I've only been to a few in my lifetime. For a little while in the 1980s, it was fun to go out to Lorain County Speedway (now Lorain Raceway Park) and see one. But I plan on seeing at least one this summer, because a co-worker (also named Dan) is a demolition derby driver and a great guy. He's told me some hilarious stories about some of the various rivalries that exist between his team of drivers and others.
He also shows me a lot of photos of his cars before and after the derbies. So I really want to catch one of the derbies he's competing in.
So with demo derbies on the brain, naturally, I had to post the above ads. The Sandusky Speedway ad is from the July 10, 1965 Journal. The Lorain County Speedway demolition derby ad ran in the paper a few weeks later, on July 30, 1965
Both ads are great. The Sandusky ad has some cool typography, playing up the word, "DEATH." But I like the simple design and graphics of the Lorain County Speedway ad.
So how do you find 100 drivers willing to participate? With a recruitment ad, what else? Here's the ad that the Sandusky Speedway ran on July 8th in the Journal.
I am a fan of the demo derby but I also like Chrysler Imperials too.So I never liked when guys would use an old Imperial in a derby.But thankfully Imperials of certain years are banned from being run in derbys.Usually Imperials from 1964-1966.But by now they are all pretty much gone anyways from derby use and old age and are just collector cars now.But lots of guys will still use the old classic "cow catcher" front bumper off of a mid to late 1970's full size Chrysler.Maybe your friend is running one of these bumpers on his car Dan?
ReplyDeleteI never got to see a demolition derby live, although I got to see them on tv from time to time; I always thought that it would be a blast to drive in one, though the closest I ever got was the bumper cars at the carnival.
ReplyDeleteI used to picture myself as Captain Nemo, plowing the Nautilus into heavily laden warships...hey, why not?
I've seen a few, but I'm always disappointed because I'm expecting large amounts of constant carnage. It's not so much fun once the field gets whittled down to just a few vehicles since I'm not interested in strategy. All I want is cars crunching into each other. Were I participating, I think I'd find me a big ol' '69 Chevy Impala
ReplyDeleteI'd want a '72 Buick Riviera.
DeleteIt's nice to see the comments back up and running. Hopefully everyone behaves themselves. Keep it going Mr. Brady!!!
ReplyDeleteI saw a few when I was just out of college - even wrote about one. They are not so much about demolition than attrition. And "death" is overstating the amount of carnage on view.
ReplyDeleteUsed cars were relatively cheap back then. Demolishing them didn’t bring a tear to very many eyes. But today’s cars last 20 years or more. For example, my 2007 Honda FIT still runs great. So why break it if it doesn’t need fixing?!!
ReplyDeleteP.S. Thanks Dan for bringing back the comments section!
And hey you guys and gals out there, let’s keep a civil tongue in our heads this time around!!