LITTLE JEEP

THE CONSIDERABLY LONG SAGA
OF HOWARD HERBERT

Source Unknwn
Jeep's nickname supposedly came from the post - WWII cartoon dog which briefly appeared with Popeye.

EARLY RACING YEARS

     Like thousands of others, Howard Herbert, a diminutive man from the Capuital District in, New York, came back from service in WWII with a terrible cigarette habit and a hankering for some excitement that didn't include any Japanese or German weaponry. The Jeep nickname came from an exasperated employer, and his fame came from driving stock cars, which he started in at very early venues like the track in Perth, NY.

Herbert Family Photo  Jeep at some early  track starting a race in the #451 - his first real race car. The 451 was quite common for such a seemingly wierd number. I wonder what the significance was to these post WWII guys.	Herbert Family Photo  Jeep and some of his homies at some early race track waiting for a race.	Herbert Family Photo  Someone must have convinced Jeep to build a a car and do a barrel crashing. This was common in the late 1940's for local drivers to dostunts to attract more spectators.
Herbert Family Photo  Some of the boys around the 451 at Perth.	Herbert Family Photo  Jeep with that early #451, in rare early color.	Herbert Family Photo  Jeep's first race car - at home.
Herbert Family Photo Jeep bought that car for a whole $25.00.	Starin Family Photo  Jeep in the pits at Perth, around 1949.	Herbert Family Photo Checking out the car on the hook.
Courtesy of Tom Herbert  Jeep at speed, at Perth, around 1949.

Photo Source Unknown
Jeep Herbert poses with the Bob Mott 3, which also brought Pete Corey to fame.

THE MOTT 3 ERA

     For those few races I got to see at Pico Raceway, in 1951 and 1952, one of the few names I could remember was that of Jeep Herbert. Howard Herbert, a diminutive and popular driver from Rotterdam, New York, was well into a successful career that would span almost two decades by the time he came into Vermont. Herbert, most likely, was driving the yellow and silver Mott #3 at that time. The Mott car was usually silver and yellow, although, when it was first out, it was a crudely - lettered plain yellow.

Herbert Family Photo
Jeep, in Mott's car, racing Jack Barney at Stateline.

Herbert Family Photo
Howard Herbert, in his prime.

Herbert Family Photo Bob Whitbeck,[right] moves in to help Jeep at some track.	Herbert Family Photo Jeep, in Mott's car, winning at Stateline.	HAMB Site Photo Jeep, in Victory Lane at Fonda in the Mott car.
Herbert FamilyPhoto Jeep, watching work on the Mott car.	Photo Source Unknown Jeep Herbert poses with  the Bob Mott 3.	McDowell Photo from Ken Gypson Bob Mott , himself - at Stateline.
Herbert FamilyPhoto Jeep, working Danish on the inside at Stateline.	Otto Graham Photo Early version of the 3 at Stateline.	Herbert Family Photo The popular Jeep with fans [and hooligans]  and the Mott car.
Russ Bergh Photo Another view of winning at Fonda.	Otto Graham Photo The Mott car was deadly at Fonda. This one, however doesn't look like Fonda's Victory Lane.	Otto Graham Photo Jeep wins one in a very beat-up car at an unfamiliar track.
Herbert Family Collection via Otto Graham At a post - season banquet: Steve Danish, Jeep, Bob Mott, and Pete Corey.	Courtesy of Dan Ody With that early car, at speed, chasing Ray Brown at Stateline.	Otto Graham Photo The popular Jeep with fans and the Mott car.
Courtesy of Herbert Fam. via Otto Graham Jeep pushing the 103 in vain as Tom Wilson, P13 and Jim Luke in the B&W 100 get by.	Herbert Family Collection At speed, with an early version of the Mott 3. Great dust control !	Herbert Family Photo Over the bank somewhere  with an early Mott 3.
Herbert Family Photo Losing a wheel off that early 3. This photo shows why Stateline had to put up that ricketedy fence to protect Rte 67.	Courtesy of Ken Gypson Jeep closes in on Jack Barney of Saratoga at Stateline.	Herbert Family Photo Jeep races one of the Danishes with  that early 3.
Russ Bergh Photo via Tom Herbert Striking a pose in front of admirers at Fonda in the '50's.	Herbert Family Photo Bob Mott's yellow and silver rocket, under maintenance at home.	Russ Bergh Photo via Tom Herbert Jeep, in action at Stateline with the early 3NY.
	Herbert Family Photo via Tom Herbert A very young Jeep poses with the original Mott 3.

