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Photo ID # Q04.03.20__R2_ELY_UNK_0078_1
Car #: #R2
Driver (s) : Scott Ely
Location: Moody Park - Ewing NJ
Date: 1978
Photographer: George Ivin
Photo provided by: Scott Ely
Comments: Comment from Scott:  The attached 3 photos of my hot rod were taken by a friend, George Ivin at Moody Park, Ewing, NJ in 1978.

This Falcon started out as Chic Ronan's blue Vega #R2, which was the subject of one of 3Wide's mystery photos. Chic eventually hung a 1937 Ford coupe body on his Tobias chassis. 

At the time I bought the car in mid 1977, the coupe was white with red letters. I ran the car for about 5 races at the end of Windsor's 1977 season.  For the finale I decided that I was done starting in the back to get "my feet my feet wet".  I started 2nd in a heat. While maintaining 2nd for a few laps, I forgot to wipe off my googles (no tear offs for me) and made Windsor's back stretch into Bridgeport's (the 5/8s) back stretch.  In other words, I buried my hot rod into the 3rd turn fence.

During the winter, Phil Speno, my National Guard body offered to help me rebuild the car at his shop. A lot of racers helped me, a nobody in the sport, with the rebuilding.  The Falcon body came from Lenny Martin.  The rub rails and new front end tubes were bent by Mark Lenhart.  Al Michalchuk cut the rear axles and rear end housing tubes.  The Ford hauler was purchased, at a cheap price, from Ralph Brown. I can't remember who, but I bought the tires from either Al Michalchuk or Ralph Brown.  All together, I had about $ 3,500.00 wrapped up in the car and hauler. 

I decided that my driving days were done and put Chic Ronan in the car.  We ran one race in which Chic was involved in a nasty wreck.  I decided that I would sell the car and go back to being a spectator.  My dad passed when I was 14 and Chic, my neighbor, became my "dad".  I couldn't handle it if he got hurt driving my car.   

Scott Ely
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Comment:

04.05.20 Russ Currie

Love the tribute above the rear tire "We miss you, Toby".

     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     

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