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One of the truly legendary sportsman race teams of the '60s that is still racing today. Dave and Ben Wenzel. Bought the car new, won Indy in 1967, set multiple national records and still race the car 41 years later. Not many can say that today?? Many don't know that Ben bought a new COPO car from Berger in June 1969. There were 23 of them on the lot at that time. He wanted the cheapest one!
This photo was taken in Vegas in 2005. Both Ben and I won class at this race! The Z28s beat up on the big block Novas that weekend. Ben had Jim Hughes in the final and I had Gary Waldo. We also changed the ring & pinion at the track in my car for the altitude change. Jerry |
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Read the score boards here. Final run that I shot for Ben Wenzel and Jim Hughes in the final. Wenzel left lane and Hughes right.
Jerry |
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The killer Z28 of the early 1970s, this 302 Z28 was unbeatable. Jerry [/ QUOTE ] Check out the Tin Indian GTO in the background |
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Tim Bishop, class win at the 1969 US Nationals in J/Stock.
Still has this 1957 Chevy sitting in a barn on his farm. Tim is running a new Firebird these days. Jerry |
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One of the truly legendary sportsman race teams of the '60s that is still racing today. Dave and Ben Wenzel. Bought the car new, won Indy in 1967, set multiple national records and still race the car 41 years later. Not many can say that today?? Many don't know that Ben bought a new COPO car from Berger in June 1969. There were 23 of them on the lot at that time. He wanted the cheapest one! Jerry [/ QUOTE ] I was fortunate to meet the Wenzel brothers at the 2004 Nationals at Indy. Here are a couple shots of their car - "the office" http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v3...s/DSCN2562.jpg Ben under the hood - http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v3...s/DSCN2567.jpg Hurst ad in Hot Rod Magazine http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v3...s/DSCN2570.jpg http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v3...zelarticle.jpg |
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That was the year that I went to Indy too. The 50th anniversary. You can see my car directly behind Ben's car.
Jerry |
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Some very cool pics and history! Thanks for posting them up!
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That was the year that I went to Indy too. The 50th anniversary. You can see my car directly behind Ben's car. Jerry [/ QUOTE ] Here you are at Indy, Jerry! https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...s/headbang.gif http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...s/DSCN2551.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...s/DSCN2555.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...s/DSCN2563.jpg The Old Reliable! https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...mlins/grin.gif https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...iggthumpup.gif https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...lins/beers.gif |
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jerry, can you elaborate a little on how you found the car, the condition it was in?
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I think thats the same Tony Pizzi with the white 68 Z/28 that ran the early Yenko 67 Z/28 drag car
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Super Stock Magazine did a four page spread on me and the car and how I found it.....May, 1996. The Strickler family had promo photos of the car when it was being set up for a shoot with Hot Rod Magazine. In one of those photos was a picture of the engine and vin stamping on the deck. I ran it through MVA and found the car less than 75 miles from York, PA.
Guy was getting ready to part it out and sell at a swap meet. Still has the original fenders, doors, quarters, sub frame, rear axle and more. Needed floors like any other super gas car would but it was rust free and kept inside all of it's life because it was a race car. Still had the original aluminum ball joint spacers that Howie Slaybaugh, (Strickler's crew chief) installed when the car was set up for Super Stock. Jerry |
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Yes it was. Tony P. was a very smart racer and learned from the master, Bill Jenkins.
Jerry |
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Many don't know that Ben bought a new COPO car from Berger in June 1969. There were 23 of them on the lot at that time. He wanted the cheapest one! Jerry [/ QUOTE ] Ben Wenzel's COPO today... https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/show...e/0#Post372461 |
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Looks much better than it did. Ben's car did not have spoilers or the stripe. There were 23 copos on the lot when he bought his. I have photos of this car from 1969, I'll have to dig them out. Indy 1969 or 1970.
Some copo experts said this car wasn't a copo because of the body number, etc. Jerry |
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Cool stuff Ken!
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Jungle Jim.......and......What's her Name??......LOL
http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a2...66Nova-1-1.jpg http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a2...600x600Q85.jpg http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a2...z/60_chevy.jpg http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a2...HEVYAWB-vi.jpg http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a2...izz/2-P5-2.jpg http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a251/kwhizz/46.jpg http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a251/kwhizz/38.jpg http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a251/kwhizz/56150.jpg http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a2...61009_95-1.jpg http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a2...1035_114-2.jpg http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a2...20Wench208.jpg Ken |
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More...........1963 picture of Al Pfeiffer from Kenosha......Sammy would get Bored if he was on Als Pit Crew......The Car was always spotless so he wouldn't be able to work his Magic..
