ClassicCar

Hudson-ike

Uncle Josh wrote:

My mechanic, Stan Lupka, back in the 50s and 60s raced a 308 in "Sweet Sixteen" 'till they tried to get rid of him my limiting the track to 300 inches.

He put the 262 crank in the 308 block but they tore him down after the win and banned the big block, so he put the 308 crank in the 262 and bored it to 299.9 inches.

Track champion for years. Dusty Doyle hall of fame. He told me just before he died a couple of years ago, that he never blew a Hudson engine in a race.

SURE would Like to have Known/Raced with Both Dusty and Stan -- YES !! can Feel their Pain, with the Racing Assoc. Also, I tried the 262 crank in a .060 Horent on a paved oval track. SURE was Fast BUT the Block and Crank will not Hold that HP and 6500 RPM !! T'was the Only Hornet engine that I have ever built, was Leading and BLEW UP !!

Hudson-ike

ivanz62

The Story of "Jocko Flocko"

Jocko Flocko was a Rhesus monkey and remains the only known "co-driver" in NASCAR history. On May 16, 1953, Jocko helped Tim win the Grand National race at Hickory, N.C. - becoming the only winning monkey to date. Unfortunately, Jocko was forced to retire from "driving" duties two weeks later in Raleigh, N.C. Tim Flock recalls the incident:

"I actually raced with a monkey, which I named Jocko Flocko, for eight races in 1953. It started as a publicity stunt, and we gave him his own driving uniform and a specially designed seat."

"Back then the cars had a trap door that we could pull open with a chain to check our tire wear. Well, during the Raleigh 300, Jocko got loose from his seat and stuck his head through the trap door, and he went berserk! Listen, it was hard enough to drive those heavy old cars back then under normal circumstances, but with a crazed monkey clawing you at the same time, it becomes nearly impossible! I had to come into the pits to put him out and ended up third. The pit stop cost me second place and a $600.00 difference in my paycheck. Jocko was retired immediately. I had to get that monkey off my back!"

Harry Hill

Yep, I hate monkeys but that's a funny story. Probably a good thing they didn't have a chimp in the co-pilots seat.

Harry

Ol racer

Great,

Finally got a picture of Jocko and the Story about his Co-Driving with Tim Flock.....

Ol racer

Hudson-ike wrote:

Regarding The Picture of the â€œ1954 Hornet Specialâ€ = this Hudsonâ€™s PREVIOUS owner (in 1964) was Jack Clifford.

Purchased in 1965 by Chuck Parcell !!

On the side it says; S & S Enterprise Spec. After being Restored (engine, Trans, and Suspension) by Ike Smith, owner of S & S Enterprise. AND a Solid Black paint job, that made it the â€œBLACK BEAUTYâ€ !!

Tuned, maintained, and Driven by Ike Smith, thru 1968. The Hornet engine

was disassembled for NHRA and track records, approx. 21 Times, always Legal!! (Then NHRA said; No More! to All Hudsons.)

Sad, but True.

Hudson-ike

FYI

These are the Pictures of the Black Beauty Record Holder Hornet that Ike Smith was referring to above....

ralpie

I purchased an autographed copy of Tim Flocks racing book from Frances Flock at the Moonshine Daze festival in Duncanville, Georgia.
Very nice lady who spent a long time reminising with me about the Hudson racing days and the traveling she and the family did with Tim.

Aaron D. IL

Does the Black Beauty still exist?

Ol racer

I dont know about the original Car but an indentical sharp black '54 Hornet cpe was on 'display' at the Canfield (Oh) Swap Meet a couple yrs back. It had headers, duals, Tach, Traction bars, etc... I was there amost all day but never seen the owner.....

Hudson-ike

Aaron D. IL wrote:

Does the Black Beauty still exist?

In the Very early 70's the "Beauty" was traded in on some rental property in Central Calif. The new owner was Don Slayton --- He sold it to a guy moving away.. ??? They had me put 308 rear gears back in -- as he was to drive it on the hwy. Thought he was moving to Az. Then later heard it was in the Dakodasss???

Sure would be nice to see it again!!

