Anyone know a Dave Bunch?

Jim Kaekel · 09-27-2011, 09:19 AM

Before my time for sure, but I recall seeing photos of a '68 Olds with that driver and "Gone Bananas" on it. I don't recall seeing his name associated with the Smothers Brothers team.

FED 387 · 09-27-2011, 12:04 PM

do not know him personally saw him at the track a few times but in the late 60's early to mid 70's he had a "factory"W-31 Ram Rod cutlass ran as a stocker held several class records for a few years--he had been an Olds employee--

Jim Wahl · 09-27-2011, 03:09 PM

Yes, I know Dave Bunch. He was a thin dark haired fellow. He ran an Olds Stocker many years ago. He ran at Orlando often. The cars name was "Gone Bananas". I have not heard anything about him in many years. He is for real. I can attest to that. I'm sure Carl Weisinger can tell you more about him. Jim

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Myron Piatek · 09-27-2011, 05:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim Wahl

Yes, I know Dave Bunch. He was a thin dark haired fellow. He ran an Olds Stocker many years ago. He ran at Orlando often. The cars name was "Gone Bananas". I have not heard anything about him in many years. He is for real. I can attest to that. I'm sure Carl Weisinger can tell you more about him. Jim

.

Didn't Perry Sperber or Art from Action Automotive in Daytona have the "Gone Bananas" car at one time? This had to be in the late '70's - early '80's.

Jim Wahl · 09-27-2011, 08:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Myron Piatek

Didn't Perry Sperber or Art from Action Automotive in Daytona have the "Gone Bananas" car at one time? This had to be in the late '70's - early '80's.

Myron, I'm pretty sure Perry Sperber owned the Gone Bananas. But as you know Dave drove it. It was one of the many Waibel prepped cars, as was the Smother's car. Jim

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davebw31 · 09-28-2011, 03:12 AM

Yes, I am here in Fla. and ALIVE! I was an employee of Olds in Lansing, Mich. in Product Reliability and the Service Dept. I worked for Olds from 68-73 and I was accepted in to the inner circule in late 69', then finally was in the race program starting in 71'. I left Olds during the 73' product run and moved to Fla. and was hired as service manager of the recently purchased Sunrise Olds dealership which was owned by Story Olds in Mich. This dealership was in Daytona Beach, Fla. I continued to run one of the Smothers Bros. 68' ram rod F-85 cars locally and nationally at both NHRA and IHRA points meets and natonal events, setting records. Locally I ran at Orlando, Bradaton, and Jacksonville drag strips. I was sponsered by a local speed shop and the Olds dealership in Daytone Bch., Fla. In late 77' Dale Smith who was the engineer in charge of the racing program said "if you do not run a 78' model I have to drop you from the program". Well as a singual parent of two young girls I had to drop out and sell the car! I sold the car and trailer to Art in spring of 1978 who owned a local speed shop. I must note that I did have a brief relationship with Wabiel as he did the machine work on 4 short blocks for me and screwed me big time, just like he did several other racers. My car was not "a Wabiel prepared car" . It was prepared by me and me only!

John Troxel (the flying plummer) took over doing my short blocks and with him I set most of my national records.

Also, Perry Sperber did not have anything to do with my racing operation. I was a friend of his for a awhile until I found out what a user he was! All I did was hang out with him for about three yrs. and then severed my relationship when I found out what a
dishonorable person and liar he was.

In 1988 I bought out all of the cars/equipment that Ron Garey had while he was in Unis , TX. He sold me some really bad junk, IE engine with water in the oil, broken ring and pinion rears, etc. Although he sold me a very rust free 70' W30 and a 70" 442 that was set up as a wore out rusted frame G/SA 72' race car. However I had become very aware of the "new muscle car market". I paid $8000 for everything and I am sure he thinks I got screwed, however after everything "was said and done" over a three year period I sold everything for $20,000! LOL

During my racing career I had great sponsership/support from Cam Dynamics, Motorwheel, Speed Pro Rings, M and H Tire, Racing Head Service, Daytona Speed Shop, Sunrise Olds, and of course Dale Smith from Olds Engineering and withhout them I would have never had the success that I had. Geeees I paid off two mortgages with my winnings!

As of 1991 I started a restoration shop on the side and was very successfull. I just finished a rare 70' F-85 W-31 - - paint code (Rallye Red one of five) 4 speed last July 2010 and has won several first place awards on the east coast in 2010. This year I am currently traveling the west coast and have won several "Best of Show" awards at Hot August Nights in Reno, NV and also won "Best Restored Stock Car" award. All in all I won $2500 in cash and prizes!

Just three weeks ago it was announced that my car is one of the 13 finalist for "Hemmings Muscule Machine Of The Year 2011". What an honor! If you feel like it please go to their web site and vote for me. If you do, thank you!

peace out,
dave b.

davebw31 · 09-28-2011, 02:45 PM

Just an Update:

I just got off the phone with the Editor for Hemmings Publishing Company and I won Hemmings Muscle Machine of the Year 2011!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WoW !

He told me that my car won by the largest margin of votes ever since they started this award several years ago. Again, Wow !

Oh, by the way, no one did the restoration but me, except the paint and body which was done by Uber Metal Man, Mr. Bob Reeve, Eaton Rapids, Mich., who owens CarShine Refinishing!

The car will be featured in the Dec. 2011 issue of Hemmings Muscle Machines,

dave b.

