Katrina and I recently attended the Trump Charlotte Concours d’Elegance held in Mooresville, NC. We had a rewarding show and saw a tremendous number of outstanding cars. However, it was the person parted next to us that made the show.
We were sitting next to Lee Holman (Holman and Moody) with his 1963 Ford Galaxie NASCAR Stock Car driven by Fireball Roberts. This is the actual car that HM built back in the day. Lee said the car had been in a Museum since his dad but it on loan there many many years ago. I now has it back and has had it to the Goodwood Festival and other events.
It was not all cleaned and “over dressed” like so many restored race cars. It looked terrific and much like it would have on race day.
We took home a Special Award for out Daytona but the highlight of the day was meeting and having time to talk with Lee Holman and sitting by a real Fireball car! I dream i never thought I would ever realize.
Here are some details about this specific car.
I mean, how cool is THAT??
Lee’s Galaxie is a replica. Not a car that Fireball ever drove. In fact, it was purpose built by H&M associate Kenny “Red” Myler from a wrecked 1964 Junior Johnson Galaxie at the end of the 1964 season for display in the then new Joe Weatherly Museum in Darlington. It rolls on a 1964 Galaxie frame (they were identifiably different from 1963 frames) and is powered by a one year legal only 1964 427 High Riser engine. While nicely done, it is misrepresented to the public. Most ironic of all is the fact that the chassis is likely the very same one that caused the 1964 wreck in Charlotte World 600 with Ned Jarrett that caused Fireball to spin out of control into the back stretch wall. As history records that shunt ultimately cost Fireball his life.
Welcome to the Registry, John, and thank your for your comment.