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Growing up in Chicago in the 60's
Interesting thing happened last year......After getting involved on Facebook, I got a message asking if I was the Ken Tibor that lived in Chicago in a certain neighborhood......I recognized the name and ended up getting into a conversation with a friend from the 65-68 street/Drag Racing era in Chicago......Wow.....I hadn't seen or talked to Eddie since probably 1968.....we ended up meeting at the Grove for a Chicago Wise Guy's meet and I also ended up meeting up with Mario Manzella (we ran my 66 L-79 Nova together back in 67) at the same meet..........Wow!!......Talk about reliving the past!
So....we went our seperate ways for the winter and we decided to go out to dinner together last week......Me, Paulette, Eddie and his wife Maureen and Mario.... Now, I got out of Drag Racing back in 68 and started to learn a trade and raise a family....Eddie moved to California for a period and Mario stayed involved in the Chicago Drag Racing scene....he ended up driving the Shake Rattle and Run 57 Chev for many years (he was inducted into the Drag Racing Hall of Fame at the Grove last year.... So...we end up meet for dinner and Mario shows up with Pic's of the cars that we raced back in the day......Wow!!....Pictures I didn't know existed.....So....I'm gonna "Bore" anyone that has any interest in "OLD" car pic's... Here's a pic of Mario with his Pontiac from probably 64.. http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a2...n/scan0005.jpg Also a picture of Mario's Mom's 66 SS396 Chevelle Marina Blue Convert....LOL....This is why I ended up with a duplicate....all time favorite http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a2...n/scan0004.jpg Mario and Joe Catalano with his Mr. Norm Street Ram http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a2...n/scan0008.jpg http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a2...n/scan0007.jpg Eddie had a 66 Chevelle L-78 car that ran in the low 12's with just a cam change.....Great Times for the day http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a2...n/scan0006.jpg And Mario also had some pic's of my Nova .....the Nova ran a best of 11.73 back in 67....we used to race at U.S. 30 on Wednesday Nights and the grove on the Weekend...here are the pic's he had... Towing to the track with Mario's Cadilac....we were "Styl'in" before styling was a word...LOL http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a2...n/scan0003.jpg At the track http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a2...n/scan0002.jpg http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a2...n/scan0001.jpg And a recent picture of Shake Rattle and Run http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a2...n/scan0009.jpg We signed a Menu together from the dinner for "History"...LOL http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a2...n/DSC01340.jpg Ken |
Re: Growing up in Chicago in the 60's
After all those years we hit it off and picked up right where we left off 35 years ago......Great people....Eddie and Maureen
http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a2...n/DSC01342.jpg Ken |
Re: Growing up in Chicago in the 60's
Very cool... [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif[/img]
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Re: Growing up in Chicago in the 60's
Thanks for "bore"ing me today! [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/youguysrock.gif[/img]
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Re: Growing up in Chicago in the 60's
Excellent stuff Ken. Your Nova looked tuff. Great ETs. Love the "old" pix!! [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/beers.gif[/img]
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Re: Growing up in Chicago in the 60's
Great stories and pics Ken. That's the stuff that keeps us young!! [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/beers.gif[/img]
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Re: Growing up in Chicago in the 60's
You old Geezer you...[img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/youguysrock.gif[/img]...that was really cool, thanks for boring us.
Mike [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/beers.gif[/img] |
Re: Growing up in Chicago in the 60's
Very kool ...
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Re: Growing up in Chicago in the 60's
Nothing beats stories like these. I very much miss my old drag racing days and would love nothing more than to get together with the old gang and reminisce. Thanks for sharing.
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Re: Growing up in Chicago in the 60's
Feel free to "bore us" with stuff like this any time! [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif[/img]
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Re: Growing up in Chicago in the 60's
Too bad you had to get into the witness protection program so early into your drag racing career.
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Re: Growing up in Chicago in the 60's
Love it! [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/beers.gif[/img]
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Re: Growing up in Chicago in the 60's
Veeeeeeeeeery Nice. [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/burnout.gif[/img]
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Re: Growing up in Chicago in the 60's
Boring? Are you kidding? That was great! Congrats on meeting up with your long lost buddies again after so many years. Loved the photos...even got to see a very cool 66!! [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/headbang.gif[/img]
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Re: Growing up in Chicago in the 60's
Ken...I knew that you were going to post this stuff...just not when!
