1957 Chevy DRAG CAR Parked Since 1984 LIVES AGAIN!
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- čas přidán 21. 01. 2021
- This 1957 Chevy drag car is a TRUE SURVIVOR, still wearing lacquer paint, old racing decals and LOTS of period correct racing parts. Ray Portman has owned the car for more than 40 years, raced it in the '70s and early '80s, but it has been parked since 1984. Ray pulled it out of long term storage with encouragement from his two sons, affectionately known as Meatball and Weasel.
The Portman family, along with hot rod buddies got this thing back running again, and have spent the last few years showing it off at nostalgia themed events in Kentucky. This old drag car has family history and ultimately has a sad ending as Meatball and Weasel pass away after battling illness. The car continues their legacy and proves that these things are more than just metal...they're part of the family!
#hotrodhoarders #57chevy #parked - Auta a dopravní prostředky
I bought a 1957 Chevy two door post that had a 327 with the fuelie heads with big intake valves a solid lift cam and eight Stromsburg 97 single throat carbs. I happened to find the car by chance while I was in North Hollywood , California in the early 70's visiting a Army buddy from Vietnam. He told me this guy wanted to sell this car quick. Someone stole the Muncie four speed and radiator. I paid $250 bucks for the car and rented a tow bar and towed more that thousand miles back home. Fixed it up and it ran great. The carbs were hard to keep tuned and I switched them for a dual quads. Sold it twenty-two years later. This car is a great example of drag racing in the 60's. Street race for $50 bucks was a big time showdown between two guys that usually didn't like each other. A great time to have lived through.
Mate, your passion and respect for these cars and their owners is amazing. Your storytelling is always detailed and interesting. Thank you sincerely for taking your time to do this.
If you're ever in the UK, the beers are on me.
Thank you for the kind words Phil! I love this stuff...the cars, the people...all of it.
RIP Weasel & Meatball. That car has the perfect stance. I'm glad they all got to enjoy it.
Yes! They got to have fun and make some great memories in their final years and days on earth.
Awesome car ,,,thanks for the back story ,,,
Thank you for watching Bill! It's my pleasure to tell the stories of these iconic cars.
The people, the car, and the details. This is what hot rodding is all about. We all enjoyed this.
Your stories depict the truth about the way a large family of true Americans that have a have a love for family and vehicles of all makes. I've been lucky to have been involved with straight line and round track racing. These are people some of best if not the best people I have ever associated with. Willing to share, willing to help. I have took up hand lettering and to me that makes a big part of the whole vintage campaign you represent. Carry on and thanks. 🇺🇸
For sure, it's all about the people! I've always wanted to learn hand lettering...my uncle was a sign painter for most of his life. I wish I could spend the time to learn his trade.
Awesome car and story RIP 🙏 to them both.
Thanks for watching Johnny!
I am a 68 year old NHRA boy. Retired from racing a LONG time ago. Thank you for this heart warming video !
Thank you for watching Charlie!
Love how you do a story on a cool car and tie the human element into. Look forward to your videos every week!
Thank you Alan! This one has great family history...one of my favorite parts of the car.
@@HotRodHoarder what engine does this car have
@@lilblickyboyz5364 I was just gonna ask that it’s a small block Chevy I’m pretty shire
@@supshious257 yeah it is, thx btw
@@lilblickyboyz5364 it's a 327 cubic inch sbc based 331 cubic inch
Thanks for sharing...Have a 56 chevy with a 327 that I have owned for over 30 years (I,m 48) Have and built some street big block chevelles,which I still own....but my little .040 balanced 327,steel crank,291 headed engine has been hard to beat with a 4-speed through the years..and still running strong and has seen Hell through the first 10 years.Thanks for sharing the story of this ol Warrior.
That's awesome Chris! Hard to beat a 327...the one in my Corvette has taken a beating!
A beautiful machine! My thoughts and prayers go out to the family. Its devastating to lose one child, but two...I can't even imagine. Thank you for sharing their story about them and this beautiful car☺
Thanks for your continued support David!
I love these stories about these old drag cars and you do a great job telling them. Condolences to the families of Weasel and Meatball, I hope their family keeps the car alive.
