b12.05.05_083_707_REA_0063_1.jpg (53209 bytes)

Photo ID # b12.05.05_083_707_REA_0063_1
Car #: #83 & 707
Driver (s) : Jackie McLaughlin and Al Tasnady
Location: Reading
Date: 1963  (see notes below)
Photographer: Bill Ader (thanks Larry Jendras Jr.)
Photo provided by: Kevin Budden
Comments: Vault contributor Kevin Budden sent this amazing photo.
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Comment:

12/08/05 Bob Hoffman Kevin Keep those great photos coming! Thanks for all the great photos you have sent in!
12/08/05 Jim Brewer Based on a couple of things I have to say that I think this photo was taken in 1964. (picky-picky, I know)

First, Jackie drove for Lucky Jordan for virtually all of 1963 (he won three at Reading). Budd Olsen built the #83 to drive himself during the '64 season but he was offered the ride in the Piscopo #39 and couldn't turn it down. He filled the #83's seat with Jackie, his brother-in-law.

Second, all the pics I have of the Big Donkey have lots of Wolfe's signage all over it and the numbers are much different. Those pics are from late '62 and during 1963. The numbers in your posted pic are much like those on The Gypsy (the '37 sedan) which was built for the late season shows at Trenton and Langhorne in 1963.

Great photo!   I have never seen this good a pic of the Big Donkey with these numbers or with Al's name on it. There are others who could give you more detail on this but I think I have the basic idea right. Jim Murrow and Dan Demarco helped me with my models of these cars (which you have posted) so they might be good sources to hear from on it. I was a big fan of both Jackie and Al.

Thanks -
Jim Brewer

12/13/05 Larry Jendras Jr. The photographer of this Reading photo is Bill Ader. I own this negative now and just checked my files to make sure that was the one. Date is not marked.
  (forgot to post name... please email me if this was your post!) You're right Jim. It is 1964. The 83 car was built over the winter of 63 - 64, and only ran in 1964 as Jackie McLaughlin was killed in the car that June, and the car was cut up after that.  (See note below from Dwight Clock)
08/14/06 PM The first night I went to Flemington, I saw a 707 in gray primer with red bumpers and rub rails, and chalk numbers of this style...not the later "square" ones. It ran like that for a few weeks before it was finally painted. I think it was this car.
12/16/07 Dwight Clock Just a note to correct the unnamed poster who said McLaughlin was killed in June in the #83. Jackie met his fate on August 23, 1964 at the Nazareth 1/2 mile after competing in the Trenton 200 earlier in the day.
10.30.12 Art Schenck

This race was in June 1964 at Reading.  I was 13 and went there that night with my family.  We lived in Harmony and were big Tas fans.  I remember this race vividly.  Jackie and Tas started 15th and 16th in the feature.  Tas followed Jackie through the pack.  They got to the front in about 8 laps.  For the rest of the feature, Tas tried every move to get by the 83, but to no avail.  Jackie was just to good that night. 

For the next two months, Jackie won many features at Reading, Middletown, and Nazareth.  He was almost unbeatable in the 83 during that summer.  Sadly, he lost his live at Nazareth in August. 

I remember that Tas and he were very close and had great respect for each other as drivers.  After Jackie died, Tas wrote an open letter to Jackie's wife that was published in the Area Auto Racing News.  It was a heartfelt expression of grief and respect by a great competitor and classy individual.

10.12.13 Ronnie Guinther

One of my favorite photos in the vault ! Two of the ultimate legends in our sport driving two of the most famous cars of the 60's  !

     
     
     
     
     
     

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