TMU Ep. 1: Tracing the Origins of NorCal Drag Racing

Introducing The Motor Underground: The series that brings underground car culture close enough to the surface to enjoy, without anyone getting seriously injured. The most interesting stories are whispered and when you’re told to come in close and get down on one knee to hear them, those are the ones that not only stay with you, but make your sack of bones more valuable for hearing them and passing them along. And no better way to kick it off than with the epic story of the Organ Grinders Racing Team, through the lens of the Stoner T hot rod build series.
Like we say in the beginning of this first episode: These are the stories you’ve heard of, but have never actually heard. Watch this, but also trust and believe that there are a lot of adventures we can’t share with you here. Those will have to wait for the next time we can all get together, in-person. Mouth-to-ear and all that. In the meantime, enjoy the first episode of The Motor Underground and we’re glad you’re here.
#Hemmings
00:00 - Intro
01:13 - The Stoner T
04:50 - The Mystery Motor
05:37 - Gotelli Speed Shop
09:33 - The First Drag Parachute
10:36 - Organ Grinders
12:15 - A 15-Year Build?
13:11 - Credits
#Hemmings #TheMotorUnderground #AlumaTrailers

[@HotRodHoarder]

This is good stuff! The Stoner T is my favorite combination of crazy hot rod attitude mixed with truly historic speed parts.

[@danielstoner2843]

Thanks, Tommy! You know of what you speak, my dood...

[@spencerhewitt3333]

Good stuff

[@LunarOutlawsGarage]

This is a very cool addition to your channel

[@whytetodd]

Awesome story Dan, well done!

[@josemejia9349]

AWESOME

[@danielstoner2843]

Bestest stable-mate!

[@scottsmith4197]

Yuengling! Good touch. Nice work Dan.

[@danielstoner2843]

You noticed that, huh?!?

[@aaronkahan6188]

Wow. What a rad first episode. Well done. Cool to finally see this project come to life!

[@danielstoner2843]

"Bad News" was and still is an inspiration, Aaron--glad you dig it and we'll have to get both cars together sometime...

[@Tikicar]

Awesome first episode. Looking forward to the next one. Hemmings definitely needs more Dan Stoner on this channel.

[@hemmingsmotornews]

We agree but don't tell Dan, it'll go to his head.

[@user-mx9tu9xd1b]

Bruno is a legend.

[@danielstoner2843]

You sound like someone who...KNOWS. Tell us your favorite Bruno story (pops popcorn)!

[@user-mx9tu9xd1b]

@@danielstoner2843 let’s just say You Tube would probably not let me post some of the best stories. 😂

[@dkcarroll13]

Wish I could of seen that truck and trailer goin over the bridge like that. So rad!

[@threynolds2]

I've been waiting to see this car "finished" ever since I found it on the website several years ago. I've downloaded all the photos for inspiration for a scale model car - I could never get a real one built. I do have plans for a much milder 29 on 32 roadster pickup...IF I get around to that project.

[@hemmingsmotornews]

Let us know if you figure out the scale model--we've got the guy who'll do the totally rad model kit box for it! And Episode 3 is up on the channel now--take a look and let us know what you think...

[@Butcherbuilt]

I absolutely LOVE the Stoner T!!! So happy to see this video series pop up on my feed. You've done an excellent job.

[@Mynextproject_74]

This looks very interesting! I can't wait for the next one!

[@danielstoner2843]

Start with Episode 1 and you'll get your fill--PROMISE!

[@V8Deuce]

Fantastic job Mr. Stoner. It was great to see the Shifters So. Cal. in the beginning of this video, if only for a brief moment. I stood on the sidelines back in the early 1990s, but knew they were decades ahead of their time. A documentary on them would be amazing. Lastly, love your Coupe, and its historically significant Hemi. Looking forward to more episodes.

[@blacufo]

More of this !!! Great stuff

[@stephenking370]

Love it so far. Waiting patiently for the next episode.

