1962 Hatch-Park Racing Special

Everett Hatch had an engine business in the late 1960s that was intended to cater to racers and automotive enthusiasts. His business was called Hatch Engine Service and it would evolve into a respected business that built and tuned engines for dirt and asphalt oval racing, drag racing, road racing, and beyond. The business continues today, even though Mr. Everett passed away in October 1997.

In the early 1960s, Everett Hatch raced with a Chevy Corvette before switching to the Hatch-Park Special. Everett Hatch and Joel Park worked at the Salem Speed Shop in 1962 when they began building their own sports car racer. They designed and built the vehicle themselves using American parts. It was given an aluminum 215 cubic-inch Buick engine with a Buick 300 crank and heads. The engine, fitted with a Hilborn fuel injection system, was mated to a Muncie aluminum four-speed manual gearbox. It had Airheart disc brakes, a Hilbrand quick-change rear-end, and Troutman & Barnes side plates.

The Hatch-Park Special was rather successful, winning the SCCA Northwest Division Championship in 1963 and 1965. After its racing career, the car was retired and was 'lost' until the 1990s. It was found by Chip Helli in the Oregon woods. Mr. Helli was about to salvage some of the cars and found parts from various sources. The car and parts were later sold to an enthusiast in the Mid-West who later sold it to Lilo Zicron. The current caretaker found the project listed on eBay. At the time, the car was described as a Devin Buick project. After five years, Mr. Miller was able to get the car back onto the track.

By Daniel Vaughan | Dec 2015