FOR THE RECORD…
Let’s start from the beginning…I started building race cars in 1958. Most of them were stock cars and raced at Seekonk Speedway, (Action Track of the East.)
YEARS
I was 14 years old and building competitive cars that were outstanding winners. Put in roll bars and crash bars, built headers, fabricated wheels, and heavy-duty spindles for stock car racing. 1961, started building drag cars at the age of 16. Built gassers, 1941 Willys BB/G. I fabricated chassis, headers, and built streetcars. 1963, worked with Bob Tasca Sr. to build the 63 Fairlane AFX car. Built King and Marshall AA/F dragster.
FABRICATION SHOP
1965, I opened a fabrication shop devoted to race car building. From 1965 to 1980, I built, modified more than 400 cars, 22 national record holders. Worked on cars for Tasca Ford, Frank Federici, King and Marshal, Paul Newman. Was on the backup team for Mario Andretti at the Indy.
1968-69, campaigned a C-Sport Racer, won the Region I Points Champion for car, driver, and crew. 1969, built Jay Leno’s 1968 Oldsmobile 442. 1970, raced Trans-Am 1968 Camaro, it was the fastest un-sponsored car. During the seventies, built T-Buckets, roadsters, drag cars, wheel standers, funny cars, also built several motorcycles. I was lucky to do all this work at a time when it was fun. My performance center was East Providence Welding Company.
1982-83, I was crew chief for offshore powerboat racing team Class V (Newport Is Sports) won World Champion both years.
So, on September 22, 2012,I decided to get back to cars. I started Old Iron AZ LLC, we have listed $10M+ inventory. We have helped buyers/sellers alike.
This is who I am, for the record.
Keep them Rolling! Bill aka “Billy the Welder” Abatecola