Author Topic: need info on B.Burke 1952 streamliner  (Read 4444 times)

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Offline speedrelic

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need info on B.Burke 1952 streamliner
« on: February 18, 2017, 09:33:27 PM »
For all the Bonneville old timers and historians. I'm looking for any info on the Bill Burke class 'O' streamliner he ran in 1952. It was called the 'Hot Rod Magazine spec.'This was powered by a Harley motor and set a class record that year. Does anyone know of a magazine article on the car? Maybe something in a motorcycle mag back then (if there were any?) I have some pics off the internet and the Bill Burke article from the June '65 Hot Rod which does mention the car briefly. Any specs on the car (length, width, wheelbase, track, etc.)? Anything (except sarcasm) is appreciated! Thanks.

Offline tortoise

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Re: need info on B.Burke 1952 streamliner
« Reply #1 on: February 18, 2017, 10:40:41 PM »
136.90 mph. Or is that too sarcastic?

Offline TrickyDicky

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Re: need info on B.Burke 1952 streamliner
« Reply #2 on: February 19, 2017, 06:14:12 AM »
You've probably found this (see https://ahrf.com/blogs/jims-news/posts/salt-time):

"Hot Rod Magazine Ad Manager Bill Burke showed up at the salt in '52 with this little streamliner sponsored by the magazine. Burke partnered with C. B. Clausen to run a 80" Harley Davidson engine in the car. Now it gets fun. Hot Rod said it had a 61" engine. A check in Cycle said it had a 80" motor in it but it belonged to Bus Schaller. The B-ville program lists Clausen's engine as 80" and Schallers at 61", again opposite of the magazine reports. That all confuseing stuff. On thing is for certain though Schaller's motor scooted his bike to a speed of 139. It was then removed and put in the liner. Burke's car went out and qualified first in class with a speed of 138.14 mph and then went out and two wayed to set a new Class O Streamliner record at 136.90 mph. Bravo."

Not quite the information you are looking for, but interesting nonetheless.

Offline nefareous

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Re: need info on B.Burke 1952 streamliner
« Reply #3 on: February 22, 2017, 02:12:59 AM »
The HD powered Super Shaker is in the collection at the NHRA Museum. It was a feature & cover car on the January 1960 HotRod Magazine
« Last Edit: February 22, 2017, 02:21:33 AM by nefareous »

Offline speedrelic

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Re: need info on B.Burke 1952 streamliner
« Reply #4 on: March 02, 2017, 12:13:34 AM »
Thanks nefarious but that's the wrong car. I'm looking for the 1952 car. It was Bill's first streamliner.

Offline theazoldcrow

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Re: need info on B.Burke 1952 streamliner
« Reply #5 on: March 02, 2017, 10:50:01 AM »
Ask Bobby Green, of The Old Crow Speed Shop for info,,,, he's a veritable encyclopedia of the old Burk stuff !


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Offline 4-barrel Mike

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Re: need info on B.Burke 1952 streamliner
« Reply #6 on: March 02, 2017, 11:00:23 AM »
Mike Kelly - PROUD owner of the V4F that powered the #1931 VGC to a 82.803 mph record in 2008!