Richard Petty's 1st ride!

Modeling Subjects Autos
1

Greetings all,

I had the opportunity to visit the new “Richard Petty Museum” yesterday afternoon, and see the restored 1957 Oldsmobile convertible that he ran his first race in, at Columbia, SC, finishing in 6th place. The last time I’d seen it was in the woods out behind his shops, rotting away with most of the other cars his family had owned throughout the years.

Also resurrected from that graveyard, was one of the 1967 Plymouth Belvedere GTX’s that he drove to 27 victories that year… 10 of those wins being back to back! (thanks to the new “HEMI” engine)


In addition to Richard’s restorations, was the car his Father, Lee, won the inaugural Daytona 500 in, Feb. 22, 1959.

The place is chock full of Petty racing and personal memorabilia, including Richard’s legendary Gun collection that is AWESOME!! If ever you’re in the Piedmont Triad area of North Carolina, you owe it to yourself to come see this VERY intriguing piece of history.

Thanks for your time, and take care,
Frank

2

thanks for the pics Frank…to those of us who love NASCAR those are like artifacts from the middle ages…would love to see those in person…maybe one day…watching the race at Darlington right now…another piece of history that I hope doesnt go away. Thanks again, Shane

3

Cool stuff Frank. The first car Bill Elliot drove is right down the road from here.

So exactly which part of the state is the Piedmont Triad? Seeing as how I am only one county from NC I might be close enough to make it a trip one day.

4

Thanks Shane,

Yes, I hope they don’t trash the Darlington track like they have others in recent years.

Chris,

Then you must be somewhere near Hwy 19? I use to do some recreational gold prospecting in Dahlonega, and have been through Dawsonville a couple times, but that was years ago.

The Piedmont Triad is the area surrounding Greensboro, High Point, and Winston Salem (furniture capital of the world). Petty’s Museum is in Randleman, which is about 12 miles south of Greensboro on US220. I also live in Randleman.

Glad you all liked the pictures. [:)]

Take care,
Frank

5

I am actually in Dahlongea. About a mile from where Benjiman Parks tripped over that chunk of gold that started the whole gold rush craze.

6

Cool pics Frank. I hope to visit the Museum in the near future.

Regards, Rick

7

that plymouth looks sooo tough, Old school cool…Awesome

Dave