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Author Topic: A. J. Watson  (Read 5871 times)

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Offline jdincau

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A. J. Watson
« on: May 14, 2014, 07:18:29 PM »
     One of my hero's A. J. Watson passed away Monday.
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Offline Dynoroom

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Re: A. J. Watson
« Reply #1 on: May 14, 2014, 07:35:00 PM »
Quite the man...

God Speed
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Michael LeFevers
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Racing is just a series of "Problem Solving" events that allow you to spend money & make noise...

Offline Seldom Seen Slim

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Re: A. J. Watson
« Reply #2 on: May 14, 2014, 08:34:34 PM »
The old "dinosaurs" were quite the cars to watch racing.  Thanks to A J for building 'em so I could enjoy them.  May he rest in a noisy pit at the races.
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Jon E. Wennerberg
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Offline manta22

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Re: A. J. Watson
« Reply #3 on: May 14, 2014, 09:14:33 PM »
A.J. Watson was a giant in Indy car fabrication. RIP.

Neil
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Regards, Neil  Tucson, AZ

Offline Dynoroom

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Re: A. J. Watson
« Reply #4 on: May 15, 2014, 07:28:17 PM »
I found this, thought it would go well here.
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Michael LeFevers
Kugel and LeFevers Pontiac Firebird

Without Data You're Just Another Guy With An Opinion!

Racing is just a series of "Problem Solving" events that allow you to spend money & make noise...

Offline jdincau

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Re: A. J. Watson
« Reply #5 on: May 15, 2014, 08:34:14 PM »
Wow! could I get a copy of that?
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Offline Freud

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Re: A. J. Watson
« Reply #6 on: May 15, 2014, 08:34:37 PM »
He was of the era that allowed imagination. It isn't there to day.

If you paid $100,000 now you could probably get a car from a Cracker Box.

Of course it would be the same as the one you could get if you paid the same for a Folgers Coffee car.

Regulations stifle imaginations and inovation.

Corporations regulations kill free thinking. CEO's don't think like racers.

FREUD

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Offline Milwaukee Midget

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Re: A. J. Watson
« Reply #7 on: June 23, 2014, 12:06:08 AM »
I had the privilege of meeting Bob Wilke's grandson, Mark, last Friday.  The company is now called Leader Paper (rather than Leader Card, who sponsored Watson's Indy cars).  Mark is a customer of mine.

They're still in business, about 6 blocks from where I work, and I have been invited over to check out some of the memorabilia that remains at the shop, including a number of pictures of the Wilke Ferraris, some midget racing stuff (non-MG), and Indy trophys. 

I've been told that they have film from every Indy race they competed in.  A LOT of film.

It will be a few weeks before I can make the time, but I'm looking forward to it.
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Offline Milwaukee Midget

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Re: A. J. Watson
« Reply #8 on: June 23, 2014, 12:38:01 AM »
http://www.wilkepakmotorsports.com/about/

Not a great shot of A.J., but he is in the winner's circle.

Looks like Rodger Ward could use a glass of milk.
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"Problems are almost always a sign of progress."  Harold Bettes
Well, I guess we're making a LOT of progress . . .  :roll:

Offline manta22

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Re: A. J. Watson
« Reply #9 on: June 23, 2014, 12:29:22 PM »
Chris, Is there any way you could scan the Ferrari photos? I'd be very interested in seeing them.

Regarding the films-- they should be transferred to DVD so they can be preserved.

Regards, Neil  Tucson, AZ
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Regards, Neil  Tucson, AZ

Offline SPARKY

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Re: A. J. Watson
« Reply #10 on: June 23, 2014, 12:39:56 PM »
Can someone explain to me the  X  torsion bar frt. suspension  :-o in that roadster picture---thanks
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Offline Peter Jack

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Re: A. J. Watson
« Reply #11 on: June 23, 2014, 12:53:13 PM »
Go out to your local dirt sprint car track and look at just about every sprint car. I know they closed Manzanita, one of the very best. What a shame. That's the standard suspension on most sprint cars and is really self explanitory.

Pete
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Offline SPARKY

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Re: A. J. Watson
« Reply #12 on: June 23, 2014, 01:00:19 PM »
so do the arms handle the side loads also?  or did I just not pick up the transverse?
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Miss LIBERTY,  changing T.K.I.  to noise, dust, rust, BLUE HATS & hopefully not scrap!!

"Security is mostly a superstition. It does not exist in nature, nor do the children of men as a whole experience it. Avoiding danger is no safer in the long run than outright exposure. Life is either a daring adventure or nothing."   Helen Keller

We are going to explore the racing N words NITROUS & NITRO!

Offline Peter Jack

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Re: A. J. Watson
« Reply #13 on: June 23, 2014, 01:52:14 PM »
Quote from: SPARKY on June 23, 2014, 01:00:19 PM
so do the arms handle the side loads also?  or did I just not pick up the transverse?

No, they use a panhard bar for the side loads.

Pete
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Offline doug odom

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Re: A. J. Watson
« Reply #14 on: June 23, 2014, 04:48:44 PM »
Dyno, You have to love that picture of A.J.  A real race car in a real race car shop!
Thanks for posting.

Doug
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