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Legal Cheater

Started by FiveSevenLiter, 2021-04-24 22:54

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FiveSevenLiter

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:
1957 Custom 300 - since 2012
1951 Mercury M3 - since 2004
1951 Ford F1 - since 1987
1950 Ford Tudor - since 2019
2009 Sport Trac Adrenalin

FiveSevenLiter

A couple mentions of the car in Total Performers.
1957 Custom 300 - since 2012
1951 Mercury M3 - since 2004
1951 Ford F1 - since 1987
1950 Ford Tudor - since 2019
2009 Sport Trac Adrenalin

mustang6984

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!
Nothing is impossible...
The word it's self says I'M POSSIBLE  (Audrey Hepburn)
2 '57 Ford Couriers AND '57 Fairlane
3 Mustangs, '69 fastback-'84 SVO-'88 Saleen Convertible
'49 Ford P/U
'50 Dodge P/U
'82 RX-7
'65 Chrysler New Yorker

rmk57


   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.
Randy

1957 Ford Custom
1970 Boss 429

FiveSevenLiter

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:
1957 Custom 300 - since 2012
1951 Mercury M3 - since 2004
1951 Ford F1 - since 1987
1950 Ford Tudor - since 2019
2009 Sport Trac Adrenalin

Hoosier Hurricane

#5
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

FiveSevenLiter

#6
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.
1957 Custom 300 - since 2012
1951 Mercury M3 - since 2004
1951 Ford F1 - since 1987
1950 Ford Tudor - since 2019
2009 Sport Trac Adrenalin

Hoosier Hurricane

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

FiveSevenLiter

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.
1957 Custom 300 - since 2012
1951 Mercury M3 - since 2004
1951 Ford F1 - since 1987
1950 Ford Tudor - since 2019
2009 Sport Trac Adrenalin

FiveSevenLiter

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:
1957 Custom 300 - since 2012
1951 Mercury M3 - since 2004
1951 Ford F1 - since 1987
1950 Ford Tudor - since 2019
2009 Sport Trac Adrenalin

mustang6984

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!
Nothing is impossible...
The word it's self says I'M POSSIBLE  (Audrey Hepburn)
2 '57 Ford Couriers AND '57 Fairlane
3 Mustangs, '69 fastback-'84 SVO-'88 Saleen Convertible
'49 Ford P/U
'50 Dodge P/U
'82 RX-7
'65 Chrysler New Yorker

FiveSevenLiter

That has already crossed my mind, but that would mean selling my 57 or getting a bigger shop.  Decisions decisions.
Terry
:canada:
1957 Custom 300 - since 2012
1951 Mercury M3 - since 2004
1951 Ford F1 - since 1987
1950 Ford Tudor - since 2019
2009 Sport Trac Adrenalin

mustang6984

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:
Nothing is impossible...
The word it's self says I'M POSSIBLE  (Audrey Hepburn)
2 '57 Ford Couriers AND '57 Fairlane
3 Mustangs, '69 fastback-'84 SVO-'88 Saleen Convertible
'49 Ford P/U
'50 Dodge P/U
'82 RX-7
'65 Chrysler New Yorker

Ford Blue blood

No such thing as a "too big a shop"!
Certfied Ford nut, Bill
2016 F150 XLT Sport
2016 Focus (wife's car)
2008 Shelby GT500
57 Ranchero
36 Chevy 351C/FMX/8"/M II

Ecode70D

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.