http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a2...0Willys202.jpg http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a2...from_randy.jpg http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a2...rlieAllen1.jpg http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a2...net_camaro.jpg http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a2...itzgerald1.jpg http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a2...geezers172.jpg http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a2.../gm2_00032.jpg http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a2.../gm2_00033.jpg http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a2.../gm2_00043.jpg Ken |
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More......................
http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a2...ey_staging.jpg http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a2...renaded392.jpg One of the "Classic" Photos of all time...... http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a2...ghtshotwq0.jpg http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a2...gan_motora.jpg http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a2...1225031275.jpg http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a2.../RMA6604-1.jpg http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a2...tman__ed_3.jpg http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a2...lBrosA-Gas.jpg Ken |
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Great shots Ken,
The 65 AFX car is a good friend of mine, Danny Householder. Lives about four miles from me. We started out racing at Capital Raceway together about 1970! Those were the days. Jerry |
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Here's a good one. Charlie Braxton's '67 Z28 at Capital Raceway about 1968. He bought this car new at Lustine Chevrolet in July 1967. Ordered the car in Feb but wanted factory headers and cowl plenum and had to wait extra months for the hot rod options.
Car is now in Idaho and we're building the 302 mill for this hot rod. This car and the new Stocker 67 Z that I built are the first two 67 Z28s that I saw in person. Back then, most people didn't know what they were. Note the fancy lettering job. Charlie always had the car like this. Ask any of the old timers at Capital Raceway. Open headers and seven inch tires put this car in the 12.60 zone. Jerry |
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Know where that photo was taken..........Maple Grove Raceway, Monton, PA. Those altered wheel base cars hook up on ice!
Jerry |
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Here's a Pic of Jerry's Car "Launching".......Another Great Shot.........Those rear tires are "Working"....LOL
http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a2.../jerryscar.jpg Ken |
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Beautiful shot! https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...iggthumpup.gif
Jerry, Just curious, where did the '67 Z-28 originally fall in the NHRA Stock weight break? Where did it fall after NHRA refactored the HP? Verne https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...lins/smile.gif |
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Verne,
In E/Stock, the weight break is 3260 lbs. 1968 Z28s are a natural E car and the 67 Z28 is a natural D car. Have to weigh 3105 in D. If I can get the new 67 Z28 race car to hook up like the Old Reliable, I should be able to run in the high 10.40 zone. Out in Vegas, the old car was hooking up like gang busters. Two foot wheel stands on 9" tires. Felt like the car was bolted to the ground. When you let the clutch out all you saw was the sky. 7000 rpm launches! That was an amazing race weekend for me. Got to pit with one of the all time legerdary sportsman races of our time, Ben Wenzel, both Ben and I won class. During the eliminator, 128 car field, I made it to the semi final round........4 cars and then the throw out bearing siezed up against David Rampy. The round before, I took out World Champ, Lee Zane. I was on a mission until the car broke. But as we say in the world or racing, [censored] happens. Jerry |
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tough 'break'https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...s/rolleyes.gif jerry.
that would've been wild to see that car win another national event eliminator almost 40 yrs later. https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...ns/worship.gif good luck in '09 with the new car! https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...lins/beers.gif |
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That's as close as I got at a National Event. Three times it's happened. Won two divisional races over the 14 seasons that I campaigned the car.
Anyone who races will tell you that it's not easy! You have to do it because you love it. If you win, then it's a bonus. Both of my outings to the west coast in 2002 and 2005 were fun and made many new friends out there. I was in the $$$ rounds while on tour out there both trips. Did better than I do here in Div 1! NED is tough! Jerry |
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Found these on photobucket. 1968 AHRA Bristol TN
http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f2...N/Aligator.jpg http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f2...lyChadwick.jpg http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f2...eakleyBros.jpg http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f2...ickHarrell.jpg http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f2.../JetCamaro.jpg Here is a link to the rest of them. http://s48.photobucket.com/albums/f2...%20TN/?start=0 |
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Look at the Big Block Chevelle behind the Bike.......
