1961 Balchowsky Old Yaller Mk VII

Max Balchowsky was born in 1924 in Fairmont, West Virginia. He never had a proper high school diploma nor did he receive training in engineering. He was self-taught and would eventually become one of the best builder of race car 'specials' in the United States. He learned his trade racing hot rods on the dry lakes of El Mirage, Bonneville, and the streets of Southern California before turning his skills to road racing against sports cars imported from Europe and England.

Beginning in 1957, Balchowsky and his wife, Ina, designed, built, and raced a limited number of these 'specials' named 'old Yeller' (Yaller). They were painted pale yellow. The parts were sourced from many places, mostly junkyard parts, and equipped with powerful V8 engines. The cars were driven by Balchowsky, Dan Gurney, Bob Drake, Chuck Daigh, Billy Krause, Carroll Shelby, and Ronnie Bucknum. The cars were certainly the 'underdogs,' as most of the cars had more financial backing and resources. Nevertheless, the Ol' Yallers often outpaced these more expensive cars. In total, Balchowsky built nine cars and/or chassis which were simply known as Old Yallers MK I to MK IX.

by Daniel Vaughan | Oct 2011