The Meadow Brook Concours was held this past weekend with some unusual vehicles on display that spent most of their time on the drag strips of America

The Best of Detroit on Friday and Saturday nights

This year’s Meadow Brook Concours d’Elegance promised show goers the “Best of Detroit” and it certainly was a promise fulfilled. Included in a very eclectic mix of vehicles were a few that had a great deal to do with the genesis of professional drag racing here in the United States.

For most followers of the sport of drag racing, the years 1955 to 1970 are looked upon as the golden years. This was the time before big sponsorships and most of the drivers who competed in the sport also had full-time jobs that helped support their passion for the sport.

So without further ado, here are the first six of thirteen from LotPro.com:

S&S Racing

1937 Willys S&S Racing Team

S&S Parts Company in Falls Church, Virginia sponsored five Gas Coupe and Sedan Racers in the National Hot Rod Association in the 1960’s. This particular Willys was discovered in a field in Maryland in 1962 by Dave Hales who own, built, wrenched and drove it for 5 seasons, including 1963 when it was D/Gas runner-up at the NHRA Nationals that year.

Flintstone Flyer

1949 Packard “Flintstone Flyer”

Dave Koffel began his racing career driving a 1932 Ford, but needing something safer he traded it for a 1949 Packard. He campaigned the first series “Flintstone Flyer” at the 1963 NHRA Nationals. The current configuration of the Flyer is E/Gas and it is the most remembered of the five versions.

Barbara Hamilton Willys

1937 Willys 2 Door Coupe

This particular 1937 Willys was owned, wrenched and driven by Barbara Hamilton, the first woman licensed to drive an NHRA Supercharged Car. Like many other drivers, she worked full time and drove on weekends. Barbara also won the 1966 Springnationals and was runner-up at the 1968 Nationals in the C/Gas Class.

The 1937 Willys was campaigned from 1964 to 1971.

Prock & Howell

1933 Willys Prock and Howell “F Troop”

This 1933 Willys was built in the fall of 1968 by Jay Howell of Berkley, Michigan to compete in an “Outlaw Gasser Circuit.” The Willys ran in the low 8’s at over 180 mph and featured a ’67 Big Block 482 Chevy with Hilborn injection and blower. Although intended to race with the gassers, its tilt body was deemed illegal, thus creating the need for an “Outlaw Gasser” class that, unfortunately, only lasted for a short time.

Tom Prock was responsible for the mechanical work while Jay drove the car.

Cates Speed Shop

1933 Willys Cates Speed Shop NHRA World Champion 1965

Virgil Cates began his racing career at the age of 16 in 1954. He was among the early drag racing pioneers and he ran two different NHRA classes. In 1965, Virgil won the World Championship as a C/Altered in Comp Eliminator.

At the 40th U.S. Nationals at Indy, this car was presented with a “Preservation” award as it is the only unrestored NHRA World Champion Gasser left and, ten years later, in 2004, the car was chosen as one of the NHRA Golden 50.

Ford Super Mustang

1967 Ford Super Mustang

In 1966, Ford Motor Company began work on the ultimate top-fuel dragster. Once it was completed in December of that year, it was taken to Florida (without its bodywork) where it was tested by legendary drag racer Connie Kalitta. With testing completed, it was shipped to California to compete in the 1967 Pomona Winternationals where Tom “The Mongoose” McEwen recorded an ET of 8.60 seconds and 180 mph.