Automatter

At 87, Mel Anthony is still racing after all these years

 

 
   Mel Anthony is an 87 year old man who races the same sort of race-car that he drove as a younger man: a ¾ size “midget” race-car. They're called that because they were originally configured to replicate, albeit on a different scale, the roadsters that dominated the Indianapolis 500, from the time that racing at Indy returned, in the aftermath of the Second World War until the advent of rear-engined race-cars piloted by the likes of Jack Brabham and Jimmy Clark.

Mel is a member of Golden Wheels, the vintage racing fraternity; which works to keep those vintage racing midgets running. Call it history on wheels.

John Nelson, a fellow member of Golden Wheels, got Mel back into a racecar that he owns, at the "Miracle Mile" track in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, a few years back. Mel said that, "I hadn't driven (a racecar) in 47 years." But like they say swimming does with the rest of us, it all came back to Mel.

Mel does this based on enthusiasm and having lived right: doing what he loves and keeping in good shape. Indeed, a few years ago, after a physical, a doctor told Mel, “You have the body of a 25 year old man.”

Mel responded, “Yes, in all areas but one.”

Mel's story is now the subject of a new documentary entitled “Smoke, Sand and Rubber” by Greg Brotherton. You can share the action as Mel gets behind the wheel of a midget race-car for the first time in 54 years and takes car #12, out on an oval track in the pacific northwest region of the U.S.

Filled with footage of Mel's racing today, as well as vintage racing footage from the 1940s and '50s, this is a record of racing as it once was, and sometimes still is, in America. Mel's passion for racing, and life, comes through in the stories he tells. Indeed, he demonstrates that racing is a fatal disease, in a different sense than we might first think. Racing might not kill you, but it will take over your life, until you die.

The free, world premiere of this movie (30 minutes) will be at 7:30 pm on Tuesday, May 31, at the Shoreline Community College Theater -- 16101 Greenwood North, Shoreline, Waashington (98133, USA) together with two other documentaries about racing in the Pacific Northwest; total time of program set at 60 minutes; seating starts at 7 pm.

There's also a question-and-answer session with director Greg Brotherton, Mel Anthony himself and his son, Dennis Anthony. (Look at www.freneticproductions.com for more information on this film and DVDs of same.)

The next scheduled screening, as part of the Seattle International Film Festival (SIFF) is on June fifth, at the Jewel-box Theater, at 6:15 pm.

Mark Twain once said that, “Age is a matter of mind over matter. If you don't mind, it doesn't matter.” Mel Anthony shows the truth of that. – Terry Parkhurst

Recommended websites:

for complete information on “Smoke, Sand and Rubber” plus DVDs of it, www.freneticproductions.com

Tickets for the SIFF screening: http://siff.strangertickets.com/film/3201735/smoke-sand-and-rubber

 

 

A '72 Suzuki "water buffalo" amidst vintage autos at auction

 

 It's appropriate that a variety of automobiles and trucks sold at prices which made many bidders feel as if they'd been given a gift, in the city of Puyallup, Washington, on May 14. The city's name means “generous people,” in the language of the Puyallup tribe who originally held claim to the land, after all.

 
A 1957 Studebaker Transtar pickup, in front of the roller-coaster, at the fairgrounds in Puyallup, Washington, on May 14. (photo by Terry Parkhurst)

For motorcyclists, the most desirable offering was a Suzuki from the early 1970s; that established that make in the United States.

There were about 50 registered bidders, according to a representative for Silver Auctions, who staged the auction at the Puyallup Fair and Events Center. The weather was conducive for a good turn-out; however, the number of bidders was only slightly exceeded by the number of offerings – 52 – that included the notable two-wheeler, a 1972 Suzuki GT 750 two-stroke, three-cylinder, water-cooled motorcycle; affectionately called “the water buffalo” by those in the know.

 
The 1972 Suzuki GT750 (739 cc, triple cylinders) offered in Puyallup, WA. (photo by Terry Parkhurst)

The fact that there was a swap meet up in Monroe, Washington – a spring ritual for many – probably hurt attendance. Still at least one well-known collector car dealer (who will remain anonymous here) found a way around that; by calling in bids via cell phone. Call it multitasking in the world of collector cars.

The fifth vehicle offered was a 1960 GMC Suburban, in very fine condition; powered by a 350 cubic-inch “crate motor” V8. Being an early example of one of America's favorite sport utilities, you might have expected it to sell for $8-to-$10,000 (USD). Instead, it sold for a bid of just $4,300 (with the final selling price of $4,644, including an 8 percent buyer's fee).  
This 1960 GMC Suburban sold for a bid of $4,300 (plus 8 percent buyer's fee) at auction in Puyallup. (photo by Terry Parkhurst)

The level of deal-making became apparent with lot #9, a 1978 Chevrolet Corvette IPC (Indy-Pace Car) edition. It was a solid, condition two (low mileage, very fine condition) car, with all the correct options including a L82 code (220 horsepower) 350 cubic-inch V8. The sides were sans the decals that came with such Corvettes; but were part of the sale: a bid of $9,200 against no reserve. (Final selling price was $9,936 with an 8 percent buyer's fee.)