Thank you for the kind words Thomas. Weasel and Meatball are definitely missed.
Apologies for being late to the channel comments... Thanks for sharing this car and story. The pictures hooked me as I am building a similar 57, but the story got me good. Its the cars that are vehicles for these awesome relationships we have and share.... people are the real paradise. Aloha.
Gorgeous car! Accel super coil, gold Moroso valve covers, Cragars, screams early 80s!
For sure!
Another great video. Thanks for all your research and foot work. Prayers go out to the Portland family.
Thank you for watching Darrin!
Love all the old hot rods especially the tri-fives, I'm 70 and my brother is 73, I have a 57 with a Doug Herbert big block and he's working on a 55 with a chopped top and an LS motor, we call each other and talk hot rods about every other day, we enjoy cars and I know these two brothers did the same as we do, good story/video.
Beast of a car!
It's tough, for sure!
What a great story. With all the crap going on in this country and world wide these are the stories that are needed more.
I knew meatball and seen this car many times. Never was able to meet him in person but knew him through Facebook. Like you said he never meet a stranger. Thanks for all you amazing finds and stories.
Meatball was absolutely awesome. Sad to see him gone, but he left behind quite a legacy.
I love how you tell these stories of the cars an the families thank you
Thanks Terry!
Met them at the Tri5 nats one year , I believe in the staging lanes, great guys.
May they both be in 57 heaven .
Godspeed Meatball and Weasel. It's good they were able to get the car back up
and have that time with it. My heart goes out to the Portman family with prayers
I'm 66 as of late 2020. I grew up going to the old Tucson Dragway back in the late 60's and thru mid 1970's seeing tons of cars just like this one. Southern Arizona cars don't rust....so we had gobs of these avail to turn into drag racers or street machines. Oh heck yeah....a "built" 283 or 327 with those fenderwell headers....maybe a couple of Holleys on top of a tunnel ram....and 8,000 plus clutch dumps at the starting line. THAT....was my life growing up. My generation was so lucky in so many respects. God Bless us all and God Bless America! jbeinarizona
Yes sir, you guys were lucky to see the heyday of drag racing and hot rodding. I'm fortunate that I can live vicariously through the experiences of old school hot rodders.
me too, joel but in omaha ne area
Thank you so much !!! I love your channel !!!! Thank you for all of your hard work and dedication to the Hot Rod family. The hot rod torch is light and burning bright in 2021. Great video and thanks for sharing!!!!
Thank you for watching John!
Great memories and legacy. Rest In Peace ,,True Mecanics!!
I l absolutely enjoyed this story and thanks for sharing.....think I got something in my eye . My condolences to the Portman family and thanks for reviving this cool hotrod.
Thank you for your continued support Hank!
This channel is honestly epic!!
A labor of love is what I'd call it
RIP Meatball and Weasel May the sun shine on you and the perfect Night for a cruise❤️❤️❤️
Thank you for watching!
You can tell a great story! Thank you for all the episodes.
Thank you for watching!
great to see these stories .. i wish i could find a couple of my pro street and drag race pinto`s i built in the early 80`s .. i keep hearing they are still around but have not located them ...
Old cars have a tendency to HIDE! Best of luck finding them!
You didn't build a 68 coronet r/t did you?
@@mikehoncho9344 no although i did own a 440 six pac super bee in 74 ,, my pro cars were pintos ..
Thank you for another awesome story man.
I appreciate you tuning in!
Love these videos. It’s great to see these old cars brought back to life.
Were all living on borrowed time folks. Get busy living, or get busy dying. It took me a long time to learn that lesson.
That's RIGHT! Certainly a life lesson.
Another great story man, that 57 is just plain cool 👍👍👍👍👍
Thank you Mark!
Awesome!! Love the story. R.I.P. Weasel and Meatball!! Love HRH and Carolina Custom Classics!!💯💕
Mint .... excellent story telling. Love 57’s specifically period correct ones that get beat on.
Thank you Bradley!
Thanks for sharing sad but great story.
57 chev my brother first car
Lights up his eyes 50 years latter
Thanks guys
Oh wow! I can vaguely remember that car from when I was just a child. It's sad how things have a way of fading away as a person grows older and this rat race called life drowns out the days of old.
