Found this pic on ebay today. On the back, it's been stamped as March 19, 1969. However, the Petty team was fielding Fords in 1969. Looks to be it was taken in 1968 - though it's possible the photo was published in 1969.
Also, that doesn't look like the King behind the wheel - but I can't make out WHO it is.
Any thoughts as to track, race and driver?
Track looks like Charlotte....driver looks like The King.
Perhaps Charlie Glotzbach doing a comparison between Cotton's Dodge and the Petty Plymouth?
Lil' Bud Moore?
Hi TMC,
I'm a newbie and came here to read and learn but I saw you post and photo of Richard Petty's 43 and wanted to help a little.
The answer most likely is the photo was taken during the filming of the movie, 'Speedway' (Elvis Presley).This movie began filming in the summer June 26, 1967, and wasn't released to theaters until the sping of 1968.The reply by Blane on it being taken at the Charlotte Motor Speedway in North Carolina matches the info correctly.
The drivers listed as Stock Car (NASCAR) include Richard Petty, Buddy Baker, Cale Yarborough, Tiny Lund and others not listed. The website at musclecarfilms said they' staged some of the racing scenes' and then spliced in the 'real' racing footage, which they list as 8 minutes long of authentic NASCAR.
So you guys won't get to see Nincy Sinatra, Sorry! This doesn't answer the question of who the driver is in the photo. Somebody R.P trusted.
Ahh.
First, welcome Anita. Glad to have you here! Look forward to your participating here.
Second, thanks for the lead. I hadn't thought about the Speedway angle at all. Definitely gives me another thread to pull.
Well.... I think the hunt continues.
Found a couple of frames from Speedway with the 43. The headrest in one doesn't match the B&W picture. And the decals on the 2nd don't match the B&W shot either. Plus, I'm pretty sure the B&W pic is from 1968 based on the HEMI badging on the hood. The 1967 Plymouth didn't have it on the hood - at least not in any pics I've seen. And I'm doubtful Chrysler would've shown their hand with a 1968 hood during a May 1967 movie shooting. In this day and age, advertising is always embedded within movies - but not so sure that would've been the case in 1967.
Hmm, possible. He was driving A.J. King's Dodges in the first part of 1968.
I may rule out 600 though. Bud led several laps early but fell out at lap 182. Richard followed him 4 laps later. In the National 500, Bud lasted only 6 laps in Bondy Long's Ford. But King's engine let go & he was also done - at lap 135.
With no one sitting in those lower rows of seats, I'm thinking the pic is perhaps from a practice or qualifying session.
Hi TMC,
You're welcome. I'm gonna find this movie 'Speedway' and watch it or buy it. Now I'm Really curious!I wanna see what Elvis was driving (that they cut) or maybe catch that driver in your photo in the movie. It did say the drivers made 'guest appearances'.
Thanks TMC. If I discover something pertinent I'll let ya know.
Hi TMC,
Have you checked out the youtube of 'NASCAR Legend Richard Petty reunited with his Plymouth Belvedere GTX'? (with interview)
The car is going into his museum as his 1967 Plymouth Hemi Engine. He's interviewed and he says that it won Daytona 27 out of 48 races. He says it was a '66 converted in '67. It started life as a 66 and the winning-est car in NASCAR history. He said he 'last run somewhere in '67, I guess is the last time we run it'.
Your photo does have the 43 on the roof. Branding badges seems to change randomly on some race cars I've noticed. Well, anyway on R.P's museum Plymouth hood has 2 big 426 on each side.
I'm wondering what's on the hood of your car picture? Also, what's with that dent in the fender?
Have a nice night!
Maybe Dale Inman got in the car to check out something Richard was complaining about.
Hi TMC,
Me again! If you have time and want to take a peek:
Youtube 'Meet Richard Petty'. It was made in 1970. Richard Petty narrates each photos as it was a photo album and the pages turn.
On 'Page 4' (13.14) there's a large side view of Richard Petty in his car that looks similar to yours.
On 'Page 8' (21.34) Photos of Richard's cars and he names the Date of the year he ran the car.
I'm not gonna suggest which car is in your picture.
Hope it's not posting another bum steer!
Great find! Though it didn't answer the question, you gave me something else. I've got that book and corresponding album. Problem these days for me is just that - it's an album, LP, vinyl. I haven't had a turntable in 30 years.
Have always had a project on the back burner to pay someone to convert the album to an MP3. Just have never followed through with it. Now I don't have to. I'm on the web more hours of the day than I should care to admit. Beyond me why I never thought to search YouTube for Meet RP.
But going forward, I'll just reference this recording and use the booklet I've got. I've had it since the late 70s & remember ordering it from the Joe Weatherly Museum at Darlington.
Hi TMC,
Okay, well I did a little good. That makes me happy. I love hunting for Racing information and watching youtubes. I'd like to buy some 60's-early 70'DVD's so I'll see what's out there to buy. If anybody has a request for wanting to know about a certain race, I'll buy it, play it and report back. I don't sell anything but I do give things away free. Maybe Racers Reunion would want them.
That's a neat Album you've got there!
CHASE, YOUR PHOTO COULD BE A RICHARD PETTY 1968 CHARLOTTE 600 HEMI - HOOD #43 PLYMOUTH?
CAN'T FIND A 1968 CHARLOTTE 600 RACE PETTY PHOTO, BUT THE CHARLOTTE TRACK HAD THE "PURE FIREBIRD" LOGO PAINTED ON ITS TRACK WALL.
HERE'S RP 1968 NATIONAL 500 CHARLOTTE, NC HEMI - HOOD #43 PLYMOUTH 001
RICHARD PETTY 1968 DAYTONA 500 HEMI - HOOD #43 PLYMOUTH 001
RICHARD PETTY 1968 DAYTONA 500 HEMI - HOOD #43 PLYMOUTH 002
=================================================================================
RICHARD PETTY USED THE PAINTED WHITE TOP 1968 HEMI - HOOD #43 PLYMOUTH IN (2) RACES. SEE (2) PHOTOS BELOW.
RP WHITE TOP 1968 COLUMBIA, S.C., HEMI - HOOD #43 PLYMOUTH 000
RP WHITE TOP 1968 FIRECRACKER 400 HEMI - HOOD #43 PLYMOUTH 000
Thanks for any information or photos posted.
Dennis Garrett
Richmond,Va.USA
Hi TMC!
Getting back to the stamp date on the back of this RP Photo in question.
This at Cycleback site by David Rudd.
He says (paraphrasing) Sometimes the date and time were stamped on the photo. A photo can be much older than the date of the stamp but never newer.
It may have been the date is was cataloged.
Well, looks like Blane's opinion was the right one. I ran the pic by a relative of a former driver / current team owner - who in turn passed it to the former driver's admin assistant - who in turn ran it by the former driver who said "yep, that's me" - who then in turn emailed me his reply. What is that? 4 turns - a full lap. So yep, my finish line is at the same place as the starting line - and I'll accept that it's King Richard at the wheel.
