Photo ID # f04.25.09__V8_TOW_UNK_0061S_1
Car #: #V8
Driver (s) : Bunky Higbee
Location: Paulsboro, NJ
Date: 1961
Photographer: Andy Ford
Photo provided by: Russ Dodge
Comments: Senior Moment by Russ Dodge:

Great Expectations for 1961

The “Flying V-8 is hooked up and ready for the opening show at Vineland Speedway in April of 1961. The blue and white color combination really looks sharp and a great 1960 season, with a coupe “V-8” being successful both on dirt and asphalt with Bunky Higbee at the wheel, supports a bright outlook for the new season!

Brothers Andy and Carl Ford, from Paulsboro, N.J., were the owners of this strong running limited sportsman (NASCAR Hobby Car Division) stock car. The coupe mentioned, winner of features at Vineland and Alcyon Speedways, was far from a beauty. The body cut and battle scared dents and bents, some how seamed appropriate on the “Alley Oop Coupe”. A big caveman like arm and a large club, painted on the trunk came from a popular rock and roll song of the period!

Darn, another Senior Moment before finishing the first one! I have to tell this story before I forget it! In 1960, Bunky Higbee’s toughest competitor was Ed “Lil’ Abner” Goeke. Ed, by the way, won the NASCAR Hobby Division championship at both Vineland and Alcyon Speedway that year. Bunky wanted to win a feature at Alcyon Speedway in Pitman, N.J., more than anything!

Alcyon Speedway was in its last year of operation and perhaps facility maintenance was not what it should have been. During the Hobby Stock feature Bunky, in the “Alley Oop Coupe”, was leading the feature with Ed Goeke in his 19X, was running second. All of the sudden the track lights went out and the feature halted! Unable to make a quick repair, the feature was move to the following week, to be completed with the cars starting in the order they were running when the race was stopped.

With the feature ready to restart the following week, Bunky knew he was going to have to get the lead if he was to have a chance of beating the fast running Goeke, for the checkered. As the cars came out of the 5th turn onto the straight away, Bunky pulled the “old point franticly” to the grandstand trick! Ed, looking over, saw Higbee pointing with his arm in motion, so naturally Ed, looked to see where Bunky was pointing! You guessed it! That’s when Bunky took off and got the jump on “Lil’ Abner”, holding him off for the win at Alcyon speedway.

After the feature, Ed went over to Bunky and asked, ”What were you pointing at?” Bunky said, ”That guy standing up at the fence was yelling for you. Didn’t you see him?” Ed didn’t know what to say!

Now, back to the beautiful sedan pictured. You’ve heard of “more show than go”? Well unfortunately that could help describe the sedan during 1961 season. The old “Alley Oop” coupe had been “no show and ALL GO!” Yes, the beautiful sedan won a feature at Vineland and had a few seconds and top fives, but it just was a “comfortable” as the old coupe!

After the 1961 season the Ford’s sold the “Flying V-8” to the Dodges. My brother Charles bought the car and he ran it a couple times at Vineland the following season as a red and black number 11. The history of the car from that point on could be another Senior Moment” in itself!

Senior Moment By: Russ Dodge

Photo By: Andy Ford
Location: Paulsboro, N.J. 1961
Provided By: Russ Dodge

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Comment:

04.25.09 Bill Ore Thanks for another great pic! I never got to see this car, but I do remember Bunky Higbee in the red and white #26 hobby car at Vineland a couple years later. I remember him as always being competitive, and a few wins, too.
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     

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