This plaque holds the "Wild Man" from the front of the roof over the windshield, of the last orange and black 16-J car he owned and drove.  I say this because historically the last 16-J was a red 3 window coupe built by Bob and Adam Schwegel from Millville, N.J.  It ran once at Bridgeport Speedway when Elton was planning a "comeback".  Fortunately or unfortunately, however you look at it, after a couple  laps in warm-ups of being "blown-off", Elton pulled in and realized he wouldn't be competitive again and put is career on  hiatus.

A post on the 3wide Message Board a couple weeks back titled "Things I have saved", proved to be interesting as readers shared their personal racing treasures.  As a collector myself (former boarder line racing hoarder) I recognize that special items  work their way into our possessions from many varied paths.  These routes traveled could probably provide some interesting stories.

My special final "Wild Man" was given to me by my friend Earl Wilson.  Earl was for lack of a better description an Elton Hildreth "groupie" hanging around with the garage crew when they worked on the "J" (as Elton" would call it).  

As a result of a bad wreck at Nazareth Speedway, Elton had to spend some time in the hospital with a back injury.  Ray, Elton' right hand man, was well aware of the fact that Elton had always raced with a back condition.   Seeing Elton in the hospital injured in the back area again, he decided that it was "time" and told the "Wild Man" that was it.  Naturally that wasn't in agreement with Elton's thoughts!

Simple solution.  Ray cut the car up knowing that was the only way to stop him from getting it back together.  Earl happened to be there that day and asked if he could have the "Wild Man" section of the roof.  Years afterwards he gave it to me for my collection.  I mounted it using the original bolt holes, added a photo and had a trophy shop make up the description.