 
Herbert Family Photo
 PIt was quite an honor for Lou Lazzaro [a mere baby compared to the others] to be photogrraphed with legends likePete Corey,
Howie Westervelt, and Jeep.  The only ones of this age group missing are Steve Danish and Jim Luke.

Courtesy of Herbert Family
Pete Corey in an early roadster. It is possible it is the Bob Whitbeck roadster that was actually raced. 

THE KITTLER/WOLFE 37 ERA

     Another of Jeep Herbert's great rides was a mustard - colored mid 1930's coupe fielded by meat dealer Sam Kittler and diner operator Gibby Wolfe. The 37 team, which would go on through owners Tony Villano, Sr. and others, would remain a part of the New York racing scene into the 1970's. Jeep would drive it most notably at Stateline Speedway.

Herbert Family Photo Jeep parks Kittler's car at Stateline.	Herbert Family Photo Jeep, in Victory Lane at Stateline around 1952. The Kittler 37 started the line of famous 37 NY cars.	Courtesy of CJ Richards In the Kittler 37 at Altamont, NY	Courtesy of Tom Herbert The Kittler/Wolfe 37 at the team's garage.
Otto Graham Site - The Schenectady Collection A Kittler win at Fonda.	HAMB Site Photo On-going work in the Kittler garage.	HAMB Site Photo More Kittler work. Quite rare photo.	Courtesy of Tom Herbert The Kittler/Wolfe 37 maybe at Fonda.
Herbert Family Photo The Kittler car wins at Stateline.	Herbert Family Photos The Kittler car wins again at Stateline.	Mackey Photo   Courtesy Chris Companion More Kittler Western Meats 37	Courtesy of Tom Herbert The Kittler/Wolfe  37 at flat tow, ready to leave.
Herbert Family Photo A rough spot in Fonda.	Bob Mackey Photo Catamount History Program With the Kitler car in northern Vermont or NY.	Herbert Family Photo Over the wall at Fonda. That's Corey in the recently - rebuilt Mott car the, original of which NASCAR had outlawed.	Courtesy of Tom Herbert The Kittler/Wolfe  37 at the team's garage.

From Dan Ody's 8MM DVD At Langhorne [in the middle]. That's Dick Nephew in the yellow 6.	Source Unknown A narrow loss to George Baumgardner, who was almost unbeatable at Stateline that year in the Vogel 95.	Courtesy of John Grady Another win somewhere.	Courtesy of Tom Herbert Chet Hames signals another 37 victory.
Courtesy of Tom Herbert  Jeep flies off the track at Stateline in the 1950's. Recognizable are Fred Shepard 166 and Paul Brozyna 32.	From Dan Ody's 8MM DVD Allegedly, Jeep bought the car from Kitler and  had it as #87 for a brief time.	Courtesy of Tom Herbert Jeep clobbers Joe Carter at Stateline.	Herbert Family Photo Jeep flashes into first place, likely at Fonda in the early 1950's.
Herbert Family Photo via Tom Herbert A perfect guy for kiddie rides.	Courtesy of Tom Herbert The 37 is in this Trenton lineup next to car 75 in the  '50's.	Herbert Family Photo via Tom Herbert It wasn't all roses !.	Courtesy of Gene Swain The best shot of the Kittler/ Wolfe car at Fonda.

