Lions Dragstrip Museum…Long Beach Marine Stadium Update!

[Clank123]

As I am detailing in the Shockwave Blown Fuel Hydro Thread, I am restoring the boat for the new Long Beach Marine Stadium exhibit at the Museum.
The Exhibit itself will feature boats and memorabilia from the glory years of drag and circle boat racing beginning in 1960 through the late 70’s.
I had a meeting there last Thursday and got a chance to go check out the progress on the exhibit.
As you will see it is coming along great!
It is unbelievable that they have the premier Motorsports Artist probably in the world…the one and only Kenny Youngblood!
If you have never seen his work, here is a link to his website.

Kenny Youngblood - Official Website

This is the website of Kenny Youngblood. Shop for canvas prints, framed prints, posters, greeting cards, and more. It was 1960; Kenny Youngblood was fifteen years old, sitting at the kitchen table and drawing his favorite subject: slingshot fuel dragsters. His mom walked by and said, Someday yo...

kenny-youngblood.pixels.com

Here’s a few shots of the progress.

This is the exhibit area.
Obviously it is being painted to replicate the look of the Stadium from the Toteboard to the starting line to the homes on the pit side.
They plan will be to mount a monitor in the middle with Drag and Circle racing video running on a loop(I hope to get Sharpshooter to put his extensive collection of videos from the stadium together to make the presentation).

Toteboard and Houses.

The Legend Mr. Youngblood, Yvonne…who is helping on the artwork and has lettered boats for Billy B and others and me on the end.

Exhibit is gonna be really cool.

If you have any memorabilia from the Stadium(programs, pictures, helmets, tshirts or anything related and would like to donate please reach out to me as I am helping them design the displays.

There will be a grand opening party where we will do a hot boat show in the parking lot to kick it off.
I’ll keep you all updated on the progress.

 

[Clank123]

A few of Mr. Youngblood’s prints.
What a talent!

 

[Clank123]

I took a walk through their storage area.
There are cool cars not even on display yet!
Gran Torino from the movie owned by Clint Eastwood…

An original Stroppe Bronco…

Restored Sprint Car…
They will also be doing exhibits for Ascot and off-road racing in the future.

 

[monkeyswrench]

As a kid watching racing in the 80's and 90's, I sketched everything that burned fuel. "Youngblood" signed at the bottom of prints was everybit as formative to my love of motorsports as was the magazines I saw his artwork in.

@Clank123 , through your skills and talent you've met legends, and worked on some legendary vehicles. Very, very cool!

 

[Mototrig]

What a great print this is!!

I could be mistaken, but this looks like Eddie Hill from his Blown Fuel hydro days in the early 80's.

 

[Clank123]

What a great print this is!!
View attachment 1238179
I could be mistaken, but this looks like Eddie Hill from his Blown Fuel hydro days in the early 80's.

View attachment 1238180

Not mistaken!

 

[fat rat]

I would love to check this place out. Is it open? Funny thing I saw today was Lions Drag strip license plate frame.

 

[rivrrts429]

This so so damn cool. When the exhibit is done I’m for sure going.

 

[Clank123]

As a kid watching racing in the 80's and 90's, I sketched everything that burned fuel. "Youngblood" signed at the bottom of prints was everybit as formative to my love of motorsports as was the magazines I saw his artwork in.

@Clank123 , through your skills and talent you've met legends, and worked on some legendary vehicles. Very, very cool!

He’s a cool cat no doubt.
Yeah and thanks, I’ve been pretty blessed in my life.
Some great memories for sure!

 

[Clank123]

I would love to check this place out. Is it open? Funny thing I saw today was Lions Drag strip license plate frame.

They are open on Wednesdays and Saturdays from 9am til 2pm.
They also have some events coming up.
Check out the website for details and future happenings.
The Isky birthday gathering will be awesome. 102! Wow!

 

[ltbaney1]

i was talking to Yvonne yesterday at the friends of Steve Mcqueen show. she is really excited about how it is coming. im looking forward to seeing it all done.

 

[Deangang]

Heres a few pix from last time I went with Dave .

