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Old 04-04-2005, 05:43 PM
Verne_Frantz Verne_Frantz is offline
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Default Re: Drag Strips of Yesteryear **

Got it Sam,...thanks.
Well, I made my inquires through Ronnie Evans and Roger Sinistri. I learned that the '61 Jewel Blue Vette was originally purchased by Dick Hare from NJ, (hence the name). It never ran very good while he had it. He sold it to Paully Albert from Reading. That's when Sinistri built the engine and it became a regular winner (record holder). Albert then sold it to Bill Travis in NJ. It went through a couple more owners after that (names unknown), then burnt to the ground. It was never sold to the Mussers. That was the original Rapid Rabbit, and a few other cars since then used the name, but with no connection to the original.
Now, the Musser connection: Ernie Musser owned a '61 Vette also, (not that one), but a red one, called Bonzai. Engine by Lee Crupi. It ran C/S. He sold that Vette to Carmen Rotunda, who painted it a pearl/flake green with gold leaf lettering. Not sure what became of it after Carmen.
Ernie was a great driver, and did most of it through '68, then a little into '69 with the new Camaro, when Barry took over (not nearly as good). Barry's x-wife, Cathy still works at the Grove today, a terrific lady!

As for the Nova, no new information is available on that, or Wally Lynn, or Al Caffey. I'll see if I can get a pic posted of Rotunda's Vette.

Verne
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