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Senior Moment From Russ Dodge:
Keys That Unlock The Mind
Having submitted Senior Moments for more than
a year or so, some weeks I wonder what should I do this time. Luckily for me
most of the time the light will come on as I try to pick out something that
will be of interest to a wide range of viewers. I've looked at this picture
often but have never used it. So hang on as I use it as a key to my mind of
memories. The following will be things about the car in no particular order.
First of all, it's a 1937 Ford coupe, the car God created for stock car
racing. A neat and clean car without a lot of lettering. The basic two tone
treatment looks good (It was light blue with red trim around the windows)
and it still has the original running boards! Another "slick trick" was to
use the original tail light, moving it up on the back corner of the roof and
using it for a towing light.
Yes! It does have 3 stacks sticking up out of the hood. Note also, no
"floating" rear yet but one was used later in the 2 months this beauty
survived! Wow, almost forgot the original '37 hood ornament.
This beauty was built for the opening of the Vineland Speedway by two
Vinelanders! Jim Pagnam (baseball player who ended up his career in law
enforcement, I believe) and Tony Ruberti (Master mechanic, Automotive
Machine shop foreman and long time winning stock car owner). The #4 debuted
with Ed Himmelbach driving and was soon after totaled by Estill Oliver.
Vineland opened April 3, the car got wiped out on June 3rd.
I mentioned the rear being changed. I know from a picture of the wreck it
had a floater at that time. One other question for real old timers. Remember
when if the car had a floater hub on the right front, it was a "top shelf"
car and if it had one on the drivers front hub, WOW! MONEY!
The most precious memory this photo creates was sharing a pitcher of iced
tea while sitting on the breezeway the Ruberti home, with Tony sharing with
me the stories from his years in racing. He was then retired and I felt he
enjoyed the opportunity as much as I did to relive those great memories.
By the way, this coupe cost $900.00 complete as pictured! A few of Tony's
winning drivers: Sam Beavers, Tony Siscone and Al Tasnady won his last
Flemington feature in Tony's car. Other drivers of the 4 and 97 cars: Red
Forte, Sal Moschella, Ed Nichols, Chris Dawson, Tony Ruberti Jr. and Dave
Ruberti!
Senior Moment By: Russ Dodge |