| Photo ID # | 03.24.03_404_GEM_REA_0060_1 |
| Car #: | #404 |
| Driver (s) : | Phil Gemendon |
| Location: | Reading, PA |
| Date: | 1960's |
| Photographer: | Zellers |
| Photo provided by: | Mike Feltenberger |
| Comments: | Phil Gememden 404 brought some different colors to modified racing.His cars had great contrasting colors. This particular coupe was silver and maroon and was the first alley racer I ever built. Zellers Photo (Comments provided by Mike Feltenberger) |
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| Date: | Visitor's Name: | Comment: |
| 03/25/03 | Russ Dodge | Phil Gemenden from Franklinville N.J. was a car owner before he was allowed to enter the pits. His father, Roy operated Roy's Auto Parts, a junk yard, on the family property. Phil was raised around the business and the cars Roy fielded at Alcyon Speedway. Phil actually had a car he would take to the races and have to stay in the infield not being allowed in the pits. A lot of fans were confused when Phil Gemenden appeared in the #404 in the later 60's. Phil was still in high school when he started driving at Alcyon. Because he was under aged, his cousin Bob's identity was used. That is why old timers from the late fifties and programs from Alcyon show the #404 Sportsman with Bob Gemenden on the door. After Alcyon closed in 1960 Phil concentrated his racing to the Georgetown Speedway in Delaware. He ran the number 32 on his car at that time and was the Georgetown Sportsman Champ, I believe 3 years in the early 60's. Phil jumped back to the #404 when he brought out his first flamed Ford powered, red and silver Modified. A good trivia question is: Who was the first Modified car to sign in the new Daytona Speedway in 1959? The answer: Phil Gemenden in his ' 37 Ford coupe #404. Phil, a real fine gentleman, still resides in Franklinville. |
| 05/10/03 | Jim Murrow | Nice comments, Russ. Phil's #32 cars had a cute cartoon on the deck lid, painted by his wife, Barb. They are great people. Phil also drove at Daytona, one year, for Tom Raymer. I also liked Phil's neighbor, Billy Thomas, who raced at Georgetown, and occassionally Flemington, in the #66 car? He also drove the Clayton Body Shop # 400 for a while. Thanks Jim Murrow |