A high school friend recently turned me on to a device that can digitize old 8mm movies. After a few days of “soul searching/cost-benefit analysis” I ordered one. In anticipation, I dug out the “dusty box of treasures” that I knew held a dozen or so reels of 8mm film from the late 70’s-early 80’s. Wholly forgotten, one reel is labelled “GS Nationals.” We’ll see what it holds!!!
I was tickled to find, also in that “treasures box,” four distressed rod bearing shells… (the most demonstrative photo attached.)
…from the original motor in my 70. In maybe ’84 or 85 I was “challenged” on the newly opened Westbank Expressway by a late 70’s T/A. After passing him (of course! LOL!), I looked at my oil pressure gauge. (The original build of my car having, thoughtfully, included “U5--Instrument Group” [insert my once favorite, much missed, “Smarty” emoji…] Uh-ohh…!!! Being of a, how shall we say…? “nostalgic nature,” I saved “the remains” for posterity…
I remember you guys in 85. I started working at BWG Flight Service in February. I knew nothing about it, but was amazed to see that many Buicks across the street at the mall. The pictures are great, but don't do the amount of cars any justice. Wasn't it in the fall back then?
That sounds GREAT! Please post it here via YouTube or some other platform when you digitize it. I think we all would love to see it.
'85 was in the Spring (April IIRC) & the only year the show was held in the mall parking lot. Was my first year there. Prior to that the show was at the Holidome and through '85 the racing was a joint event. In '86 the GS Nationals became a stand alone event at Beech Bend and everything was there.
I was there from '85-98 & then not again until '17. Probably walked by you 100 times & finally spoke on the phone last year. You're on my short list of ppl to meet this year!
dont remember what year it was when we stopped to see if u need help,you were takin your car back to davys to br fxed,we gave you a wood plack,i think we were just gonna head north
Here it is: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1721104-REG/kodak_rodreels_reelz_film_digitizer_for.html
Update on the forthcoming early GS Nationals “documentary” … My initial attempt to experiment with the device was thwarted, or at least postponed, for lack of the required SD card. Editorial aside: Reading that the device HAS a USB port (and finding such cable actually included…), I assumed that it could be connected directly to a computer, and that the also-mentioned SD card was only a “convenient storage option.” But, NOOOO!!! (Insert Steve Martin video clip.) The thing ONLY works with the afore-mentioned card inserted! I guess “having an SD card lying around” is the 2023 equivalent of the late 20th century “Two AA batteries required (not included.)” (I DO have a handy supply of AAs, and AAAs… just no SD cards… ) Keep in mind, I AM talking about 8mm film, and the title of the thread in which I am posting (my favorite on V8… LOL!) SD card in hand, I will try again shortly. However, I realized that I best experiment initially with a “less precious” reel. Of possible importance: Should anyone be considering acquiring one of these, but is willing to wait, I have 13 reels total to copy, after which this thing will be of no use to me, and I plan to “sell it off.” (Maybe in a month or two… Sooner, if someone really wants it…)
Here's my shots from the 1985 GS Nationals. Shot on a crappy little 110 Instamatic.....i wasn't a picture taker back in them days but i had to show the boys back home what was going on with the Buicks in Kentucky so i bought the camera and shot the roll of film it came with. I only have one shot of the Pure Stock cars but i remember it added a different flavor to the event This was the first Nationals that i went down on friday.....i slept in my first year S-10(with swap meet Cragar GT's) in the front parking lot of the Holidome.Before that i did'nt have vacation days and could only make it as a day trip on saturdays to watch the racing and then be back home the same day so i could work the sunday shift for double time. Peace WildBill
This is awesome! I have no idea why it's so awesome, it just is (my dad had a root beer brown/white interior version of that ride---maybe that's why I'm into it?) Great pics @Topcat !
What a flash in the pan he was....i sent him copies of all my GS Nationals videos and have seen nothing since Peace WildBill
