1952 Texas Playland Park Stadium Falstaff Beer Poster Print
1952 Texas Playland Park Stadium Poster Print
1952 Texas Playland Park Stadium Poster Print?. This reproduction poster print measures 17 inches wide x 22 inches tall.
July 18 – 19, 1953 Paradise Mesa Drag Strip Poster Print
1953 Paradise Mesa Drag Strip Poster Print
57 years ago …!! it was 1953 at the Paradise Mesa Drag Strip. This poster print measures 17 inches wide x 22 inches tall. An awesome reproduction poster print.
At Paradise Mesa, a strip southwest of San Diego California which opened in 1951 on a a site once notorious for “chaotic illegal sprint bashes,” competition was about equally divided between two and four wheeled vehicles. At the end of a day’s racing it was often a cycle that emerged on top. Still, there were four wheeled machines competing which looked a little like something purposefully designed, as opposed to having merely been “stipped to the bare essentials.” These machines were classified as “modifieds,”, a traditional dry lakes designation for a one-seater built on a narrowed frame.
It was at Paradise Mesa that many of the first drag racers emerged who became houshold names to hot rodders nationwide.
July 9, 1960 Balboa Stadium Poster Print
50 years ago … … July 9, 1960 … … Balboa Stadium San Diego California.
1960 Balboa Stadium San Diego California Poster Print
Balboa Stadium was one of the hotbeds of midget racing starting in about 1937 until the early 1950s (except for the war years). When interest in midget racing started waning, jalopies became popular. The San Diego Racing Association was formed in 1953 and started sanctioning the racing. By 1958 the San Diego Racing Assn had transformed from a jalopy association to more sleek modified sportsman (the forerunners of today’s super modifieds). Jalopy champions of the SDRA at Balboa included Glen Hoagland (1953), Jim Wood (1954), Jack Krogh (1955), Harris Mills (1956), Don Ray (1957), and Mondo Iavelli (1958). Don Thomas (1957) was the inaugural modified champion with Art Pratt being a three time titlest (1958 – 1959 – 1960). Rip Erikson took the honors in the 1961 season that was split between Balboa Stadium and Cajon Speedway. Also holding events at Balboa Stadium during the 1950s were occasional visits by the URA midgets and the NASCAR Pacific Coast Late Models. During the 1950s it was not unusual for more than 10,000 fans to attend a weekly show at Balboa.
Auto racing took place on a 1/4 mile dirt track in Balboa Stadium from about 1937 through July 4, 1961 when the racing stopped so the facility could be used for pro football.
1937 Gilmore Red Lion Oil Co. Advertisement Poster Print
This retro poster print is one of four prints of Gilmore Oil .Gilmore Oil –What began as a farmers market and grew to be a successful dairy farm, resulted in Arthur Fremont Gilmore striking oil at the turn of the century in Los Angeles, California. The Gilmore family took their fortune and became very active in the community, constructing Gilmore Stadium in 1934 with the very first race track specifically designed for midget racers.
This reproduction poster print from 1937 measures 15.5 inches wide x 21.5 inches tall. Makes for a great gift.
1937 Gilmore Red Lion Oil Co. Advertisement Poster Print
July 4, 1933 Los Angeles Air Races Poster Print
1933 Los Angeles Air Races Poster Print
Today is July 4 th !! Happy Birthday America !! Back in 1933 there was the Los Angeles Air Races. This poster print measures 17 inches wide x 22 inches tall. A great reproduction poster from the 30′s.
1939 Alexander Tether Car Poster Print
1939 Alexander Tether Car Poster Print
1939 Alexander Tether Car Poster Print. Measures 24 inches wide x 21 inches tall. An awesome reproduction poster.
In the earliest beginnings — Racing of miniature cars powered by gas airplane engines started in California around 1937. In the beginning the cars were home built with ashtray tires and primitive parts. They could reach speeds of around 40 MPHs. Soon clubs started to form, rules were drafted, tracks were spawned, and events planned. The earliest cars were lovingly modeled to appear authentic with windshields, seats, steering wheels, gages and sometimes even little drivers.
Pre-War — Manufacturers started to spring up and produced both kit cars and factory built ready-to-race cars. These cars were expensive for the day considering the depression had just recently ended. Most factory built cars sold for around $20 – $30 with the most expensive being the B.B. Korn selling for $53.50 in Magnesium form. Kit cars sold for as low as $10. Prior to the war, cars reached speeds in the mid-70s for Protos and 100 MPH for cable streamliners.
War time — Unfortunately, the hobby suffered like so many others during the second World War. Most manufacturers went out of business because metals were shifted to the war efforts. To my knowledge, The Dooling Bros. were the only one notable manufacturer resumed operations after the war.
Post War — After the war ended, manufacturers began to spring up once again. Because of the war, there were new, light-weight materials to work with such as plastics, and fiberglass. Most cars began to take on more streamlined looks and began to reach speeds of 100+ MPH.
The End — It has been said that the hobby came to a close due to the lack of fan participation. The cars had become too fast and the fans could not longer view them. The cars also lost their appeal when they took on a more streamlined appearance and no longer represented the real midget race cars of the day.
1966 Oakland Indoor Midget Racing Poster Print
1966 Oakland Indoor Midget Racing Poster Print
1966 Oakland Midget Racing Poster Print. Measures 17 inches wide x 22 inches tall. This reproduction poster is from 1966 Oakland , California. Bob Barkhimer Associates Inc. presents 1966 Pacific Coast Indoor Championships Midget Auto Races. Sanctioned by BCRA. Oakland Exposition Building.
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