Champion Speed Shop » Jim McLennan

The Real Mad Men

Mike Bumbeck — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 21:04:49 +0000

Back when race cars and association with motor sport worked to sell motor oil and go-fast parts, advertising success hinged on successful creative. Getting the right shot meant doing whatever it takes. In this case a cowboy photo shoot on the streets of San Francisco had Jim McLennan holding onto the brake of an injected version of the Special on a famously steep San Francisco hill. Jim had called upon Gene Icardi just hours before the photo shoot to motor over in his Shelby Mustang. That’s Gene himself blocking traffic between the Champion Special and the cable car. The photographer got the job done almost as quick as the crew appeared for the shoot. Jim and Bob McLennan loaded the dragster back onto the trailer. Gene dumped the clutch and mashed the throttle in his 4-speed pony car and made like Steve McQueen. The cable car clanged its way over the top of the hill. The photographer packed up his gear and took the film off to the lab to produce the shot. The resulting Castrol print advertisement is seen here, even though there might have been a little Valvoline in the crankcase of the small block Chevy. [Click on the smaller image for a larger view, click again to close the image.]

Half Moon Bay Reunion on the Car Guy Channel

Mike Bumbeck — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 18:16:46 +0000

Earlier this year The Champion Speed Shop returned to the Pebble Beach of Drag Racing for a 50th Reunion of the Half Moon Bay Dragstrip as part of the Pacific Coast Dream Machines show. A historical incarnation of the nitromethane powered and supercharged small block Chevy dragster was on deck, and the latest version of the long line of Chevy powered dragsters was fired up for the cheering crowd on the very same ground where Jim McLennan founded the Half Moon Bay dragstrip some 50 years before. The Car Guy Channel caught all the action in this video roundup of the good times at the reunion of old pals. Take a look to get some history on the Champion Speed Shop 1934 Ford pickup, the Smiling Irishman himself, and what is known as the wind.

More: The Car Guy Channel

The Smiling Irishman

Mike Bumbeck — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 01:32:33 +0000

The Champion Speed Shop has been a name synonymous with velocity and innovation for over 50 years. Founder Jim McLennan built his first dragster in 1953. By 1957 the Champion Speed Shop legend was born. It has been a little over two years since the “Smiling Irishman” motored onto the great dragstrip. The Champion Speed Shop lives on in celebration of his pioneering spirit. This video was produced in honor of Jim’s induction into the International Drag Racing Hall of Fame. For more information on the IDRHF head on over to the Big Daddy Don Garlits Museum of Drag Racing.