We've got a special new section to the B & G Supermodified page in the works and this one has a special place in alot
of people's hearts. Ever since first creating the B & G webpage quite a while back, even though it's not an exact match,
one thing that's been consistent throughout the years is the color of the page. It's no coincidence that the color is
reflective of one of the all time masters of the supermodified division, Jim Shampine and his trademark greenish blue
color of his numerous 8 Ball supermodifieds. .
However, this addition isn't about the website, it's dedicated to one of Jimmy's first succesful creations and the
passion of another man who is in the process of bringing the 1966/67 8 Ball back to life with a thorough and in depth
restoration.
of people's hearts. Ever since first creating the B & G webpage quite a while back, even though it's not an exact match,
one thing that's been consistent throughout the years is the color of the page. It's no coincidence that the color is
reflective of one of the all time masters of the supermodified division, Jim Shampine and his trademark greenish blue
color of his numerous 8 Ball supermodifieds. .
However, this addition isn't about the website, it's dedicated to one of Jimmy's first succesful creations and the
passion of another man who is in the process of bringing the 1966/67 8 Ball back to life with a thorough and in depth
restoration.
Jim Shampine started racing at the Oswego Speedway in 1962, but it wasn't until he debuted yet another new
supermodified in the 1966 season, that he was able to visit Victory Lane and pick up his first feature win. That all
changed on July 23rd as Jimmy put his 8 Ball into the Winner Circle for the first time. Jimmy went on to finish third in
the season long points championship behind track champion Nolan Swift and runner up Bob Smith.
supermodified in the 1966 season, that he was able to visit Victory Lane and pick up his first feature win. That all
changed on July 23rd as Jimmy put his 8 Ball into the Winner Circle for the first time. Jimmy went on to finish third in
the season long points championship behind track champion Nolan Swift and runner up Bob Smith.
Jim went back to the drawing board during the off season and started off his 1967 campaign with yet another new
creation. He had limited success early on and returned to "ole reliable" for the rest of the season. Yet another smart
move by Shampine as he went on to collect up six feature wins on his way to grabbing his first Oswego Speedway
track championship. It was easy to see that this version of the 8 Ball was the supermodified that gave Jim that first
little bit extra that would place him on the top of the heap and eventually propelled him into the supermodified icon he
would become.
creation. He had limited success early on and returned to "ole reliable" for the rest of the season. Yet another smart
move by Shampine as he went on to collect up six feature wins on his way to grabbing his first Oswego Speedway
track championship. It was easy to see that this version of the 8 Ball was the supermodified that gave Jim that first
little bit extra that would place him on the top of the heap and eventually propelled him into the supermodified icon he
would become.
Jim returned once again in 1968, only to be shut out of a feature win, mostly due to the record setting year that Todd
Gibson had with his #0, by winning 13 out of the 18 features in the season which included a whopping 9 feature wins
in a row. The bar once again had been raised and Jimmy put his thinking cap on as the master innovator looked to
come up with something even more spectacular.
In 1969, Jimmy returned to the Oswego Speedway with a brand new "wedge" designed 8 Ball along with his record
setting supermodified of the past which he ran on a weekly basis and picking up one more feature win with. On
Classic Weekend, "Irish Jack" Murphy strapped aboard the wedge super with Jimmy once again in old reliable for the
200 lapper.
Jimmy was constantly moving forward and with his comitment to the new design, the old girl was sold to Ron Gamble
over the winter of 1969/70 and would eventually find it's home with the Sharkey brothers from Oswego.
The Sharkeys renumbered the car to the #08 and had drivers such as Ron Gamble, Jimmy Muldoon, Fred Peet and Joe
Paeno climb behind the wheel of the famed supermodified, but none had the success that Shampine had and the car
was retired and out of competition.
As the evolution of the supermodified class marched on, this historic supermodified went into hibernation in the
Sharkeys' barn in the town of Oswego and almost forgot about....until the announcement of the Sharkey estate auction
in the fall of 2009.
