The historic Legal Cheater has been brought out of the shop and is looking great. Cecil Hardy has passed away and I have been asked to help sell the car for the family. What an honour. From the timing slips in the glove box, the car ran 12.73 at Mission Raceway before it was put away in 1973. I believe Larry Walker's best time was 12.74. It is a NHRA National Record holder, Car Craft Magazine featured, Winternational's class winner that was built in 1962. Engine has been freshened and it sounds great. Lots of history, glove box had Winternational's paperwork from 1969, time slips, letter from Ak Miller, Isky, General Kinetics, Valvoline, etc.
It should be through Probate in the next week or two, they are accepting offers at this time. Some parts with the car, the original wheels are there, one of them needs to be repaired.
Terry
:canada:
A couple mentions of the car in Total Performers.
What an honor to be asked to help. Sweet ride...hopefully it will go to someone who understands the historic value and maybe runs it once in awhile at nostalgic drags!
Is it an original F-code car? I guess there are two directions on what to do with it. Either leave it as is for historic reasons in a car museum or if it's a real F-code car strip it down and do full nut and bolt restoration. Myself, I'd leave the way it is and run the hell out of it at the old time drags once a year.
Larry Walker had run a 1956 Ford, in 1962 he then bought this 300, converted it to a Business Coupe and put in the 312.
Cecil had raced a supercharged 57 before he got this car, know one seems to remember it, so do not know if it was an F-code.
Terry
:canada:
I have a soft cover book, "Junior Stock" by Doug Boyce (copyright 2012) That shows Cecil's car, painted black, named "Black Magic". The caption says it was being restored to it's "as raced" condition. I seem to remember reading somewhere that after Cec's death, his son was continuing the restoration. By the picture of the car now that has been completed. John
Cecil did paint the car black around 1972 and about 10-12 years ago began the process to return it to Legal Cheater colors.
These pictures are at Mission Raceway, the kid with the head in the way is me. As a Ford lover, this car was the Holy Grail. The second picture with the Black Magic lettering was taken by Rory 59Meteor, you have to wonder how many people this car influenced.
Cecil went through the engine, painted the car blue again and was in the process of lettering it. The pictures in the first post were taken about three weeks ago. The LF front fender does not have the NHRA National Record on it. He did get it the engine back in but had to send it out to get it fired up and it is running now. His three daughters love the history of the car but know it needs to go to a new care taker.
FiveSevenLiter, that same book has a picture of Larry racing in a '56 Chev wagon G/S at the '67 Nationals. Did he also have a '56 Ford? I had talked to Cecil while I was building my '57 Custom for I/SA in '70. Been too long ago, I don't remember the subject of our conversation. John
From my homework, Larry Walker ran a 1956 up to 1962, then built this car.
Cec ran a 1957 Supercharged car in the mid-60's, I have one picture from his album but no one here remembers the car.
I have tried finding info from the San Jose area but no luck. This picture is of Larry before he put the Legal Cheater on it.
The story on the Larry Walker Legal Cheater/Cec Hardy Black Magic 57 Ford in the next issue (June/July) of Canadian Hot Rods. I know Barnes & Noble used to carry it in the USA.
Terry
:canada:
I'm thinking the kid with his head in the pic needs to buy the car... :003:...just sayin'. Hey...it would have a good home then!
That has already crossed my mind, but that would mean selling my 57 or getting a bigger shop. Decisions decisions.
Terry
:canada:
I'd go with the bigger shop...but hey...that's just me. OR...you could buy it...and store it at MY shop! LOL!!! :006: :burnout:
No such thing as a "too big a shop"!
Quote from: Ford Blue blood on 2021-04-27 08:07
No such thing as a "too big a shop"!
X2. No truer words were ever spoken.
X3...uh huh...yep...most assuredly... :003:
Canadian Hot Rods went to press last night, should be on the newsstands in three weeks. Barnes and Noble was also carrying it.
Terry
:canada:
Cool! Looks like a hot car to own...nudge nudge... :003:
I wonder if it would be competitive now with all the rule changes in NHRA Stock?
NHRA is allowing the older cars to run stock classes again although they can't seem to find the older Ford
spec's but, the chev data is posted on their website!
Ron.
Thanks for all the interest in the car. It has been sold and will be heading back to California soon. Keep an eye out for it at the track.
Terry
:canada: