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Bought my dad's old Buick Funny Car...
World's only Buick-powered Buick Funny Car constructed by my dad at his shop Brooklyn Speed & Machine in 1967.
Ron Peligrini owner of Fiberglass Limited in Chicago owned the only other Buick-bodied F/C (run under the Chicago Buick Dealers Group banner) that made it to the track but his was Chrysler Hemi-powered and was later destroyed in a on-track accident...it is believed that only 2 Skylark bodies were ever constructed but there are rumors a third body was created. My dad is still with us and is eager to see his old car again.We need him to re-create the front timing cover to accept a magneto like he did 42 years ago. Car ran a 8:71 blown 430 buick backed by a TH-400 trans prepped by Vitar.Rear was out of a Wildcat w/3.90 gears. Car ran a best of 7.79 @ 191mph. Guys...I'm just beside myself with joy,really,really happy to have the opportunity to own this time capsule that means so much to us. https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...mlins/flag.gif http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p.../HPIM68381.jpg http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p.../IMG_25071.jpg As it currently sits at the Gilmore Museum and was featured in Hot Rod magazine a few months back: http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p...n/DSC07363.jpg http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p...n/DSC07362.jpg |
Re: Bought my dad's old Buick Funny Car...
Wow https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...emlins/eek.gif John! That is just terrific! Can't imagine how that feels. What are your plans for it? Keep us posted. https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...lins/laugh.gif
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Re: Bought my dad's old Buick Funny Car...
Awesome story. Congratulations!
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Re: Bought my dad's old Buick Funny Car...
congrats. you must be overwhelmed with joy
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Re: Bought my dad's old Buick Funny Car...
Has to be one of the best days of your life. What a war horse and extremely rare funny car! Keep us posted. I bet your dad feels real young again. Hey John, Think you will ever make a pass in it someday, maybe a cackelfest!!!? https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...iggthumpup.gif https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...ins/3gears.gif https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...ns/worship.gif
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Re: Bought my dad's old Buick Funny Car...
[ QUOTE ]
Hey John, Think you will ever make a pass in it someday, maybe a cackelfest!!!? https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...iggthumpup.gif https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...ins/3gears.gif https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...ns/worship.gif [/ QUOTE ] That is the plan,first get it to run then cackelfest it and eventually,get it back down the track. Supremely happy here today https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...lins/beers.gif,I'll post more original pics from back in the day soon... https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...s/headbang.gif |
Re: Bought my dad's old Buick Funny Car...
Awesome outcome John...I'm glad the car made it back to where it belongs! https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...lins/beers.gif
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Re: Bought my dad's old Buick Funny Car...
Did you have to sell the 70 Z28? I hope you got to keep it!
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Re: Bought my dad's old Buick Funny Car...
[ QUOTE ]
Did you have to sell the 70 Z28? I hope you got to keep it! [/ QUOTE ] Keeping everything at this point...where this one will live is another story,lol. https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...mlins/hmmm.gif |
Re: Bought my dad's old Buick Funny Car...
[ QUOTE ]
Awesome outcome John...I'm glad the car made it back to where it belongs! https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...lins/beers.gif [/ QUOTE ] Thanks Jeff,nice chatting with you this week. https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...lins/beers.gif |
Re: Bought my dad's old Buick Funny Car...
Very cool John...congrats buddy! https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...s/headbang.gif
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Re: Bought my dad's old Buick Funny Car...
John,
Congrats! Nice to see another Buick owner, Welcome! I have been telling everyone not to under estimate the power of a Buick! A few have been listening https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...ns/burnout.gif Dan. |
Re: Bought my dad's old Buick Funny Car...
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Re: Bought my dad's old Buick Funny Car...
Fantastic. Congrats John!
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Re: Bought my dad's old Buick Funny Car...
[ QUOTE ]
Fantastic. Congrats John! [/ QUOTE ] Thanks Jason...and thanks to everyone else for the kind words. I'll post up some period-pictures ASAP... https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...ns/naughty.gif John |
Re: Bought my dad's old Buick Funny Car...
John, That is fantastic. Congrat's. Did you just find the car recently?