The auction drew closer as it seemed like just another auction, until the old girl came out of hibernation and into the
sunlight for the first time in decades! As you can tell from the photos below, yes, she was a little dusty, but she aged
well and interest grew as the auction day came.
Gibson had with his #0, by winning 13 out of the 18 features in the season which included a whopping 9 feature wins
in a row. The bar once again had been raised and Jimmy put his thinking cap on as the master innovator looked to
come up with something even more spectacular.
In 1969, Jimmy returned to the Oswego Speedway with a brand new "wedge" designed 8 Ball along with his record
setting supermodified of the past which he ran on a weekly basis and picking up one more feature win with. On
Classic Weekend, "Irish Jack" Murphy strapped aboard the wedge super with Jimmy once again in old reliable for the
200 lapper.
Jimmy was constantly moving forward and with his comitment to the new design, the old girl was sold to Ron Gamble
over the winter of 1969/70 and would eventually find it's home with the Sharkey brothers from Oswego.
The Sharkeys renumbered the car to the #08 and had drivers such as Ron Gamble, Jimmy Muldoon, Fred Peet and Joe
Paeno climb behind the wheel of the famed supermodified, but none had the success that Shampine had and the car
was retired and out of competition.
As the evolution of the supermodified class marched on, this historic supermodified went into hibernation in the
Sharkeys' barn in the town of Oswego and almost forgot about....until the announcement of the Sharkey estate auction
in the fall of 2009.
The auction drew closer as it seemed like just another auction, until the old girl came out of hibernation and into the
sunlight for the first time in decades! As you can tell from the photos below, yes, she was a little dusty, but she aged
well and interest grew as the auction day came.
Photo courtesy from B & D Photo
Photo courtesy from B & D Photo
Photo courtesy from B & D Photo
Photo courtesy from B & D Photo
Steve Miller,historic Indy car restorer and owner of the current "Sweet 16" supermodified that roars around the short
tracks of the eastern United States was on hand during the auction. Word spread quickly around Oswego that Steve
had the winning bid on the famed supermodified and many thought this would be Steve's next project. It is in a way,
but Steve was mostly there to purchase the car for Titusville, Florida's David Hollinger who Steve is helping in a
support role during the restoration process. David's no rookie when it comes to supermodified restoration as many
will remember his last super rebuild from a few years ago with completely rebuilding the rear engine, four wheel drive
machine that Gene Lee Gibson piloted in the Open Comp supermodified race at the Oswego Speedway in 2004.
tracks of the eastern United States was on hand during the auction. Word spread quickly around Oswego that Steve
had the winning bid on the famed supermodified and many thought this would be Steve's next project. It is in a way,
but Steve was mostly there to purchase the car for Titusville, Florida's David Hollinger who Steve is helping in a
support role during the restoration process. David's no rookie when it comes to supermodified restoration as many
will remember his last super rebuild from a few years ago with completely rebuilding the rear engine, four wheel drive
machine that Gene Lee Gibson piloted in the Open Comp supermodified race at the Oswego Speedway in 2004.
The restoration process gets underway with the former Shampine supermodified hitting the jack stands
(Click on each thumbnail for a larger, more detailed view of each photo)
(Click on each thumbnail for a larger, more detailed view of each photo)
| Little by little, the car is completely stripped of all body work |
The motor gets pulled, exposing the decades of the mighty 8 Ball being tucked away in a barn
The frame is completely stripped, repairs made and ready to be prepped for paint
New headers being built as well as body work being prepped while motor work
continues which included locating an oil tank like Jimmy had on the car when he ran
it. The tank was found in a place in Kansas that has parts for Bell type 47 helicopters!
continues which included locating an oil tank like Jimmy had on the car when he ran
it. The tank was found in a place in Kansas that has parts for Bell type 47 helicopters!
| Things are really moving forward as the frame returns and takes on the familiar "Shampine Blue" along with the drive train which puts the power to the pavement in the supermodified |
The completely rebuilt motor fires up on a test run before being put back in the
chassis. David mentioned that after the rebuild, it fired right up and sounded great!!
chassis. David mentioned that after the rebuild, it fired right up and sounded great!!
