Greetings and a question...

[Mugs914]

Hello all,

My name is Mike Mulligan and this is my first post here, though I've been lurking for a while. I've been involved in many forms of racing over the years (Currently road racing - please don't think less of me! ), but my first love as a kid was land speed racing (The month I was born in 1963, Hot Rod magazine featured Breedlove's 407mph record on the cover - it was inevitable...). I have yet to make it to an LSR event, but I'm planning to make it up to El Mirage and hopefully Speedweek next season. I run a small race shop in Vista, CA and schedules often clash, but like I say, If you work for yourself you have a jerk for a boss - but it's easy to get time off. I'd love bring a car and join the fun, if I can. There has to be something at the shop that could make a pass or two! Hope to meet some of you guys there in person.

Now, the question I have is probably a bit dumb, but does anyone know anything about the streamliner that was used in the movie "The Lively Set"? Was it just a movie prop or was it a real car? Like I said, I've followed land speed racing for most of my life, but aside from the movie I've never seen anything about that car.

Thanks guys! Keep up the good work.

[aircap]

I think this has been mentioned years ago, but I can't find the thread so I can provide a link. I think it was Mal Hooper's old 'liner.
Sing out, old timers! What was it?

[Robin UK]

Mike,

http://www.sd455.com/movielivelyset.htm

follow the link about the movie and then scroll down to almost the end of the illustrated posters. There is a part shot of a silver jet car. Is that the one you're talking about. If so, it's a real car. Built in about 1962 by Bill Fredrick, it was driven eventually by a young Gary Gabelich at the drags. Recall reading somewhere that he'd driven a jet car for a movie so that must be it. Called Valkyrie, it had 18inch wheels with Firestone tyres, beams axles and torsion bar suspension,weighed 2,960lb complete with Westinghouse J46 and nominated driver Chuck Hatcher. Seems that it made one very short run only. This was the meet when Glen Leasher crashed Infinity. Seems the insurance companies got jumpy about jet cars which may be why it never made any serious runs on the salt.

Gabelich drove the car in a first ever jet car duel at Famoso against Bob Smith in Romeo Palamides The Untouchable, winning 2-1. All this info from the Cyril Posthumus/David Tremayne Land Speed Record book.There is also a pic of the car in High Performance by Robert C Post. Fredrick sold the car to Mickey Thompson who also had Gabelich drive it at the drags before selling it on to Art Malone. Renamed US1, the car crashed killing driver Roger 'Lucky Harris' Harris.

One of the other movies posters for the film shows a drawing of a streamliner which I guess is supposed to be John Cobb's Railton Mobil streamliner.

Robin

 

[PorkPie]

Correct Robin,

this car was built by William Frederick (butcher from Woodland Hills in LA), this guy had built the Valkyrie jet car in 1962 (with driver Gary Gabelich) but he didn't run to insurance problems. The Valkyrie was sold to Art Malone and he run the car named US1 on the drag strip. Frederick got famous with the Budweiser Rocket.

But the other one is not the Railton - the shown car was a streamliner which runs mid/end fifties at the salt, built from the LA/Burbanks speed community - but I can't get the  name in the moment....therefore I have to check my archive.

[Mugs914]

Thanks Robin, but the car I'm asking about is the one on the poster that looks something like Cobb's Railton. The car in the film is a bright yellow, somewhat "typical" '50s - '60s style 'liner. Much wider than the current crop with blisters for the wheels and driver. This particular car also had some sort of intakes on the sides, though these may have been added for the movie since it was supposedly turbine powered.

The footage of Valkyrie alone makes the movie worth watching, though. those early jets were crude, but still impressive. It would have been interesting to see what Ostich's Caduceus and Infinity could have done with a bit more luck...

[Robin UK]

Mike,

oh ok. Found another poster pic with the yellow car on it and not anything I recognise. btw, I have that issue of Hot Rod with the cover signed by Craig.  Guess that qualifies me as one of Aircap's old timers 

Robin

[PorkPie]

Mike, Robin

it looks like the Immerso 1962 Thunderbird version

[Mugs914]

Interesting, I'll do a search. I'm familiar with Thunderbird II (The rear seat version, 1976, I think?), but I've never seen T-1. Well, maybe I have if its the one in the flick...

[rockstar]

wow,shades of a misbegiven youth,i saw a film that sounds like this one,when i was a kid but in the UK i think it was called The Jet Set and as a kid it was awaresome,does any one know where it can be had,torrent,download,or even buy? i really love them old films.

[1212FBGS]

Mike
My shop is in Vista also... you can come over and take a look at my liner. we are having a "going away" party for the Vesco liner restore on thursday the 22nd between 5 and 8pm... come on over
kent
air-tech
2530 Fortune way
Vista ca 92081
598-3366

[4-barrel Mike]

Parts of the movie showing a few snippets of the streamliner here:

http://www.imperialclub.com/Movies/Lively/index.htm

Video emphasis on the Imperials   

Mike

[Mugs914]

Thanks Kent, I'll try to swing by. It would be great to have a look at your liner too. Actually, I've been to your shop a few times over the years picking up various bike bits (going back to when it was REALLY small over on Oceanside Blvd).

[1212FBGS]

well i will probably recognize ya then.... see ya thursday
kent

[4-barrel Mike]

A couple of screen captures from the movie link above:







More to follow.

Mike

[4-barrel Mike]

Immerso's streamliner circa 1960:





Hot Rod Ideas, "A Fawcett Hot-To Book 485", 1961

Links to full-size views:

http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee171/4-BarrelMike/Streamliners/Immerso01-1.jpg

http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee171/4-BarrelMike/Streamliners/Immerso02.jpg

Mike