Beswick's Grandson Builds A Bird
There's no doubt that Arnie "The Farmer" Beswick is one of the most-famous Pontiac drag racers in the history of the hobby. Now Arnie's grandson, Ryan Wiersema, has joined the family tradition with his 1968 Pontiac Firebird racecar.
"I took it upon myself to help build the Firebird with technical support and advice," Arnie tells HPP. "We redid the car from scratch, put a paint job on it, and it turned out very nice. It's Ryan's second Pontiac racecar and I support him every way I can with technical advice."
Arnie Beswick (from left);...
Arnie Beswick (from left); his grandson, Ryan Wiersema; and son-in-law, Dale Wiersema, proudly display Ryan's '68 Firebird racecar.
The Firebird features a 0.030-over, stock two-bolt main 455, No. 6X heads, an Edelbrock intake, and a Quick Fuel 850-cfm carburetor. It's backed by a Turbo 400, a Ford 9-inch rear, and 4.29 gears. According to Arnie, the Firebird's best time is 9.76 at 137.52 mph, achieved at Cordova Dragway Park in Cordova, Illinois.
"I'm excited to see my grandson racing with the enthusiasm that he does," he says. Will Arnie's grandson turn professional? "He'll cross that bridge when he gets there," Arnie says. "For now, he just wants to come up the ladder as his work schedule and wallet will allow, and see what the sport has to offer."
Rest In Pontiac
How far would you go to show your love for Pontiacs?
Lonnie Holloway of Saluda, South Carolina, told his family that his dying wish was to be buried in the front seat behind the steering wheel of his '73 Pontiac Catalina. At his funeral on September 11, 2009, his family honored his request. According to WLTX.com, Holloway was quoted as saying, "They're going to have me with my hat on, driving down the road."
The New York Times added, "Mr. Holloway's cousin, Leila Dunn, says the unusual burial didn't surprise her because Mr. Holloway was a 'stylin' and profilin' kind of guy. 'This was a day everyone should remember. It went down in history,' she said."
OK, High Performance Pontiac readers, are you passionate enough about your Poncho to be buried in it? Send your comments to tomdemauro@windstream.net.
Fairfield County Concours D'elegance Finds America's Oldest Pontiac
The Fairfield County Concours d'Elegance, located in Westport, Connecticut, has concluded its search for "America's Oldest Pontiac in Private Ownership" and "America's Oldest Pontiac With its Original Owner."
According to the event's spokesperson, "The nationwide search turned up a '26 Pontiac two-door coach owned by Paul Jaszczak from Minnetonka, Minnesota, and a '55 Pontiac Star Chief two-door hardtop owned by Ned "Pete" and Elsie Sanders in Lenoir, North Carolina.
Both Pontiacs have interesting and colorful histories. "The seller told me that this car was ordered as one of the first Pontiacs in the U.S. by the dealer himself as a tribute to his father who had passed away that very year," Paul Jaszczak said about his '26. " It was ordered and put into the small two-car showroom where it resided for years, maybe as many as 50."
Recalling buying his '55 new on July 15, 1955, at McLean Pontiac in Lenoir, Ned Sanders said, "No power steering, no power brakes, nothing that would have added weight and compromised performance." Today the Starchief has a meager 65,000 miles on the odometer.
Both owners won deluxe travel accommodations to the Fairfield County Concours d'Elegance, where on September 12 and 13, 2009, they and their Pontiacs were guests of honor. For more information, visit
www.fairfieldcountyconcours.com.