How many Heintzelman cars?
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How many Heintzelman cars?
Does anyone know how many sprint cars Ralph Heintzelman built in his career? I thought someone on the board may know....thanks
- oldtimeracer
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Re: How many Heintzelman cars?
I don't know how many but here is his son years ago.


I have been a race fan that long that I was a Junior fan when it meant Junior Johnson.
2017 Race Count
4-17 Southern 8
East Bay 5
Bubba 2
2015 Race Count 32
2016 Race Count 27
2017 Race Count
4-17 Southern 8
East Bay 5
Bubba 2
2015 Race Count 32
2016 Race Count 27
- supertc88
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Re: How many Heintzelman cars?
NICE picture! 

Central PA - Home of the PA POSSE and the Best Dirt Track Racin' in America!
SAVE Our Farmland, Forrests and Dirt Tracks!
Freedom Is NOT Free!
RIP Billy Kimmel - Gone but not forgotten!
SAVE Our Farmland, Forrests and Dirt Tracks!
Freedom Is NOT Free!
RIP Billy Kimmel - Gone but not forgotten!
- Scott Harro
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Re: How many Heintzelman cars?
i don't know the number either but here's one of his more famous wrenching jobs
the middle three guys L-R in the back row are **** Bogar (owner), Jan Opperman (driver) and Ralph Heintzelman (mechanic)

the middle three guys L-R in the back row are **** Bogar (owner), Jan Opperman (driver) and Ralph Heintzelman (mechanic)

Last edited by Scott Harro on Mon Dec 24, 2012 3:33 pm, edited 1 time in total.
My OPINIONS are just that and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of anyone or any track I am associated with!
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Re: How many Heintzelman cars?
Paxton ran 2 Heintzelman cars when he ran for Maynard Boop in 1976 and 1978. The 76 car is being restored at this time.
- supertc88
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Re: How many Heintzelman cars?
NICE picture! 

Central PA - Home of the PA POSSE and the Best Dirt Track Racin' in America!
SAVE Our Farmland, Forrests and Dirt Tracks!
Freedom Is NOT Free!
RIP Billy Kimmel - Gone but not forgotten!
SAVE Our Farmland, Forrests and Dirt Tracks!
Freedom Is NOT Free!
RIP Billy Kimmel - Gone but not forgotten!
- Scott Harro
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Re: How many Heintzelman cars?
i corrected my post. originally i thought the guy on the left in the back row had to be Jan's brother Jay but i was reminded he was killed at knoxville in 1970 and Jan didn't start running for bogar until 1973. it could be another brother but i have been unable to find any info on whether he had more than one sibling. it sure looks like it has to be a relative, same hairline/style, same facial features and if Jan were in street clothes i think that's what he'd wear.
My OPINIONS are just that and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of anyone or any track I am associated with!
- GOSHOW
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Re: How many Heintzelman cars?
Rag tag looking bunch of guys, which was average for the day, but boy could the guys in that picture make a race car run...Wow! Then again Kenny Weld always said " I don't even think Jan needs a good race car to win".
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Re: How many Heintzelman cars?
Lee Smith drove one of Ralph's chassis I think. I heard there were eighteen of those chassis. The Sub brothers bought the car and sold it to me. I ended up selling it and a Trevis to a man around Newport who still has them both just like he picked them up that day.
Last edited by trecraft on Sat Dec 29, 2012 1:44 pm, edited 1 time in total.
- bschriver11
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Re: How many Heintzelman cars?
I've read through the book "dialed in-the Jan Opperman story" and there is no mention of a brother other than Jay who was killed at Knoxville in 1970,and for those who don't know the story behind Jan's old hat that he wore so often it belonged to his brother Jay which is why it was so special to Jan.
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Re: How many Heintzelman cars?
Jay and Jan were the only children of "Grizz" and "Mops."
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Re: How many Heintzelman cars?
The Frank Murray owned #60 USAC dirt champ car was a Heintzleman chassis, probably the only champ car he built. Drivers included: Paul Koch, Smokey Snellbaker, Dave Kelly, Ronnie Dunstan, and Ken Brenn, Jr. I did the lettering, and it seemed every race had a different driver, he would repaint the scoop and have me put another name on.
- old racer
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Re: How many Heintzelman cars?
I worked for this team in 1984(I think) I was told by the car owner it was a Heintzelman car.


- supertc88
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Re: How many Heintzelman cars?
NICE one! 

Central PA - Home of the PA POSSE and the Best Dirt Track Racin' in America!
SAVE Our Farmland, Forrests and Dirt Tracks!
Freedom Is NOT Free!
RIP Billy Kimmel - Gone but not forgotten!
SAVE Our Farmland, Forrests and Dirt Tracks!
Freedom Is NOT Free!
RIP Billy Kimmel - Gone but not forgotten!
- Brent Leach
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Re: How many Heintzelman cars?
I'm stumped. Who was the driver of the 11?
Tilton Hilton
2 Speedway Drive
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2015 races : 37
Port Royal 12
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2 Speedway Drive
Mechanicsburg , PA 17055
2015 races : 37
Port Royal 12
Williams Grove 14
Lincoln. 5
Path Valley 2
Hagerstown 1
Selinsgrove 2.
Susquehanna 1
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