Eastern Auto Racing Historical Society (EARHS)

Newsletter Vol. II 2005
The Harold Cope #1
Posted on 8/17/2005

Easton , PA garage owner, Harold Cope, fielded some of the cleanest and fastest modified stock cars on the east coast during the 1950s and 1960s. Copes cars competed at Pitman, NJ, Middletown , NY , and Allentown , Hatfield, Langhorne, and Reading in Pennsylvania , but became legendary at the half mile at Nazareth , PA.

Cope won the Nazareth title in 1953 with Freddie Fehr at the wheel of his #29.

In 1955 Cope switched to his famous #1 as a tribute to his friend, Wally Campbell, who was killed in a sprint car crash on July 17, 1954 on the paved high-banks at Salem , IN while practicing for an upcoming AAA event. Prior to graduating to sprint cars, Campbell won many stock car races on the east coast piloting a #1 owned by Wally Marks

Modified legend, Otto Harwi, drove Cope cars to five straight titles at Nazareth in 1955, 56, 57, 58, and 59.

Bob Malzahn poses with the Harold Cope #1 at Nazareth in 1961.

Miami , Florida racer, Bob Malzahn became the third driver to win a Nazareth title in a Cope modified in 1960. Unfortunately he lost the 1961 title to Al Tasnady in a rough and tumble final lap of the last race of the season. Malzahn also won the Langhorne Race of Champions in 1961, the inaugural modified show at Reading in 1963, and features at Nazareth and Middletown , NY during his successful association with Harold Cope.

Alan "Rags" Carter, another transplanted Floridian, won the final Nazareth titles for Cope in 1965 and 1966 in cut-down versions of the famed #1. Lehighton , PA s Bobby Bottcher took over the #1 in 1967 with success at both Nazareth and Middletown . Cope retired as an owner in 1968.

Cope used both coupes and flatback sedans, always 1937 models and always Fords. Power came from a 312 cu. in. Y-block Ford Thunderbird engine (a 427 cu. in. Ford engine was installed in 1964).

The 1937 Ford coupe on display with EARHS recreates the modified Harold Cope and Bob Malzahn campaigned during the 1961-1963 seasons. .

Chassis refinements were few, although a Model "A" buggy spring was installed to accommodate a Halibrand quick change rear end. The stock Ford driveline and transmission remained intact and a stock Ford front end with Buick brakes made for easily available replacement parts.

A big red #1, the simple commercial for "Harolds Garage, Easton, PA", and the prominent Pennzoil decals reflected Copes straightforward approach to racing...always Ford, always Pennzoil, and always field a modified capable of being #1.

Chassis Fabrication & Welding Paul Weisel, Jr.
Mechanical Reconstruction Ron Dunstan
Body Restoration / Paint Don Biegley
Kevin Stephens
312 Ford Y-Block Superior Automotive
Headers Cliff Quinn
Carburetor Art Keiser
Lettering Denny Smith
Body and chassis parts courtesy Valley Antique Ford

EARHS Corporate Level Sponsors

Please support our sponsors

Weisel Racing Equipment, Inc. Orefield, PA

Plunkett & Graver, P.C. Allentown, PA

The Gang at Stoner Racing Enola, PA

High Speed Graphics Orefield, PA

Father & Son Spl. #33 Junie & Bing Metz

Reliable Auto Body Allentown, PA

John Schneider Allentown, PA

Leigh Earnshaw Ent. Morgantown, PA

Pocono Raceway Mattioli Foundation Long Pond, PA

Antonini Radiator Pottsville, PA

Midnight Machine Works Eddie Gittens Mountaintop, PA

Jim & Donna Hontz Bethlehem, PA

Freddy Adam - The Kutztown Komet From Freddy's family, friends, and fans

Bob and Carole Wilkey Hollsopple, PA & COLORADO

Your monetary sponsorship in any denomination or donations of historically significant items, photos, documents, etc. toward projects undertaken by the EARHS are welcomed and encouraged. EARHS is recognized as a federally tax exempt charity by the IRS under Section 501c(3).

EARHS "wants and needs"

Wanted: Racing photo collections – share and preserve programs. If you have vintage racing photos, EARHS would like to be able to scan and copy these items. All items will be returned intact and we can provide you with a computer disc of those items from significant collections. We are especially interested in Dorney Park items from the 1940’s, 1950’s, and 1960’s and all Allentown Fair items, including indoor racing events, but all items are welcome.

Wanted: Showcases and display cases. Often cases of unusual configuration can be used for displays of trophies and memorabilia. Also, race programs from the '55 & '58 Allentown Fair.

We continue to fill our showroom - all members are invited to visit and check our progress. Please call Pete (610 398-2188) or Paul (610 395-5303) to arrange a time to visit.