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Re: Bought my dad's old Buick Funny Car...
fantastic news John!!! Do your Dad proud!!
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Re: Bought my dad's old Buick Funny Car...
Wow, very cool. https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...mlins/cool.gif
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Re: Bought my dad's old Buick Funny Car...
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Re: Bought my dad's old Buick Funny Car...
BIG Congrats on aquiring your Dad's old Funny!.
I remember you or someone else posting pics of it here a year or so ago...when it was still owned by someone else?. https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...lins/beers.gif ~ Pete https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...ins/3gears.gif |
Re: Bought my dad's old Buick Funny Car...
[ QUOTE ]
John, That is fantastic. Congrat's. Did you just find the car recently? [/ QUOTE ] No Bill,it kinda found me,lol. I've known about it for about 2 years now and have been trying to buy it ever since.Owner finally relented and decided to offer it on eBay and it ran it's course w/o meeting the reserve last Sunday,I struck a deal with the seller after that. As promised,here are some pictures that were scanned then mailed to me then I have taken pictures of scanned pictures (lol,I know...buy a damn scanner https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...lins/dunno.gif) but you must admit the quality and steady hands produce pretty good quality. https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...ns/naughty.gif First up is a still from NY National Speedway in 1968: http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p...n/DSC07803.jpg Just completed and sitting in front of my dad's shop Brooklyn Speed & Machine probably 1967. Shop looks to be smack dab in the middle of a residential neighborhood,huh? http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p...n/DSC07806.jpg Magazine stills shot by noted east coast photog Bob Beattie: http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p...n/DSC07807.jpg Motor is pretty much stock looking except for the 8:71 blower & injector.Chassis is my dad's version of a Logghe,from chrome moly tubing,rear is a Buick Wildcat piece w/3:90 gears.Weight of the car was 2,005#'s: http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p...n/DSC07808.jpg Car is considered to be one of the best constructed in terms of safety...imagine strapping in and going 7.79 @ 191 https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...ins/3gears.gif http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p...n/DSC07809.jpg Magazine articles: http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p...n/DSC07810.jpg Strictly Buick is right,even the tow car was usually some big Buick boat,typically an Estate wagon: http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p...n/DSC07811.jpg This article was missing a page...car got shortened,lol: http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p...n/DSC07812.jpg Display in a Chevrolet dealer I believe... http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p...n/DSC07813.jpg Action shots...first up a pass @ Englishtown (our home track),love the way it's twisting the chassis a bit: http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p...n/DSC07814.jpg This shot is available on line from NY National Speedway facing Malcom Durham in his Strip Blazer stretched Camaro. The DC Lip always ran hard-charging all-Chevy powered Chevrolet's: http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p...n/DSC07815.jpg I remember this day clear as a bell,I was 10 yrs old,we beat Doug Nash first round in his "Bronco Buster" Bronco II,I think he broke,lol. Dyno Don & Mr. Norm were also there...what a show https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...ns/worship.gif: http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p...n/DSC07816.jpg Later it it's life when "Rapid" Red Lang drove it: http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p...n/DSC07817.jpg Whatcha guys think...? https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...lins/beers.gif https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...s/headbang.gif https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...mlins/flag.gif |
Re: Bought my dad's old Buick Funny Car...
Over the TOP!! What a score. Great photographic history. More - More!!! https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...s/headbang.gif https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...ns/worship.gif
https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...ins/3gears.gif https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...ins/3gears.gif https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...ins/3gears.gif https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...ins/3gears.gif |
Re: Bought my dad's old Buick Funny Car...
Love the story! https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...iggthumpup.gif
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Re: Bought my dad's old Buick Funny Car...
Awesome! What will you do with it once you restore it some, assuming it needs it? Museum piece, carry it to shows, race it?
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Re: Bought my dad's old Buick Funny Car...
[ QUOTE ]
Awesome! What will you do with it once you restore it some, assuming it needs it? Museum piece, carry it to shows, race it? [/ QUOTE ] Plan it to fabricate the pieces needed to make it run,then cackelfest it and hopefully find it's way down the 1/4 mile again... https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...ins/3gears.gif Will miss the CA Reunion next year but hopefully in '11,that would be our goal. https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...lins/beers.gif |
Re: Bought my dad's old Buick Funny Car...
