anaheim-bulletin 1959-05-02

A-8—Anahelm (Cal.) Bulletin Saturday, May 2, 1959 1959 Mobilgas Economy Runs Bigger Than Ever By JOSEPH E. McGREAL The biggest "show on wheels" in America took to the road April 5 when the Mobilgas Economy Run set out from Los Angeles on a five-day trek of nearly 2,000 miles to Kansas City, Missouri. Forty-seven cars carrying a total of 188 people competed for gasoline mileage championships. But this represents only a small portion of the people and equipment needed to put the Run on the road and keep it there. Altogether more than 1,000 people were directly involved, along with 75 to 100 automobiles, at least two trucks, half a dozen airplanes, and a special railroad train. Chief Stewart Art Pillsbury, the boss of the whole affair, commanded a crew of approximately 300 United States Auto Club officials and assistants, all directly concerned with the Run's operational problems. Fifty men were required to post special signs along the route, then remove them after the Run speed past. Another 40 men acted as flagmen, directing the competing cars. It took 18 men just to refuel the cars at each stop, and four men to take care of timing and computations. Safety Patrols Present Six men were on traffic and safety patrols. 100 moved the cars during refueling and overnight stops, and four more did nothing but handle some 300 pieces of luggage for the drivers, co-drivers and official USAC observers (two to each competing car). It took a huge diesel rig to haul the baggage. ance, captured a new title when it took the 1959 trophy for the Mobilgas Economy Run upper medium price class, scoring 19.13 m.p.g., the best mileage of 11 cars in its price range. Christman, who had never been concerned with gasoline mileage before the start of the event, is best known as the builder of engines and chassis for racing competition. He currently holds the absolute record for one-quarter mile drag events. Sentimental favorite of California's San Joaquin Valley and first teen-ager ever to drive in the Mobilgas Economy Run was 17-year-old Judy Allred, who drove a Buick Invicta. She took seventh place with a score of 18.20 miles per gallon. Helping to break up the monopoly of wins held by men drivers in the Mobilgas Economy Run was Patricia Jones of Wichita, Kansas, who took the low-medium price class in a Dodge Coronet. She averaged 21.75 miles-per-gallon. Only two Plymouths were entered and they succeeded in capturing first and second place in the low price 8-cylinder class. Pierce Venable nosed out Mary Davis, getting 21.15 miles per gallon. Mary Davis' car would have taken the class trophy had it not broken a tie rod at Atchison, Kansas; some 50 miles short of the finish line. Lady Driver Tops Men Feminist Mary Hauser ignored the most hallowed professional traditions of her male rivals, and walked away with the coveted trophy. Angeles Civic Center Squad divided into six cording to size and price was the largest and the longest in the Econ-22-year history. In the 15 Mobilgas Runs held prior to 1960, leads all other cars in wins with 18 victories, all as many as its two new petitors. Thirty-four been entered. Twenty-two finished first in their actual miles per gallon, have led their class fif miles per gallon, and been sweepstakes winner. Four of the six cars won place honors made the Los Angeles on B.F. tires. Two of the second plaza and three of those copies place were also on tire B.F. Goodrich Tire Coording to official result by the United States Thirty-one of the 47 cars in this year's event B.F. Goodrich original tires. Russia Second In Travel Control LOS ANGELES — A more than 2000 entries contest being conducted Angles and Orange dealers indicates that F second choice of count entrants want to visit. men, directing the competing cars. It took 18 men just to refuel the cars at each stop, and four men to take care of timing and computations. Safety Patrols Present Six men were on traffic and safety patrols, 100 moved the cars during refueling and overnight stops, and four more did nothing but handle some 300 pieces of luggage for the drivers, co-drivers and official USAC observers (two to each competing car). It took a huge diesel rig to haul the baggage. A pickup truck and a physician went along in case of emergencies, whether mechanical or medical. Nearly 100 newsmen and photographers covered the Run for newspapers, wire services, magazines, radio and television. Many of them drove with the competing cars, others flew from one stop to another, still others went by the special train from Los Angeles directly to the finish at Kansas City. Also on the move were the entrants whose cars were in competition, observers from foreign auto clubs and oil companies, engineers and executives of automobile manufacturing concerns. At the Muehlebach Hotel, headquarters for the terminus of the Run, all the more than 1,000 people involved — from company presidents to mechanics — finally got together to learn the results of the prodigious efforts expended on this largest of all automotive competitions. Californian Wins The man responsible for halting Chrysler Corporation's chain of victories in the high-price economy run field was Jim Parkinson of