 
This 1978 Chevrolet Corvette IPC (Indy Pace Car) model sold for a bid of $9,200 (plus 8 percent buyer's fee) at Puyallup, Washington on May 14. (photo by Terry Parkhurst)

Not so fortunate was the modified 1963 split-window coupe offered at 1:30 in the afternoon. While its engine bay sported a numbers-matching 340 horsepower, 327 cubic-inch V8, backed by a four-speed manual transmission, its appearance was vintage custom-style: chrome Cragar SS mag wheels and huge chrome side pipes. The paint – redone, a while ago – had some visible cracks. That left it unsold with a bid of $27,500 against a reserve set at $40,000.

 
It might have been best to keep it original: This 1963 Chevrolet Corvette split-window coupe, with visible modifications, bid to $27,500 against a reserve of $40,000. (photo by Terry Parkhurst)

The Suzuki – lot #37 – came onto the docket, shortly before a 1975 Ford LTD (lot #39) two-door hardtop that sold for just $450 (plus 8 percent buyer's fee). It was a splendid example of the first Japanese water-cooled motorcycle to be exported to the United States; hence, its nickname amongst motorcycle enthusiasts: the “water buffalo.” It sported its original turquoise paint but had some modifications to the handle bars and grips, as well as the exhaust chambers. The intake manifolds – three cylinders – had been replaced; the carburetors had been cleaned, rebuilt and fitted with new jets. Additionally, the front forks had been disassembled, polished and rebuilt, with new oil and seals – history, good to go.

 
Two views of the Suzuki "water buffalo" at rest in Puyallup, Washington. (photos by Terry Parkhurst)

 
But there just weren't enough vintage motorcycle fans registered to bid; or so it seemed. Bidding stopped at $3,400 against a firmly set reserve of $5,400.

A 1969 Buick Electra series 225 convertible (4,309 pounds) was on hand, representing American land yachts. It was equipped with its original 360 horsepower, 430 cubic-inch V8, backed by an automatic transmission, it came complete with a power-actuated top, power steering, brakes and even, reportedly, a “speed-warning sensor.” It sold for a bid of $6,000 plus 8 percent buyer's fee ($6,480).

 
Known as a "Deuce-and-a-quarter" by Buick fans, this good example of a 1969 Buick Electra series 225 convertible sold for a bid of just $6,000 (plus 8 percent buyer's fee). (photo by Terry Parkhurst)

Two examples of the legendary American manufacturer, Studebaker, were offered. A 1963 Studebaker Avanti coupe, powered by a normally-aspirated 289 cubic-inch V8, bid to $13,000 against a reserve of $16,000; and thus, remained not sold. However, a 1957 Studebaker Transtar pickup truck, resplendent with a two-tone (gold and white) paint job, sold at a bid of (just) $4,600 (with a final sale price of $4,968, reflecting the addition of an 8 percent buyer's fee).

 
This 1957 Studebaker Transtar pickup, equipped with its original 170 horsepower, 259 cubic-inch V8, sold for a bid of $4,600 (USD) plus 8 percent buyer's fee. (photo by Terry Parkhurst)

Towards the end of the auction, a 1950 Mercedes-Benz 170D (diesel) four-door cabriolet convertible was offered. While the little diesel (1,697 cubic-centimeters) ran well; but the car's needs were apparent – such as the lack of headlights. Still, it bid to a respectable $12,500; but the seller's reserve was set at $25,000 and he refused to budge.

 
This 1950 Mercedes-Benz 170D cabrio convertible (above and below) bid to $12,500; but remained in the hands of the man who brought it, due to a $25,000 reserve. (photos by Terry Parkhurst)

 

Of 52 offerings, ranging from a 1961 Nash Metropolitan coupe – sold at $5,292 ($4,900 bid, plus 8 percent buyer's fee) – to a 1932 Ford pickup --- sold at $9,720 ($9,000 bid, plus 8 percent buyer's fee) – 19 sold; making the sales rate a respectable 36.5 percent.

As the auction crew broke down, rain clouds came in and unleashed a downpour. A driver and his assistant, worked furiously to get a tired 1960 Mercedes-Benz 190 four-door sedan that wouldn't start, onto the back of a flatbed truck. It was no wonder the bidding for what might make a good lawn ornament had stopped at $1,900. – Terry Parkhurst

 
This 2005 Ford Thunderbird (foreground), a "Golden Anniversary edition," sold for a bid of $18,000 (USD) plus 8 percent buyer's fee (final price: $19,440). Just behind it is the 1960 Mercedes-Benz 190 four-door sedan that had to be pushed onto the truck that took it back to Seattle. (photo by Terry Parkhurst)

Epilogue: The owner of the 1950 Mercedes-Benz cabriolet sold it, a few weeks later, for an amount that he didn't disclose to Automatter.

 The '72 Suzuki GT 750 motorcycle is still for sale. Call (800) 255-4485, if you're interested and tell Silver Auctions you're interested in Mitch's motorcycle. The web site for Silver is www.silverauctions.com