Awesome job with coverage of the family and car. My heart felt condolences go out to the families.
Thank you
That's cool that you remember the car!
Great Car! And an even GREATER story!
Thank you for watching! Definitely a cool car, and the family is one of a kind. GREAT people.
So glad they were able to do this together, we all say a pray for them and their families thank you for the story and God bless.
Thank you for watching Joseph!
Love your channel. Can't wait for new episodes to come out. That's one mean '57
Thank you for the continued support!
Love the story. Reminds us of how short or time is. Condolences to the Portman family. R I P WEAZEL and MEATBALL. 👍👍.
I am from Bowling Green, KY, home of Beech Bend Raceway. I have spent all of my life hanging around and racing at this track. In the early to mid-1960's there was a NHRA National Champion 1956 Chevrolet Belair Station Wagon. Unfortunately, I don't remember any of the names associated with the car, but it was a multiple NHRA Champion. This car is a survivor in the truest sense of the word with all of the hand lettering, etc. still intact. The Owner attends the NHRA Hot Rod Reunion in Bowling Green and always has the car there for display.
Had mine in the late sixties. 327 with 365hp motor reworked with ported heads, fully balanced, lots of compression, and two fours. Would blow by a muscle car just for fun. Met my wife with that car, we are still together today.
That's awesome John! Those 365 horse motors were tough, even in stock form!
We are losing many older drag racers and many old drag cars. Happy to see this car is a survivor. Good ole days!
You're right about that!
Great but sad story. Well told by you with respect. Cheers.
Thank you for watching Ernie!
Very sad story about the boys passing away. That is such a cool car! I love everything about that car.
Yes, definitely a tough time for the Portman's and all of the buddies.
That awesome brought it back to life.i love 57 Chevrolet 😎great job y'all
Great video! Nice to see another project back on the road!
Thanks for watching Chris!
Thank you for bringing us history one video at a time amazing! Cheers
Awesome story! Thank you for sharing...
Thank you for watching Jeff!
Awesome to see another one saved, love the car! Looked awesome with the super tricks and chrome steelies. 👍🏻
Thanks for sharing an awesome family story. You did a great job presenting it and great editing with vids and pics. Seasoned pro bub. Love it!
Thank you for the kind words!
I love how you tell these stories about these cars and the people I could listen to you all day long I love this channel
Thank you for the continued support!
It's a great story and sad at the same time I enjoy how you tell the story's of the drag cars and the family's the guys are smiling down every time they hear it fire up sorry for the family's loss keep up the great videos
Great story and video on this classic 57 Chevy! Thanks for sharing. 😎
Can’t get enough of this channel
Thanks, great story of an amazing car and the family behind it. Congrats again.
What an amazing story man so very sorry for there family I very much enjoy that every car you post you tell the story behind. Growing up my dad had a 1976 type LT camaro that he drag raced here in Alaska I remember spending days watching him re build the 350 in that car or adding parts to make it faster. I wish we still had that car of course when I turned 16 I went Ford instead of Chevy and started street racing a Mustang but I do miss the day's of working on dads car.
We come for the cars, we stay for the people. Doesn’t matter if we are racing cars, motorcycles, on road courses or drag strips, dirt ovals or dry lake beds. It’s always the people. Great video honoring great people Tim.
Thank you for watching Bryan!
Weasel and Meatball are greatly missed. They were two of the most giving guys I have ever known. They loved their family, and friends so much. They are greatly missed. I hope (Pop) Ray is doing good.
They were some good dudes, for sure!
Thanks for this real life post. Pink Rods brought a lot of memories Danny
Another great car and story. Thank you
Thanks for watching Jamie!
Muck appreciation to your connection between the people and the cars.
Very well done and presented. 😍😎
Thank you for watching Steve!
You hit it just right it is not the car it's the life and memories we shared thanks thumps up for your stories catch you next time !!!!
A great and a sad sad story glad you made this story and video , thanks so much ,, and condolences to the family 😢😢😢😢
Another excellent video! Thanks
Thank you for watching Joe!
Thanks for sharing brother. Always great!!!