[@hemmingsmotornews]

Just released Episode 3, SK--hope you dig it!

[@kurtiswa-k-8346]

Well Done Sir! $

[@daninthegutter7521]

Top notch viewing....have heard many a whispered rumour or story in a lock up / garage of hot rods & kustoms..some true some are false....👍👌😎.☠

[@dirtydonnyart]

Handsome Dan, you da man! Very well done!!!

[@danielstoner2843]

Thanks, Donny!

[@drflex8549]

ive been following this car since it hit the internet.. nice to see it on youtube keep them coming

[@choppedandchanneled]

Oh this great!!! Keep doing it, I heard Pappy Hart would feed Sam cigars, and his gas was deadly

[@hemmingsmotornews]

Episode 3 just launched yesterday: take a look and Bruno comes back for another appearance--Sam's personal driver!

[@2007cannonball]

So rad! I’ve been following this build for a long time and it keeps getting better.

[@jesseaok]

Great work Dan! You've inspired me to build a hotrod or smash some Yuengling, or both! Keep'em coming!

[@hemmingsmotornews]

We came here to do two things: drink some Yuengling and finish a dang hot rod. And we're almost out of beer!

[@RobEinaudi]

Awesome stuff! Keep it coming!

[@kenwarden6371]

Very cool!

[@392HEMI32]

Great stuff Dan!

[@paulwilkinson673]

Great video thanks for posting 👍

[@carnalsupply]

Great story!!! I “grew up” in Gotelli’s starting in the mid-70’s and remember Ted Sr still being a terror though he seldom came out of the back room; most of my time was spent buying parts and bs’ing with Teddy and Larry. I moved out of the bay area about 11 years ago and I understand Gotelli’s have since moved down the peninsula, where I hope they are continuing to do great things!!!! Funny, after all these years I still remember Gotelli’s phone number yet can barely remember mine! Please keep up the great work!

[@jasone87]

inspirational and fun! Hope these story’s ignite and spark in anyone interested in hot rods. To get out and start their own.

[@Pablo-fj8rv]

Such a cool story. Keep it up.

[@martincardone5727]

Dan, I keep stumbling on great stuff.

[@firemandkdkdk]

Good stuff ! I miss the old days when I was a kid and growing up, Santa Cruz County Water Ski Club boats, wharf to wharf ski races ( Santa Cruz to Capitola and back) , trips up to Vic Hubbard Speed and Marine with my Dad to buy boat parts for the two boats he built, going up to Baylands ,Santa Cruz Beach Street Street Revival Car show .... fun times .... Great start to your videos !

[@danielstoner2843]

Pics or it didn't happen, Fireman! Love them old drag/ski boats and PLEASE tell me you still have your dad's boat...

[@firemandkdkdk]

@@danielstoner2843 There's pictures and 8mm home movies but it's buried somewhere in a photo album and cedar chest at my parents house ! Sadly, boat #2, a Glen-L thunderbolt that had a 283 then a 400 small block Chevy is gone as of at least 20 years ago....sold it to a guy in Nevada mid-way through a restoration when I realized there was no way i could afford to re-glass the whole boat. Those glass over wood boats take a lot of care and when dad tired of it in his older age it was moved outside with three covers a block from the beach. the sun / salt air / winter did a real number in ten years , by the time he said "it's yours" it really had deteriated . i had the motor all done , new paint, new carb, correct harmonic balancer finally ( no wonder the damn think shook so bad at high RPM!) , had the carpet all redone and the wood all sanded down when i just could not do it anymore . sometimes life biutes you in the butt .... job, divorce , life in general. Retired since 2013 , 32 year old wife and a 6 year old, but my parents are both 86 and mom is in a rest home w lewy body disease ... I would be in the Philippines if not for that and covid ! I do have an Armadillo 26 Model T Speedster that I have kept..had a 37 Seagrave Fire engine that was the coolest thing you ever saw at one time and a 1969 Rs Camaro, 66 BMW R50/2, 1979 BMW R65...... had I been a millionaire..... I'd have kept it all ! Still have the titanium plate w 8 screws from my Rusi 200 dirt bike fall in the Philippines and a stiff left proximal humorous w 3 healed breaks and a six year old son to show for it but that's a whole other story.....lol