Hudson-ike

Ol racer

FYI

1950 Mexican Road Race... 9 Hudsons Entered...

Butch Smith Archive Picture

Ol racer

MEXICO Road Race 1950

Lou Figaro rolled his Hudson on a sharp curve in Pueblo and was hospitalized, Lou went on to race NASCAR Hornets later... Mexican Soldiers are pictured picking up debris.....

Back when cars being raced were identical to Cars driven on the highway, unlike today...

Butch Smith File

Harry Hill

Did they wear seatbelts in those days?

Harry

Ol racer

I dont know for certain in 1950. I sure hope Lou had them...

In the mid-fifties guys around here (Pa) would buy Army/Navy Surplus Store Belts (and Helmets) and began using them in the Jalopy Races

Ol racer

Ike Smith was not only a National Record Holder Drag Racer but he also Won a 50 Lap Championship Stock Car Race in a Hudson

Ol racer

FYI

Another 'Action Shot' of Ike Smith's winning Hudson Stock Car powered by a a 318 cubic inch Hornet. It was a '53 with a '54 hood....(Ike had to run a Hydro to eliminate breaking the standard Trans input shafts)

hudsontech

Harry Hill wrote:

Did they wear seatbelts in those days?

Harry

When I was doing a little "left turn" driving back in the 56-59 era I was in the Navy - which, of course, frowned upon their minions doing things like racing cars in the bull rings.

However, we still went out and did it - and we scavanged seat belts and shoulder harness's out of airplanes getting ready to be scrapped. Some drivers used seat belts - some were cobbled together from old horse and buggy leather, a very few used a piece of rope - whatever was handy.

Some type of restraint was necessary, not for safety reasons, but to keep you behind the wheel. When you're running 60, 70 or so on a 1/3rd mile track you're literally turning left all the time - and even at that low speed (compared with today) anything loose, including the driver, has a decided tendency to move right as the car goes left. And there ain't no steering wheel on the right side, except in the British colonies and a couple other oddball countries.

Hudsonly,

Alex Burr

Memphis, TN

Harry Hill

Alex, thanks, I was wondering what the situation was back in those days. I know many EMT's who don't like seatbelts because of the damage they do internally to accident survivors but they also know the damage that can be prevented by keeping bodies in place. Sort of a damned if you wear one , damned if you don't. I have to put them in the Hash so the grandkids can ride with me. I've used them for so many years if feels weird to drive without a belt on.

Harry

Ol racer

Check this Out.....Ike Smith could make a 262 Run too!

SuperDave

Did anyone else notice the strange right rear door on Lou's 50 four door sedan? I swear it looks like it was hinged in the rear..?? If not, that was one tough door latch!:confused:

BJ__TN

Yeah, I thought something looked wrong but I think It's an optical illusion. I think it is actually opened the correct way.

Ol racer

Picture of Rudy Bennett's Drag Race Hornet & trophy's during late 60's

Huddy42

Sorry picture did not arrive.

Ol racer

Attached embarrasing (to the Ford) Cover Picture in National Dragster Magazine showing a Hudson Jet beating a Hot Dealer backed Ford V8 (and other Brands) for the Top Eliminator Win in Carlsbad California by a Lady Driver....

This Win set the stage for NHRA to eventually Ban Hudson's 7x Cam from any Stock Class despite being Factory because of all the complaints from V8 Competitors to level the playing field.....

Ike Smih Owner, Builder & Picture;(thought worth mentioning again)

Ol racer

FYI

Ivan Zaremba, who also owns the Fabulous Hudson Hornet, raced his beautiful Railton 8 Speedster this past wknd at Laguna Secca Vintage Road Race ending a rwo yr lay-off to update. Ivan started near the rear and finished 13th despite a slipping clutch.....

Ol racer

FYI

Ivan Zaremba also owns (and races)the Fabulous Hudson Hornet that inspired the movie 'Cars'.

Most importantly, Ivan's beautiful Railton 8 cyl Speedster ran very well and has a lot of potential........

Ol racer

Yester-Year Hornet Drag Car... Un identified Driver 1968

Picture from Butch Smith

Ol racer

Salt Flats Hudson Hornet!

Butch Smith collection

RL Chilton

Ol racer wrote:

FYI

Ivan Zaremba also owns (and races)the Fabulous Hudson Hornet that inspired the movie 'Cars'.

