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Peter Koning in USA
Peter is a long time hot rodder and supporter of Let's Go Cruisin. He's left his business, Hoppers Stoppers in the capable hands of his staff to travel the US for 12 months. Sure makes some interesting reading! |
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Moonshiners
You will recall I stayed with Greg Saunders for a night when I was in Tampa a couple of weeks ago. Greg and Deanne have close rodder friends who were at the run and live in the next street, Royce and Lesley Kroenke. That night Greg took me around to see Royce's car collection and whilst there Lesley said that as I was based in Atlanta for a few weeks I should try and get to a run called the Mountain Moonshine Festival. This celebration has been held for the last 43 years in a town called Dawsonville, a couple of hours north of here. As Goodguys Charlotte is not until next weekend this seemed a good way to spend this one, so early Saturday Morning off I go.
Dawsonville is a smaller town (very much like Castlemaine) up in the hills and is the basis of all things Moonshine and Nascar, for which it takes great pride. So here starts my history lesson.
Back in the 1930's the Depression was on and everyone was doing it hard. also prohibition was in place and alcohol was banned. So as they had done for ever, the hillbillies would distill moonhine whisky from Corn or Rye mashed with Sugar and sell it down in Atlanta 100 miles south. Moonshine was then usually carried in 1 gallon pottery jars with lagging around the outside to make sure the jars didn't clink when sneaking them thought the hills to the car. Later carried in quart glass Mason jars.
Apart from being illegal the fact that they were not paying taxes on the alcohol to the state government really got the authorities fired up. So the cops would search the back ways in the mountains for hidden stills and stop any car which looked suspicious. Getting caught meant a few years in jail so the good old boys would never stop for a cop car but floor it and try and outrun them to the county line. Therefore having a good fast car that could carry maybe 50 gallons of shine was important; as was local knowledge of every bend and hill on all those dirt back roads plus the ability to drive really well without crashing. They were always painted black to hide in the dark, switches to turn off tailights etc .
This activity seemed to be at it peak in the later thirties to the fifties and it seems the 39 to 40 Ford were the car of choice, particularly coupes as they had a big trunk and powerful V8 engines. But the cops were always after them and had access to later model cars like Customlines, so the trippers would modify the old 40's with twin carbs, exhaust headers, etc, or when they became available later engines like Cadillac V8's. The springs would get extra leaves to carry the loads and extra shock absorbers, heavy duty wheels and tyres fitted. The cops would even take their cars to the local mechanics to have them go faster but the mechanics knew to keep the best for the shiners.
And when not making shine the boys would brag that my car was faster than your's and of course they had a few races to see for themselves. And so they got to meeting regularly, which brougth in the crowds, then improved local tracks, and the entrepreneurs saw a dollar and from this humble start in Dawsonville came Nascar.
So every year in the centre of town they have a festival where all the old moonshine coupes and cop cars are displayed around the courthouse square. Even a few non working stills for those who wonder how its done. I will send photos but you will see around 100 or so 39 and 40 Ford coupes all in one place. Walking around the square I hear someone call out my name, had to think twice as who the hell knows me out here, then here are Royce and Lesley having driven up for the weekend.
Back out of town they have the Georgia Racing Hall of Fame where the whole story is on show with all the local heros and a few choice cars. The moonshiners show at town square is very exclusive and so the locals run an open car show with about 500 collectible cars and rods out at the museum. And so I get another long distance trophy, including a $25 voucher for Gas.
Got to try some moonshine too, its still not able to be sold legally but believe me there are still Hillbillies making it and out in the Motel car park Saturday night I was invitied to try some. Its like regular whisky but a bit stronger and clear in colour. One of the guys in the park had a few dozen quart jars that he had bought in the hills. Within an hour word had got out and he had sold the lot.
And this is certainly still redkneck country, I have never seen so many bib and brace overalla, people with no front teeth and 17 year old girls with their three year old kids. They have an annoying habit of spitting on the ground here so you have to watch where you walk.
Beaut weather all weekend and got back to RV last night before it started raining this morning.
Talk to you after that.
Peter
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