirt
rmalkow2
Well-known member
aaaa
My experience exactly
My experience exactly
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1949 caddyman
Well-known member
HOTFR8
Banned
Whilst we are on the subject of the salt, Lake Gairdner is a place to visit. Very different to Bonneville and we have seen many from both the USA and NZ bring a vehicle to this event and even seen some new records set. https://www.dlra.org.au/
Bonneville 2018-Danny Thompson and Challenger II
Since we're starting to catch salt fever, here is some more salt material for all of you.
Of all the things that happen last year at Bonneville, the Danny Thompson and Challenger II story was far and away the high point for me. A little background material for you.
Mickey Thompson needs no introduction. Google him and you'll be reading for days. In 1968 Mickey designed a new streamliner to run at Bonneville to set the land speed record for wheel driven, piston powered cars. The result was...
...this car, then named Autolite Special, now known as Challenger II or 2. Twin Ford engines, powered the car which showed tremendous potential. Mickey had promising test runs but rains prevented any further testing or running of the car that year. Mickey's businesses and other projects resulted in the car being put into storage. He never had a chance to run the car again and it was largely forgotten.
Around 2014 Mickey's son, Danny brought the car out of storage and with limited sponsorship he started work on the car with the goal of bettering his father's best record speed of 406 mph set in Challenger I, in 1960.
The original Ford engines were replaced with naturally aspirated, dry block, nitro-fueled Hemi V8 engines. Horsepower was more than doubled with the new engines. Danny cooled the new engines with excess nitro fuel. With the exception of the engines and some required safety modifications, Danny used the same chassis, the same aerodynamics, and the same hand-formed aluminum skin that his father had built the car with.
Last August on the first day of racing, Lou and I were on the salt...
...at the starting line, at sun rise waiting, when...
...Danny's crew...
...brought Challenger 2 to the line for a record qualifying attempt.
While the crew prepared the car, Danny...
...with his lovely wife Valerie at his side, prepared to finish his father's dream. Note Danny has his radio ear buds taped to his ears.
And so after qualifying for a record on Saturday...
... and running a new record on Sunday with an average speed of 448.75 mph...
...Danny Thompson set a new Land Speed record for a naturally aspirated, piston driven, wheel driven vehicle in his father's 50 year old car. Hollywood couldn't have written it better.
Here's a side note to this story.
I met up with Danny and Valerie a couple of days later when they were strolling the starting line, spectating. I shared with Danny a story about Valerie he didn't know. The previous year at Bonneville, while Lou and I were talking with one of Danny's crew members in his pit area, Valerie walked up to Lou and myself. At that time we were complete strangers to her but she asked us if we'd like to have some lunch. We said yes and she walked us over to a table and said she'd be right back. As we sat down, she brought back food and drinks for us. Then about 20 minutes later she checked back to see if we needed anything else. An amazing show of kindness to complete strangers while she also tended to the needs of all her other crew members. I told Danny, "you know you married a true sweetheart. I know because I married one too". At that we both started to tear up, each of us knowing how lucky we both were to have such wonderful life partners. I told them both," I'll never forget that act of kindness for the rest of my life."
BTW, this is painted on the side of Danny's car...
They've been married for over 50 years.
Thomas
Since we're starting to catch salt fever, here is some more salt material for all of you.
Of all the things that happen last year at Bonneville, the Danny Thompson and Challenger II story was far and away the high point for me. A little background material for you.
Mickey Thompson needs no introduction. Google him and you'll be reading for days. In 1968 Mickey designed a new streamliner to run at Bonneville to set the land speed record for wheel driven, piston powered cars. The result was...
...this car, then named Autolite Special, now known as Challenger II or 2. Twin Ford engines, powered the car which showed tremendous potential. Mickey had promising test runs but rains prevented any further testing or running of the car that year. Mickey's businesses and other projects resulted in the car being put into storage. He never had a chance to run the car again and it was largely forgotten.
Around 2014 Mickey's son, Danny brought the car out of storage and with limited sponsorship he started work on the car with the goal of bettering his father's best record speed of 406 mph set in Challenger I, in 1960.
The original Ford engines were replaced with naturally aspirated, dry block, nitro-fueled Hemi V8 engines. Horsepower was more than doubled with the new engines. Danny cooled the new engines with excess nitro fuel. With the exception of the engines and some required safety modifications, Danny used the same chassis, the same aerodynamics, and the same hand-formed aluminum skin that his father had built the car with.
Last August on the first day of racing, Lou and I were on the salt...
