Author Topic: Street racing in California circa 1969-1970  (Read 6632 times)

deathsled

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Street racing in California circa 1969-1970
« on: March 18, 2022, 12:03:26 AM »
I am working on another short story so was interested if anyone knew where the hot spots were in California for late night street racing and what day or days were preferred?  I presume Friday nights and/or Saturday nights.  I haven't posted my stories here lately (no doubt to the relief of some on SAAC) because it is my understanding that it throws off the algorithm and makes/ complicates my channel's ability to climb in rank.  Thanks for any information or insight you all can provide.

Richard E.
« Last Edit: March 18, 2022, 12:47:49 PM by deathsled »
"Low she sits on five spoke wheels
Small block eight so live she feels
There she's parked beside the curb
Engine revving to disturb
She's the princess from his past
Red paint gold stripes damned she's fast"

FL SAAC

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Re: Street racing in California circa 1969-1970
« Reply #1 on: March 18, 2022, 10:15:18 AM »

Don't fret my little one, just because others have no imagination, expressive or creative skills as you do. Don't let them slow you down or hamper you.

Look at Sharknado they said it was a failure, the creator is up to the 7th (yup SEVEN) picture laughing his rear end all the way to the bank.

For more inspirational moments follow my daily posts on SAAC 4  U and thanks everyone for their kindness and support



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FL SAAC

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Re: Street racing in California circa 1969-1970
« Reply #2 on: March 18, 2022, 10:25:30 AM »
We comprehend some maybe technically challenged,  so we have provided a direct link to peace and tranquility:

http://www.saacforum.com/index.php?topic=16984.75

Back to the topic at hand, looking for info in street racing in California
Living RENT FREE in your minds...

Home of the Hertz Musketeers 

A person without a sense of humor is like a wagon without springs.  It's jolted by every pebble on the road

I have all UNGOLD cars

I am certainly not a Shelby Expert

Life is short B happy

gt350hr

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Re: Street racing in California circa 1969-1970
« Reply #3 on: March 18, 2022, 10:36:17 AM »
     In the OC ( 65-72) it was Harbor blvd on the Anaheim-Fullerton border. Taco Bravo was THE place to hang out. Willys gassers , altered wheel base, really fast stuff. Whittier blvd in Whittier and of course Van Nuys blvd in the valley. Later it was Alameda in Compton or Studebaker road in what is now Cypress. Might be others too.
Celebrating 46 years of drag racing 6S477 and no end in sight.

98SVT - was 06GT

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Re: Street racing in California circa 1969-1970
« Reply #4 on: March 18, 2022, 11:23:18 AM »
Everywhere - The hotspot cruise places were Whittier Blvd (I got nailed for street racing there in my 70 Road Runner) and Van Nuys Blvd. But every Bob's Big Boy or In-N-Out (plus mom & pop drive thru) was a meeting place for car guys who'd go off to some quiet industrial area for a quick race. 
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deathsled

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Re: Street racing in California circa 1969-1970
« Reply #5 on: March 18, 2022, 12:52:34 PM »
Okay cool!  Thank you for the information, gentlemen.  This story is going to be a weird one but having fun with it.  Only a few hundred words into the idea.  Involves a 69 Camaro Z/28.  Hey it can't all be Ford or Shelby Mustangs.  Besides, if I were ever to cross over to an old Chevrolet it would likely be the 69 Z/28.  That is one screaming car with its 302 block and factory four speed.  I think the 69 Z/28 only came with a four speed like the Boss 302s.

And FLSAAC, Sharknado was ridiculous, funny, creative and inspirational showing that one can write about anything.
"Low she sits on five spoke wheels
Small block eight so live she feels
There she's parked beside the curb
Engine revving to disturb
She's the princess from his past
Red paint gold stripes damned she's fast"

FL SAAC

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Re: Street racing in California circa 1969-1970
« Reply #6 on: March 18, 2022, 12:58:08 PM »
Make the "Z" in Z-28 zombie......
Living RENT FREE in your minds...

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A person without a sense of humor is like a wagon without springs.  It's jolted by every pebble on the road

I have all UNGOLD cars

I am certainly not a Shelby Expert

Life is short B happy

SHELB66

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Re: Street racing in California circa 1969-1970
« Reply #7 on: March 18, 2022, 01:46:46 PM »
In the San Francisco area it was the Great Highway (adjacent to the beach) and Brotherhood Way on Friday nights.  When the cops would close off the Great Highway the racers would head to Brotherhood.  If they got hassled at Brotherhood they would head to A&W for a burger which was located by Westlake Shopping Center in Daly City.  Everyone stayed there until things cooled off.  I valued my driver's license too much to actually race but I was a willing passenger!  Those were the days!

