Thread: Early Dragsters (REAL Early)

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Following is a photograph that should interest both geezers and curmudgeons (Uncle Bob, are you there?) as well as a lot of younger people who are interested in the beginnings of the drag racing sport.

The picture was taken in Houston, probably in 1955 (the newest cars visible in the background are '55 Chevys). It gives a good idea of what was state of the art at that time, in other words, what God intended that a dragster look like!

I hope the picture is sharp enough for people to see that there are several engines being used. Of course the hemi Chryslers and the flathead are recognizable, and Eddie Hill was running Pontiacs back then (That's Eddie at the lower right) and maybe an early Cadillac, and probably an Olds or two.. Also, take a look at the suspensions (or lack thereof) of the cars.

That was a time when nobody would ever consider showing up at the races with a car that looked like somebody else's!

There was a time when I could probably name most of those movie-star handsome guys sitting in their cars, but not now. Sorry. (Gimme a break, damn it! That was 50+ years ago!). That's Ed Mabry in the white t-shirt just above the scorpion on Bobby Langley's beautiful "Scorpion I" dragster in the rear. Bobby is on Ed's left and Mrs. Langley is next to him. Eddie Hill is in his car.

Is anybody there who can identify others?

I hope you enjoy it, and whoever took this exceptional shot, thanks. CHR guys appreciate that sort of thing.

Jim