Drag Strips of Yesteryear

[Salvatore]

It is Ernie and Barry Musser from Reading, Pa. They had Marshall sponsor their cars till the 69 season I believe. Sold the 61 corvette to Carmen Rotondo and bought a 67 Z/28. The Z ran real well. Sam

[Mr70]

Courtesy of Sam.
Verne do you remember this 1966 Nova?

[Verne_Frantz]

Sam,
I do not recall that Nova. It sure looks like the Rabbit. Even the rear slicks and wheels look like they went with the car.
I'll make some inquiries this weekend.

Verne

[Salvatore]

[ QUOTE ]
Courtesy of Sam.
Verne do you remember this 1966 Nova?


[/ QUOTE ]Al Caffey of Glenolden, Pa. Hanks Speed Shop sponsored 1966 nova from Berwyn, Pa.

[Seattle Sam]

[ QUOTE ]

Can't make out the years of the other vehicles ('62 Ford next to him?). Anyone care to guess? (that was the pic from Dover)

Verne

[/ QUOTE ]

Verne, Prety sure that's a 61 F**d..

60 Ford

61 Ford

62 Ford

[Verne_Frantz]

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

[Mr70]

Carmen Rotunda Corvette,Englishtown circa 1967-68.
Identify the wheels correctly & Verne will send you a JC Whitney refrigerator magnet...

[427TJ]

I remember building an AMT model car with those wheels! Don't know what they are though.

[Chevy454]

I think I have some trailer wheels like those somewhere...

[JoeG]

These fellas were doing a CUDA Hemi test for Speed and Supercar--'70