1953 #276 Back on the Road

[Rick G.]

Re: 1953 #276 Back on the Road

Russ,

You will most likely find Mickey at the Wine Country Classic at Sears Point Race Track in May with his 57 car. He and his family are the nicest people you will ever meet and Mickey is a true corvette enthusiast. A real tribute to our hobby and a class act who I am proud to call a friend. Congratulations on getting the 53 back on the road. It looks great!

Rick Gower

[Tom P.]

Re: 1953 #276 Back on the Road

Actually Buick had 14 cheater GS's built by Ollie Olson for the outlaw drag strip wars in 1966. They were 401's punched/stroked to 469 CI with trans and supension mods that made them high 11 sec cars in 66/69(Owners bought car Buick 'arranged' for the mods for free). Here is a shot of one that has been rescued. Owner also has a 70 Stage I GS and this car is faster.

http://www.sirgalahad.org/tyler/buick/FF11_After.jpg

In 68 the owner was street racing a 68 Corvette, turned 2 rod bearings and parked the car with 4800 mi. Friend bought it 2000 and put it back on the road.

If any of you know any old Buick types who knew of these cars we would like to hear from them. The original owner died in 2002, we have some documentation but could use some more.

Tyler

Tyler,
I have "heard" of these few Buick cars in 66, but have never actually seen one, nor talked to anyone who is intimately knowledgeable about them, nor read any credible articles about them.
The picture that you posted here is the first GOOD picture that I've ever seen. By the way, are we going to be reprimanded or scolded for talking about something other than Flight, survivor or Duntov Vettes here???

[Jim L.]

Re: 1953 #276 Back on the Road

Seems Mick bought old vin#5055 from Bondurant in 1962 and raced it in Northern California until 1966 when he almost flipped the car at Vacaville in a racing accident that put the car on its side for 20 feet, then landed right side up. The driver door handle is still scraped from that day.

Jim, this is almost right. I can fill in some of the gaps.

There were three owners (that we know about) between Bondurant and Mick: Gary Pickens, a Dr. Eddinger, and Bart Martin. Mick bought the car from Bart, and in the car's final race in the '60s, partnered with Bart in an enduro. The car spun and all four corners were damaged. It was after this accident the car sat until Mick put it back together just in time for the '87 historics.

At Vacaville, (I think in 1964), a rear axle broke (which seems to be one of the weak points on the early cars) and Mick did go completely upside down, scraping the driver's side door handle as the car went over and scraping the roll bar and the two hood ridges while the car was inverted. Luckily(?), the car did come to rest right side up.

Mick has a neat car, in my opinion, one of the most under-recognized and under-appreciated vintage Corvette racers anywhere.

Jim

[James G.]

Re: 1953 #276 Back on the Road

Jim, this is almost right. I can fill in some of the gaps.

There were three owners (that we know about) between Bondurant and Mick: A Dr. Eddinger, Greg Pickett, and Bart Martin. Mick bought the car from Bart, and in the car's final race in the '60s, partnered with Bart in an enduro. The car spun and all four corners were damaged. It was after this accident the car sat until Mick put it back together just in time for the '87 historics.

At Vacaville, (I think in 1964), a rear axle broke (which seems to be one of the weak points on the early cars) and Mick did go completely upside down, scraping the driver's side door handle as the car went over and scraping the roll bar and the two hood ridges while the car was inverted. Luckily(?), the car did come to rest right side up.

Mick has a neat car, in my opinion, one of the most under-recognized and under-appreciated vintage Corvette racers anywhere.

Jim

You and I need to get together for the history of that car.

In October 2007, I was told by Gary Austin, son of original owner Jerry Austin, who bought the car from C.S. Mead Chevrolet, Pasadena, that Jerry sold it to Bill Thomas who owned it only for a couple of months before selling to Bondurant.

You are 100% correct. The Swezey family is one of the best and his 57 is not at all understood in the hobby.

Now everyone will want it and the price just went up to stupid numbers thanks to you and me and our stupid blabber.

[Bruce B.]

Re: 1953 #276 Back on the Road

Jim & Jim and others.
Thanks for the great history lesson.
Keep them coming.
Bruce B

[James G.]

Re: 1953 #276 Back on the Road

I could bore you to tears. Look at www.registryofcorvetteracecars.com if you want to see my insanity.

[Terry M.]

Re: 1953 #276 Back on the Road

By the way, are we going to be reprimanded or scolded for talking about something other than Flight, survivor or Duntov Vettes here???

Tom -- for shame

It is Flight, Bowtie, or Duntov subject matter. Survivor(TM) belongs to someone else.

[Jim L.]

Re: 1953 #276 Back on the Road

You are 100% correct. The Swezey family is one of the best and his 57 is not at all understood in the hobby.

Now everyone will want it and the price just went up to stupid numbers thanks to you and me and our stupid blabber.

Before everyone starts reaching for their wallets.....

Mickey is about to start returning the '53 to racing condition and that's going to be his ride.

With the '53 once again operable, driving responsibilities for the '57 will be passed to Mickey's daughter.

The car isn't going anywhere anytime soon. In fact, I predict we'll all be taking dirt naps before the car is ever for sale.

Jim

[Mark P.]

Re: 1953 #276 Back on the Road

Jim - I think Mick's is the #169 car.

I saw him at an NCRS meeting last night and I think that is what he said.



Mark

[Ed L.]

Re: 1953 #276 Back on the Road

Nice to see a Corvette that gets used. Good luck adding a few more miles! I think the Gran Sport emblem is a side emblem from a 1965 Riviera GS "small letter" car.

[Mike T.]

Re: 1953 #276 Back on the Road

Hi Russ, glad to hear your '53 is back on the road again. Question for you...when you and I were at Infineon (hey, I still call it Sears Point too) a couple years ago and your '53 wouldn't pass the tech inspection for the drag racing, was that based on not having side 'windows' or was it for not having a 'hardtop' in place? I was disappointed that we didn't get to see you run it down the strip.
Mike T.

[Robert J.]

Re: 1953 #276 Back on the Road

Before everyone starts reaching for their wallets.....

Mickey is about to start returning the '53 to racing condition and that's going to be his ride.

With the '53 once again operable, driving responsibilities for the '57 will be passed to Mickey's daughter.

The car isn't going anywhere anytime soon. In fact, I predict we'll all be taking dirt naps before the car is ever for sale.

Jim

I haven't seen Mickey in a while. If I remember correctly he put a roller skate on his roll bar after the crash. bob

[Jim L.]

Re: 1953 #276 Back on the Road

I haven't seen Mickey in a while. If I remember correctly he put a roller skate on his roll bar after the crash. bob

This is true. And as far as I know the roller skate now on the roll bar is the same one he attached back in the '60s.

Jim

[Edward C.]

Re: 1953 #276 Back on the Road

I miss Ray and his Bronze 55. Ed