I have to tell the story about the two shots above. I have a cyber buddy, Paul Herdes, down in Texas way. As one old Texan to another and a related interest in Drag Racing Cars, he about the early fifties and sixties, he keeps me informed on history of some of these cars. He is the one who quickly noticed that the two photos were shot almost simultaneously.  You may judge that by the position of the cars and the Frank Buck hat on the guy in the lower part of the photos. Paul writes: "The 32 roadster has been around the Dallas area ever since,  according to the info roaming around the web. The reason why there is so much talk is because this little car just recently (sort of restored to 1957 condition) sold at the Barret Jackson auction for $320,000. It also was chosen as the (Top 9) 32 roadsters for the "Deuce" 75th anniversary celebration at Pebble Beach Tour De Elegance run. SO - this car has received a bunch of recognition since it sold in public eyes and perhaps for the reason that it was a winner at the '57 nationals in street class (109.05-mph pass in 13.32 seconds powered by a Chevy small block) in the early days of Drag Racing history.
You can catch Paul at his blog site devoted to Drag Racing - www.hechointexas.blogspot.com

ABOVE:  I received an e-mail from J. Frank Kiker of Lubbock the other day. He wrote:  "Hello. I was so excited to see that picture of James Butler on your website. I enjoy finding people like James Butler and recording their history. I have a hour plus taped interview with him I did before he passed away. I have met his family, including his daughter Evelyne who is in your picture. Some say he dominated this area with his early Ranchero pickup. He was very effective at racing on a shoestring budget to say the least." 
Well, I will attest to what Frank wrote about James. I remember him well on the drag strip at Big Spring, TX in the 1950's. The ranchero won just about every race each time he was there.  If I remember correctly the Ranchero looked so stock your would have thought he drove it right from the farm. I think there was a tear-down twice to find anything out of the ordinary. James was just a good driver knowing how to get everything, plus a little bit more out of his cars.

I received an e-mail from a Jon Rowley, Amado, AZ. He wrote: "By luck I came across your posting of the 1957 Oklahoma meet. I have possession of Green Monster #5 complete with the Allison motor. With a little looking on the HAMB web site (and by googling Arfons Green Monster number5) you can see the car as it exists today. It has been stored for almost 50 years. It's second owner, Lee Pendleton is helping me put together the car's history line. It looks as though there might have been two Monsters at that event." Jon also advises that the Allison is being rebuilt in California and Art and Mike Chrisman are working on the drive train.

Well!  I thought I was done - then - another happening. I found that one of the custom cars we caught in the parking lot at the 57 Nationals has appeared back into the hands of the family it was born in. Debbie Porter found her Dad's 1949 custom pickup - the one we photographed in 1957. Here is the latest I found on this.

That does it for now. I hope you enjoyed this addition. If anyone else views this page and the rest of the drag sites and perhaps has met, seen any of these cars or has any information on their owners feel free to e-mail me with that information.  hldeshazo@aol.com

Dragsters - Roadsters - Coupes