Who had the most successful Modified Production car?

[Geerhead55]

Originally Posted by Rich Biebel

The SummerNationals I mentioned earlier '78 or '79 I can't remember was an awesome event for Modified.

Garley , Terry Hoard in the Mazda and Billy Mansell were the 3 fastest cars.

The Mazda was hideous in looks and sound but it ran way under and would probably win every race if it didn't break...


Mansell won that race I think......

Rich,, One of the most memorable Modified finals I ever saw was out here at the Fallnationals in I believe '79, the year of the Grace Cup points championship. All the heavy hitters were out here at Seattle, and the Opel was here after going 8 teens in recent weeks according to National Dragster at the time. The final pitted Hutchens in the Opel against Hoard and his Mazda. So the lights come down and off goes Hoard and we just knew there was no way he was going to hold off the all conquering Opel GT of Wayne County and David Hutchens,, but by golly, he did it! Noisey assault on the ears and all, and we couldn't believe it, and yes the crowd went wild!
I'd still say after all these years that the Opel is my favorite car from the Modified Eliminator days, although there were a couple NW based Corvettes that run a vey close second place. My 2 cents.
Danny Durham

[ss wannabee]

I just want to thank the good Lord for being around at that time. I didn't go to a lot of races...but got a chance to see Ridgeway's '55 Chevy, and Moroso's Corvette run in the '60's, and Blevins' Nomad (and 'Vette with Billy), Bob Thompson's K&G Speed Corvette, Moe Hale's "Hangman" '55 Chev, Fred Hartman's also, the Checkmate cars, the Granny Goose Camaro (and 'Vette), Garley, Larry Kopp, Tony Feil,Ferrara, the Opel, and others I can't remember. Saw Coleman Roddy later..might have been Comp? Can't forget Glen Self too......I was at the Summernationals in '79 and '80, but don't remember too much!

I saw Caudle's '55 on TV, and in the Hot Rod Mag. article....Later saw the Vega at Indy...but don't think he had the earlier success with that car. I also saw the Ray & Bob Zang '55 Hardtop from NJ in early '70's...and realize it was quite similar to Carroll's car...even paint!

[Rich Biebel]

Originally Posted by Geerhead55

Rich,, One of the most memorable Modified finals I ever saw was out here at the Fallnationals in I believe '79, the year of the Grace Cup points championship. All the heavy hitters were out here at Seattle, and the Opel was here after going 8 teens in recent weeks according to National Dragster at the time. The final pitted Hutchens in the Opel against Hoard and his Mazda. So the lights come down and off goes Hoard and we just knew there was no way he was going to hold off the all conquering Opel GT of Wayne County and David Hutchens,, but by golly, he did it! Noisey assault on the ears and all, and we couldn't believe it, and yes the crowd went wild!
I'd still say after all these years that the Opel is my favorite car from the Modified Eliminator days, although there were a couple NW based Corvettes that run a vey close second place. My 2 cents.
Danny Durham

Danny I agree about the Opel.....

They brought it here to the Summer's I guess around 1980. I remember thinking that the car was very low and small and Hutchens was a pretty tall guy. I think he easily won that race and was letting off early on most runs...Maybe it was a Comp car at the time....just really don't recall the details.

Larry Kopp had it after them I think......It was like a little bullet.....and I wanted one for a long time as a S/G car.......

[Tom Goldman]

Rich, the Wayne County Opel ended up bracket racing at Island Dragway quite a few years back, pretty inexperianced guys as I remember.
They only ran it a short while and then dissapeared.
A lot of people have tried to locate that car.

[NWDragracing]

Originally Posted by Tom Goldman

Rich, the Wayne County Opel ended up bracket racing at Island Dragway quite a few years back, pretty inexperianced guys as I remember.
They only ran it a short while and then dissapeared.
A lot of people have tried to locate that car.

There is a guy in Competition plus searching for the car wanting to purchase it and restore it to the original condition as raced under the Wayne County banner.

[Tom Goldman]

Yes ,I saw the ad, and a few people have asked me to look around ,but the trail on the car seems to have run cold.
The car is certainly unique,and historic and is one that should be found and restored to it's glory days condition.

[Dennis P Chapman]

Originally Posted by Rich Biebel

Danny I agree about the Opel.....

They brought it here to the Summer's I guess around 1980. I remember thinking that the car was very low and small and Hutchens was a pretty tall guy. I think he easily won that race and was letting off early on most runs...Maybe it was a Comp car at the time....just really don't recall the details.

Larry Kopp had it after them I think......It was like a little bullet.....and I wanted one for a long time as a S/G car.......

Larry did have the car after that he was a big guy also to fit in it.

[G Schenck]

Not trying to hyjack this tread but how many old stand out Modified racers can you name that are still racing today. I can name a few.

Greg

[Rich Biebel]

Originally Posted by Tom Goldman

Rich, the Wayne County Opel ended up bracket racing at Island Dragway quite a few years back, pretty inexperianced guys as I remember.
They only ran it a short while and then dissapeared.
A lot of people have tried to locate that car.

Wow Tommy I did not know that! Can't recall ever seeing one up there that might have been it....

Marty Krohn's and maybe one other are the only two I can think of....

I like the little cars....and the short wheelbase would have been fine for me...my Vega fit me like a glove. If S/G cars still had 600hp engines the short wheelbase cars would still be out there....1000+hp is a little different...

I watched the Wayne County car win at that Summers event and it was total domination.....Was just like when Jenkins showed up with his first Vega......

Lightweight-small cubes-high rpm.....outran all the heavyweight-big cube combos....

Hutchens was reeling people in like they were parked that day....

[Rich Biebel]

Originally Posted by G Schenck

Not trying to hyjack this tread but how many old stand out Modified racers can you name that are still racing today. I can name a few.

Greg

Not many of the old school guys.....but here is one from my area, Carl Miller

One of the nicest guys you could ever meet..... Gald to say I know him and have for many years. Always try to stop over and see him and say hello.....