Early Vintage Lewistown Montana Drag Races-1959

Home movies of early drag racing in Lewistown Montana. 1959. Compliments of Jim Eastman.

Category:

Autos & Vehicles

Tags:

• vReveal
• Drag
• Races
• Vintage
• Montana
• Lewistown

[Buickguy3]

You know you're old when you love these old videos. You know that you're really old when you recognize the cars. Older yet when you were there. I knew the guy driving the white roadster[with the straight up roll bar] . His name was Leo Robbins. Sadly we lost him a couple of years ago. The car had a Paxton blown 421 Pontiac engine . I had worked for the guy that had that blue Pontiac Catalina in the video. He is 87 years old, and is driving his 115 th new car. I had lunch with him yesterday.

[MrPLW]

@Buickguy3 Thanks for your input in terms of the cars and their owners shown in the movie. Help me out here---who's the now 87 year old guy that had the Pontiac Catalina? The two older guys that I remember that always had hard running Pontiacs were Pardue (sp) and Wilcoxson.Two younger guys that had strong runners were Hester and Robbins--and Leo's wife Vi, of course. I'm guessing it was probably Wilcoxson. Would sure like to get in touch with him for old photos, etc. Thanks,

Woody

[xXMozManXx]

Was this at the Lewistown airport?

[MrPLW]

@xXMozManXx Yes, races were held at the airport just to the west of town. First races were held there in 1958---others say 59. There's an interesting website (Lewistown drag racing. com) which includes a well written history of the drag strip, etc. Lots of interesting "stuff" took place in Lewistown back in the 50's as a result of the drag strip, car clubs, car shows, etc!!!! Some even made national news!!!

Woody

[xXMozManXx]

@MrPLW...do these races still go on today then?

[MrPLW]

@xXMozManXx

Yup, they're still racing there----been about 50 years now.

[Hotrodluvmut1]

I'm way to young for this video. My father was only 15 when this was filmed, I just lost him July, 2011. I did live in Lewistown from 1970-76 though! I spent many days at the track, and summers in my dad's shop. Some of the local guys used to come to dad's shop to buy engines, or get repairs done. Dad painted Jerry Lafountain's 35 Chevy coupe pink! LOL Adrian Glidewell had a Black 68 Charger R/T, I loved to ride in! Anyone know where that car might be?

[WickedTornado]

@Buickguy3 I love it when I see these and then find out that some of those guys are still alive and doing well (115th NEW car??). Do you remember the times / speeds the blown Pontiac ran? These old vids are priceless. There needs to be some kind of "dumping ground" where copies of these could be sent to and archived. You know that most of 'em are thrown out when the original "stars" die and the kids clean out their homes. BTW...I'm a Buick guy too. Got a '71 GranSport w the 455 / Stage 1.

[slepe67]

I love this video! Anyody have any data on the teal-green '32 5w at the very beginning, and running -vs- the digger towards the end? Just bought one, and would LOVE to know more about that car.

[Buickguy3]

Woody, It is Harold. I have lunch with him every week. Not really sure if the Catalina was his or Stan Hester's. I'm still trying to get him to open the old photo vault myself. If you would like, I have a couple from Belgrade that I've saved. E-mail me at

fudgebar[AT] msn.com.

[xXMozManXx]

@MrPLW...do you live in lewistown then?