Absolutely beautiful story mate. Cheers to all the family involved and I'm hoping their watching from above with a stopwatch. Love these beautiful stories. 👍
Thank you for your continued support Michael!
Nice love it
Love love love this channel ...nothing like a great story
What a story!!! Thanks for sharing!!
I love those old gold moroso valve covers
Oh yes, one of my personal favorite hot rod parts of all time!
when i was a kid i lived 2mi. down the road from national trails raceway...it was cool seeing the cars there...also to hear them run from 2 mi away was awsome....i used to ride my bike down and hang out in the corn field to watch them run.....
Awesome video, awesome story and awesome car. Thank you for sharing!
Great history, great explanation
Thank you for watching!
Great video. Brought tears to my eyes.
Really great video, Thank you for the fun memories.
Thank you for watching Michael!
This car is perfect. Condolences to the family.
Three great guys! I have had the pleasure of knowing all of them.
Great job with the video. Always look forward to seeing you post one, best wishes, may God bless you and your family
Thank you for the continued support Steve!
Best 2 nicknames I ever heard together. Great story and presentation and another awesome car!
They are my friends. WILL BE FOREVER. Jeremy and all involved took great pride in doing this for Ray and the boys! RIP my friends.....
.
Amazing story,,,, it got better before it got bad just like all things... glad they could have the love shared w this car .... bless the family✌🏼
Great video. Me and my high school buddies watched it run at the old East Bend drag strip beside the old drive in theatre.
Great stuff man!! Your such a great story teller for these old race cars too!
Thank you for tuning in Joe!
Another great video! Always great content that’s interesting to watch. Thanks for what you do.
Thank you for watching Curt!
Well done video. Thank you.
It's hard to believe your still running the stock rear end assembly in your car those were know as the weak link in the 55-64 chevy passenger cars back in the day, cool 57 Chevy by they way 👍🔥 !
Thanks for sharing..
Great story and car. Thumbs Up !
Touching story..............Thx for Sharing.
Thank you for watching Dennis!
thanks for sharing
Modified Production was one of the most popular classes for normal budget type people. Separated by HP to Weight ratios there were several classes. Designated with a single letter. B/MP, C/MP and on. Had to stick to a mostly stock body. No fender well cuts, needed an interior but could make any internal modification to engine. Dick Landy used to switch his 68 Hemi Charger back and forth between Modified Production and Super Stock. Front fiberglass bumper was not allowed in MP but was legal in SS. Pretty popular and pretty cool class.
What a beautiful car. Great video.
What a badass 57, I know it sounds so sweet!!!
I remember that car from u.s 60 dragstrip they drove it in just like we did ours. , even ran against it a few times. Glad to see someone who kept theirs like I did. Need to get mine out and fire it up. It's been sitting since 86
UR Next up on this channel then man! Do it to it!!
Get her out and crank it up Loud! Rolled mine out last week and let her warm up then revved it up a couple times my neighbor's 81 and came over later saying that thing sounds good!!
@@ronaldlewis4032 c,mon over and well put a battery on it and fire it up. Lol I'm just down the road in Frankfort
I'm on the way from Monroe La. Lol Sounds like I would be in for a long drive! Have a good day!!
@@ronaldlewis4032 I just dug in my dresser drawer and found the keys to it. They are still on the Phillips 66 key ring lol. You set it up and well do a video for your channel , my granddad ran a Phillips 66 here in Frankfort ky and I was there day and usually all night lol. I still have my grandfather's Henry j race car and my 53 Chevy drag car. I been paying taxes for all these years it's about time sunlight hit em again. You set it up and well do it
That thing just looks "right".
Thanks for the video and story.
This car holds many memories for me. I am 57 years old now but when I was 12 /13 or so I was friends with Bobby Jones nephew , Kevin Jones . I got to go with them racing at Ohio Valley Raceway a few times ! Kevin & I rode in the bed of the pick up truck and the front end of this car is etched in my mind ! I went on to build my own drag car and raced at the valley with my two brother in laws who also were racers . I never knew what happened to this old car i just thought it had probably been scrapped but i am SO happy to know it's still around. My condolences to the Portman Family on their loss .