 

[Clank123]

Heres a few pix from last time I went with Dave .
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I can't figure out how you didn’t make the Team picture that day? Leave early with John M? I can’t recall.
It was a fun day for sure.
The Chubasco looks at home.

 

[Clank123]

Cool side note…
Here is the picture I got them for the Toteboard image in the exhibit area.

And here’s the finished product.
Pretty darn close!

So the 203.60 was posted after Sam Kurtovich in the “Smoke on the Water” Blown Fuel Hydro who on the pass set the Speed Record in 1975.
The boat has been restored by Mike Dade whose father Frank made many passes in.
He brings it to boat shows and it also has been on the water with Frank in the seat.
Long Beach 1975…

The hull was a brand new design by the great hull designer Ron Edhe.
The hull was called a Brendella that was the new company that Irv Brendel of Hondo boats started after he divorced his wife Peggy, who got to keep the Hondo business. Brendella is what Irv called his first boats in the early sixties.

Ron Edhe had a shop in Oceanside right next to where I live in Carlsbad.
Got to go to his shop a few times and watch the master at work.
In 1988 I ended up driving a Litchfield runnerbottom in Super Stock that he made changes on to make it a legal circle boat.
It ran great in the straights but wouldn’t turn worth a darn.
My brother has owned it the last 25 years.
Puddingstone 1989…

 

[Willie B]

What a great print this is!!
View attachment 1238179
I could be mistaken, but this looks like Eddie Hill from his Blown Fuel hydro days in the early 80's.

View attachment 1238180

… Eddie Hill ran 208 point something or other…in the early 80s just as the sun was setting at… I can’t remember what that boat dragstrip was in the inland empire???… the crowd was already in their cars on the way home… I was stunned to say the least… the boat was black at that point in time???… what year would that have been???…

 

[rrrr]

They are open on Wednesdays and Saturdays from 9am til 2pm.
They also have some events coming up.
Check out the website for details and future happenings.
The Isky birthday gathering will be awesome. 102! Wow!

View attachment 1238449
View attachment 1238450

Two of the baddest gassers to ever go down the quarter mile. I have good memories of those days.

 

[4Waters]

I was born to damn late

 

[Willie B]

I was born to damn late

… Yes you were… unbelievable point in history…

 

[Mototrig]

… Eddie Hill ran 208 point something or other…in the early 80s just as the sun was setting at… I can’t remember what that boat dragstrip was in the inland empire???… the crowd was already in their cars on the way home… I was stunned to say the least… the boat was black at that point in time???… what year would that have been???…

Wow, that's pretty cool. I've always been an Eddie "the Thrill" Hill fan, so to be there in my neck of the woods to see him race boats would have been pretty cool. In the I.E. They raced Puddingstone, Irvine and I think Perris (and more) back in the day.
While digging around the internet I couldn't find anything on the black boat. However I found out something I didn't know before. Hill set the wet quarter mile ET record at 5.16 which at that time was quicker than the dry quarter mile time of 5.39.

 

[Clank123]

… Eddie Hill ran 208 point something or other…in the early 80s just as the sun was setting at… I can’t remember what that boat dragstrip was in the inland empire???… the crowd was already in their cars on the way home… I was stunned to say the least… the boat was black at that point in time???… what year would that have been???…

You probably were at Irvine Lake.
The last 2 races there were in 1983 and 84.
Hill was so dominant in those years.
Probably the most winning boat over a 2 year period ever.
He won just under 20 races and was in over 80% of the final rounds.
I believe he won the high points in every association in the country…amazing.
I don’t remember him ever running top fuel in a black boat.
He retired at the end of 84 after crashing at Firebird at over 217 mph.
I believe this first picture was taken at Irvine…

 

[74 spectra20 v-drive]

So Cool, glad to see the Moon car their as well! She always seemed lonely at their shop.

 

[TBulger]

Think I bought this for $400 dollars, at a members suggestion, to assist some lady years ago. Still love it.

 

[Clank123]

Stopped by the Museum yesterday for a quick meeting.
Took a walk back in the Space that is being used for the Marine Stadium exhibit.
They will also be featuring the El Mirage Dry Lakes cars, Off Road including the Stadium races, Ascot and an area dedicated to movie cars that feature a few donated by Clint Eastwood.
He is a big supporter of the Museum.
Pretty incredible artwork so far?