...at the starting line, at sun rise waiting, when...
...Danny's crew...
...brought Challenger 2 to the line for a record qualifying attempt.
While the crew prepared the car, Danny...
...with his lovely wife Valerie at his side, prepared to finish his father's dream. Note Danny has his radio ear buds taped to his ears.
And so after qualifying for a record on Saturday...
... and running a new record on Sunday with an average speed of 448.75 mph...
...Danny Thompson set a new Land Speed record for a naturally aspirated, piston driven, wheel driven vehicle in his father's 50 year old car. Hollywood couldn't have written it better.
Here's a side note to this story.
I met up with Danny and Valerie a couple of days later when they were strolling the starting line, spectating. I shared with Danny a story about Valerie he didn't know. The previous year at Bonneville, while Lou and I were talking with one of Danny's crew members in his pit area, Valerie walked up to Lou and myself. At that time we were complete strangers to her but she asked us if we'd like to have some lunch. We said yes and she walked us over to a table and said she'd be right back. As we sat down, she brought back food and drinks for us. Then about 20 minutes later she checked back to see if we needed anything else. An amazing show of kindness to complete strangers while she also tended to the needs of all her other crew members. I told Danny, "you know you married a true sweetheart. I know because I married one too". At that we both started to tear up, each of us knowing how lucky we both were to have such wonderful life partners. I told them both," I'll never forget that act of kindness for the rest of my life."
BTW, this is painted on the side of Danny's car...
They've been married for over 50 years.
Thomas
realvc
Well-known member
Great story, thanks for sharing. I thank God every day for my wife. She is a for real blessing from God.
Vince
Vince
bluestripe67
Well-known member
Thomas, Chris, you continue to rack up fantastic life experiences that have real substance. Thanks for sharing again. Dennis
68400BIRD
Well-known member
Dave, I appreciate that you and your son made the effort to drive over for a shop visit last week. I find it interesting when people who do visit say how odd it is to see something there're familiar with but how it's different seeing it in person.
It was a terrific experience on many levels.
We were there with other cars at the Pure Stock Muscle Car Drag Race (PSMCDR) display. These are all friends and acquaintances from all my years of drag racing. Because of that of racing, we all share a very cool camaraderie which is quite unique, so essentially, I got to spend the weekend with a bunch of friends and their cool cars. I also got to meet several Garage Journal folks who stopped by to say hello which is always fun.
As Chris mentioned we were letting kids sit in my car so their parents could get some neat pictures...
...of them "driving and shifting the car" with my helmet on. This young man looks like a natural to me. This is the next generation of car enthusiast and we need to encourage them all that we can. Cars are fun and in fact can be "touched!"
As for no pictures of the Chevy II in HotRods coverage of the event, here's where an ugly truth about the Chevy II, 2 door post body style...
...comes out in the open. It's not glamourous or **** like almost every other car that was there. Secretaries or librarians might be drawn to it but ******* Bunnies.......not even a little bit! You might say it doesn't get much respect......except on the race track. It's the girl I brought to the dance and in my eyes, she's exceptional. (Chris completely understands, no worries!)
Thanks again Dave for taking the time and effort to visit the shop. It was great to meet you and your son. Maybe see you next year at the 10 year anniversary open house we're planning on?
Thomas
Still working on getting caught up on this thread. It has been a lot of fun over the last few weeks in my little to no spare time. I disagree with your comments on your Chevy II. I think they are one of the best looking cars built back in the sixties. You just need to fix the rear skinny tire problem and they look great. Just like yours.
red
Well-known member
Re: Bonneville 2018-Danny Thompson and Challenger II
Just saw Danny and his wife on "Strange Inheritances" with Jamie Colby
There's some good video on him
Just saw Danny and his wife on "Strange Inheritances" with Jamie Colby
There's some good video on him
Since we're starting to catch salt fever, here is some more salt material for all of you.
Of all the things that happen last year at Bonneville, the Danny Thompson and Challenger II story was far and away the high point for me. A little background material for you.
Mickey Thompson needs no introduction. Google him and you'll be reading for days. In 1968 Mickey designed a new streamliner to run at Bonneville to set the land speed record for wheel driven, piston powered cars. The result was...
...this car, then named Autolite Special, now known as Challenger II or 2. Twin Ford engines, powered the car which showed tremendous potential. Mickey had promising test runs but rains prevented any further testing or running of the car that year. Mickey's businesses and other projects resulted in the car being put into storage. He never had a chance to run the car again and it was largely forgotten.
