Photo ID # | 04.26.03_088_SMI_DAY_1958_1 |
Car #: | #88 |
Driver (s) : | Ralph Smith |
Location: | Daytona, FL |
Date: | 1958 |
Photographer: | Unknown (Provided to Russ by Bob Reese) |
Photo provided by: | Russ Dodge |
Comments: | (Comment provided by Russ Dodge): This picture shows the reason why those of use who were brought up with the coupes and coaches can never leave that era of racing! This is a picture of George Heffner's # 88 driven by Ralph Smith from Aberdeen, Maryland. The car as shown was run in the last beach race in Daytona in 1958. Note on the running boards are Ralph's championship trophies from 1957. One is from Alcyon Speedway and one is from Vineland Speedway, I know. Ed Lindsay, who passed away about a month ago at this writing, drove the car during the regular 1958 season as Smith took over the ride in the William's # 44 driven previously by Tas and Ken Marriott. Notice how the body was so neatly trimmed,still with a full windshields and a wiper for the beach race. The full body was indicative of most of the Maryland cars. They were usually a little ahead of the New jersey built racers. I don't know the photographer of this scrap book picture but I acquired it from Bob Reese. I would like to add the Ralph Smith was one of the smoothest racers of his day and could always get the most out of whatever he drove. Ralph with his wife Edna, still reside in Aberdeen and follow racing with the WGOT at Latimore Valley. |
Visitor's Comments | To add your comments about THIS PHOTO - Click Here | |
Date: | Visitor's Name: | Comment: |
04/26/03 | REGLIB | Do we all realize how fortunate we are to have Russ Dodge and his knowledge and resources? I would have so many blanks in my memory if it wasn't for Russ!!! |
04/27/03 | 3-Wide | I put the site together mostly because of my memories of the 70's. When I started doing it, I realized that there were people out there to whom the 50's & 60's were just as important to them. I am glad that guys like Russ Dodge have stepped up and have not only helped with some unbelievable pictures for the site, but who also add their comments and expertise to really bring back the memories like mentioned above. I would again like to thank Russ Dodge. |
04/27/03 | Kevin | This car kicks ass!! No wonder so many want to relive the 50s!! Sorry I missed it. Thanks 3 Wide |
05/02/03 | Jim Murrow | Love flames, and Modifieds, so this was one of my favorite cars in the 50s. The last 88 was a coach, painted like this coupe, as always, and was purchased by Tom Raymer, of Glassboro, NJ to replace the totaled # 10-A. Tom loved the car, too, so he never repainted or renumbered the car, but ran it as the flamed #88. One of Tom's crewmen was a telephone installer by trade, and installed a big (About 18" by 18") panal onthe dash with a bunch of switches, a telephone dial, and about 30 small green lights. When you spun the telephone dial, the lights would blink in a random pattern. They had a paper with all kinds of supposed codes for various tests on it, They claimed it was a computer that diagnosed everything on the car, and would amass large crowds in the pits when they spun the dial and took notes of the results. All it really did, of course, was blink lights, but since the car, by now, had an Injected Ford motor, with a blower, people tended to believe. A real classic practical joke. The car never performed well, and was sold about a year later. It ran Vineland for 2 or 3 years, with the flames painted green, as a hobby car, driven by a kid from Philly who drove under the name of "Johnathan". Thanks for the memories; Jim Murrow |
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