Also, bringing home the Uncle Gummy 225 Hydro from the River on Monday and delivering to the Museum!
I’ll post some pictures.

 

[LB247XS]

I've been going to that museum before it was even open to the public a dear friend of mine works there and his name is Willie Stroppe. Hence the STROPPE BRONCO. I've been following the progress as well . going to be AMAZING

 

[coolchange]

… Eddie Hill ran 208 point something or other…in the early 80s just as the sun was setting at… I can’t remember what that boat dragstrip was in the inland empire???… the crowd was already in their cars on the way home… I was stunned to say the least… the boat was black at that point in time???… what year would that have been???…

Could it have been Perris? If so I think I was there that time. After his pass he fired it back up, shot a couple revs then drove it back to the trailer!

 

[Clank123]

Could it have been Perris? If so I think I was there that time. After his pass he fired it back up, shot a couple revs then drove it back to the trailer!

See post 20.
Pretty sure Lake Irvine was the venue.
Perris was long gone by then.
Last race there was early early 70’s.

 

[Willie B]

Could it have been Perris? If so I think I was there that time. After his pass he fired it back up, shot a couple revs then drove it back to the trailer!

…Yeah… I really think it was Perris… because I drove quite a ways from where I lived aboard in the LA harbor… and it was kind of deserty…I think???… the black boat…Hmmm???… It could’ve been the dark water and a white boat… Dunno???…My mind has been known to deceive me

 

[Willie B]

See post 20.
Pretty sure Lake Irvine was the venue.
Perris was long gone by then.
Last race there was early early 70’s.

…Damned if I know???… if the last race was in the early 70s… then it couldn’t possibly have been Perris… now I am going to have to rack my brain and try to remember what I drove to the race…and where I parked… if I was in my motorhome, the race would’ve had to been in the early 80s… but for the moment I can’t remember what I drove there???…

 

[Wheeler]

Stopped by the Museum yesterday for a quick meeting.
Took a walk back in the Space that is being used for the Marine Stadium exhibit.
They will also be featuring the El Mirage Dry Lakes cars, Off Road including the Stadium races, Ascot and an area dedicated to movie cars that feature a few donated by Clint Eastwood.
He is a big supporter of the Museum.
Pretty incredible artwork so far?
View attachment 1272361 View attachment 1272362 View attachment 1272363

Also, bringing home the Uncle Gummy 225 Hydro from the River on Monday and delivering to the Museum!
I’ll post some pictures.

The Goodyear blimp is a nice touch!

 

[coolchange]

See post 20.
Pretty sure Lake Irvine was the venue.
Perris was long gone by then.
Last race there was early early 70’s.

I’ve never been to Irvine. Dunno.

 

[Wheeler]

I've been going to that museum before it was even open to the public a dear friend of mine works there and his name is Willie Stroppe. Hence the STROPPE BRONCO. I've been following the progress as well . going to be AMAZING

A friend(Lee Pinney) and Willie go way back. I expect Stroppe to show up here in Parker one of these days.

 

[Clank123]

Besides a great weekend at the River…I picked up the 1958 Hallett 2 time National Champion and Kilo record holder 225 Hydroplane “Uncle Gummy” for delivery to the Museum for the Marine Stadium display.
First time out of Arizona where it’s been stored in 50 years!
New tires and fresh hubs made it an uneventful trip other than tons of thumbs up on the way to Long Beach this morning.
Seems like she fought me a little bit at first and then I figured it out…it was the first time she was ever pulled by a Chevy!(owner is a Ford Dealer).
She’s at her new home now safe and sound.

 

[coolchange]

Man I’d love to drive that. Those always made me think someone built a boat around a sprint car.

 

[Clank123]

Man I’d love to drive that. Those always made me think someone built a boat around a sprint car.

Same here.
I’ve driven them and they do!

 

[rrrr]

That's beyond beautiful. Look at the details. The header heat shields and rubber shock mounts, the steering cable castings on the transom, the minimalist and efficient instruments, and the overall shape and execution of the hull bring history to life.