The 1967 as it sits now. Motor and drive train all dropped back in as the restoration
process , moves forward. As you can see, things are progressing very well with some
masterful work by David and Steve. Thanks once again to David Hollinger for letting us
show just what is going into bringing this old supermodfiied classic back to life!
There's no doubt at all that so much hard work goes into a project like this, and it sure
will bring back so many feelings along with great memories of this infamous
supermodified and the legendary Jim Shampine!
process , moves forward. As you can see, things are progressing very well with some
masterful work by David and Steve. Thanks once again to David Hollinger for letting us
show just what is going into bringing this old supermodfiied classic back to life!
There's no doubt at all that so much hard work goes into a project like this, and it sure
will bring back so many feelings along with great memories of this infamous
supermodified and the legendary Jim Shampine!
5/4/2010 - As you can see, David continues his hard work this past week with
sandblasting the hubs and powder coating white, new fuel cell has been mounted and
the can fabricated and powder coated while new torsion arms have been fabricated.
sandblasting the hubs and powder coating white, new fuel cell has been mounted and
the can fabricated and powder coated while new torsion arms have been fabricated.
6/16/2010 - With spring coming to an end and soon will be turning into summer, David
Hollinger has been hard at work still with progress continuing on restoration project.
David has installed all the brakes, including rebuilding the calipers and having new
rotors made, new master cylinder and all the brakes lines are new and installed.
Brakes are bled and appear ready to go. Hubs are mounted, axles are in, rear end is
lubed and the throttle linkage is installed. Seat in, belts in, headrest installed. New
gauges are mounted and hooked up as is the mag kill switch. Working on the fuel
shutoff cable now and need to finish the bypass return line to the fuel cell and the vent
line on the fuel cell. Have fabricated new fuel cell filler neck to look similar to what was
on the car in 1967. Wheels and tires were put on just to verify brake caliper clearance,
all looked good. New sheet metal for the sides of the cockpit have been fabricated and
are at powder coat. Driver's area floor pan is fabbed and installed.
Hollinger has been hard at work still with progress continuing on restoration project.
David has installed all the brakes, including rebuilding the calipers and having new
rotors made, new master cylinder and all the brakes lines are new and installed.
Brakes are bled and appear ready to go. Hubs are mounted, axles are in, rear end is
lubed and the throttle linkage is installed. Seat in, belts in, headrest installed. New
gauges are mounted and hooked up as is the mag kill switch. Working on the fuel
shutoff cable now and need to finish the bypass return line to the fuel cell and the vent
line on the fuel cell. Have fabricated new fuel cell filler neck to look similar to what was
on the car in 1967. Wheels and tires were put on just to verify brake caliper clearance,
all looked good. New sheet metal for the sides of the cockpit have been fabricated and
are at powder coat. Driver's area floor pan is fabbed and installed.
6/25/2010 - As we've all have been following along, we've seen alot of progress of
David's hard work and how sharp the old 8 Ball is coming along. We've seen what it
used to be, till the days she was put to sleep and woken back up when brought out of
the Sharkey barn. The hard work it's taken to get cleaned up and back into the shape
we've seen to date. But this coming Sunday, is a wicked big day for David and his
restoration! This car has been through alot in the past decades, but this coming
Sunday, it'll do something it hasn't done till the early 70's! Yes! The 8 Ball is hitting the
track this weekend!
David's very excited as the weekend comes along to take the car to the Orlando
Speedworld for a test session and bring the old girl back to life to make sure things
that are in place...stay in place! Doug Heveron is going to try to make it to take a ride as
is Don Heckman and a few others.
This will be a "naked run" with the body panels up here in New York in Seve Miller's
care. Steve has them all set and primed with only final fitting and painting needed to be
completed.