Most importantly, Ivan's beautiful Railton 8 cyl Speedster ran very well and has a lot of potential........

. . . and here's a pic of Ivan in action that I took in the same race that he placed 13th.

Ol racer

FYI

I have been working on (& off) this Commodore Drag car for yrs. I broke my long time Stock Car racing habit by starting to build Hudson St Rod's,

(some are borderline streetable though). So I kept this Drag Car build in the background awhile to please my better half.

Its a duplicate of one I drag raced beginning in 1959 and (God willing) I may be able to ininiate it in 2009, 50 yrs later. Recently, I brought it from its resting place into my work bay after finishing another '47 Truck.

(I was going to start restoring another 'Hudson when my Wife actually suggested that I finish the Drag Car instead)...

Previously, I 'severly lightened' it with Polycarbonate windows, Bucket Seat, Ratchet Shifter, Rear mount Battery, 8 Gal Fuel Cell, narrowed Ford 9',

31 spline locked axles, Line-Loc, Moly Roll Cage, Sub-Frame Connectors, Drive shaft Loop, Air Shocks, Traction bars, rare Fenton Mags, 8' Slicks, etc.

It will have a balanced 366" Hornet for Power 'set back' 12". Motor is almost completed with Triple 2bbls, NOS, Clifford head & Headers, electronic Ign, Balanced, and much More going through a Randy Mass Adapter into a modified drag race (Std Shift) Turbo 400 Trans.

In '59 my Hudson ran high16's around 85 mph (+/-). I am hoping this one will go a little faster. (TBD)

Attached are a few pictures before rolling into the garage. Nothing fancy...

Ps: The front Good Year 'Skinnies' will go on later.

rambos_ride

Good stuff Ol Racer!

I'd bet you can shave some time off those old et's just by adding the NOS

Tire compounds are much better these days, I'd bet the TH400 launches better as well.

It'll be fun to watch your progress.

wayc4e28

Ol racer wrote:

FYI

I remember these Sprint racers like it was yesterday. This was an awsome racer in its day (even Today) with the Stroked Hornet, big valves, Weber cam, Rochester Carbs in the light chassis running large slicks, Ford gearbox, coil over Susp, and Quick Chg rear...Chuck Neitzel Boise Id in Picture #1 in Feb '64... Picture curtesy Rudy Bennett

I grew up in Spokane Wahington, I believe if you check this out this car was in the can am sprint cars back then and they traveled the pacific north west. My father sponsered one of the sprint cars and you are right the hudsons were usually the fastest. If I recall 1964 was the last year of the flatheads and in 1965 they moved to the overhead v8. Watched many of these sprints at the state line gardens on the washington idaho border. the picture sure brought back some fond memories of my high school days..

wayc4e28 28Essex

Ol racer

It must have been a Nationwide Trend that eventually hit our Tri State Area (Pa, Ny & Oh) because by 1970 most Modified's were using V8's with a Cu. In. Limit. It was the expense to build a 6's vs dropping in a powerful V8. However, it was never the same then after a few Seasons the Modified Class was eliminated in favor of 'Limited' Late Models, because of the scarcity of Coupe Bodies....

Ol racer

Regarding the Commodore Drag Car. I failed to mention that It came from RI with a powerful sounding Hornet motor with Headers. It was gold and had long wheel bolts installed in every hub with a Class Win Sticker on a window. I wonder if anyone knew the Car or seen it run....

Ol racer · Ivan Z '35 Railton 08-17-08 copy_122300447148464.JPG

Another shot of Ivan Zaremba 'at Speed' in his beautiful Hudson Railton '8' Speedster at the recent Laguna Secca Road Race

Pic from Butch Smith

ESSX28-1 · ESSX28-1 November 2008 Posts: 995Platinum Member

USHS_Shipler&CISOPTR=8481&CISOBOX=1&REC=8

Essex racecars on display in Salt Lake City, 1920

Commercial photo for promotion and advertisement, published 1920.

dougson

Fabulous thread

Any interest in a compilation of these pictures into a "hudson Racing" book?

Ol racer

Hudson, Ford, Chevy, & Plymouth Modified coupes like this one pictured were all Hudson Hornet Powered throughout the Country on Dirt Tracks during the 60's & earely '70's. They ran Stroker Cranks with multiple Carbs on Log Manifolds and were unbeatable for a long time......Eventually Tracks allowed small Block V8's to compete then the Division later evolved into all size V8'S....