 

[Clank123]

So the original owners sent along some trophies to go with both the Uncle Gummy that I delivered to the Museum on Monday as well as the Little Beaver

These are mostly all from Long Beach won in the 50’s and 60’s.
The second one from the left is from 1953!
Won by the next boat I’m going to pick up called Little Beaver.
It’s a PODH(Pacific Open Design Hydro). The boat won the National High Points from 1953 till 1958 when the class was retired.
It still holds the Kilo and Competition Records for the class.
It was built by Fred Wickens in 1952 and powered by a Ford Flathead.
It is the last remaining PODH that raced back then left.
Here’s how it looked when I assessed it. Will post more pictures when I get it out in the open on the trip to Long Beach

Much like a Crackerbox but notice the “wings” that start at the bow and swoop back.
Boat is in fantastic shape for being over 70 years old.

As I went through everything, there was an Arizona Highways magazine from 1953 featuring the boat and owner in a few pictures and the races in Parker.
Attendance was 5000 people! Wow!

 

[Willie B]

… The history of the boats you’re getting involved with currently is utterly amazing… That was a bit before my era…
…A boat historian, who actually speaks the language of sandpaper… keep em coming…

 

[Clank123]

… The history of the boats you’re getting involved with currently is utterly amazing… That was a bit before my era…
…A boat historian, who actually speaks the language of sandpaper… keep em coming…

Thanks Willie!
Will do!
Our vdrive history has been a passion of mine for over 50 years.

 

[Clank123]

Stopped by the Museum today for a meeting.
The cars that keep showing up in the storage area is incredible!

 

[monkeyswrench]

Damn! Mike Cook's 89 T-bird! That car, as well as Glidden's Pro Stockers, were Ford dork legends. That, as well as the legends and mystery behind Larry Widmer's bird, but it was gone long before I was able to see it

 

[old rigger]

Stopped by the Museum today for a meeting.
The cars that keep showing up in the storage area is incredible!

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You get any pics of the F100 behind that Superbird?

 

[Sharp Shooter]

Dave, I believe I met Art Chrisman’s daughter over the weekend at the Cruisin’ for a Cure event. She was passing out Lion’s Museum flyers.

 

[monkeyswrench]

Dave, I believe I met Art Chrisman’s daughter over the weekend at the Cruisin’ for a Cure event. She was passing out Lion’s Museum flyers.

I miss Art. He was cool enough to help out and show a dumb kid flathead stuff
Now I'm a dumb adult, but he'll always be a badass!

 

[Clank123]

You get any pics of the F100 behind that Superbird?

I thought I did but I don’t see them.
Next trip!

 

[Clank123]

Dave, I believe I met Art Chrisman’s daughter over the weekend at the Cruisin’ for a Cure event. She was passing out Lion’s Museum flyers.

Yeah, she’s a sweetheart.
She is one of my contacts up there.
Did you tell her who you were and that we talked?

 

[Sharp Shooter]

Yeah, she’s a sweetheart.
She is one of my contacts up there.
Did you tell her who you were and that we talked?

Oh yeah, I couldn’t wait to name drop my buddy Dave!

She was very cool!

 

[Clank123]

The “Little Beaver” PODH made it from Parker to Carlsbad.
It goes to the Museum on Friday.
Hard to believe it was built in 1951 and still completely original.
If all goes well, I’ll be delivering the Shockwave up there on Sunday

 

[rrrr]

The “Little Beaver” PODH made it from Parker to Carlsbad.
It goes to the Museum on Friday.
Hard to believe it was built in 1951 and still completely original.
If all goes well, I’ll be delivering the Shockwave up there on Sunday View attachment 1287319 View attachment 1287321 View attachment 1287320 View attachment 1287322 View attachment 1287323 View attachment 1287324 View attachment 1287325

This is a great boat. It's fantastic that museum goers will be able to see Little Beaver instead of it living in a garage.

 

[Sharp Shooter]

So cool Dave! Was this Marion Beavers boat?

 

[Clank123]

So cool Dave! Was this Marion Beavers boat?

Yes it was.
Pretty amazing!