You know how I feel about you sharing your stories from days gone by... [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/youguysrock.gif[/img] |
Re: Growing up in Chicago in the 60's
We've never met Ken, nor do I recall us ever communicating in the past. However, stuff like this makes others get to know you a little better. I can just imagine the grin on your face when you saw those pictures. Life doesn't get much better than experiencing moments such as these. Thanks for sharing.
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Re: Growing up in Chicago in the 60's
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Stefano</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Too bad you had to get into the witness protection program so early into your drag racing career. </div></div>
That's another Story for another day......LOL........ |
Re: Growing up in Chicago in the 60's
Great stuff!!!! [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif[/img]
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Re: Growing up in Chicago in the 60's
Great stuff Ken.
Dan |
Re: Growing up in Chicago in the 60's
Excellent, Ken, thanks for posting! And congrats on meeting up with your long lost friends.
Gotta love that picture of the 'battleship' Caddy pulling the trailer and Nova down the road [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif[/img] |
Re: Growing up in Chicago in the 60's
Great story Ken, thanks for posting. Did he give you the old pictures of your L-79? Ron.....
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Re: Growing up in Chicago in the 60's
Thanks Ken
It was my pleasure to reunite with you and paulett after all these years. It's sites like these that keep it worth while ED |
Re: Growing up in Chicago in the 60's
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: ed mac 70 ss</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Thanks Ken
It was my pleasure to reunite with you and paulett after all these years. It's sites like these that keep it worth while ED </div></div> Very true Ed! Ken is one of the good guys, even though he's a spoiled brat. [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/grin.gif[/img] And welcome to Yenko.net! [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif[/img] |
Re: Growing up in Chicago in the 60's
People that live in glass house's...............LOL
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Re: Growing up in Chicago in the 60's
Eddie.........Pass along your story with Mighty High.......
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Re: Growing up in Chicago in the 60's
Awesoem...just awesome!
I would like to extend an invite to the whole gang to join us for MCACN, as I am sure we would all love to hear some more stories! Bashton MCACN Managing Member |
Re: Growing up in Chicago in the 60's
What a a bunch of derelicts.! How cool is it that your Mom has a 396 Chevelle.? Great pics, post'em if you got'em
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Re: Growing up in Chicago in the 60's
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: bashton</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Awesoem...just awesome!
I would like to extend an invite to the whole gang to join us for MCACN, as I am sure we would all love to hear some more stories! Bashton MCACN Managing Member </div></div> Bob........I'm sure once Eddie gets to MCACN, he will be in Musclecar "Shock" for a couple of days......But, He will fit in "Perfectly" with everyone there........LOL......Can you say "Overload"............... |
Re: Growing up in Chicago in the 60's
Too cool! [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif[/img]
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Re: Growing up in Chicago in the 60's
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: kwhizz</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: bashton</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Awesoem...just awesome!
I would like to extend an invite to the whole gang to join us for MCACN, as I am sure we would all love to hear some more stories! Bashton MCACN Managing Member </div></div> Bob........I'm sure once Eddie gets to MCACN, he will be in Musclecar "Shock" for a couple of days......But, He will fit in "Perfectly" with everyone there........LOL......Can you say "Overload"............... </div></div> Ain't that the truth! |
Re: Growing up in Chicago in the 60's
good deal Ken. Those are great pictures and they were the days. I would love to own your L79 car. What a set-up you guys had. Truly real car people you guys. So at one point in your life you were almost Italian. Boy you almost hit it big. YEAA! Thanks for sharing.
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Re: Growing up in Chicago in the 60's
Great thread. Stories like this are why I love this site.
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Re: Growing up in Chicago in the 60's
When I get some time later today, I will tell the rest of the story about what eventually happened to the L-79....
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Re: Growing up in Chicago in the 60's
that car reminds me of seeing Grumps L79 car back in the day. Take the hub caps off, open the headers, mount the slicks and run. YEAAAA!
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Re: Growing up in Chicago in the 60's
Great story !!! That's one thing that NOBODY can take away from us. THE STORIES!!!!!!
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Re: Growing up in Chicago in the 60's
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Kim_Howie</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Great story !!! That's one thing that NOBODY can take away from us. THE STORIES!!!!!! </div></div>
So true! [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/beers.gif[/img] ...and they are PRICELESS!!! [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/headbang.gif[/img] GREAT story and pics! [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif[/img] [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif[/img] [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/youguysrock.gif[/img] |
Re: Growing up in Chicago in the 60's
Love it! Almost feel like I stepped back in time briefly.