Around 2014 Mickey's son, Danny brought the car out of storage and with limited sponsorship he started work on the car with the goal of bettering his father's best record speed of 406 mph set in Challenger I, in 1960.
The original Ford engines were replaced with naturally aspirated, dry block, nitro-fueled Hemi V8 engines. Horsepower was more than doubled with the new engines. Danny cooled the new engines with excess nitro fuel. With the exception of the engines and some required safety modifications, Danny used the same chassis, the same aerodynamics, and the same hand-formed aluminum skin that his father had built the car with.
Last August on the first day of racing, Lou and I were on the salt...
...at the starting line, at sun rise waiting, when...
...Danny's crew...
...brought Challenger 2 to the line for a record qualifying attempt.
While the crew prepared the car, Danny...
...with his lovely wife Valerie at his side, prepared to finish his father's dream. Note Danny has his radio ear buds taped to his ears.
And so after qualifying for a record on Saturday...
... and running a new record on Sunday with an average speed of 448.75 mph...
...Danny Thompson set a new Land Speed record for a naturally aspirated, piston driven, wheel driven vehicle in his father's 50 year old car. Hollywood couldn't have written it better.
Here's a side note to this story.
I met up with Danny and Valerie a couple of days later when they were strolling the starting line, spectating. I shared with Danny a story about Valerie he didn't know. The previous year at Bonneville, while Lou and I were talking with one of Danny's crew members in his pit area, Valerie walked up to Lou and myself. At that time we were complete strangers to her but she asked us if we'd like to have some lunch. We said yes and she walked us over to a table and said she'd be right back. As we sat down, she brought back food and drinks for us. Then about 20 minutes later she checked back to see if we needed anything else. An amazing show of kindness to complete strangers while she also tended to the needs of all her other crew members. I told Danny, "you know you married a true sweetheart. I know because I married one too". At that we both started to tear up, each of us knowing how lucky we both were to have such wonderful life partners. I told them both," I'll never forget that act of kindness for the rest of my life."
BTW, this is painted on the side of Danny's car...
They've been married for over 50 years.
Thomas
stillp
Well-known member
Re: Bonneville 2018-Danny Thompson and Challenger II
Pete
That must be their daughter in the photo then?
Pete
BlueBomber
Well-known member
I had a wonderful visit with Thomas and Chris in Philo this morning. I bought the pictured Impala in Des Moines, Iowa yesterday and am driving it back to Boston. I messaged Thomas a few weeks ago asking if I could stop in for a brief tour of his shop as I passed by. Thomas did me one better and offered the USE of his shop and anything else I needed to check out any opening day problems, as well as a full tour of stately Payne Manor.
I can assure all long time readers and anyone else stumbling upon this corner of cyberspace who have never visited/met either that the Restored 1930s Garage and its owners, Thomas and Chris, are treasures! The house, garages, and grounds are amazing...I ran out of unique exclamations as Thomas highlighted one detail after another. So much thought has gone into every structure and system, which were then executed just as precisely. It's one thing to read about it. I count myself blessed to have walked through a house for the ages with the man who built it! Take a snack and plan bathroom breaks because it's like the Smithsonian--nearly impossible to take in in just a day.
Thomas and Chris: thanks again for the warm welcome! If you ever find yourselves in Boston and need a landing pad.. or just want a much briefer and less amazing tour of the BlueBomber estate, give me a shout!
All hail the Center Of The Universe!
I can assure all long time readers and anyone else stumbling upon this corner of cyberspace who have never visited/met either that the Restored 1930s Garage and its owners, Thomas and Chris, are treasures! The house, garages, and grounds are amazing...I ran out of unique exclamations as Thomas highlighted one detail after another. So much thought has gone into every structure and system, which were then executed just as precisely. It's one thing to read about it. I count myself blessed to have walked through a house for the ages with the man who built it! Take a snack and plan bathroom breaks because it's like the Smithsonian--nearly impossible to take in in just a day.
Thomas and Chris: thanks again for the warm welcome! If you ever find yourselves in Boston and need a landing pad.. or just want a much briefer and less amazing tour of the BlueBomber estate, give me a shout!
All hail the Center Of The Universe!
Attachments
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Grizz1963
Well-known member
Having been there, experienced Punkin Pie and a drink from the machine in the shop, plus “using” the single post lift, I too, along with Dennis Jones can attest to all people say about Chris and Thomas.
And Thomas, your experience of getting fed at the Salt, is just life imitating life.
