Author Topic: Dave Dralle info wanted  (Read 1223 times)

Shelbyneeds

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Dave Dralle info wanted
« on: November 17, 2022, 07:14:51 PM »
I am the owner of a red '66 GT350 that was taken from street car to Group 6 race car by Dave Dralle back in the early '90's.

I am looking for any info on Dave or his shop located near Willow Springs. Pictures, ads, anything that I can compliment the car with.

I am currently running the car in club/track events. Last race the car was in was at the Monterey Reunion in 2019. Number 9 is on the car.

Thanks in advance.
1964 FIA Cobra (Unique)
1966 GT350 race car
1970 GT350
2-2013 BOSS 302 LS both SBY
2021 GT500 CFTP

6s1802

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Re: Dave Dralle info wanted
« Reply #1 on: November 17, 2022, 07:38:55 PM »
Dave passed away several years ago and the shop is gone.

98SVT - was 06GT

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Re: Dave Dralle info wanted
« Reply #2 on: November 17, 2022, 08:24:34 PM »
Dave passed away several years ago and the shop is gone.
Yes - and his 2 sons are still fighting over stuff. One has some of the cars and the other has the titles.
His shop/house (originally Bill Huth's) was on Willow springs property but outside the gate - https://www.google.com/maps/@34.8695827,-118.2651717,109m/data=!3m1!1e3?hl=en&authuser=0
I had tried to buy his ramp truck and a GT1 Camaro (I wanted it just for the 6 12x16 5on5 MiniLite looking wheels for my GT1 car). The son who was selling said they were his but his brother had taken and hidden them somewhere near Bakersfield. I gave up after a couple weeks.

Dave was a great (but a gruff no nonsense) guy and taught many people the fast way around Willow Springs. I was there when they were testing the new IRS R Model. John Morton was talking with Vince from Shelby American and explaining the same fast line that Dralle espoused.
« Last Edit: November 17, 2022, 08:26:18 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

CSX2259

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Re: Dave Dralle info wanted
« Reply #3 on: November 17, 2022, 10:43:14 PM »
I had an occasion that I needed to fix the front of a GT350 that had a loose front suspension, Dave was very accommodating.

honker

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Re: Dave Dralle info wanted
« Reply #4 on: November 17, 2022, 10:52:37 PM »

CSX2259

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Re: Dave Dralle info wanted
« Reply #5 on: November 17, 2022, 10:59:50 PM »
Is this the GT350?

deathsled

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Re: Dave Dralle info wanted
« Reply #6 on: November 18, 2022, 11:40:03 AM »
Hot looking G.T. 350.  Great shade of red!  But then again I'm biased.
"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"

crossboss

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Re: Dave Dralle info wanted
« Reply #7 on: November 18, 2022, 12:06:05 PM »
Dave and his son Danny were a real bunch of characters. IF you happened to know Dave, as mentioned he was a no bs type of guy. He either liked you or he did not. (Lucky, he liked me!). Also, as mentioned he would help anyone if needed at the track. Its sad, that greed took over in the family when one passes away. On a good note, he prepped many, many Shelby's and had a huge following. Rip, Dave.
Past owned Shelby's:
1968 GT-350--Gold
1970 GT-500--#3129--Grabber Orange.
Current lifelong projects:
1969 Mustang Fastback/FOX chassis, 5 speed, 4 wheel discs, with a modern Can-Am 494 (Boss 429), Kaase heads, intake with a 1425 cfm 'B' Autolite Inline carb, ala Trans-Am style
1968/70 Olds 442 W-30

Shelbyneeds

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Re: Dave Dralle info wanted
« Reply #8 on: November 20, 2022, 09:47:31 AM »
Thanks guys. I understand he was a unique guy and had a great knowledge of the mods needed to make the GT350's fly. I am looking to put a poster board together and include some info on Dave.

1964 FIA Cobra (Unique)
1966 GT350 race car
1970 GT350
2-2013 BOSS 302 LS both SBY
2021 GT500 CFTP

camp upshur

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Re: Dave Dralle info wanted
« Reply #9 on: November 20, 2022, 06:25:02 PM »

Edelbrock utilized Dave for their SBF R&D at least through the early 90s. He was instrumental in the design of the Victor 302 when he was in Torrance I can say for certain (and probably much more).
I think he may have used up all of his 9 lives!

98SVT - was 06GT

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Re: Dave Dralle info wanted
« Reply #10 on: November 20, 2022, 07:26:37 PM »
Dave was one of those few individuals that could design, fabricate, test, tune, set-up and drive. He was part of a breed that has pretty much died out. Today people buy a racecar off the shelf. Have someone else install a drive train built by someone else then have another crew to tune and maintain it at the track all for the deep pocket driver.
Previous owner 6S843 - GT350H & 68 GT500 Convert #135.
Mine: GT1 Mustang Track Toy, 1998 SVT Cobra, Wife's: 2004 Tbird
Member since 1975 - priceless