1961 FI- F/Stock Record Holder Buckshot

[Dan A.]

Cooi! Yeah Baby!

[Steven B.]

Re: 1961 FI- F/Stock Record Holder Buckshot

Off to the Bad Path!

[James G.]

Re: 1961 FI- F/Stock Record Holder Buckshot

Here is another great 1961 Drag Race car. VIN # 0095, NHRA Regional and Winternational winner in Southern California. First race POMONA , 10 / 30/ 60 , ran a 12.98 at 107.98 mph. 37 races thru February 3, 1963. Best TIME 12.30 AT 110.8. Raced AA/SP and B/SP class. Mechanics were Alan Lockwood, Dick Bourgeous and the famous ''DYNO DON'' Nicholson. The car is still owned today by NCRS member BURT BROWN in Northern California and was a feature car on the cover of a RESTORER magazine.

[Steven B.]

Re: 1961 FI- F/Stock Record Holder Buckshot

Somewhere at home have a pic and article of Judy Lilly's Jewel Blue.

[Walter B.]

Re: 1961 FI- F/Stock Record Holder Buckshot

Buckshot was driven by Larry Lombardo and the engine was built and tuned by Roger Sinistri. Larry became well known running Bill Jenkins pro stock cars in the 70s. Buckshot won class at the Winternationals in 1969 and here is a photo of Roger and Larry holding the trophy from that race.



John Mazmanian won his class at the 1961 Winternationals in car 10867S100093.
Brendan Grassman won his class at the 1962 Winternationals in car 10867S100095.
Both cars were 315 hp FI Corvettes.

These two cars clashed many times at Southern California drag strips during late 1960 and well into 1961 when '095's original owner Alan Lockwood got married in July, stopped racing and sold the car. Almost simultaneously John Mazmanian put a blower on '093 and moved to a modified class which guaranteed his fame.

I like to say my car under the ownership of Alan Lockwood was faster than Mazmanian's Corvette, but in reality they were both pretty much the same. During the time when both cars competed in Southern California in AA/SP, the Lockwood Corvette had 20 class wins to Mazmanian's 13 class wins. The Lockwood Corvette's best et was 12.79 against Mazmanian's 12.82. A very interesting fact is that both cars tied for top speed at 110.56 mph. Maz scored that fast time at Pomona in January 1961 while Alan followed later that April after Dick Bourgeois took over the tuning from Don Nicholson. All in all, 1960/1961 was a pretty interesting time when FI Corvettes were pretty much the fastest stock cars at the strip.

I should add, the Buckshot Corvette is still around. Does anyone know the VIN?

Bert Brown
Danville, Calif
Owner '095

[Dan A.]

Re: 1961 FI- F/Stock Record Holder Buckshot

Good stuff Walter. Thanks. I love it.

[Paul H.]

Re: 1961 FI- F/Stock Record Holder Buckshot

Now that video put a big smile on my face. Great sounding and looking car. Nice piece of history. Nice to see it being driven the way it was intended to be driven.

[Tom P.]

Re: 1961 FI- F/Stock Record Holder Buckshot

BUT, BUT, BUT, BUT-----------------------------this does not fit within the dogmatic NCRS guidelines! Has something changed that I've missed????

[Roger W.]

Re: 1961 FI- F/Stock Record Holder Buckshot

Very Cool. Very fast Drag times with no modern computer controls.

[Walter B.]

Re: 1961 FI- F/Stock Record Holder Buckshot

Tom,
You didn't miss anything. The Lockwood/Grassman car did get a Top Flight back in the Nineties before I regained my senses and put all the racing parts back on the car. NCRS was gracious enough to give the car an American Heritage Award at the San Jose Nationals after I drove it down there. Yes, old drag cars were street legal and could be driven to the strip, although mine usually wasn't. It was just a matter of corking up the headers. Oops, I need to reconsider that statement, my slicks were NOT street legal.

I would think NCRS would like to consider an American Heritage Award for Buckshot if the present owner would present the car. It has a hell of a lot of history!

Cheers
Bert Brown
Danville CA

[Chris H.]

Re: 1961 FI- F/Stock Record Holder Buckshot

Nothing quite like the sound of a high-strung small block.

[Bruce B.]

Re: 1961 FI- F/Stock Record Holder Buckshot

Saw this car at the 2018 Hot Rod Reunion at Beech Bend Raceway at Bowling Green, KY
Great car, sorry pictures won't upload.

[Walter B.]

Re: 1961 FI- F/Stock Record Holder Buckshot

Bruce, It would be great to see those pictures! Was he running dual quads when you saw the car?

[Pat F.]

Re: 1961 FI- F/Stock Record Holder Buckshot

Not a record holder of any sorts, but was my drag racing 1963 340hp. Raced in Eastern PA in the early sixties.

Sorry to say it is long gone and so it my brown hair.

[Dan A.]

Re: 1961 FI- F/Stock Record Holder Buckshot

Posting this photo for Bruce.




This picture was taken by Bruce at the 2018 Holley National Hot Rod Reunion at Beach Bend Raceway Park, Bowling Green KY.