ESSX28-1 · ESSX28-1 November 2008 Posts: 995Platinum Member

Frank 'Rebel' Mundy

1947 Hudson Super Six

Here is a local PA Pro Mod Hudson:

Thanks Brian

ESSX28-1 · ESSX28-1 November 2008 Posts: 995Platinum Member

1951 - 1956 Hudson Stock Car Racing Films DVD

http://cgi.ebay.com/1951-1956-Hudson-Stock-Car-Racing-Films-DVD_W0QQitemZ360091729389QQihZ023QQcategoryZ2875QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

This DVD is a compilation of shorts: all Hudson Automobiles from 1951 to 1956.

The U.S. Stock Car Champion Racing at Daytona.

The Billy Rose Show TV commercial .

Racing {faded color}

Filmstrip for salesmen "Make them want what you have to sell.".

Racing, Speedway Grand National.

Ken Murray TV commercial.

Filmstrip "Performance and Economy."

dougson

ESSX28-1 wrote: »

1951 - 1956 Hudson Stock Car Racing Films DVD

http://cgi.ebay.com/1951-1956-Hudson-Stock-Car-Racing-Films-DVD_W0QQitemZ360091729389QQihZ023QQcategoryZ2875QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

This DVD is a compilation of shorts: all Hudson Automobiles from 1951 to 1956.

Excellent, just purchased one.......

ESSX28-1 · ESSX28-1 November 2008 Posts: 995Platinum Member

Hudson in the lead (as usual)!!

rsmith

Ol racer wrote:

I know its a repeat, but I just love this full Size Hudson' Hornet's Launch out of the Chute.

and the fact that it has been raced over 40 yrs......

i was just wondering if gary still has the car and if someone could could ask him to get ahold of me to talk old times..i helped my dad with this car in the 60s ricksmith1955@yahoo.com

bent metal

Does anyone have photos of Hudson or Essex race cars from the teens or twenties? Other than what has already been posted.

SuperDave

I have been digging around our local racing history and came up with this interesting pair of Photos. Our present congressman representing the 15th didtrict of Florida (R) drove several Hudsons at the local track. Eau Gallie Speedway. The track is long gone and the town merged with Melbourne, so all is lost except the pictures.

Bill Posey has driven Late Models as recently as few years ago at New Smyrna Speedway near Daytona.. One of the Good Guys for sure. In the early days he not only drove Hudsons, but shared a Hudson with my neighbor Danny Shearer. Danny used the name "Dan Dillon". That was due to his being underage AND since he lived across the street from the Speedway, He didn't want his parents to hear his name on the PA system.. LOL

These fellows were racing against V8's and doing quite well thank you..

SuperDave

A couple more pics of Florida Hudsons on the short tracks.

Ol racer

FYI

Read below......

Ol racer

Great Pictures from the good old days!

It would be nice to see more Pictures from other Area Tracks posted on the Forum too . Hudson Hornets also powered many Ford, Chevy and Plymuth Cpes in the Modified Sportsman Divisions long after Hudson Merger well into the '70's..

I seen Hornets with the the Head numbers milled off so competitors wouldnt know which head they used, and Log manifolds with as many as 6 Carbs, although the most popular Log was 3 Dueces using 94 or 97's. The Headers were individual pipes. All homemade stuff that would be considered crude by todays standards but these Cpes litterly Flew! Most had stroker Cranks adapted up to Ford Clutch & Trans because the Hudson Trans couldnt handle the torque with the huge Slicks.It was fierce competitive Racing, and looking back a broken crankshaft was very rare, but head gaskets did blow occassionally...

Must be some pictures around because the grandstands overflowed with spectators and many came into the Pits afterwards to talk with the Drivers & Crews....

nhp1127

These pics remind me of just how many coupes got destroyed in racing. This thread is a great piece of Americana and history.

PaceRacer50

lets see if this one works.... my 50 PaceMaker coming out of the burnout box at Brown County Drag way...[ATTACH]7304[/ATTACH]

always fun running against anything with a V8 in it...

PaceRacer50

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