Neil Thompson passed away

[fastman614]

I have been looking for a pic that I have of this car after the late 60s Corvette nose was grafted to it....Anyone else have one?

[Bob Drury]

 
  Dave, p.m. Tom Burkland.

[salt27]

I remember seeing a magazine with a Corvette nosed early Stude on the cover.
It seems like it was blue and silver.
Could this be the one you're talking about?

   Don

[4-barrel Mike]

Posted January 24, 2010, 12:08:22 PM by lvsalt, reply #940 of the old bonneville pics thread.   

Mike

[Bob Drury]

  That's not it.  That picture is with a highly modified Stude front end.  
 The Corvette nose was a "mako shark" front end.  
  Boy, check out that 3/4 ton panel "push" truck behind it ........... pretty cool.             Bob              

[fastman614]

I remember seeing a magazine with a Corvette nosed early Stude on the cover.
It seems like it was blue and silver.
Could this be the one you're talking about?

   Don

IT WAS BLUE &SILVER!!!! The Corvette nose was a '68-'69 style .... It was installed prior to 1970 Speedweek - either that year or a year or so earlier as it was the blue and silver color in 1970 (which was my first year at speedweek)

Eventually, I will find the pics I have stashed away.... and scan and post it!....

But ....GAWD!!!!!..... Neil is gone?? I am really saddened by that!

[Bob Drury]

  Although I hate to admit it, I rarely visit this sites homepage.
  Today, while bored, I opened to it, and went to the SCTA website and scrolled down to the Health and Welfare section.
  There is a nice, informative tribute to Neil Thompson with quotes from Tom Burkland about the years when they both ran Studebaker Comp Coupes.
  Neil was certainly no dummy, and I thank Tom for his contribution to the salute.             Bob

[jww36]

I just heard the news. Neil, and guys just like him, is the reason I got into land speed racing. As a frequent visitor to Jack's Garage, I asked many questions prior to and while building my '34 roadster. I realized in a very short time how valuable his input was. When Neil talked, I listened.
Rest in Peace Neil.
John

[jimmy six]

Bob, the push truck had a 392 in it also............JD

[Bob Drury]

  J.D., that brings to mind the late Tom Beaty's lakester and the famous story about when he hurt the Blown Old's in his racer, he pulled the Blown Old's motor out of his 40' Ford push truck, finished the event, put the motor back in the forty, and towed the lakester home.
 Tom (whom I never met) built one of the earliest blower drives which featured either five or six (?) V-belts rather than the common Gilmer cog drive as is still used Today.
 I have a tape of Speedweek that year (1960 I believe) and they interviewed Tom and talked about his remarkable motor changes.
 I can really relate after my unscheduled motor swap on the salt in my tow vehicle last year...................
                                               :-P  Bob

[WOODY@DDLLC]

I remember seeing a magazine with a Corvette nosed early Stude on the cover.
It seems like it was blue and silver.
Could this be the one you're talking about?

   Don

IT WAS BLUE &SILVER!!!! The Corvette nose was a '68-'69 style .... It was installed prior to 1970 Speedweek - either that year or a year or so earlier as it was the blue and silver color in 1970 (which was my first year at speedweek)

Eventually, I will find the pics I have stashed away.... and scan and post it!....

But ....GAWD!!!!!..... Neil is gone?? I am really saddened by that!

Is this it?

I took these in 1970 - my first trip to the salt!

[Glen]

The car is at George Calloways shop at El Mirage.

[fastman614]

The car is at George Calloways shop at El Mirage.

Calloway ALWAYS gets the neat stuff!

[fastman614]

I remember seeing a magazine with a Corvette nosed early Stude on the cover.
It seems like it was blue and silver.
Could this be the one you're talking about?

   Don

IT WAS BLUE &SILVER!!!! The Corvette nose was a '68-'69 style .... It was installed prior to 1970 Speedweek - either that year or a year or so earlier as it was the blue and silver color in 1970 (which was my first year at speedweek)

Eventually, I will find the pics I have stashed away.... and scan and post it!....

But ....GAWD!!!!!..... Neil is gone?? I am really saddened by that!

Is this it?

I took these in 1970 - my first trip to the salt!

Woody - OF COURSE this is the car!!!!.... And to this day, it still looks SOO COOL to me!.... thanx!!!!!

[NathanStewart]

The car is at George Calloways shop at El Mirage.

Calloway ALWAYS gets the neat stuff!

LOL George definitely does but the car belongs to Neil and now obviously the Thompson family AFAIK.  Neil's roadster may also be there.  My dad and I went over and looked at the Studebaker during the last meet.  It's certainly neglected and looks like it sat outside for 15 or 20 years but it's still mostly all there.  ABSOLUTELY amazing to see where "we've" come from to where we are now 40+ years later.