Tag Archives: Tijuana Taxi

Hot Rod Magazine – Ford returns to its roots – Gapp and Roush ‘Taxi’

Hot Rod magazine create a post on their web site titled “Ford returns to drag racing roots”.

Included in that post is a gallery of images and in that gallery? A great picture of the 4-door Maverick called the ‘Taxi’.

See the article here.

See a link to the image here. Note that some of the caption information included with the image is incorrect.

I’ve included the image below but you should go read the whole article. I happen to agree that IF Ford were to spend even a portion of the former budget dollars on NHRA Stock/Super Stock they could be very successful building up their brand in the Sportsmen ranks.

HR TaxiAtBristol

Wayne Gapp and the Taxi – Tom Nagy photo

This image was posted to the Facebook ‘Nostalgia Pro Stock’ group. It was taken in 1974 by Tom Nagy and it was taken at the Popular Hot Rodding Meeting at Martin, MI (US 131 Dragway).

The reason that I’m posting it is because I found the compelling because:

1. It’s a good looking race car
2. The car is being driven down a return road

I can’t imagine today’s $250k Pro Stock vehicles being seen doing this…that is driving back to the pits…over a dirt road no less.

Then again, today’s cars barely look like a ‘stock’ car, the vehicles have carbon fiber bodies, have incredibly high tech engines running…carburetors and are about as far from the origins of the class as they can be.

19744Door TomNagyPHRMarting

Wayne Gapp and the Taxi – 76 Winternationals

This picture was taken at the 76 AHRA Winternationals at Beeline (Thanks Cary!). The Cragar Super Tricks are the give away that this was 1976.

What’s interesting is that most people think the ‘Taxi’ ran in one season: 1975. Nope.

Introduced mid-season 1974 and final NHRA race was 1976 NHRA Winternationals.

Anyone know who took this picture?

Taxi76Winternationals

The ‘Taxi’ – Gapp and Roush – Image by Jack Grice

My last post (see here) was of the ‘Taxi’ at Indianapolis in 1974. That image was taken by Dan Williams.

Jack Grice sent me HIS picture from the same race. Almost the same exact position. It was taken either just a few minutes before or just after Dan’s.

The crowd has changed out but the guy polishing the car is still at work. In the case of Jack’s picture he is at the front of the car with the rag on the hood scoop.

Gr maverick