1957 Air Box Racer

[Dan H.]

Hi All, have had the pleasure of helping bring a 57 air box car back to life! It was restored in 1980 by Bill Rhodes and was a hit at Cypress Gardens in 1981. Bill sold it to Steve Prewitt in 1986 who Vintage raced it until 1991. It's still in its race trim now. Rebuilt the Injection and fuel pump etc. Fired it up today!! Neat looking at the column mounted tach flip around. The car should be at the San Diego National for display. You can see it in the book 'FUELIES' in the back. white with blue racing stripe. My life is complete!
Dan

[John N.]

Re: 1957 Air Box Racer

Dan
Enjoyed visting with Bill at Cypress in 1981 about the restoration. I also watched Steve vintage race the car.
Regards

[Tom P.]

Re: 1957 Air Box Racer

I have often wondered what ever happened to the Bill Rhodes car. Nice to know it's still alive and kicking.

[Jim L.]

Re: 1957 Air Box Racer

It was restored in 1980 by Bill Rhodes and was a hit at Cypress Gardens in 1981.

Some trivia about that 1981 Cypress Gardens debut: Bill confided in me that he didn't dare run the engine long enough to get it warm. He feared the "casting date" on the block, formed out of modeling clay, would melt and slide off!



Jim

(Hopefully that show is far enough in the past to be beyond the statute of limitations!)

[Tom P.]

Re: 1957 Air Box Racer

Now that is funny!!!!

[Jack P.]

Re: 1957 Air Box Racer

I hope it is a funny as you driving across the old west. Don't forget water, the roads are long and empty. Bandits, cows, mice, and a great time.

Just bring your parachute.

Jack

[Steve B.]

Re: 1957 Air Box Racer

I heard that the Velocity network had a show recently about a 57 air box, anyone see it or know what the show was called?

[Tom P.]

Re: 1957 Air Box Racer

I don't get that network so I haven't seen it, but it was about Bill Connell's Airbox car (4007). Supposed to be the first factory built Airbox option. The car has a very interesting story and history and is somewhat unique with a few one of a kind features.

[Bruce B.]

Re: 1957 Air Box Racer

The Velocity Network show was definately about the 4007 Airbox Car from Cincinnati.

I also don't get the station (my rabitt ears won't pick it up for some reason) but my son watched the show and said it was interesting and saw a picture of me in it.

I tried to buy the car from Bill King but he wouldn't sell it to me. But the buyers, Bill Connell and Joel Lauman did a FANTASTIC job restoring it and Bill has a ton of history concerning the car.

[Gary C.]

Re: 1957 Air Box Racer

Velocity "One of a Kind" series - it's not listed in future listings

Gary
....

[Bill H.]

Re: 1957 Air Box Racer

Velocity "One of a Kind" series - it's not listed in future listings

Gary
....

It will be back on, Velocity is 90% reruns.

[Steve B.]

Re: 1957 Air Box Racer

Thanks Gary.

[Tom P.]

Re: 1957 Air Box Racer

Notice the treatment to the dash where the regular tach was located, plus the tach housing/bracket for the column tach. BOTH are ONE car only!

[Nicholas L.]

Re: 1957 Air Box Racer

It was a 15 minute show on Velocity followed by a 15 minute show about Ferrari.

[Philip A.]

Re: 1957 Air Box Racer

It was a 15 minute show with commercials! With the replay of previous foootage at progaram return after commercial the true air time may be more like 7.5 minutes. For all the hype in previews, i I think the show was a disapointment and no one missed anything. There where next to no technical details provided or footage. If you missed don't be concerned.