Did Somebody Call for The Pizza Man?

10/24/2012

Yes they did! The Mecum Auction at the Fall Premier in St. Charles, IL, has the world famous 1954 Chevrolet Corvette that was a three time NHRA World Champion – all while proudly bearing the logo “The Pizza Man.” For the right price someone will be getting this pizza delivered.

Tune in live this Friday, October 26 @ 4p E/P and Saturday, October 27 @ 2p E/P | Photo: Mecum.com

So what’s the story behind this winning car with the quirky name? The owner and driver of this roadster was one Earl Britt, proprietor of Earl’s Pizza Palace in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Britt was smart enough to brand his little Corvette as The Pizza Man as the car went on to be seen by thousands at drag strips and at national events.

Drag strips you say?  Now that’s more interesting than just a get-around-town car. The Pizza Man was not just interesting it was legendary. It started as just serial number 99 in the ’54 run of 3,640 roadsters. It ended up earning the title of “World’s Fastest Six Cylinder Corvette,” set nine World Record’s in the NHRA’s Modified Production class. It’s actually believed to have won more points in three consecutive years (1967-1969) than any other car in Street Eliminator history or any other Division – and a notable win over Dick Landy and Dodge’s factory team at the ’68 Winternationals at Pomona.

How did the Pizza Man do it? It had a modified 292 CI GMC inline-6 engine fed by triple sidedraft Weber 2-barrel carburetors and driving a Positraction third member through a custom-built B&M Turbo Hydra-Matic 3-speed transmission. All that power took it to some consistent and speedy off the line numbers.

The person who is lucky enough to take delivery of the Pizza Man will get the car in as-raced condition – that means it still has the Pizza Man logo and its original Polo White paint. There’s plenty more bling to talk about including the tires, but wouldn’t you rather see it roll across the auction block live?

Look for it Saturday afternoon, but be sure to watch all the action as some sizzling muscle cars and some crazy classics will all be in the mix. We’ll have Mecum live this Friday, October 26 @ 4p E/P and Saturday, October 27 @ 2p E/P.

 

Comments

[sito incontri]

I am really impressed by this excellent stuff. I always prefer to read the quality content and this thing I found in you post. Thanks for sharing

[ads dating]

You helped me greatly in my work by writing this article. I want to thank you for your effort. Your site is great!

[Bulldogg]

Yah bro,I'm with you!!

[frank williams]

I was watching the auto action and was suprized to hear one of the men bring up something about he was glad to hear about the new gun laws. Well I don't watch this channel to hear his political views. I will not be watching your station any longer Frank Wiliams