David's hoping to still have the car at the King of Wings/Old Timers Weekend at
Oswego and hopefully we'll have some shots and input from David on how the testing
goes this weekend at Orlando.
As you can see below, the car is being scaled and is set to go for what's going to be a
very special day this Sunday.......when the 8 Ball comes back to life and hits the track
again!
David's hard work and how sharp the old 8 Ball is coming along. We've seen what it
used to be, till the days she was put to sleep and woken back up when brought out of
the Sharkey barn. The hard work it's taken to get cleaned up and back into the shape
we've seen to date. But this coming Sunday, is a wicked big day for David and his
restoration! This car has been through alot in the past decades, but this coming
Sunday, it'll do something it hasn't done till the early 70's! Yes! The 8 Ball is hitting the
track this weekend!
David's very excited as the weekend comes along to take the car to the Orlando
Speedworld for a test session and bring the old girl back to life to make sure things
that are in place...stay in place! Doug Heveron is going to try to make it to take a ride as
is Don Heckman and a few others.
This will be a "naked run" with the body panels up here in New York in Seve Miller's
care. Steve has them all set and primed with only final fitting and painting needed to be
completed.
David's hoping to still have the car at the King of Wings/Old Timers Weekend at
Oswego and hopefully we'll have some shots and input from David on how the testing
goes this weekend at Orlando.
As you can see below, the car is being scaled and is set to go for what's going to be a
very special day this Sunday.......when the 8 Ball comes back to life and hits the track
again!
6/28/2010 - As mentioned with the previous update, David ventured off to the Orlando
Speedworld on Sunday the 27th for a shake down run with the revamped 8 Ball. Not
only was the day a very special one with his restoration project coming to life, but as
you can see from the pictures below, there was also a unique push vehicle on hand to
lend a hand......a former Steve Miller supermodified conversion in itself.
It had to be cool hearing the 8 Ball roar back to life when it fired up! As David
mentioned...."Everything went great! Motor ran good, driveline and brakes OK, no
problems at all."
Here's a few shots from yesterday's memorable test session from Orlando. Thanks
once again to David for passing these along.
Speedworld on Sunday the 27th for a shake down run with the revamped 8 Ball. Not
only was the day a very special one with his restoration project coming to life, but as
you can see from the pictures below, there was also a unique push vehicle on hand to
lend a hand......a former Steve Miller supermodified conversion in itself.
It had to be cool hearing the 8 Ball roar back to life when it fired up! As David
mentioned...."Everything went great! Motor ran good, driveline and brakes OK, no
problems at all."
Here's a few shots from yesterday's memorable test session from Orlando. Thanks
once again to David for passing these along.
7/13/2010 - This past weekend, they brought the old 8 ball to the Oswego Speedway
Old Timer's reunion on Saturday.....and what a beauty she was! Just the sight of it
brought back so many great memories for all that attended and the car looks better
than ever!! Such a beautiful piece of history is restored thanks to the hard work and
talent of David Hollinger, Steve Miller and all that were involved. All eyes are now
focused to Oswego Speedway's 2010 International Classic weekend when she'll come
back to life on the track with Doug Heveron taking to the fast 5/8's in this awesome
supermodified!
Old Timer's reunion on Saturday.....and what a beauty she was! Just the sight of it
brought back so many great memories for all that attended and the car looks better
than ever!! Such a beautiful piece of history is restored thanks to the hard work and
talent of David Hollinger, Steve Miller and all that were involved. All eyes are now
focused to Oswego Speedway's 2010 International Classic weekend when she'll come
back to life on the track with Doug Heveron taking to the fast 5/8's in this awesome
supermodified!
7/13/2010 - This past week, David along with the help of Don Heckman loaded up car
and headed north to upstate NY to Steve Miller's shop as they got back to work getting
some clothes on the old girl and getting her all dressed up with fitting and painting the
body along with the finishing touches being applied
and headed north to upstate NY to Steve Miller's shop as they got back to work getting
some clothes on the old girl and getting her all dressed up with fitting and painting the
body along with the finishing touches being applied
