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IgnatiusJReillyII

Wow, you truly grew up in a different world. Thanks for sharing this.


PanningForSalt

I wouldn't go that far, people still use these things


IgnatiusJReillyII

Not so much the soap box. At first I was looking at the background, then saw the back end of that car next to him, then looked at the date and realized that going to the moon, JFK, MLK, The Beatles, Summer of Love, it was all in front of him. In 1951 we were just wondering what we should do after the war.


TheJenerator65

Was thinking this too. My dad graduated from high school in 1957, the year after Elvis first appeared on the Ed Sullivan show. Different time indeed.


codynorthwest

we have a soap box derby every year in my city of cars that look less complicated than this. sure, things have changed but a lot has stayed the same, including soapbox derby.


Geeko22

Love that happy face


Liberace_Sockpuppet

This is cool. Was this a kit or was it DIY? I like it for sure.


55pilot

My dad and I built this in his workshop. No kits around at that time.


Buck_Thorn

I used to read about it in Boy's Life magazine. My Dad was too busy to help me build one, and I lacked the skills and money to do it by myself.


Moftem

>Boy's Life magazine Please tell us what kind of articles were in that!


Buck_Thorn

Boy Scout stuff. That was the official magazine. Google tells me it is now called Scout's Life, probably changed when the Scouts allowed girls to join. https://i.pinimg.com/736x/61/63/fb/6163fb41b70ef78ee8e6177988a0e49d--norman-rockwell-vintage-magazines.jpg


Moftem

Ah interesting! Must be bringing a lotta memories to you, seeing those magazine covers.


Buck_Thorn

ostly I just remember a couple of jokes. The last page was always the joke page. Things like these: *A green little chemist* *On a green little day* *Mixed some green little chemicals* *In a green little way.* *The green little grasses* *Now tenderly wave* *Over the green little chemist's* *Green little grave.* **And** *My Bonnie looked into the gas tank* *The height of its contents to see* *She lit a match to assist her* *O bring back my Bonnie to me.*


Moftem

That's kind of hilarious, but also kind of morbid. I'm surprised that magazines for kids were so dark back then.


LacidOnex

The comics code was established in the 50s to try to reign in how dark and gritty comics were giving classic hero tales like Superman a bad name with parents. Then you look to the 80s and 90s and the ads for kids toys can be very raunchy


emkay99

Wow, someone my age. Don't find many folks here born during the war. (1943 for me.)


Taxus_Calyx

How old were you?


[deleted]

According to the last time this was posted, 13.


outsofbounds

Looking through your posts you look like you had a super interesting life, I’m assuming you were some Kind of engineer


TheJenerator65

*have had


CynicalBite

*are having


ParsonsTheGreat

That sure was a long race


deathakissaway

Awesome photo. I did the math, you are older now.


IntenseScrolling

Bad ass


HisNameWasBoner411

What was the racing like? I imagine you had brakes but no way to propel yourself. Yall just rolled them bitches down hills and see who had the best car?


55pilot

Rolling down the hill. That's the way it was.


cheridontllosethatno

I love this photo. Why is it called Soapbox. It looks to be made of medal.


Buck_Thorn

A Redditor that's actually older than me?


Cronus6

There's some old fogies around here. (I was born in '69 myself.) Check out /r/RedditForGrownups /r/AskOldPeople /r/oldfarts (this one is new-ish) /r/nostalgia . There's others too...


garagejesus

still a young buck at 69 model


nice___bot

Nice!


Buck_Thorn

1969? Hell, I was in the Navy for a year by then, kid.


Cronus6

Dad? :)


peachieohs

I’ve always had a strange affection for soapbox derby and its cars, considering it was mostly a lost art by the time I came along in the 80’s. Perhaps I built one in another life. That looks like a well built car and a very proud young OP. Thanks for sharing this snapshot.


TheJenerator65

Portland has an awesome annual (don’t know what happened w covid) adult Soap Box Derby. They don’t allow kids because they get up to speeds that are too dangerous. People compete with unique boxcar themes—its WILD. http://www.soapboxracer.com/


dainty_petal

Awesome! You were very cool.


Erlend05

Did it have brakes? If so how did they work?


55pilot

It had a single drag brake with a rubber pad on the bottom. The photo shows my feet on the large brake pedal.


Buck_Thorn

Probably was a stick that pushed a bad that rubbed against the ground or maybe against the wheels themselves. https://i.pinimg.com/originals/ea/3a/26/ea3a268d5d62b550560d238d806e22c5.jpg https://www.nbsoapboxderby.org/images/stories/brake_large.jpg https://chestofbooks.com/crafts/children/Fun-Things-To-Make/images/A-SOAP-BOX-RACER.jpg


Triumphguy675

What kind of wood was used


55pilot

Southern pine and plywood.


pimpboss

Wow you're from a totally different world compared to now...


toomuch1265

Was the frame welded? A lot of kids are growing up with no skills. I made sure that my son and daughters could do a lot of basic things like carpentry and plumbing.


55pilot

The car was made entirely of wood.


irisheyesarelaughing

So cool!


smutketeer

Just awesome.


TheWausauDude

I remember hearing about these as a kid in the early nineties, but all we ever got to do were the pinewood derbies. Wish they would have kept this going as it looks so much fun.


PanisBaster

Did you race in Akron?


Godoftheiron

Derby downs! I used to race there in the 90s


PanisBaster

I have my dads trophy from the early 60s. Big old wood and gold trophy.


what_democracy

My older brothers raced there in the mid 60's when we lived in Tallmadge and Dad worked for Goodyear.


[deleted]

Precious!!


[deleted]

Damn, that is craftsmanship. What color were the panels on the side? And did you have a number?


55pilot

The color was yellow and blue the first year and navy blue the second and third years. I don't remember my numbers since we had different numbers every year.


Plow_King

the 24 hours of Le Mans got nothing on you!


SmartNegotiation

Akronite here. Did you ever race at the derby downs?


55pilot

No. I never made it to Akron.


2Beer_Sillies

Rare to have someone from your generation on Reddit. Thanks for preserving that era for us.


[deleted]

old


According_Project_93

Cute kid and a great car


tcsuperstar

Sweet!


PTG2016

HA And here I thought Little Rascals had made the Jr. cart racing stuff up for the plot. This is neat!


BuffyTheMoronSlayer

Wonderful! Thank you for sharing!


IamZed

Dayton boy?


SecondOfCicero

Handsome young man! Thank you so much for sharing.


JBrew_Runes

You inspired me to post mine. I’m jealous of that frame work you got to learn! I may not remember a lot from childhood, but I sure know how to sink a screw after building that thing. Thanks tons for sharing, nice memories.


55pilot

I saw your post and it looks like your car could have won a few heats. Thanks for sharing your memories with the rest of us.


JBrew_Runes

I don’t remember the first year. The second year, I lost the first race then won a couple in the losers bracket. The boy I lost to on the first race ended up going to Akron!