TAR BABE, THE BUILD

[johnl]

Ron Fleming told me last night at the DKP Christmas Cruise he has photos of the first chop on the roof, so maybe he will dig them out and we can get them posted on this link.

[Ole]

Ron Fleming told me last night at the DKP Christmas Cruise he has photos of the first chop on the roof, so maybe he will dig them out and we can get them posted on this link.

Yes please! Keep em coming!

This is the best Advent Calendar I ever had!

[WCB Hitler's Hot Rod]

Ron Fleming told me last night at the DKP Christmas Cruise he has photos of the first chop on the roof, so maybe he will dig them out and we can get them posted on this link.

Just when you thought it doesn't get any cooler. BAM!

[rick m]

Love the shots of chops!  Keep um coming!  Nothing more fun than cruising in a hammered roof VW.

RM

[So.Cal.Life]

Love the shots of chops!  Keep um coming!  Nothing more fun than cruising in a hammered roof VW.

RM

  thats a Big  X2   

[deano]

What I really enjoy about these particular photos is that they were taken just before I began to hang around, and then worked at F&A. From what Ron told me today, there is a lot more to come from this era.... Before Tar Babe was black, it was gray.

[johnl]

What I really enjoy about these particular photos is that they were taken just before I began to hang around, and then worked at F&A. From what Ron told me today, there is a lot more to come from this era.... Before Tar Babe was black, it was gray.

Gregg Bunch phoned me last night and asked to borrow my slide converter.  Christie took it to her office today as it is only a couple of blocks from Gregg's house.  I know that Ron has provided him with photos, sooooooooooooooooo maybe he is involved in the project.   

[Peter]

Hello John,
great pictures!

Do you know where the name of the car came from?
Maybe some nice stories about it

cheers, Peter

[johnl]

Hello John,
great pictures!

Do you know where the name of the car came from?
Maybe some nice stories about it

cheers, Peter

Funny you asked the question as Ron Fleming and I were discussing this Sunday at the DKP Christmas Cruise.  I'd remembered that Ron named Tar-Babe and also The Underdog.  Ron confirmed that my remembrance was correct.

Years ago I remember his saying that "Everyone roots for the UNDERDOG".

[Bruce]

I'd remembered that Ron named Tar-Babe and also The Underdog.  Ron confirmed that my remembrance was correct.

I think it was in 04 or 05 when I visited Tar-Babe prior to it's rescue from Mexico City that I talked to Ron about the car.  When he says the car's name, he says, "Tar-Baby".

[dirk zeyen]

Hello John, do you know something about that car? Picture was taken by Ron F. [ Attachment: You are not allowed to view attachments ]

[Fastbrit]

That's a picture of Ron's that I scanned and posted ages ago on here... So far, nobody has positively ID'd the car. We know what cars it isn't!

[dirk zeyen]

I know.... I was in this discussion.
But the cage in the car looks like the cage in Tar babe and the picture was taken by Ron... ?!?
If I'm right Tar babe was shopped twice..... maybe John can help.

[johnl]

I know.... I was in this discussion.
But the cage in the car looks like the cage in Tar babe and the picture was taken by Ron... ?!?
If I'm right Tar babe was shopped twice..... maybe John can help.

To my knowledge Tar-Babe NEVER had an open section in the top like this car.  Also, I don't think any F&A race car would have shown up at the drags with wheels like that.  So, I'm like 99% sure this is another car but I don't know who.

[speedwell]

in a film i've  the car was grey primer with BRM's and it was at bug in 8 , i will see tomorrow if i can take a capture of the car in the movie 

[dirk zeyen]

ThX John for that information!!!
Speedwell take that film on youtube

Greetz: Dirk

[speedwell]

!
Speedwell take that film on youtube

no i promise to not put this one on the net , and a promise is a promise

[dirk zeyen]

A promise is a promise!!! I agree!!! But make a picture with the BRMs 

[speedwell]

ok dirk here're some snapshot of the film , but the film isn't good enought to have good quality

but here we go 

[speedwell]

 

[speedwell]

 

ps : don't ask me to have a copy 

[Fastbrit]

ps : don't ask me to have a copy 

He can ask me for one, though.....



......but the answer's still No! 

[speedwell]

ps : don't ask me to have a copy 

He can ask me for one, though.....



......but the answer's still No! 

i know that we're several to have this film  but you can confirm that 's tarbabe in primer

[.]

I have a copy too and also had to promise not to copy it.

[Zach Gomulka]

I think it is. It's got the same pinch in the rear quarter windows.

[rick m]

Based on the wheels on the grey car...highly unlikely this was the F&A car.  I agree with John that I doubt they'd run those wheels or the car would sit that high in the back.  By bug in 8 quite a few VWs had already been flying at the top end of the track. I doubt the F&A car would have set that high in the back.

Rick Mortensen

[Sarge]

Do you know where the name of the car came from?
Maybe some nice stories about it

cheers, Peter

From Wikipedia....

The Tar Baby is a character from Joel Chandler Harris' Uncle Remus books one of which was made into a Disney movie titled Song of the South.  Br'er Rabbit ("Brother Rabbit") is the main character of the stories, a likable character, prone to tricks and trouble-making who is often opposed by Br'er Fox and Br'er Bear. In one tale, Br'er Fox constructs a lump of tar and puts clothing on it. When Br'er Rabbit comes along he addresses the "tar baby" amiably, but receives no response. Br'er Rabbit becomes offended by what he perceives as Tar Baby's lack of manners, punches it, and becomes stuck.  Using the phrase "tar baby" to refer to the idea of "a problem that gets worse the more one struggles against it" became part of the wider culture of the United States in the mid-20th century.  Unfortunately, it's considered politically incorrect nowadays.

[edit]

[TexasTom]

Excellent research there Sarge ...
Thanks,
TxT

[johnl]

Do you know where the name of the car came from?
Maybe some nice stories about it

cheers, Peter

From Wikipedia....

The Tar Baby is a character from Joel Chandler Harris' Uncle Remus books one of which was made into a Disney movie titled Song of the South.  Br'er Rabbit ("Brother Rabbit") is the main character of the stories, a likable character, prone to tricks and trouble-making who is often opposed by Br'er Fox and Br'er Bear. In one tale, Br'er Fox constructs a lump of tar and puts clothing on it. When Br'er Rabbit comes along he addresses the "tar baby" amiably, but receives no response. Br'er Rabbit becomes offended by what he perceives as Tar Baby's lack of manners, punches it, and becomes stuck.  Using the phrase "tar baby" to refer to the idea of "a problem that gets worse the more one struggles against it" became part of the wider culture of the United States in the mid-20th century.  Unfortunately, it's considered politically incorrect nowadays.

[edit]

Jim,  how come you never read me that story when we were young??  You only wanted the ones telling tales of Weber and Solex and they only sucked up some bugs once in a while.........     

[Cornpanzer]

With that said, the car is known as Tar BABE....not Tar Baby.