Bob Mackey Photos Courtesy of John Rock and Bobby Castine
A montage of Jeep photos from Airborne Speedway. One features NASCAR Pit Steward Kay Hanson;
one shows the Kittler car; one shows the Henry Caputo Plymouth, and one shows Jeep winning.

Herbert Family Photo
Jeep apparently subbed for Pete Corey in the Bob Whitbeck car that inspired those black cars
of Dave Lape in the 1980's. One of the guys at right is Whitbeck, a genius car builder.

THE HENRY CAPUTO / CHRIS DRELLOS ERA

        Controversial Henry Caputo, a salvage yard operator out of Hudson Falls, would employ a number of top shelf drivers such as Earl Maille, Ken Shoemaker, Tiger Tom Kotary, and George Baumgardner. Jeep was also one of these Caputo house drivers. Caputo could be a bear to drive for and only Shoemaker survived the entire life span of the Caputo onwership. Jeep drove both Caputo's Plymouth [he loved Mopar] and the early Chevy coupe. The best car the team ever fielded ended up only with Shoemaker.
     Jeep returned, in a way, to a prvevious racing team when he signed on to drive the backup car for Glens Falls septic system contractor Chris Drellos. Drellos had bought out the Henry Caputo team, retaining the unique red and white color scheme and keeping the potent 1936 Chevy coupe along with its driver, Ken Shoemaker. The Drellos group then put together a Chevy three window coupe, numbered it 111A, and hired on Jeep to drive it. The car usually broke during the heats and Jeep seldom got far with it. The next year, the team built a much better car but handed it over to Pete Corey.
 

Herbert Family Photo Jeep, in the prime of his career.	Bob Mackey Photos Courtesy of John Rock and Bobby Castine Jeep wins at Airborne with the Caputo Plymouth.	Herbert Family Photo Suiting up at Stateline	Courtesy of Clay Herbert Jeep and the Caputo 11 at Daytona.
Otto Graham Site Schenectady Collection With Caputo's 11	Mackey Photo Courtesy of John Rock/Bobby Castine I think this is Langhorne. I think Jeep is circling back to check on spectators who were injured.	Herbert Family Photo Fonda finish with Chet Hames.	Starin Family Collection Jeep and the Caputo 11.
Herbert Family Photo The Caputo car - Fonda kiddie rides.	John Grady Photo A win at Fonda.	Herbert Family Photo Jeep with the Caputo Chevy. His JR Earl ride is right next door. ?? Maybe one car was a sportsman and one was a modified.	Jeep, looking at the Henry Caputo 111 in the same pileup as above.
Courtesy of John Rock Bob Mackey Photo A horrified Jeep circles back at Langhorne to see the carnage done by the Pete Corey accident.	All From Dan Ody's 8MM DVD The big pileup in the Don Henderberg Mem. race.	Courtesy of John Rock Bob Mackey Photos Victory lane at Airborne 1957 - Northern NY Sportsman Championship. It is possible that the man in front of the car walking toward the official is Henry Caputo.	Courtesy of John Rock Bob Mackey Photos Victory lane with a few National Guardsmen, celebrating the 1957 Northern NY Sportsman Championship.
Herbert Family Photo Trying out a go-kart when they were all the rage in the late '50's.		Ladabouche Drawing The Drellos backup car to Shoemaker's 111. It never ran very well for Jeep.	Ladabouche Collection The first car I ever saw Jeep in at Fonda, the Drellos 111A.
Courtesy of Tom Herbert A woman sitting in front of me at Fonda said "Jeep's folded again !" That pretty much his life with the Drellos backup car that year..	Ladabouche Collection Jeep climbs over the L8 of Utica's Bobby Adams.	From Dan Ody's 8MM DVD At Victoria with 111A.	Frank Simek Photo [obviously] A Frank Simek portrait of Jeep.

Courtesy of Rick Luke
The long and short of it. Jeep awards Jimmy Luke, with the Hal Kempeny 113.

