Riley Sprint Car
This 1933 Ford-Riley Sprint Car 'Special 32' was raced between 1933 - 1956. It was driven by Al Lattanio, Walt Ader, Bob Chronister, Pete McKeone, Bob Olson, Bob Brown, and Ira Robbing. It is powered by a Ford Model 'B' engine with a Riley 4-Port head, Model C Ford crankshaft, Gerber connecting rods, and Matched Winfield carburetors. There is a Franklin steering system, a Ford Model 'A' suspension, and full pressure dry sump oil system.
by Dan Vaughan
Riley Sprint Car
Chassis number: A2907310
Like many cars of this era the history of 777 is sketchy and lost in time. This is a reconstruction of a race car typically known as a 'Big Car' (to be distinguished from a 'Midget'). This car (or many of its components and parts) was retired after World War II. Fresno and many other bullrings faded and it sat quietly until being discovered by Bill Gerard behind a garage in Anaheim, CA.
As Gerard began the reconstruction, he found that as it passed through the hands of several owners, many parts had been taken for salvage or lost so replacements had to be either located or fabricated. The body panels were beat up and disheveled, however the dash board had a plaque identifying Ray Kuns as the original designer and in 1933 as the year of construction.
Gerard took the remnants of this unknown racecar and rebuilt it using the parts of the 1930s era race car, including the Ford frame, Model B engine, front and rear suspension, transmission, and running gear and had body panels banged out by Dennis Webb to resemble the typical race car design of that era.
Gerard, with a long history in the saddle of multiple spring and champ cars, actually made his living for mnay years after his discharge from the Navy competing all over the west and mid-west.
The reconstruction was completed in 2000 and so the 777 began its modern history participating in track events with the Western Racing Association (WRA) at many venues including the 99 Speedway, Bullhead City; Las Vegas, NV.; Blythe, CA; AAA Speedway, Fontana, San Bernardino Orange Show; Santa Maria, CA; Cottage Grove, OR; Oildale, CA and Willow Springs, CA among others.
In 2001, the 777 Car and its special trailer, which was designed and built by Joe Gemsa, were invited to display at Ford's 100th Anniversary of Racing in Dearborn, MI. It was number 22 out of 120 chosen to display from over 300 cars that were considered.