06.20.03_004_GEL_UNK_2003_1.jpg (52007 bytes)

Photo ID # 06.20.03_004_GEL_UNK_2003_1
Car #: #4
Driver (s) : Tom Gelston
Location: Sandy Hook, CT
Date: 2003
Photographer: Tom Gelston
Photo provided by: Tom Gelston
Comments: This is a former Pancho Carter car that is almost too pretty to take off the trailer.  Can't wait to see this on the track, taking some laps!  Get the whole story on this car below...
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Comment:

06/21/03 Tom  The car was built in 1975, is a Steve Stapp 4-bar car, that ran with Pancho Carter in the car in 1976 as a dirt car. In 1976, Pancho won the USAC sprint car championship. This car has Feature wins at Terre Haute, Eldora and IRP. Steve Stapp has another off the #4 cars in his rafters unrestored. That is the pavement car that had USAC feature wins.

I was told that the car was sold after the 1976 season to Danny Smith, who put a wing on the car and ran it a while, including the first World of Outlaws season in 1978. I do not know at which venues this car ran with Danny, and have been told that he had multiple cars, but that this was going to be a primary car for use on his North American racing tours. He raced the winter back in his homeland of Australia with other cars. After that, the car was sold to Harry Arrechea (spelling?) who ran it for about 10 years in the Texas area, mostly on pavement where I hear it was a real screamer.

The car ended up in a shop in Oklahoma were it sat until I bought it August of 2002. Let's just say my father-in-law (Paul FitzGerald --- www.fitzgeraldengineering.com) and I had a very busy winter, and for me quite an expensive one!!!

The car came to me fairly complete, with the original belly pans, drivers side panels, the frame was perfect, had the original nickel plated front axle, and a few other things. We found out which nose and hood went on the car from a few people, including Steve Stapp himself, though he is not overly personable. We found the guy with the original molds in PA, the same guy I helped Dave Spurlin out with. Ebay was great for finding all the correct parts, like the 1970's 2 3/16" Hilborn unit I needed.

Other drivers to sit in the seat included James McElreath and Dana Carter, both who filled in from time to time with Stapp in cars.

The car is here in Sandy Hook, CT, and will run at Flemington and Loudon (Vic Yeradi Memorial Celebration) this year, and will go to Winchester and IRP next year, in addition to those great events at Flemington....I sure hope that stays around a long while. Thanks again, Tom 

     
     

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