Blazing Comets Of “Yesteryear”
This picture’s so old they didn’t have color film yet! Left to right is Tom Brown, Me, my oldest brother Randy, and Cliff Sasfy. The car belonged to me, and was a 1964 comet cyclone with a 289 cu. inch motor and Holly 4-barrel. I had installed a Racer Brown camshaft with solid lifters, and a 411 rear gear to give it more “gazoopa’s” off the line. I also had a set of 2″ dumps welded into the exhaust header, as I couldn’t afford after market headers at the time. The tires on the rear were Atlas Bucron’s with just the slightest bit of tread on the wide tire.
My brother Randy was home on leave from the Marine Corps, so I let him drive my little comet at the Spring Nationals, held at Milan dragway. Randy was a Viet Nam veteran, and actually was scheduled to go back for another “stint” of ducking bullets. My car ran G-stock-automatic, and had 16 cars in it’s class. Randy blew their doors off! My friends ,Tom and Cliff, had done an excellent job of tuning this little black beast, and Randy was “break-torquing” it just right. When the tire smoke cleared we walked off the track as “Champions” of our class at a National event. We even got our name mentioned in Hot-Rod magizine! It was a thrill for me to see my Marine brother have such a good time, before he had to go back to the perilous unknown of warfare!
That Spring of 1966 would prove to be my last one with my beloved comet, as I got drafted at the end of the year. I had to sell the car due to the substantial pay cut I was taking. I raced the car three more times that summer, and won every contest. The trophies are gone, the pictures tattered and torn, but the memories are alive and well, at least for the time being!
Marine Sgt. Norman Randall Ansel returned home safe and sound, and at 63 years young, is still Marine Corps “fit!” SP/5 Michael Ansel never left the states, and upon discharge bought himself a nice little Plymouth Barracuda with a hi-po 273 engine. Here we go again! Younger brother Darryl also was called upon to serve, much to the dismay of the Viet-Cong. Sgt. Darryl Douglas Ansel distinguished himself in battle, and was awarded several medals for heroism. Darryl returned home safely, and has spent his entire career in law enforcement.
Believe me when I say these are three sons who were thankful for the prayers of their parents! Whether in the jungles of Viet-Nam, or at the drag strip-we needed them!
Mike
January 28th, 2008 at 10:37 am
How wonderful that all three of you served and came through your service safely. Thank you to to you and to Norman and to Darryl.
January 28th, 2008 at 4:25 pm
Mike, great post.
I never was much of a “car nut”, although I enjoyed driving my friends’ hot rods back in the boonies where I grew up.
But mostly I just wanted to throw in a big civilian salute to you and your brothers for your service (even if you were drafted) in a tough time… and glad to hear both brothers came home from that place in one piece.
I was fortunate enough to come at the end of the Baby Boom, and was too young for Vietnam but too old for Desert Storm/Desert Shield. Not sure how my parents pulled that one off, but I suppose I should be thankful.
February 4th, 2008 at 12:08 am
Love the old picture, and enjoyed the story. A huge thank you to you, Norman and Darryl for your service.