1961 Safari wagon

[X-TECH MAN]

Originally Posted by tango

Hello All.
I am new to this web site. I am looking for some information and would love to know more about your group. I recently purchased a 1961 Pontiac Safari wagon that was campaigned by Frank Lumley and Ron Sanders during the 60's and 70's. This car broke 5 NHRA records, the first being at Cecil in 1968.

I want to learn more about this car and preserve it and its history. I would like to race it this year. It ran at Atco, Maple Grove, cecil and many other east coast tracks.

Any one have any information. I have pictures and some background, You an check it out here.

http://www.wwgauctions.com/auctions/...cleID=36&id=32

Thanks for any help you can give.

It was raced as a Super Duty combo until NHRA outlawed the over the counter parts very early in the 70's (McKeller solid lifter Cam, SD Heads, etc.) The it was raced as a regular 389/318 HP which was not very competitive after NHRA outlawed the SD parts. The car was a factory green color and had white painted stock steel wheels on it on all 4 corners. I knew Ron pretty good back during the SD days but have only spoke to him once since then and that was on the H.A.M.B. Jr. stock site via computer. He got into restoring Corvettes when he quit racing the wagon. If you can track him down he is a great guy to talk to.
P.S. The car was raced with a "SLIM JIM" 3 speed automatic at that time and not a turbo 350 that is supposed to be in the car now.

[Don Himes]

Hey Tango.....I'll give Ronnie a call and see if he wants to respond. I'm sure he will. If you plan to race it, you should know that the 318 h.p. motor is now factored to 275. It should make a killer O/SA combo. But maybe you could run it in N/SA. That way you'll leave my buddy Bobby Bender alone!

[X-TECH MAN]

Originally Posted by Don Himes

Hey Tango.....I'll give Ronnie a call and see if he wants to respond. I'm sure he will. If you plan to race it, you should know that the 318 h.p. motor is now factored to 275. It should make a killer O/SA combo. But maybe you could run it in N/SA. That way you'll leave my buddy Bobby Bender alone!

Hey....Now that it is 275 HP it should be a pretty good combo and that Turbo 350 would be a legal replacement trans. Thanks for mentioning that Don. Please tell Ron I said hello.

[Mark Yacavone]

Originally Posted by X-TECH MAN

Hey....Now that it is 275 HP it should be a pretty good combo and that Turbo 350 would be a legal replacement trans. Thanks for mentioning that Don. Please tell Ron I said hello.

Yeah, but you'll need a 65 , 389 block or a 64 from a GTO ,with the starter bolt holes.

That car has a 455 in it now. It went through a couple of owners out here before going back East.
I see somebody snagged the 66 Tri-Power off of it before the auction... I'm pretty sure I know who it was.
Doesn't matter ...It's not usable in this application..
Maybe you'll hear from Bob Michael. He knows all about the 318 hp combination. He'll help you out, with no B.S.

[Dave Ley]

One of the best sources of Pontiac information happens to be local right here in the Philadelphia area and is a very good friend of Ron Sanders.
Phil Szupka is a Pontiac Encyclopedia. He and his son still race in Stock and Comp. Eliminator. He can help you with any questions you have.
PM me and I will give you his contact information.

[tango]

Originally Posted by Don Himes

Hey Tango.....I'll give Ronnie a call and see if he wants to respond. I'm sure he will. If you plan to race it, you should know that the 318 h.p. motor is now factored to 275. It should make a killer O/SA combo. But maybe you could run it in N/SA. That way you'll leave my buddy Bobby Bender alone!

Thanks Don. I would love to hear from him. I am not sure what I am going to do at this time. I am fairly new to racing although I am an older (60) guy.I do know that as a car buff, I would love to keep the history of this car going on. if you can contact him he can call me @ 609-579-8782.
thanks,
Tom Maddox

[Ed Fernandez]

Originally Posted by tango

Thanks Don. I would love to hear from him. I am not sure what I am going to do at this time. I am fairly new to racing although I am an older (60) guy.I do know that as a car buff, I would love to keep the history of this car going on. if you can contact him he can call me @ 609-579-8782.
thanks,
Tom Maddox

Living in NJ I'm sure the Nostalgia Super Stock organizations would welcome you with open arms.Englishtown,Atco, Maple Grove and others all have nostalgia meets during the year.Not much traveling,a relaxed tech inspection (mostly safety) and fun racing.