Keokuk (Iowa) Racers Reunion - Chargers and More...

[Aero426]

Just returned from the Keokuk Racer's Reunion in southeast Iowa.     Held under perfect summer weather.    Keokuk is a town of about 10,000 people and was the home to several championship stock car racers on the various national circuits in the 1960's and 70's racing factory sponsored Dodges, Plymouths and Fords.      They have held these events every three to five years.   

First off, the Chargers...

Ernie Derr was a twelve time IMCA national champion.   Most of those came at the wheel of Pontiacs or Dodge Chargers.     Ernie was all but unbeatable.      This was his last Charger remaining as raced.     It's been in most of the magazines, but has not been seen in public for most of ten years.     One of the other drivers at the reunion, Lem Blankenship, was asked about his best race.   Lem replied that he had passed Ernie at some dirt event and was leading until he was caught up in an incident.    He wasn't sure if he could have held Ernie off.   But just passing him was an accomplishment. 

[Aero426]

The Derr car looks rough, but it sounds absolutely unbelievable.   I thought my own car sounded pretty good, until I heard this one.   All I can say is, "wow".     It really barks. 

[Aero426]

Typical Nichels Engineering race interior.     Dual torsion bar adjustments from inside the car are exclusive to this machine.

[JB400]

Thanks in advance for the pix

             

[Aero426]

Dual coolers and blowers for the rear axle.    

[Aero426]

Carpeted door panels were also a Nichels thing.

[Aero426]

Warrior.

[Aero426]

Believe it or not, this WAS a Charger.   

[Aero426]

It started out as a Nichels Engineering built Charger.    Gordy Blankenship bought it from Irv Janey as a front running USAC 1974 Charger.    The car was destroyed in a massive eleven car pileup at Springfield IL in 1977.    It was rebuilt as a Dodge Magnum for 1978.    For 1984, it was cut down into a Mirada, still running a Hemi.    In 1998 after years of sitting under a tree, it was turned into this Dart for short track racing.   

[Aero426]

There are a couple of clues inside the cockpit that suggest its original big league origins.

[RallyeMike]

I hope nobody ever restores the Derr Charger. It's not rough - it's a perfect time capsule and a complete gem.

The tube welded on theta "dart" is a little scary. But that's pretty much what a thrice-built race car looks like.

Great photos!

[Aero426]

Gordy's Dart back when it was a Charger in 1977.

[Aero426]

There was no signage around this 1968 R/T, but it is a very significant car.    It was awarded to Don White by Dodge Division for winning the 1967 USAC stock car championship.   Don was given his choice of options, and because he wanted his wife to be able to drive it daily,  he wisely chose the L code 440 and an automatic.     The car is absolutely loaded with options like air conditioning,  power windows and cruise control.   

[Aero426]

Here is Don being presented the Charger by Bob McCurry.   Don also received three scale Chargers, one for each of his daughters.  

[Aero426]

The Charger has been in and out of Don's family multiple times.    The story is kind of hard to follow with many twists and turns.   Different relatives have owned it at times.    It has been owned by one of his daughters for about 15 years.   I don't think it is going anywhere.    It was well used as a daily car and has about 100k on the odo.  

[Aero426]

I would say this was my favorite car from the show.

[Aero426]

I regret not getting a better shot of the interior. 

[Aero426]

There was a lot of memorabilia on display at the show.   Here's a couple of Ernie's pit boards. 

[Aero426]

Ernie Derr's famous STP pajama uniform and coveralls.

[Mytur Binsdirti]

The Charger has been in and out of Don's family multiple times.    The story is kind of hard to follow with many twists and turns.   Different relatives have owned it at times.    It has been owned by one of his daughters for about 15 years.   I don't think it is going anywhere.    It was well used as a daily car and has about 100k on the odo.  

If it's as clean as the pictures show, I'll buy it. 

[Mike DC]

 
Man, I might have made that trip just to see the Derr '69 racer.  That thing rarely sees the light of day and sooner or later somebody might restore it. 

I recall hearing that Ernie Derr himself wanted it restored.  I hope cooler heads prevail for as long as possible.  These days the world is full of nice shiny '69 Chargers.  It pays the car more respect to leave it as-is IMO. 



BTW:  Why did that thing need two rear diff coolers?  Wasn't it basically a short-track dirt car?  Plenty of superspeedway cars with 9" Ford diffs only ran one. 

[Aero426]

 
Man, I might have made that trip just to see the Derr '69 racer.  That thing rarely sees the light of day and sooner or later somebody might restore it. 

I recall hearing that Ernie Derr himself wanted it restored.  I hope cooler heads prevail for as long as possible.  These days the world is full of nice shiny '69 Chargers.  It pays the car more respect to leave it as-is IMO. 



BTW:  Why did that thing need two rear diff coolers?  Wasn't it basically a short-track dirt car?  Plenty of superspeedway cars with 9" Ford diffs only ran one. 

I am pretty sure the owner has no intention of restoration on the Derr car.    Yes on the question about it being a purpose built dirt car.

On the diff coolers, yes, usually there is only one.   The second spot was usually reserved for a trans cooler.  I did not look underneath to see.   The lines are running through the rear firewall, so I assume it's also for the rear gear.     

[Aero426]

Good article on the reunion with driver quotes.

http://www.dailygate.com/article_4917780c-59ef-582e-996f-e3dedc267e4a.html

[tan top]

 great stuff , thanks for sharing / posting 

[hemi68charger]

cool stuff Doug....