Herbert Family Photo
Jeep had this early Bob Whitbeck creation in his collection. I think Corey drove it, mostly. It
might have ended up with A.C. Caprara. According to Lew Boyd, it never worked very well.

 THE J. R. EARL ERA

       Lake George auto dealer J. R. Earl got the stock car ownership bug in the late 1950's. He fielded only flatback Ford sedans. One was reportedly built for Earl and one is rumored to be a former Ted Vogel car. Jeep had some good rides in the Earl #991 and the #1.

Herbert Family Photo Jeep, in the prime of his career.	Herbert Family Photo The J.R. Earl car in rare color.	Herbert Family Photo The J.R. Earl car on display at the Albany airport.
John Grady Photo Supposedly, another J.R. Earl car in Victory Lane	Herbert Family Photo Jeep at Monroe County with Earl's 991.	Herbert Family Photo Jeep and the hulking Paul Marshall  with Earl's 1. in Victory Lane
Herbert Family Photo Jeep and a happy youngster during kiddie rides at Fonda.	Herbert Family Photo Jeep in Victory Lane with J.R. Earl and members of the Earl crew.	From Dan Ody's 8MM Old SPeedways DVD In action at Stateline.
Herbert Family Photo A cluster f$%#@ at Fonda with Earl's 991. Included, are Tom Kotary or George Baumgardner in Caputo's 11; Ken Jones, 71;  Larry Nye 150; Robbie Kotary, 188; and maybe Corey in the 37.	Courtesy of Tom Herbert  Jeep's 991 was part of a big splash at the Albany airport to welcome Miss America, Marilyn Durberville. She would visit Fonda Speedway.	Herbert Family Photo Apparently Fonda was using Morticia Addmas as trophy girl that night.
Courtesy of Rick Parry Hello fans !	Russ Bergh Photo via Tom Herbert When men were men and trophies were - well, TROPHIES!	Courtesy of Rick Parry Armful of swag.
Shany Lorenzet Photo via Andy Fusco Jeep with the less - frequently - seen J. R. Earl #1 - at Stafford.	Courtesy of Rick Parry The 991 at an undetermined location other than Fonda.

Herbert Family Photo
Little Howard Herbert, earlier in his career.

John Grady Photo Herbert Family Collection
Little Howard Herbert, earlier in his career.

8MM Movie Freeze Frames

Dan Ody's 8mm DVD Jeep and Dolores - at a big race like Langhorne or Syracuse.	Dan Ody's 8mm DVD Jeep, at Syracuse, in Chris Drellos' 111A.	Dan Ody's 8mm DVD Jeep removes his bandana after a win at Stateline Speedway in the Trinkhaus 62.
Dan Ody's 8mm DVD Most likely Jeep, in Kittler's car, having been re-numbered as 87. This is probably because Caprara had taken over #37.	Dan Ody's 8mm DVD The Kittler car spins out at Stateline.

    
Herbert Family Photo
Jeep , with some adoring fans. Those glasses are right back in style now.

 
Herbert Family Photo via Tom Herbert
An earlier 1950's banquet shot. I only recognize Jeep, Bob Mott, Shhoe, and maybe Robbie Kotary. Where was Danish ?

THE FRANK TRINKHAUS YEARS

NYSSCA Site Photo

      Coming out of the unlikely - sounding burg of Fly Creek, NY, New York, Frank Trinkhaus was briefly his own driver before going on to set some sort of record for the number of wonderful drivers under whom he would place good stock cars - always under the number 62NY. Starting with guys like Lee Armstrong and Joe Ciganenko, and George Gallup, the Trinkhaus era would include Jeep [several times] as well as Paul Marshall, Irv Taylor, Lee Millington, Lou Smith and more. There were also cameo appearances by such as Steve Danish and Pete Corey. Jeep was a Trinkhaus favorite.

