Check it out here.
This is a picture of the 1975 U.S. Nationals Pro Stock final round. Wayne Gapp vs. Richie Zul.
If you dig around on CompetitionPlus.com you can find the video of this race.
Category Archives: Racing
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.
The ‘Taxi’ – Gapp and Roush – Image by Dan Williams
This is an image of the 4 door Maverick taken by Dan Williams in 1974 at Indianapolis…the ‘Big Go’.
A few small things have changed on the car since it was introduced earlier in 1974.
The hood scoop is different and interestingly the name as well. The vehicle started off named the ‘Tijuana Taxi’ and then ‘Juana Taxi’. Those names didn’t last long as the car took on the name of ‘Taxi’ from just before this race to the end.
Great Lakes 1976 engine swap – image by Dan Williams
Dan Williams was kind enough to share a series of images he took in the 1970’s.
This one shows, from left to right, my Dad, Bill Jameson and I can’t remember his name.
I’ll post more of these as time permits.
Picture of the 1973 Pinto after the Gapp & Roush ownership
This is a picture provided by Jerry Heath. It is a picture of what I believe to be the 1973 Gapp & Roush Pinto. This could be 1976. Not sure at this point. Jerry states that Tim Goodner purchased the car and ran it in Super Gas.
Still looks good.
Gapp & Roush Pro Stock 351 Cleveland – Todd WIngerter shot of engine compartment
Here’s a shot of someone prepping a mighty 351 Cleveland used to power the Pro Stock vehicles. Exhaust plates visible.
Todd Wingerter took the shot.
Wayne Gapp – Drag News, March 28 1976
From the April 17, 1976 edition of Drag News
READING, PA (Mar. 28) – Under brilliant, sunny skies, a near capacity crowd jammed into Maple Grove Dragway to witness the Pro Stock portion of the four-event Spring all Pro series. Pro Stock racing is usually marked by exciting, super-close competition, but when Sunday’s event was all over, the fans talked more about the near crashes by Wayne Gapp, Larry Lombardo and Don Campanello.
Lombardo took two rounds in his match with Wayne Gapp, recording times of 8.47, 160.14 and 8.44, 160.42; the fastest and quickest times ever for the Grumpy’s Toy Monza of Bill Jenkins. Pat Musi outlasted a dozen entries to win the open Pro Stock feature.
While Lombardo was streaking to record times, Gapp suffered from suspension maladies in his newly completed Pinto, nearly scraping the guard rail on several occasions. Not one to give up easily, Gapp made several between-rounds appearances on the starting line, and finally straightened things out with a strong 8.73, 156.25, only to lose to Lombardo’s 8.44 effort.
Carl Hobson’s ‘Super Fats’ Camaro filled in for Gapp in round two, and recorded a great legal-weight 8.88, 153.06, defeating Lombardo in the process.
Lombardo had a hair-raiser in that one, as he spun his tires through his own water, nearly colliding with the tree, and then just missed the guard rail.
READING, PA (Mar. 28) – Wayne Gapp’s Pinto suffered all sorts of suspension problems in All-Pro opener, darting first to the right and later to the left. After a long afternoon of thrashing he finally turned a 8.73 at 156. (Marv Yeager photo)
READING, PA (Mar. 28) – All-Pro Series opener featured three-round match race between Larry Lombardo and Wayne Gapp, saw the Monza record a best-ever 8.44/160.42
Wayne Gapp – 1974 IHRA Driver of the year
The caption reads:
DRIVER OF THE YEAR – Pro Stock sensation Wayne Gapp, second from right, was honored as IHRA’s Driver Of The Year when the International Hot Rod Association held its annual Awards’ Banquet at the Country Club of Bristol Saturday night. Congratulation Gapp, whose famed ‘Taxi’ won four IHRA national events in 1974, are IHRA president Larry Carrier, Mrs. Larry Carrier and Miss IHRA Lisa Johnson. (Staff Photo by John Beach).
1965 Comet Cyclone…with fuel injection
Most of the pictures of the 1965 Comet Cyclone show it with a small popup hood scoop and carburetors.
The image below shows the exterior setup (along with my Dad and brother)
Also see here for a shot of the engine setup.
In the image below the vehicle has a fuel injection unit on it. More than likely this was testing for the combination that would run in the 1967 Cougar called ‘Super Cat’.
1973 Gapp and Roush Pinto – Photo by Dan Williams
This image was posted on the Nostalgia Pro Stock group by Dan Williams. June 1973 USRT Event at Minnesota Dragways. To the right of the image, with the buzz cut, is Bill Jameson.
If you like these old cars join that group on Facebook.
