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Old 09-12-2011 | 03:18 PM
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I don't post much but I have been following this from the beginning. Thank you for saving a piece of history! I can't wait to see more!
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Old 09-13-2011 | 09:08 PM
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thanks for following along! I was going to have my son help me post some pictures saturday after the drag races but by the time I got home he was leaving.
We had a wreck at the strip, something happened to my friends car at 130 mph. He flipped more than 14 times, we had to cut him out and flight for life took him to Denver. He was strapped in good with the proper safety equipment and he should be OK. There is alot to be said about rules and regulations, they saved his life! Accidents happen fast, so at least use some common sense and listen to more experienced people. It was a reasonably good outcome for what happened.
There are some pictures coming!
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Old 09-13-2011 | 09:59 PM
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Originally Posted by 1965 thunderbird
thanks for following along! I was going to have my son help me post some pictures saturday after the drag races but by the time I got home he was leaving.
We had a wreck at the strip, something happened to my friends car at 130 mph. He flipped more than 14 times, we had to cut him out and flight for life took him to Denver. He was strapped in good with the proper safety equipment and he should be OK. There is alot to be said about rules and regulations, they saved his life! Accidents happen fast, so at least use some common sense and listen to more experienced people. It was a reasonably good outcome for what happened.
There are some pictures coming!
Best of luck to your friend, that's a scary thing to watch. Reinforces why we never skimp on safety.

Looking forward to the pics
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Old 09-14-2011 | 07:26 AM
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Originally Posted by 1965 thunderbird
thanks for following along! I was going to have my son help me post some pictures saturday after the drag races but by the time I got home he was leaving.
We had a wreck at the strip, something happened to my friends car at 130 mph. He flipped more than 14 times, we had to cut him out and flight for life took him to Denver. He was strapped in good with the proper safety equipment and he should be OK. There is alot to be said about rules and regulations, they saved his life! Accidents happen fast, so at least use some common sense and listen to more experienced people. It was a reasonably good outcome for what happened.
There are some pictures coming!

I wish you friend a speedy recovery! Glad to hear he had the proper safty equipment. I'm sure that was not a fun experence for you as well, I hope I never have to see a crash like that.
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Old 09-14-2011 | 09:15 AM
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What was really amazing about the crash was the condition of his car.
The doors, fenders, hood, trunklid, front suspension, all the glass, steering wheel and the grill were scattered all over the track, but the roll cage wasn't even bent. The floorboards were made out of aluminum and you could see were his feet were hitting the floorboard and actually ripped the aluminum. His safety equipment ( and the man upstairs ) kept his arms and body inside the car , he still has all his body parts intact and is recovering quickly!
If anyone wants to say a prayer for him his name is Dale. He is in his late sixty's and has some broken bones that will take awhile to heal, he had a full face helmet on but but his face was still bruised badly. He couldn't open his eyes for two days.
I wear an open face helmet but I will be buying a new full face helmet and tightening up my seat belts for the next race, if Dale was wearing a open face helmet I don't think he would have made it.

Anyway, thanks for your thoughts and concerns. We can go out and have fun, get wild and crazy as long as we don't get stupid, accidents happen so be prepared.
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Old 09-14-2011 | 09:28 AM
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wow, thoughts and prayers to your friend for a speedy recovery.
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Old 09-14-2011 | 09:34 AM
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Originally Posted by glassdave
wow, thoughts and prayers to your friend for a speedy recovery.
+1
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Old 09-14-2011 | 10:41 AM
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Happens quick on the strip. Hoping for a speedy recovery for your friend .................
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Old 10-01-2011 | 06:32 PM
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Old 10-01-2011 | 07:16 PM
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Originally Posted by 1965 thunderbird
I got all of the gauges and excess wiring removed. Removed the steering wheel and the instrument panel, I am down to the original panel and the bilge area is down to mostly original configuration. I am going to power wash the inside of the boat and see how well it cleans up. Anybody know how to get contact cement off? I am hoping the steam cleaner has some effect on it.
Had fun last weekend at the dragstrip, won pro class for the second time in a row. I think it was a little more luck than skill but the car ran great!
If everything goes right I might be able to start mocking up the engine mounts tomorrow. Those engines that I took out weighed alot, this boat is so much lighter it is unreal! The turbine only weighs 400 lbs and the crash boxs are light also. I bet this turbine conversion will only add 600lbs. I bet those chevy big blocks with the turbo charges and transmissions weighed in at 1800 to 2000 lbs each, anybody have a better guess than that? I also found out that the engines I removed were LS-7 454s, 12.5 compression with a solid lifter cam. They were pretty wild motors for the 70's. Looks like they are in real good shape, of course with the turbo charges the compression ratio was changed along with the cam. I have a nice 6-71 blower that would work good on one of them, but I would have to find a good project to put it in also.
Lacquer Thinner will break down contact cement. MEK also cuts it With either one try and get it outside and wear a respirator. Rich
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