Courtesy of Jo Towns via Otto Graham Jeep, with one of the best car owners he ever got to drive for, Frank Trinkhaus. That's Steve Danish's tow car in the background with the lettering.	Herbert Family Photo Jeep, with a gathering including George Gallup [to his left], Frank Trinkhaus, Paul Marshall, Joe CIganenkn, and a UNK man.	Courtesy of Bill Fifield A win in the Frank Trinkhaus 62 at Fonda in the early '60's.
Herbert Family Photo Jeep, with the heavier Trinkhaus '50 Chevy coupe. Despite the bigger engine, the car was a bust.	Herbert Family Photo Jeep with the Trinkhaus car before the races at Fonda.	Herbert Family Photo Jeep, with the newer - bodied beast, tried to hold off Shoemaker at Victoria to no avail.
Herbert Family Photo Jeep, with another Trinkhaus win at Fonda.	Herbert Family Photo The Beast - inside view.	Herbert Family Photo Some success with the Beast.
Herbert Family Photo Jeep, with a Trinkhaus 62 disguised as X winning one at Victoria. I'm sure he used one of his famous punny pseudonyms.	Russ Bergh Photo via Otto Graham Jeep wins another at Fonda.	Otto Graham Photo An earlier Fonda stint with Trinkhaus.
Herbert Family Photo Jeep, with Frank Trinkhaus [ctr].	Herbert Family Photos Jeep, with an early Trinkhaus 62 after a mix-up with Paul Marshall's 7-11 Jr. Below - How it all began.	NYSCRA Photo Jeep poses with 62.
Herbert Family Photo via Tom Herbert Flex Hose, at Victoria with the mysterious X.	Otto Graham Photo Jeep wins another at Fonda.	Otto Pade Photo via Bob Novak Doc Nellis with what is said to be the former Trinkhaus beast Jeep drove.
Herbert Family Photo via Tom Herbert Headed over the barrier.	Herbert Family Photo via Tom Herbert Headed even further over the barrier. The guy in C15 is getting it worse.	Herbert Family Photo via Tom Herbert Under an unidentified car.
	Russ Bergh Photo  Ladabouche Collection My favorite shot of Jeep.

Herbert Family Photo
The long-legged flagman, Chet Hames, towers over Jeep and Dee Herbert.

Herbert Family Photo via Tom Herbert
Jeep, with Wimble, Corey, and Shoemaker - back when trophies were awarded according to importance.

THE WELCH 77 YEARS

      Another man who used a number of hired drivers was Schenectady's Richard Welch. Having bought the potent 77 coupe from Rollie Johnson, Welch field that and perhaps one other car for several seasons in that late '50's and early '60's. It was one of most favorite cars. Jeep drove it at Fonda, Victoria, and Stafford Springs. Other drivers included Irv Taylor, Eddie Pieniazek, George Baumgardner, and others.

Conde & Parry Site Photo Jeep, with the red 77, at Stafford.

From Dan Ody's 8MM Old Speedways DVD Jeep, in the infield at Victoria with the  1950 Chevy version of the 77.

From Dan Ody's 8MM Old Speedways DVD Jeep climbing into the  1950 Chevy version of the 77. The car, perhaps too heavy, had a short life.

From The Lazzaro Family Collection
Jeep, in the 1960's at Victoria with Wimble and Lazzaro.

Courtesy of Richard LaGrange
Jeep giving pointers to his promoter's son.

THE TONY VILLANO ERA 

     The car number 37, while having humble beginnings, became legendary in Fonda lore. The car number was first used by Bob Whitbeck for driver Pete Corfey; but Whitbeck soon dumped the number and the car, switching over to #22. The next 37 was fielded by meat dealer Sam Kittler and diner operator Gibby Wolfe. The 37 team, which would go on through owners Tony Villano, Sr. and others, would remain a part of the New York racing scene in the 1970's. Jeep would drive for Villano after the team had seen such greats as Pete Corey and a young Jack Johnson at the wheel of their cars. Jeep would have measured success in an atmosphere where race technology was beginning to elevate.

