Who is he

[charleselan]

Well done René, it is indeed Mario.

I had not seen this picture before I found it on the internet the other day, strange to think of Mario being 15 years of age in 1955.

[René]

YeeHaw!
And then to think this was his first year in America. He adapted to the American 'style' really fast! Nice picture.

[Carl]

Good one, John Charles. So clever that I was encouraged to fool myself!

1. I know Sunoco suggests Pennsylvania

2. I know the Andretti family settled and still resides in Nazareth, Pennsylvania

3. I concluded that the young man was taller than any Andretti at the time based on how thin he appears.

4. Some say perspective is reality, but more often it misleads.

Is it possible that Mario and Aldo siphoned gas from unsuspecting customers at the local Sunoco station?

Anyway, that's my perspective...

[charleselan]

Dec 10, 2017 22:26:38 GMT Carl said:

Good one, John Charles. So clever that I was encouraged to fool myself!

1. I know Sunoco suggests Pennsylvania

2. I know the Andretti family settled and still resides in Nazareth, Pennsylvania

3. I concluded that the young man was taller than any Andretti at the time based on how thin he appears.

4. Some say perspective is reality, but more often it misleads.

Is it possible that Mario and Aldo siphoned gas from unsuspecting customers at the local Sunoco station?

Anyway, that's my perspective...

Carl,

It was such a good photo and just indistinct enough to make it a challenge even to someone like yourself who I knew would be on the case. I think the period is very clearly depicted in the image as well, there was just something about the 1950's that I find so compelling.

John Charles

[Carl]

John Charles,

What's compelling about the 1950s is the same quality found in a good night's sleep. All was peaceful after twenty tumultuous years.

That photograph is perfect 1950s.  Cool Daddy-O!    

zzzzz....

[Jamie]

What's compelling about the 1950s is the same quality found in a good night's sleep. All was peaceful after twenty tumultuous years.

I think this is one of the best pieces of prose I've read ever.

Carl, you and JC should make a book......JC supplies the photographs and you the quotes - I'd buy it 

[charleselan]

Dec 12, 2017 17:05:16 GMT Jamie said:

What's compelling about the 1950s is the same quality found in a good night's sleep. All was peaceful after twenty tumultuous years.

I think this is one of the best pieces of prose I've read ever.

Carl, you and JC should make a book......JC supplies the photographs and you the quotes - I'd buy it 

He does have a way with words; I'd buy it for the words alone.

[charleselan]

Dec 11, 2017 23:20:20 GMT Carl said:

John Charles,

What's compelling about the 1950s is the same quality found in a good night's sleep. All was peaceful after twenty tumultuous years.

That photograph is perfect 1950s.  Cool Daddy-O!    

zzzzz....

Carl,

Wonderfully put, as always, and so profoundly accurate.

What those who did not experience the 1950's do not realise is how austere and hard those times were, well they were in the UK, I am not so sure about America. We were not of humble beginnings, but my family were not anything like wealthy to the extent that my parents made our plot of land into a small holding which sustained us food wise. No TV, and central heating was unheard of!! We were made of sterner stuff in those days, but we were happy and contented even in the harsh winters that seems to always occur back then.

"Cool Daddy-O" makes me think of Ed Burns in "77 Sunset Strip"..... .

[Carl]

Jamie and John Charles,

Thank you both for your kind words.

77 Sunset Strip was a very popular show, one we used to watch every week.  Those familiar with where the cars would be given over to Kookie, the hep-cat valet, would recognize the restaurant where those scenes were filmed as Dino's Lodge on the actual Sunset Strip.
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Dec 9, 2017 19:17:06 GMT charleselan said:

1950's relatively obvious I should imagine, but who is he and what year, venue pretty obvious.

Just seen this. I knew the photo.

[Carl]

He may have been the equal of Fangio.  Who is he? 

He is seven years younger than JM Fangio.  Both began their careers in America, albeit on different continents, delayed several years by World War II.  Both were considered incomparable by their peers.   


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[robmarsh]

Bill Vukovich Carl

[Carl]

Very good Rob! I anticipated having to add a few more clues.

[Carl]

After the demise of Brooklands and until Daytona International Speedway was built in 1959, there was no circuit anywhere comparable to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. There were manufacturer's test tracks, but few allowed race condition speeds. Drivers who entered the 500 had to learn during practice and qualifying, one reason these sessions were extended for most of the month of May.

Bill Vukovich was a fast learner from the West Coast quarter-mile and half-mile dirt-track series. Of four races in a competitive car, he won twice, was leading another with 8 laps remaining when his steering failed, and was leading his final race when struck by one of three back markers spinning to avoid each other. He led more than 70 percent of the race laps he drove at Indy.                          
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In this standard entrant photograph, you can see in the background why the track came to be called "the Brickyard".

[Jamie]

I know this is quite an easy one but its certainly a rarity.....

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