http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a2...izz/V8Bike.jpg Ken |
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http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a2...izz/V8Bike.jpg [/ QUOTE ] A little more about E.J. Potter..... A short history of E. J. Potter (or: So you thought Evel Kneivel was a wild and crazy guy!) I don't know where E. J. Potter came from, the first time I became aware of him was when he was racing/showing off his exotic motorcycle. He took a Harley Davidson frame and put a small-block chevy engine in it, sideways. This engine had Hilborn injectors and burned Nitro, and was producing about 500 Hp. It was started by having a couple guys hang on from the side, and it was pushed with a truck. When the engine fired, the assistants lifted the rear of the bike (these must have been some strong guys!) and put it up on a wooden stand that kept the rear tire, a 10" wide racing slick, off the ground. When the christmas tree said go, E. J. would rev the engine to 6000 RPM and the assistants would push him off the stand! It did a wheelie about half-way down the strip, and did about 160 MPH in the quarter mile. E. J. tried to find a small, light clutch for the thing, but he never found anything that would work. He tried helicopter clutches, but even they didn't quite do it. The rear wheel was coupled to the engine with a huge multi-width roller chain. Well, one day he reached the end of the strip and closed the throttle, and nothing happened - the throttle was stuck! He cut off the magneto, but a very hot engine (no radiator, just the thermal mass of the water in the block) burning nitro at wide open throttle doesn't need much ignition! It kept right on running. He hit the brakes (dual caliper aircraft brakes) and that slowed him to about 150 MPH, but he could feet the handle retreating under his grip. There was no fuel cutoff! As he was approaching a line of trees at the end of the strip, he took the only action he could think of, he jumped off! He slid on his rear until it burned through his chaps into his skin, and then did some somersaults. Amazingly, he ended up being able to walk after all this, and followed the new gap into the forest to see what became of his machine. All he could find was an engine block! Nothing else recognizable. Realizing that this was a bit more dangerous than he imagined, he started thinking of ways to make life safer, and while continuing with a rebuilt 327 CID bike (with, amazingly, a fuel cutoff!) he started to design his next generation machine. He got an old Dodge Dart station wagon and put an Allison 17xx CID V-12 airplane engine in the back, hooked up to something like a Borg Warner truck transmission. I don't know how he ever heard another sound after being inside a station wagon with an 1800++ horsepower engine. Anyway, there were some problems with the new machine, but it certainly was a crowd pleaser, and it did fairly good times on the clock, too. He felt that his new exhibition machine was a whole lot safer. Then, something happened. I suspect he couldn't leave well enough alone, and had to soup-up that Allison! Well, the engine blew apart one day, and he felt himself in a bit of deja-vu, sliding down a drag strip at 100+ MPH on his rear, again! This time, he was wearing Nomex, and had a racing seat still strapped to his rear, but the somersaults at the end were just as hard on the body! Well, maybe giant engines are dangerous - so he had to get the engine OUT of the car! How can you do that? Ah ha! Make the "World's Fastest Slot Car" is how! So, he put another Allison on a flatbed trailer, hooked it to a locomotive dynamo, and laid copper strips down the length of the track. He gutted an old Honda Civic (back when they were little more than tin cans, anyway) and put four rewound jet engine starter motors in the Honda. Aside from brake rotors, there wasn't much else in the car but those 4 motors, 4 wheels and tires, and a seat! Well, it WENT! I don't remember the times, but it was FAST! This thing weighed something like 800 Lbs, hardly more than the drive train on a rail. It would beat the rails off the line like they were standing still. No tire burning, just 4 racing slicks pulling the car like a rock out of a sling shot. I think the rails sometimes caught up at the far end, since the Honda wasn't really designed for 300 MPH aerodynamics. This all takes the history up to maybe 1975 or so. I haven't heard any more stories about E. J. Potter since the slot car. I wish now that I had taken the opportunity to SEE this in person. All I know about this is from reading magazines, and I'm sure it would be MUCH more memorable to have actually SEEN it! Taken from this link. http://www.crazyrider.com/historypage1.htm |
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Look at the Big Block Chevelle behind the Bike....... http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a2...izz/V8Bike.jpg Ken [/ QUOTE ] Notice the Whizzer Gas Tank 0n the Bike..........LOL Ken https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...mlins/flag.gif |
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Ha!..
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-----I watched E.J. run at Epping back in about 68 or 69. He was certifiable. He launched just as the story above said and ran all the way thru the back door with the front wheel a foot off the ground and the back wheel spinning. He made two runs that day and we went down to the finish for the second run. I thought it was cool seeing it from the starting line but his run was unbelieveable when watching him come at you!!!.........Bill S
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Found this over on the HAMB. The perfect '50 Austin gasser. So sanitary.
http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a2...fectAustin.jpg |
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I have a shoe box full of photos that Tim Bishop and cousin David Bishop took at the tracks throughout the 1960s. Thousands of color photos here and I just don't have the time to fool with them and log them in. I could of if I was retired but not yet.
If anyone would like to take on this scanning project and work with me I would be glad to do it. FYI, David Bishop is the official NHRA photographer for Division One. Both Bishops are world class people. Timmy tells me that he has more photos in his hog house at the farm. That's a drag racer for you! Jerry |
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