Craig R.
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98SVT - was 06GT

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Re: Street racing in California circa 1969-1970
« Reply #8 on: March 18, 2022, 03:31:46 PM »
Involves a 69 Camaro Z/28. 
My favorite year - but not a great drag car. You need a 396 or better yet one of the COPO/Yenko/Baldwin 427s.
I was working at the Chevy dealer (high school auto shop work experience) and their first 1967 Z28 rolled off the hauler - yellow/black stripes. The UAW clowns had installed Hurst the shifter wrong and I got tasked with fixing it. I got to do the test drive - of course just after school got out. That thing sure would smoke the tires. We stuck it on the dyno and guesstimated 430-450 at the flywheel. I also had to fix the rearend a couple times in a 396 Camaro. We knew what happened but they did warranty because it belonged to one of the city councilmen. When it came back the second time the was not happy he'd be paying the bill. As soon as we showed him where his kid's slicks had rubbed off the paint in the wheel wells he understood.
Previous owner 6S843 - GT350H & 68 GT500 Convert #135.
Mine: GT1 Mustang Track Toy, 1998 SVT Cobra, Wife's: 2004 Tbird
Member since 1975 - priceless

6s2055

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Re: Street racing in California circa 1969-1970
« Reply #9 on: March 18, 2022, 04:06:20 PM »
In SanFracisco 1965+ era there was the Great Highway and El Camino Real in Daly City. Remember a dragster once on the Great Highway as he was “challenged “ by a guy who said he could beat anyone! Bad idea!

FL SAAC

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Re: Street racing in California circa 1969-1970
« Reply #10 on: March 18, 2022, 04:23:51 PM »
What ever happened to Big Willie Robinson  ?
Living RENT FREE in your minds...

Home of the Hertz Musketeers 

A person without a sense of humor is like a wagon without springs.  It's jolted by every pebble on the road

I have all UNGOLD cars

I am certainly not a Shelby Expert

Life is short B happy

98SVT - was 06GT

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Re: Street racing in California circa 1969-1970
« Reply #11 on: March 18, 2022, 05:01:15 PM »
What ever happened to Big Willie Robinson  ?
He and Tomiko passed away. You always knew the street race was on when Big Willie got the Xmas tree out of the trunk.
DragZine did the best tribute
https://www.dragzine.com/news/remembering-street-racing-legend-and-big-willie-robinson/

https://www.motortrend.com/features/behind-telling-big-willie-robinsons-story
« Last Edit: March 18, 2022, 05:04:24 PM by 98SVT - was 06GT »
Previous owner 6S843 - GT350H & 68 GT500 Convert #135.
Mine: GT1 Mustang Track Toy, 1998 SVT Cobra, Wife's: 2004 Tbird
Member since 1975 - priceless

deathsled

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Re: Street racing in California circa 1969-1970
« Reply #12 on: March 18, 2022, 05:32:02 PM »
What is the "Orange Belt?"  I heard it referenced in the Darnell's Garage scene of Christine.  I like the terminology.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LbaAsgDBx0c
"Low she sits on five spoke wheels
Small block eight so live she feels
There she's parked beside the curb
Engine revving to disturb
She's the princess from his past
Red paint gold stripes damned she's fast"

Royce Peterson

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Re: Street racing in California circa 1969-1970
« Reply #13 on: March 18, 2022, 06:13:51 PM »
Yup immediately made me think of Big Willie and his drag strip at Long Beach Harbor https://www.hemmings.com/stories/2013/08/14/restoration-begins-on-big-willie-robinsons-last-charger-daytona
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deathsled

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Re: Street racing in California circa 1969-1970
« Reply #14 on: March 18, 2022, 06:39:39 PM »
I know it's heresy to put this link up to a 69 Z/28 but most of us (I think) including myself can appreciate what the car represented and the time period in which it thrived.  I used to despise all things Chevrolet in high school due to certain rivalries, but I have relented as time passed.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KcVyTduXg_4

Has the chrome delete package. Check
Has the crossram carburetion.  Check

I remember a recall though for engines separating from the motor mounts in the first generation and Chevrolet using chains to hold them down until a fix could be had?
"Low she sits on five spoke wheels
Small block eight so live she feels
There she's parked beside the curb
Engine revving to disturb
She's the princess from his past
Red paint gold stripes damned she's fast"