[ QUOTE ]
Over the TOP!! What a score. Great photographic history. More - More!!! https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...s/headbang.gif https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...ns/worship.gif https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...ins/3gears.gif https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...ins/3gears.gif https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...ins/3gears.gif https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...ins/3gears.gif [/ QUOTE ] This ride is beyond cool!! https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...mlins/cool.gif https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...mlins/cool.gifThe fact that it was your Dad's and now you have it back is beyond wildest dreams!! CONGRATS !! https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...s/headbang.gif https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...iggthumpup.gif |
Re: Bought my dad's old Buick Funny Car...
Alot of people asked to see the car in it's current condition so here are some resto pictures:
http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p...n/DSC07820.jpg http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p...n/DSC07821.jpg http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p...n/DSC07823.jpg http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p...n/DSC07824.jpg http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p...n/DSC07825.jpg Look how accurate the body is,owner says you can read the guide numbers and date on the lenses!: http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p...n/DSC07826.jpg |
Re: Bought my dad's old Buick Funny Car...
Very https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...mlins/cool.gif https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...mlins/cool.gifA car from the golden age of drag racing! https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...ns/worship.gif
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Re: Bought my dad's old Buick Funny Car...
Here is a picture of Ron Pelegrini's Super Bird Chrysler Hemi-powered '67 Skylark,the only other known body to ever make it downtrack.This car was later destroyed in an on-track incident:
http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p...BuickFunny.jpg Pelegrini also ran this 1968 Buick with a Romeo Palamides chassis under the Chicagoland Buick Dealers banner but this car handled very poorly and was crashed soon afterwards: http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p...el67Beware.jpg |
In route and heading home...
Ingenue being loaded last Sat in MI,if all goes well I should see her on Sunday,here's some pics:
http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p...n/DSC07847.jpg http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p...n/DSC07846.jpg http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p...n/DSC07845.jpg http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p...n/DSC07848.jpg http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p...n/DSC07849.jpg I also received this picture of the front of the motor taken when it was being photographed for a magazine in 1967,you can see the mag drive/timing cover/crank girdle my dad fabricated for the 430 Buick motor. I have a funny feeling the first two words out of his mouth after he see's this will be "crank trigger",lol... https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/no.gif http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p...n/DSC07850.jpg Chassis detail,basically dad's copy of a Logghe: http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p...n/DSC07851.jpg |
Re: In route and heading home...
So, it must have been on display at the Red Barns Museum in Kalamazoo. I have a friend that had his comp coupe up there, also Al Berglers car was in there too.
You're in good company. https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...s/headbang.gif http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p...n/DSC07847.jpg |
Re: In route and heading home...
I studied those pictures of the front of the engine and as a former machinist in a past lifetime, that's some nice work.
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Re: In route and heading home...
Great car and fantastic photos. I agree with Mark about the machine work-nicely done. The DRAG NEWS plate is cool as well.
Dave |
Re: In route and heading home...
[ QUOTE ]
I studied those pictures of the front of the engine and as a former machinist in a past lifetime, that's some nice work. [/ QUOTE ] Thanks,I agree...man's a genius. https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...mlins/flag.gif |
Re: In route and heading home...
Bet you can't wait. Woo hoo!! https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...lins/beers.gif
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Re: In route and heading home...
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ] I studied those pictures of the front of the engine and as a former machinist in a past lifetime, that's some nice work. [/ QUOTE ] Thanks,I agree...man's a genius. https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...mlins/flag.gif [/ QUOTE ]Of course he is, he is Italian! |
Re: In route and heading home...
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ] [ QUOTE ] I studied those pictures of the front of the engine and as a former machinist in a past lifetime, that's some nice work. [/ QUOTE ] Thanks,I agree...man's a genius. https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...mlins/flag.gif [/ QUOTE ]Of course he is, he is Italian! [/ QUOTE ] True... https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...ins/3gears.gif |
Re: In route and heading home...
Car will be here @ 8am tomorrow,pics to follow. https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...ins/3gears.gif
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Re: In route and heading home...
GREAT STORY LOVE THE HISTORY.
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