1959 Balchowsky Ol’ Yaller Mk. III
Quick Specs
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305 hp.
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150 mph.
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414 CI (6.8 Liter) Buick V8
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Max Balchowsky
Golden junkyard dog… Sound familiar?
Ol’ Yaller Mark III was the third in a series of ten racecars built by Southern California hot rod legend Max Balchowsky. Constructed in his garage on Hollywood Boulevard, it has a tube chassis and an aluminum body built from plans drawn in chalk on the shop floor. Ol’ Yaller is powered by a 414 cubic-inch Buick “nailhead” V-8 engine, a popular choice among hot rodders of the day. Balchowsky’s cars were regarded as unrefined junkyard dogs and were therefore compared to the similarly named dog in Disney’s film Old Yeller (1957). In reality, the cars were well-engineered, as evidenced by their victories over the exotic Jaguars, Ferraris, and Maseratis of the day.
Collection of the Petersen Automotive Museum. Gift of Dr. Bruce Jacobs.
This vehicle was featured in ‘The Vault’.
1959 Balchowsky Ol’ Yaller Mark III Gallery
Vehicle imagery may be used for personal, media editorial, or educational purposes. Please credit Petersen Automotive Museum, petersen.org, if used. Photos may not be used for commercial purposes.
Driving With Dana: 1959 Balchowsky Ol’ Yaller Mark III
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