Hot Rods and Racing Cars #35

Frank Kurtis, a young Czech immigrant with a passion for cars, builds his first hot rod from scrap parts and earns his father’s respect by proving his skill on the local racing circuit. From midget racers to championship-winning Indy cars, his innovative designs and relentless pursuit of excellence transform the world of racing.

Don Carol, a quiet newcomer to the Safety Road Kings, builds his own hot rod with help from Ellen Jaynes, the only club member who shows genuine interest. When a young boy is poisoned and needs urgent medical help, Don races to the hospital with Ellen, clearing the way through a police escort, proving his skill and courage in a moment that matters more than speed.

"Edsel the Billion Dollar Car!" recounts the secretive development and high-stakes rollout of the Edsel in 1957, highlighting Ford Motor Company’s ambitious push to dominate the upper medium price car market. The story follows the vehicle’s undercover road tests, the public’s overwhelming interest, and the anticipation surrounding its potential to become a cultural and commercial phenomenon.

Shim Burke, once a top factory driver, is left stranded after his car is wrecked in a sabotage attempt by rival teams. With no money and no ride, he's given a surprise gift — an SLR 300 — from a group of former rivals who still respect his skill. Now, racing again as an independent, he faces his old enemies on the treacherous Alpine course, where every turn could be his last.

Terry Frake, a no-nonsense garage owner, finds himself at odds with Firpo Reilly, a flashy hot rod driver known for his loud car and brash attitude. After a series of tense confrontations, including a roadside showdown and a surprising test drive that reveals Frake’s unassuming car is far faster than it looks, Reilly begins to rethink his ways. As Reilly admits he’s eager to learn how to truly build a proper hot rod, Frake offers to help him start over—on the right track.

Young Tommy Adams, inspired by the famed speed cyclist "Jet" Barnes, embarks on a daring solo mission during a violent storm to deliver life-saving antitoxin to a hospital after a hurricane knocks down the main road. Racing through flooded streets and fallen trees on his motorcycle, he pushes through the chaos to deliver the medicine just in time, earning the gratitude of the town and a surprising honor from the very champion who inspired him.

George Karl, broke and desperate, races his hot rod at the Fulson Flat Drag Trials after borrowing his last ten dollars from his father, only to be pulled over by police for a missing headlight—until he’s called into action when he spots armed robbers fleeing a gas station holdup. He gives chase in his car, helping the police apprehend the criminals, and ends up being hailed as a hero—earning not just a reprieve from his ticket, but unexpected financial support from the very officers he’d once clashed with.

Hi and Chuck are racing the 77 Special in a high-stakes car race, where a fuel leak forces a frantic pit stop. After a near disaster, Chuck repairs the car and gets it back in the race, only to face a tense confrontation with Forrest and a surprising emotional reunion that changes everything.

Sir Malcolm Campbell, driven by a lifelong passion for speed, names his racing car "Bluebird" after a popular musical and paints it blue, believing the color brings him luck. Despite near-fatal crashes and mechanical failures, including a fiery explosion and a dramatic airborne crash, he survives each ordeal—earning the nickname "the luckiest man in the business"—and eventually sets a world speed record on water.

"Interesting Sidelights" explores quirky corners of automotive history, spotlighting the 1908 Thomas Flyer’s record-breaking round-the-world race, the high-speed world of 18-inch model car racing, early U.S. auto races at Narragansett Park, and international endurance events like Italy’s Mille Miglia. It also highlights legendary racer Barney Oldfield and his iconic "Golden Submarine" car, celebrating the eccentric and enduring spirit of motorsports.

Joe Resnal prepares to drive his rebuilt "Powder Keg" up the treacherous Pikes Peak course, haunted by memories of Mary Chadwick, the woman he loves and lost. As he battles the mountain's deadly turns, flashbacks reveal the emotional weight behind his decision—Mary’s father died in the same car, and Joe made a promise to honor his memory, even as Mary pleaded with him not to go.

A young mechanic learns how to use a homemade listening stick to pinpoint engine knocks in a car, discovering whether the issue lies in a rod bearing, main bearing, or valve — all with simple, practical advice from a classic 1958 automotive guide. The method relies on placing the stick against the engine block and head to isolate the source of the noise, turning a frustrating mystery into a straightforward diagnostic task.