[@firemandkdkdk]

oh, and there is a movie of 8 skiers behind that boat taking off from a shore start at Clear Lake , CA , the Green anchor resort above Lakeport ...took 3 or so tries and a lot of ski rope untangling in between but eventually it happened ...lol.... and there is this blonde kid in an inner tube taking it all in , me before i even new how to ski...and I wa spissed at dad he would not let me go in the boat that time...lol

[@garneauweld1100]

The real deal!

[@SimmonsKustoms]

Killer footage and information, wonderful. Thank you!

[@AndyGeesGarage]

Just found this series because of a shoutout by a mutual friend Piero

[@danielstoner2843]

That's good company, Andy! If Piero likes it, we must be doing something right...

[@botman9391]

GREAT stuff, growing up in the Bay Area, racing at all the tracks (Half Moon bay, Vacaville, Fremont, Sacramento) this really rubs the ole memory! Look forward to the next episode and thanks for making an old gearhead feel great!

[@hemmingsmotornews]

If you're a HMB fan, watch Episode 3 that launched yesterday--it won't disappoint, Bot Man!

[@landiahillfarm6590]

I hope to one day see that rod finished. I love the look

[@hemmingsmotornews]

Thanks for the support!

[@knutbkristiansen]

Awesome episode

[@kevinhuber8723]

Might want to check out Leo Goossen for the origins of the stud girdle. It's a neat story and all but history gets blurred all the time on the Interweb

[@rickystapleton9592]

There's some seriously cool old footage in here

[@jakespeed63]

Awesome story. Looking forward to next episode. This is exactly the kind of content "Tiny" envisioned, years ago, when he tried to get Motornation channel, off the ground. Shades of Mad Fabricators even. Quite certain Piero would approve. Hells Bells, you guys are probably close friends. JT: Orlando Misfires CC

[@hemmingsmotornews]

Piero's a good friend and appreciate the support, JT! And speaking of which, Episode 3 launched yesterday...

[@danielstoner2843]

Hey, lots more to come: will I EVER finish this car? Do we find out if the motor is its own archaeological dig? Is it possible NOT to break this car as soon as it's done? Is it possible to even get legal plates for this car?

[@tabucchitechnologies3535]

I may have documentation on that engine. We have everything from Charlie’s storage and he kept EVERYTHING lol. I will start going through boxes. Charlie also was champion boat racer. I’ll let Travis know when I fine

[@danielstoner2843]

@@tabucchitechnologies3535 I've seen the yellow coupe, so I've got high hopes for anything else you find, Donna!!

[@tabucchitechnologies3535]

@@danielstoner2843 There’s a few people that know the Charlie history. Scott LaCosta. Jean was his dad and Charlie’s partner. They won and hold many speed records. Also, Mario Andretti and Al Unser Sr. I talk with Mario. Charlie built his winning engine at INDY in 1969. Unser won 1970 and 1971 with a Charlie engine. We have SO MUCH!!!

[@tabucchitechnologies3535]

The yellow coupe is a dragster. Speed record in 1957 1/4 mile .

[@michaelfarren3712]

Is that a hopped up Willy's L head, with twin carbs at the beginning of the video? If so I'd like to know what's been done to it.

[@user-qc6dx6iu3f]

You didn't go into Gotelli's with a Summit Racing cap on.

[@larrydavis1648]

Bitchin,I love this!

[@hemmingsmotornews]

Favorite part of it?!

[@larrydavis1648]

@@hemmingsmotornews when Dan was talkin to the engine builder that cigar smokin dude is hilarious