Cal-Look.com - Nostalgia Corner by El Dub

El Dub's Nostalgia corner.

Meetings, cars...

Treasures from the past.

Memories, people, meets.

H/Gas, I/Gas...

EMPI, Auto-Haus, R/S...

Back to menu...

PEOPLE : LIGHTNING LEIGHTON Page 1 | Page 2

Lee's LEIGHTON story!

When you think 'bout the Nostalgia VW racing scene, two names actually come to mind : Dean LOWRY and Darrell VITTONE. Well those two guys desserve high respect, but another name worth a special tribute, moreover when you consider this very special guy is still involved today with the VW world : Lee LEIGHTON.

But as usual, before going any further, let me send a big Thanks to Lee Himself, Melba and Glenn MILLER of course!

Lee

On this original picture circa 1975, Lee is proudly standing next an engine stand in his off-road and racing VW engines shop located in Riverside. Awesome memory picture!

Now, the profile... Lee became interested with VWs after meeting the late Dean LOWRY back in the 60's. Would you believe they were both involved with 30's Ford, until Dean offered Lee to work with him at EMPI... While at EMPI, Lee main work consisted of maintaining the salesmen's own EMPI equipped bugs, which was "a good training" from Lee own words. But while working at the R&D EMPI department, he was involved in the Inch Pincher and Jouster built up.

Lee

Period picture of the sign in front of his shop. Not sure the phone number still works today ;)

Others famous cars were built and/or driven by Lee while working at EMPI. Take the little EMPI VW powered digger for example. This little dragster was a winner! See pictures on right column and below for reference and facts.

Lee

Lee poses next the tiny dragster at an early Bug-in at OCIR.

Lee

Another very interesting front period picture!

More on Page 2...

Over the years, not only did Lee built some very powerful engines and dragsters, he also drove them...

Of course, Lee drove the famous EMPI Jouster (see Jouster section for more details...) but he used to maintain and/or drive some others wild machines back in the days...

Let's forget the EMPI sponsored Baja 1000 Inch Pincher and the '55 oval Gasser for some times... Who said I'm a pervert ... LOL...

1- The EMPI Digger :

This little machine is better known today as the little EMPI Dragster. Originally built by Doug CHURCH, it was later raced and campained by Lee himself after EMPI bought it. Car was redone a few years ago and exposed at VW Classic meeting, soon to be bought by Japan collection KOMORI. Period pictures below are provided by Lee!

Awesome color picture provided by Richard GUARINO himself. Color pictures of the EMPI dragster are very very rare! Don't miss the EMPI rims boxes behind...

You have to be a brave guy to race in such a tiny machine... I personally wouldn't like my legs to be in front of me like that while racing...

Note the Purple Tomatoe Chip Meyer Manx Buggy racing againts the EMPI dragster... Those two pictures are dated 1968 at the very first Bug-in ever. Crazy...