Photo ID # e10.11.08_044_TAS_VIN_0055S_1
Car #: #44
Driver (s) : Al Tasnady
Location: Vineland
Date: 1955
Photographer: William Curley
Photo provided by: Russ Dodge
Comments: Tan Tas Really Ran!

Al Tasnady stands by his winning ride after taking the July 4, 1955 feature at Vineland Speedway. It was an extremely hot sunny day with the sandy surface creating a “dust bowl”. Oh how times have changed in the past half century! He may not have a shirt but he had a bandana to cover his face!

Can’t help but noticing the “crank open” front windshield on the 1937 Ford body and the use of corrugated “barn roof” sheet metal for the back fire wall. This car was painted International truck red but had yellow numbers instead of the white used on all the 44’s that followed.

Al Tasnady won a total of 25 features the first two years that Vineland operated, driving the car own by Vineland businessmen Romeo Gelsi and Toots Armellini. While Al won the first feature ever held at Vineland driving a coupe bodied car, it was “totaled” in two weeks and the flat-back sedan became the body of choice after that. A bent frame at that time with some body damage would mean a new car was needed. Remember back then a 1937 Ford could usually be found and bought for $35.00! Being worried they would not have a car ready for Al to drive, I was told, they went out one weekend, located and purchased 11, 1937 Ford sedans and lined them up against the fence in the yard.
Ironically, the next car they built lasted two years!

Senior Moment by Russ Dodge
 
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