09-27-2011, 09:19 AM	#1
Jim Kaekel VIP Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Michigan Posts: 1,227 Likes: 133 Liked 531 Times in 108 Posts	Re: Anyone know a Dave Bunch? Before my time for sure, but I recall seeing photos of a '68 Olds with that driver and "Gone Bananas" on it. I don't recall seeing his name associated with the Smothers Brothers team. __________________ Jim Kaekel 3836 STK

09-27-2011, 12:04 PM	#2
FED 387 VIP Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 3,420 Likes: 529 Liked 333 Times in 180 Posts	Re: Anyone know a Dave Bunch? do not know him personally saw him at the track a few times but in the late 60's early to mid 70's he had a "factory"W-31 Ram Rod cutlass ran as a stocker held several class records for a few years--he had been an Olds employee--

09-27-2011, 03:09 PM	#3
Jim Wahl Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Central Florida Posts: 5,844 Likes: 667 Liked 683 Times in 129 Posts	Re: Anyone know a Dave Bunch? Yes, I know Dave Bunch. He was a thin dark haired fellow. He ran an Olds Stocker many years ago. He ran at Orlando often. The cars name was "Gone Bananas". I have not heard anything about him in many years. He is for real. I can attest to that. I'm sure Carl Weisinger can tell you more about him. Jim . __________________ Jim Wahl....NHRA #2239 S/SS - IHRA # 8 Stock, D2 Stock Champion (forever I guess) 2019 Baby Gators Stock Champion 2009 NHRA D2 National Open Stock Champion 1982 NHRA D2 West Palm Beach LDRS SS Runner Up Past President, Southern Stock / Super Stock Association.

09-28-2011, 03:12 AM	#6
davebw31 Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 21 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Anyone know a Dave Bunch? Yes, I am here in Fla. and ALIVE! I was an employee of Olds in Lansing, Mich. in Product Reliability and the Service Dept. I worked for Olds from 68-73 and I was accepted in to the inner circule in late 69', then finally was in the race program starting in 71'. I left Olds during the 73' product run and moved to Fla. and was hired as service manager of the recently purchased Sunrise Olds dealership which was owned by Story Olds in Mich. This dealership was in Daytona Beach, Fla. I continued to run one of the Smothers Bros. 68' ram rod F-85 cars locally and nationally at both NHRA and IHRA points meets and natonal events, setting records. Locally I ran at Orlando, Bradaton, and Jacksonville drag strips. I was sponsered by a local speed shop and the Olds dealership in Daytone Bch., Fla. In late 77' Dale Smith who was the engineer in charge of the racing program said "if you do not run a 78' model I have to drop you from the program". Well as a singual parent of two young girls I had to drop out and sell the car! I sold the car and trailer to Art in spring of 1978 who owned a local speed shop. I must note that I did have a brief relationship with Wabiel as he did the machine work on 4 short blocks for me and screwed me big time, just like he did several other racers. My car was not "a Wabiel prepared car" . It was prepared by me and me only! John Troxel (the flying plummer) took over doing my short blocks and with him I set most of my national records. Also, Perry Sperber did not have anything to do with my racing operation. I was a friend of his for a awhile until I found out what a user he was! All I did was hang out with him for about three yrs. and then severed my relationship when I found out what a dishonorable person and liar he was. In 1988 I bought out all of the cars/equipment that Ron Garey had while he was in Unis , TX. He sold me some really bad junk, IE engine with water in the oil, broken ring and pinion rears, etc. Although he sold me a very rust free 70' W30 and a 70" 442 that was set up as a wore out rusted frame G/SA 72' race car. However I had become very aware of the "new muscle car market". I paid $8000 for everything and I am sure he thinks I got screwed, however after everything "was said and done" over a three year period I sold everything for $20,000! LOL During my racing career I had great sponsership/support from Cam Dynamics, Motorwheel, Speed Pro Rings, M and H Tire, Racing Head Service, Daytona Speed Shop, Sunrise Olds, and of course Dale Smith from Olds Engineering and withhout them I would have never had the success that I had. Geeees I paid off two mortgages with my winnings! As of 1991 I started a restoration shop on the side and was very successfull. I just finished a rare 70' F-85 W-31 - - paint code (Rallye Red one of five) 4 speed last July 2010 and has won several first place awards on the east coast in 2010. This year I am currently traveling the west coast and have won several "Best of Show" awards at Hot August Nights in Reno, NV and also won "Best Restored Stock Car" award. All in all I won $2500 in cash and prizes! Just three weeks ago it was announced that my car is one of the 13 finalist for "Hemmings Muscule Machine Of The Year 2011". What an honor! If you feel like it please go to their web site and vote for me. If you do, thank you! peace out, dave b. Last edited by davebw31; 09-28-2011 at 04:36 AM.

09-28-2011, 02:45 PM	#7
davebw31 Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 21 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Anyone know a Dave Bunch? Just an Update: I just got off the phone with the Editor for Hemmings Publishing Company and I won Hemmings Muscle Machine of the Year 2011!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WoW ! He told me that my car won by the largest margin of votes ever since they started this award several years ago. Again, Wow ! Oh, by the way, no one did the restoration but me, except the paint and body which was done by Uber Metal Man, Mr. Bob Reeve, Eaton Rapids, Mich., who owens CarShine Refinishing! The car will be featured in the Dec. 2011 issue of Hemmings Muscle Machines, dave b.