Seeking stock car information

Question:

I am looking for an in-depth source of information on stock car racers of the late ’50s era. I am interested in doing a restoration on a 1959 car and would like to accurately replicate a stock car of the era.

I am interested in the technology of the era as well as a good source of pictures of such things as roll bars and the limited chassis modifications of the era.

I can’t seem to find any books that give much more than a brief mention of the ’50s and even fewer pictures or details.

What would really be nice is a how-to manual from the era. I have even looked up the Mexican road race, as these cars look similar, via the Internet with very limited success. Can you help me with any known books, articles or Web sites on this topic?

Answer:

I am not aware of a single comprehensive source for the type of information you are seeking. That’s probably because nobody has taken the time to create one. Perhaps you are the man for this job, Wayne?

Your burden is to get into the trenches and do the hardcore research. Contact automobile book dealers like Walter Miller (autolit.com) and buy as many vintage stock car racing books and magazines as your budget allows.

There is a seemingly endless list of magazines, programs, newspapers, newsletters, etc. Your best bet is to contact as many vintage literature dealers as you can and ask each what he has. No individual publication will have all of the answers but a lot of them will have at least a few bits of information that can help you.

And, of course, it can be invaluable to personally inspect stock cars from the period you’re interested in. There are numerous museums around the country with these kinds of cars and if you make prior arrangements many will let you scrutinize and photograph the details of the cars. Wikipedia has a pretty lengthy list of transportation museums (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Listoftran sport_museums) and this is at least a good starting point.

And, finally, consider joining one or more of the vintage stock car clubs, such as the Garden State Vintage Stock Car Club ( ) and Vintage Stockcar Collecting and Racing (650-3211411). Your fellow club members will prove to be a tremendously valuable source of information.