Keep the boreing coming. |
Re: Growing up in Chicago in the 60's
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: kwhizz</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> When I get some time later today, I will tell the rest of the story about what eventually happened to the L-79.... </div></div>
OK, it`s Sunday, it`s raining and it`s later......tell us the rest of the story [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/dunno.gif[/img] Dan |
Re: Growing up in Chicago in the 60's
YEAAA!
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Re: Growing up in Chicago in the 60's
O.K...............I ordered the car in late March of 66 from Hoskins Chevrolet, they were about a mile or so away from Nickey on Irving Park (Irving and Damen)...I traded my 65 Impala (327 250hp/Powerglide w/32,000 miles)....the car arrived the 3rd week of April on a warm sunny spring day........I bought it from Hoskins because they were $50 cheaper than Nickey....... It was a Marina Blue SS w/ Bright Blue Interior, L-79, 4 speed,3.73 posi and metalic brakes, am Radio, white walls and full disc caps............I remember the day very well when I got the call that my car was in.....I was only 19 at the time so I had to get my dad to meet me there so he could co-sign all the papers.......While I was waiting for my dad to get there I was all over the car......
Now.....Just Imagine being 19.....living in the epi-center of the Muscle Car Universe.....with the ultimate (in my mind) musle car waiting for the key to be slipped into the Ignition for the first time, and having to wait for your Dad to get there and sign.......LOL.....I can still hear that engine Idleing for the first time with that "Rumpity" idle.........Driving home and going thru the gears........Kinda hard to top that feeling........I got rid of my Grandpa car and have now arrived to where I could be one of the neighborhood "Fast Car guy's"........................... Now....At the time, I had just gotten Married, worked as an Apprentice Tool & Die maker at Chicago Coin Machine (we made Pin Ball machines etc), I was making $1.95 an hour, had to pay the rent, buy food and have money to play cars.........which was more Important???......LOL.......The Princess had her hands full in those early years..... Anyhow.......I was in heaven.......I had so much I wanted to do and couldn't because of the lack of $$$.........but....just having the car was enough (for a while).......after getting more involved in the neighborhood street racing scene the little Nova was making it's mark......It's about this time I got hooked up with Eddie Mac and Mario, Eddie had a 66 Chevelle L-78 car that he put a Crane cam in......now...up until that time, our cars were dead even in street dragging......neither car could pull away from the other.......But with the camshaft change it was no competition......I remember they changed the camshaft in the street in front of Eddies house and they had to cut out a section of the grill to get the cam out......LOL....The good old day's...... So, the next winter (while Paulette was pregnant) I pulled the engine out and took it to E&R on Belmont and Racine and they went thru the engine, bored .030, forged pistons, Sig Erson camshaft, Edelbrock Cross ram....( I think I sold the stock Carb and Manifold for $15.....LOL).......Now, at this stage of my life I had absolutely "NO" common sense as I just wanted to go Drag Racing.......and me and Mario spent the summer Drag Racing all around the Chicago area...........Wednesday Nights at U.S. 30 and the weekends at the Grove........I couldn't afford to pay the Rent or buy food, but I was always at the track Racing.......as Fall came the "Princess" finally said enough is enough.......I sold the engine for $300 and bought a 63 Chevrolet that had a nasty sounding small block in it for $300....pulled the engine out and sold the body for $100...........Now, I was able to drive the car as a normal??? car again.........(If I was smart I would have just changed the Cam.......) ...But, at the time it seemed like a good idea.... So, I get the Nova on the street again, but the engine I now had in the Nova was a real "Stone"....sounded good but it couldn't get out of it's own way........But....there was a guy in the neighborhood that had just bought a new chevelle 396-360hp/Turbo 400 and he just loved the way the Nova sounded....he made me an offer that seemed to be too good to be true at the time.....he wanted to trade engines and trans........No Problem.... Over the winter I cut out the spring towers and fit the Engine/Trans into the Nova.......I ended up making my own headers and completed the install the following spring.......Now....I think I probably had the only big block 66 Nova in the area........It was cool looking, chirped the tires with the Turbo 400 at gear changes, but again, relative to what it was, it was a "Pooch"........Up until the time the car spent every night in the garage.....we went out one night and I was too lazy to put it in the garage as there was a parking place right in front of the house we lived in........the next morning I got up to move the car and at some time during the night someone side swiped the car..........I got it fixed but it was never the same again......I sold it to a guy on the south side and never saw tha car again........The bottom line is.....I basically "Trashed" a L-79 Nova..........(Tear in my Eye) Ken |
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