This is a 1937 Ford converted into a race car in 1947 and raced until 1970. The owner plans to race it again!
This is where it all started in Daytona. Before there was the Daytona International Super Speedway there was racing on the beach. This is the original north corner where the first race was held.
In an attempt to escape some of the cold and ice of the winter we made a short but warm and fun trip to Central Florida recently. It was the week before the Daytona 500 and the area was a buzz with racing activities. We took in some terrific dirt track Outlaw racing a Volusia Speedway and will certainly do that again on a future trip.
This 1956 Mercury is owned by its original owner, Russ Truelove. He bought the car new, drove to Daytona after making only two payments on it. He added a roll bar and an engine kit and qualified 5th. He out qualified some of the factory teams. Unfortunately, Going into the north turn he flipped violently and totaled the car. He walked away and Ford sent him a complete new body he installed on the rebuilt frame and went on to race the car for many more years!
Other than the typical amusement park attractions we wanted to find some original Daytona Beach race activities. We were fortunate enough to attend one of several events and shows that were being held but had to miss the parade on the beach of the vintage cars due to our own mechanical breakdown.
Junior Johnson 1959 Chevy.
We did manage to have lunch at the North Turn Restaurant which we highly recommend and also take in the display of race cars at the Light House at Pounce Inlet.
I hope you enjoy these photos as much as I did taking them. If you are ever in Florida the week before the 500 make sure you take in some of these pre-race day activities. The crowds are light but the cars are great.
This is a 1937 Ford converted into a race car in 1947 and raced until 1970. The owner plans to race it again!
The North Turn was also known as the Light House Turn. This is where the cars were on display.
Authentic beach racer in original condition.
This is also an original beach racer. It is called a “zipper top”. There were two classes back in the day, one for hard tops and one for convertibles. Many drivers had zipper top race cars that had removable tops so they could race in either class.
This is a real hoot…notice the car seat mount…it is two steel wheels welded together!
This is one of the original beach race cars and still does some vintage racing today!
Ray Fox Engineering 1961 Pontiac driven by David Pearson.
Ray Fox Engineering 1961 Pontiac driven by David Pearson.
Junior Johnson 1959 Chevy.
This 1956 Mercury is owned by its original owner, Russ Truelove. He bought the car new, drove to Daytona after making only two payments on it. He added a roll bar and an engine kit and qualified 5th. He out qualified some of the factory teams. Unfortunately, Going into the north turn he flipped violently and totaled the car. He walked away and Ford sent him a complete new body he installed on the rebuilt frame and went on to race the car for many more years!
This is where it all started in Daytona. Before there was the Daytona International Super Speedway there was racing on the beach. This is the original north corner where the first race was held.
I grew up and lived in Iowa for a good portion of my life before moving to Southern California. After 20+ years we now live outside Nashville Tennessee. I have been into cars since I was old enough to remember. I don't have a brand loyalty although I do prefer American Muscle especially the 1969/1970 NASCAR Aero Cars. (Check out our other web site at www.TalladegaSpoilerRegistry.com site) As long as it has four wheels and an engine I get excited. Few men are lucky enough to be able to share their passion for cars with the woman they love. Fortunately, my wife, Katriana, is also a gear head and many of our activities revolve around the cars. We have a small collection that includes at least one car from each of the Big Three. It includes a Best of Show winner, a survivor, a driver with lots of patina and several others. Katrina prefers all original cars while I like to modify them so we have a few of each. When we aren't playing with cars we are out working with or showing our miniature donkeys. You can see more about that part of our lives at http://www.LegendaryFarms.com.
