That insane craving for speed !

[Rich Bingham]

1939, Lewiston, Idaho. Model T races were popular.

[Michael Peternell]

From my trips through I'm guessing hill climbs. At least it seemed that way in a lowboy 30 years ago!

[Rich Eagle]

It would be fun to know more. 1939-41 Dundas Motor Co. was the Nash dealer in Lewiston. Then Engle Motor Co. The Pioneer League had the Lewiston Indians in 1939. The Sternwheelers may have still been paddling under the Lewiston - Clarkston Bridge.
They bent the front spring to lower it a bit. I don't see any speed equipment.
Great photo.
Rich

[Southfork Creek]

Since it's in Lewiston Idaho, having spent a lot of my youth and the area, in all likelihood they were racing up or more likely down the Lewiston "Grade" on the highway.

The highway drops about 2,500 feet in 5 miles so you can probably see how fun that would be.

You have to go down pretty slow or your brakes would go out in the old days. We are going down the hill once and some guy behind us had his brights on the whole way. At the bottom, the driver of my car stopped in the road at the bottom, got out with hammer and broke out both the guys headlights, he got back in and we drove away and nobody said anything to him. I guess an early case of road rage.

But it's a hell of a hill. Racing up or down would be fun unless you went over the edge.

[Southfork Creek]

The original "Hot Rod Lincoln" song lyrics were written about racing up the Lewiston Grade...

https://lmtribune.com/a_and_e/that-hot- ... 52071.html

[Rich Bingham]

Perhaps it's more fun to speculate and build our own stories around these old photos ? The truth is that this was the only good photo of a T in a collection that showed the flat dirt oval at the Nez Perce County Fairgrounds. Notes stated meets for "Model T Races" were held there fairly regularly before WWII. Other racers appeared to be some '20s makes besides Fords. So, sorry fellows, no hill climb.

As for "Hotrod Lincon", the lyrics state , "pulled out of San Pedro" and "Grapevine Hill". Any more detail on the history of that delightful tune, before the version made popular by Commander Cody and the Lost Planet Airmen ? Please share !

[Steve Jelf]

The caption tells you where: Old US 99. For twenty years (1933-1953) 99 was a three lane road, with a center "passing lane" popularly known as the suicide lane.

A satellite view shows a faint trace of the north end of the original Grapevine grade where it descended into the San Joaquin Valley. That was long before the song, before my time, before the US highway system. It was opened in 1915 and paved with concrete between 1917 and 1921.

[Rich Bingham]

John, thank you for that link that tells the whole story !! Lewiston Grade was the "inspiration" ! (kinda too bad he moved the scene to California )

[Rich Eagle]

I'm sure others like me have found it hard to find information about these kinds of things. The Internet and other sources have a wealth of information, but digging it out isn't always easy.
Thanks for all who bring these bits of additional information.
Rich Eagle