fords FIRST forced induction stocker !

[Pat Cook]

Probably Gordon Payne (Ford Engineer) he used to come out to the Ford Arizona Proving Ground quite often, really good guy.

[bill dedman]

Those blown 312's were killer-fast, but a '57 Pontiac won the top Stock class at the Nationals that year; ran 94mph and change, on street tires with the air cleaner on and no dump tubes; through the mufflers.


317 HP 347 solid-lifter, Tri-Power, 3-speed, stick car; John Zink from Tulsa, I believe.

I've always wondered why a Ford didn't win that.... forced induction, and all....

[Fred Holdorf]

Larry Walker (F/S-F/SA)business coupe, George Catlin (retractable hartop), Parham & Payne (two door wagon & 4 Dr hardtop), Marcel D'Avignon (4 door wagon & he bought my Fairlane post 2 door), Fred Holdorf (J/SA Fairlane 2 door), and a T-Bird I don't remember his name. These were the few of the group who ran blower Ford's in the 60's and 70's. I only wish I still had mine. Car came from Tony Janes, engine pieced together from all over the US. Lots of fun, lots of headaches. I haven't talked to Larry in many years but would like to thank him for the help he gave me back then. Fred

[Tom P]

Originally Posted by bill dedman

but a '57 Pontiac won the top Stock class at the Nationals that year; ran 94mph and change, on street tires with the air cleaner on and no dump tubes; through the mufflers.

317 HP 347 solid-lifter, Tri-Power, 3-speed, stick car; John Zink from Tulsa, I believe.

Would that be JD Zink (or some relation) the Comp racer with the A/ND?

[Ed Wright]

Originally Posted by Tom P

Would that be JD Zink (or some relation) the Comp racer with the A/ND?

Think it was Jack Zink (from here in Tulsa) that won Indy with an old Offy. 1955 or so? He also ran some dirt track stuff.

[Eddie Rezac]

I believe Bill Nelson, out of Tucson, Az. ran this combo in a wagon.
Eddie Rezac

[Dave Edwards]

The class winner at the 1967 or 1968 (can't recall which) US Nationals in C/SA was a WHITE 1957 blown Thunderbird, owned by Gail Parsons of Newark, Ohio and driven by Dave Edmonds. Gail and Dave also raced a 1957 Ford sedan for one or two seasons prior to the 'Bird. They were on top of things back in those days; like putting the fourth gear in the standard T-10 three speed case which the Ford came with. I can't remember the outcome of this but do recall the effort as the rules did state only the use of the original case; so what ever you could get in there...ingenuity, some things never change.

[Ed Wright]

Originally Posted by Eddie Rezac

I believe Bill Nelson, out of Tucson, Az. ran this combo in a wagon.
Eddie Rezac

I know Bill. He has a shop in Tuscon. Does a lot of late model performance work. Didn't know he was an old racer. I'll have to ask him about his blown Ford.

[Rory McNeil]

Since I had a couple of PM`s regarding the Car Craft article on Larry Walkers 57 Ford, I dug thru my old magazines, and found that issue. It was the August 1969 issue, and was part of a big "Jr. Stock" story`, which also included Truppi Kling, Johnny Bartlett, and a few others. The Walker story itself was almost 3 full pages, including several photo`s including the head gaskets that Larry Walker modified by soldering thin wire to make a home brewed "O ring" head gasket for a Ford Y Block 312. Hopefully Walkers old "Legal Cheater" 57 Ford will be in action again next year, for the first time in about 35 years.

[Ed Wright]

Originally Posted by Pat Cook

Probably Gordon Payne (Ford Engineer) he used to come out to the Ford Arizona Proving Ground quite often, really good guy.

Yep, that is Gordon. His partner, Bill Parham, is still around here. His son has a race car now. Talked to Bill at the Tulsa track a few weeks ago. Both great guys. Bill says Gordon still has the first one, a black 2rd hard top, and he is restoring it.