Ladabouche Collection Photo Jeep with the Villano team members working at the time he drove for them . Tony V has his hands in his pockets.	Ladabouche Collection Photo Jeep with the Villano '37 Ford that seemed to come after the car Tony bought off Caprara and before the Falcon.	Courtesy of Dan Ody A blurry shot of Jeep's 37 in the Fonda infield.	Frank Simek Photo [obviously] Jeep at speed with the Villano '37 Ford.	Frank Simek Photo [obviously] Jeep racing Irv Taylor with his Falcon.
		Frank Simek Photo [obviously] Jeep dumping the Villano '37 Ford.

From Dan Ody's 8MM Old Speedways DVD
Jeep, at Syracuse with Dolores.

THE VINCE BARBUTO ERA 

     Arguably the snazziest ride Jeep would drive was for Vince Barbuto, whose cream - colored Chevy coupes with the black and yellow highlights were always kept as carefully as one could. Jeep would have that ride in the mid 1960's, before Barbuto moved over to the young Justice of the Peace, Jack Farquhar and the team abconded to the Valley. Jeep won at least one feature at Victoria with this car while his successor also did with the Teresco and Mancini 685. This was one of Jeep's last rides.

Courtesy of Otto Graham Jeep poses with the brand new Barbuto car at Victoria, where he managed one of his last wins of his career.	Ladabouche Collection Photo Same car, different angle.	Courtesy of Otto Graham A great shot of Barbuto's team at what then was their favorite track.
Courtesy of Otto Graham Jeep poses with the Barbuto car at Fonda.	Courtesy of Otto Graham Jeepgets one of his last feature wins at Victoria. That's George Baumgardner presenting the awards. Chet Hames at left.	Courtesy of Otto Graham Jeep poses with the checkers at Victoria, where he seemed to run the best in later years.
	Courtesy of J. LeClaire Another pose with the  Barbuto car.

Courtesy of Herbert Family via Otto Graham
Victory Lane with the potent, B&M - powered Peter Hollebrand 53, usually driven by Chuck Mahoney.

THE BURLEY STRONG & LOU HAMMOND ERA

      At the very end of a long career, with racing technology changing and many of the old guard leaving the sport, Jeep would avert the end of his career for a while driving the Burley Hammond and Lou Strong 56 CT, a car campaigned at Stafford Springs by Chet Hunt. Jeep went well, but sustained an injury in the car and decided enough was enough.

COurtesy of Jo Towns via Otto Graham Jeep, with one of the best cars he ever got to drive.	John Grady Photo Another shot of the Connecticut car.	Courtesy of Cho Lee The same car with Chet Hunt at the controls, at Stafford.
Courtesy of Scott Belknap The 56 with Jeep at Fonda.	Ladabouche Photo I caught Chet Hunt, masquerading as "Jim Mitchell", running a race at Fairmont Speedway in 1965.	Courtesy of Jim Conlon via Dave Dykes The 56 gets a flag at Stafford.

Herbert Family Photo
Jeep, at a post season banquet, hamming it up with Steve Danish, Bob Mott, and Pete Corey.

 
Herbert Family Photo
 Pete Corey may or may not have caused this. Hopefully not, they were pals.

THE RETIREMENT ERA

      At the very end of a long career, Jeep finally hung up the helmet after a fairly serious crash with the 56 CT. After that, he would once try out a modern chassis, thanks to
Jack Johnson but would mostly attend  reunions and legends' nights after that.

Herbert Family Photo via Tom Herbert
A collage of photos of Jeep with Jack Johnson's then -state - of -the - art modified.

Herbert Family Photo  A few years after Jeep's retirement, Jach Johnson [who by now was at the top of the sport] made his Gremlin available for Jeep to try out. Jeep had never gotten a chance to drive a modern chassis.

Herbert Family Photo Another shot of the Johnson car.

Courtesy of Tom Herbert Autographing the shirt of a young man who was probably not born when Jeep retired.

Robert Lansing Photo
 One of the last photos we have of Jeep.

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