You and Chris certainly spread the love wherever you go.
Loved the story though.
Good life partners are certainly a rare thing.
And Thomas, your experience of getting fed at the Salt, is just life imitating life.
You and Chris certainly spread the love wherever you go.
Loved the story though.
Good life partners are certainly a rare thing.
kbuhagiar
Well-known member
Thomas,
You and Chris sound like wonderful hosts, and make all of us other gearheads proud.
BlueBomber,
I never was a big fan of the 'Batmobile' Chevys, but your '60 is gorgeous!
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JeremyBurke
Well-known member
Hi Jeremy, I'm completely with you on SawStop. Look back on page 583, post # 11645 to the new wood shop pictures. Squint real hard at the third-to-last and second-to-last pictures and you'll see a new, shinny 10" industrial SawStop with a mobile base in my shop. I replaced my Rockwell Uni saw a couple of months back with a SawStop. I decided since I'm setting up the shop, now would be the time to get a SawStop. It's a 5 h/p industrial unit with a 52" table extension. I haven't had time to set it up though so you'll only see the basic cabinet unit without the table extensions or overarm dust collection. I'm not home right now so I can't post any pictures of it.
I'm thoroughly impressed with SawStop. Well engineered piece and seemingly a great company. Thanks.
Thomas
I hope once it’s all set up it serves you well. I’m sure it will.
MG David
Well-known member
BlueBomber, looks a great car. So my taste must be broadening as I get older. Looks as if the sun always shines in Philo.
Guess the rest of your drive was uneventful. Always love the long drive home stories on BaT.
Guess the rest of your drive was uneventful. Always love the long drive home stories on BaT.
BlueBomber
Well-known member
Thanks, guys. Shiny paint and chrome trim really make classics from this era pop, but I think the '60 bubble tops are especially sleek examples from the Jet Age of car design. I'm glad to own her.
Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk
Homebody
Well-known member
BEAUTIFUL Bubbletop BB!!
Have a safe trip to Boston!
My wife and I also count ourselves among the privileged to have visited The Center of the Universe and it's awesome hosts.
I feel like they should have a wall of some sort to sign for GJ members that make the visit! Would be neat to see the names and hometowns.
Have a safe trip to Boston!
My wife and I also count ourselves among the privileged to have visited The Center of the Universe and it's awesome hosts.
I feel like they should have a wall of some sort to sign for GJ members that make the visit! Would be neat to see the names and hometowns.
markviii
Well-known member
Great idea, Homebody! Why didn't I think about that?! Actually, we do have a visitor's log that I put out (if I remember) for group tours. I think we've documented with pictures on this thread most of the gj members who've dropped by (that list won't be on the test...promise).
It's always fun to have friends from gj drop by for a visit. Sharing is the fun part of all the effort Tom has put into our little piece of heaven here in the COTU. And seeing the place in person really makes it seem more real.
Chris
It's always fun to have friends from gj drop by for a visit. Sharing is the fun part of all the effort Tom has put into our little piece of heaven here in the COTU. And seeing the place in person really makes it seem more real.
Chris
Homebody
Well-known member
scramboleer
Active member
How’s Gus doing?
PS. Sweet progress.
PS. Sweet progress.
Thanks Dan for asking, Gus has been sleeping peacefully in the barn all winter long. Resting up from his movie star duties late last fall. Not sure of the movie release date but we've been invited to the premiere whenever that occurs. I'll keep you posted.
Temps here are in the high 60's to mid 70's so I'll be waking him up from his slumbers soon. Plans for him this year are to fix a chronic leak that is either the rear main-seal or the transfer case. As I recall, I believe it's coming from the transfer case. Lou will be here in late May and that's a project he said he'd like to help with, right Lou?!
We're also going to finish rewiring all dash instruments and change them from 6 volt to 12 volt. I bought the necessary resistors last summer but ran out of time.I also got a reproduction rubber Willy's floor mat that Lou and I installed last fall. It doesn't lay completely flat so I wanted it to have the winter to conform to the floor as best as possible before finishing the installation. One of the tailgate pivot pockets (sorry, no pictures yet) was repaired last fall as well, but I haven't posted about it as yet. A new glove box liner was also installed but I just haven't done that on a post either.
I've got correct door armrests that need refurbishing...
... and new material...
... to cover them, but that still needs to be done. We might also tackle getting the gas gauge to register correctly. We'll see how the summer progresses.
So all that and probably a few other items I've forgotten about. Slowly Gus is getting back to being his former prim and proper self.
Thomas