Burbank. Driving Cadillac 62, Parkinson won his class with an average of 19.04 rallies per gallon, despite the fact he suffered penalties imposed by USA officials for arriving late at the Cedar City, Utah and Denver, Colorado overnight stops. The Ford Thunderbird, a car acclaimed for its style and perform- Lady Driver Tops Men Feminist Mary Hauser ignored the most hallowed professional traditions of her male rivals, and walked away with the coveted trophy for the low price 6-cylinder class with a miles per gallon score of 22.38 in a Chevrolet Biscayne. Driving the entry of C. S. Mead, Giendale Chevrolet dealer, she determined that a lady could be both thrifty and comfortable, and opened car windows when desert heat was oppressive, operated the heater during blizzards in the Rocky Mountains, and turned on the radio when she wanted news. A dependable little Rambler American Deluxe, driven by Woody Bell of Sunland, crossed the finish line of the 1959 Mobilgas Economy Run and was declared the winner of the compact car class. The American also squeezed out the top miles-per-gallon average in the big field of 47 cars, with an overall figure of 25.29 miles-per-gallon. Five cars were entered in the new compact class, which was established this year for automobiles having a wheelbase of less than 110-inches. The Studebaker Lark V-8 was first among the 38 cars with eight cylinder engines. All cars had automatic transmissions. Lark Does Well Despite adverse conditions encountered during the gruelling 1,898 miles of desert heat, mountains, snow storms and city traffic, the Studebaker Lark averaged 22.2837 miles per gallon. Supervised by U. S. Auto Club officials, the run started-at the Los The Bulletin Auto Tour Your Guide to Places of Interest LOVELAND PASS er ever to compete ice which formed Economy Ever Angeles Civic Center Sunday with 47 cars divided into six classes according to size and price. The field was the largest and the route was the longest in the Economy Run's 23-year history. In the 15 Mobilgas Economy Runs held prior to 1969, Studebaker leads all other cars in total class wins with 18 victories, almost twice as many as its two nearest competitors. Thirty-four cars have been entered. Twenty-two of these finished first in their classes in actual miles per gallon, seventeen have led their class field in ten miles per gallon, and four have been sweepstakes winners. Four of the six cars winning first place honors made the trip from Los Angeles on B. F. Goodrich tires. Two of the second place winners and three of those copping third place were also on tires made by B. F. Goodrich Tire Company, according to official results reported by the United States Auto Club. Thirty-one of the 47 cars competing in this year's event were using B. F. Goodrich original equipment tires. Russia Second Choice In Travel Contest LOS ANGELES — A survey of more than 2000 entries in a travel contest being conducted by Los Angeles and Orange County Dodge dealers indicates that Russia is the second choice of countries contest entrants want to visit. TOWERING ROCKIES — A long steady climb characterized the second day of the run from Cedar City, Utah, to Grand Junction, Colorado, of the five-day run from Los Angeles to Kansas City. "MEET THE MAKE KNOWS YOU R. W. MARSELLUS IMPORTS 12961 Harbor Blvd.—JE 4-1500 Garden Grove Russia Second Choice In Travel Contest LOS ANGELES — A survey of more than 2000 entries in a travel contest being conducted by Los Angeles and Orange County Dodge dealers indicates that Russia is the second choice of countries contest entrants want to visit. The contest offers a trip "Anywhere in the World" via Pan American World Airways. France was the first choice for 550 persons entering the contest. Russia was second with 310, Germany third, Italy fourth, England fifth, Spain sixth. Several persons indicated they would like to visit such out of the way places as Tanganyika, Liberia, Samoa, and Guam, if they won the contest. There are about 1,500 manufacturers of scientific apparatus in the U. S. AUTO GLASS INSTALLED WHILE YOU WAIT Insurance Replacements Solicited Nason Auto Paints ANAHEIM AUTO GLASS and Parts 542 S. Los Angeles KE. 5-4940 "Nick" J. WINGERT "Jim" WINGERT R. W. MARSELLUS IMPORTS 12961 Harbor Blvd.—JE 4-1500 Garden Grove HARDIN OLDSMOBILE Sales and Service 252 N. Los Angeles KE 5-7211 Consult the Classified Pages of The Anaheim Bulletin for Dependable Used Cars— LOVELAND PASS — Judy Allred, youngest driver ever to compete in an economy run, chops the ice which formed on the Buick bumpers. The cars went through the pass at 11,988 feet. Icy weather lowered gas mileages and demanded greatest caution. CLASS WINNERS — Left to right - Woody Ball, Rambler American; Mary Hauser, Chevrolet Biscayne; Pierce Venable, Plymouth Belvedere; Patricia Jones, Dodge Coronet; Art Chrisman, Ford Thunderbird; Jim Parkinson, Cadilla 62. MAN WHO YOUR CAR BEST" Buy Your ROBERT H. BONEY DODGE PLYMOUTH Sales and Service 328 W. Center St. KE 5-2113 Buy Your USED CAR From A REPUTABLE DEALER ROBERT H. BONEY DODGE PLYMOUTH Sales and Service 328 W. Center St. KE 5-2113 MC COY MOTOR FORD Sales and Service 320 N. Los Angeles KE 5-2288 "If you don't know the car, know the Dealer"