Duke's Drive In

**RPOLS3** · #1 07-18-2009, 01:59 AM

Anyone in the Chicago area know if Duke's drive in on Harlem Ave in Bridegeview is still around??

Back in the 80's this was one of the great musclecar hang outs with some pretty neat and unusual stuff that showed up regularly. I understand it went to the subwoofer/crotch rocket biker crowd in the 90's and have not heard any updates since then.

Postsedan · #2 07-18-2009, 11:28 PM

From 1981-1985....the summer weekends we were there almost every weekend. It was the place to be! Lots of great memories, street drag racing and I294 racing. I`m lucky to be alive when I think back at all the crazy things we did!

Dan.

**wheelhop** · #3 07-19-2009, 02:09 AM

I was by there about six months ago and it was still there.
Don't think too much is happening there anymore.
I went there a few too many times in between 1978 and 1983.
Didn't know Dan (postsedan) back then but probably would have beat him in a race if challenged!

**olredalert** · #4 07-20-2009, 05:07 PM

------Used to go to Dukes all the time when we lived in Hinsdale. Actually stayed up late (3 or 4 in the morning) a couple of times and followed the action waaaaaaaay down on the south side out in nowhere and caught the racing. You are right,,,those were great times!!!

......Bill S

**RPOLS3** · #5 07-20-2009, 10:19 PM

Were you there the night of the famous 409 vs. LS6 corvette race - I think it was on the way home?

**wheelhop** · #6 07-21-2009, 03:28 AM

Bill, we used to go down by the canals off of 83 (Kingery Hwy) and raced back in the forest preserves on 107th, were you ever there??

DarrenX33 · #7 07-21-2009, 03:53 AM

Duke's is indeed still around. I think its mostly imports now though. Back in 85 - 87 my wife (then "date") would go with my Z. Crank up Peter Dean's oldies show and we were good to go! Those were good times.

**olredalert** · #8 07-21-2009, 05:50 AM

------Hey Jake!!! Yup, I was definetly there for that one. Actually I was in the drivers seat of the LS6. That car now resides down in Texas and is still in beautiful shape. Remember the gear in that thing??? The year I took it to B-G I passed Stretch with the needle pointing straight down. That baby was one top end machine. Stretch bought it from me shortly after.

........Bill S

COPO 70 RS/Z28 · #9 07-21-2009, 06:53 AM

Any old pics Bill???????????!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Postsedan · #10 07-21-2009, 07:26 AM

Didn't know Dan (postsedan) back then but probably would have beat him in a race if challenged!

Jim, I say... Hell no!

The only 2 cars that I would often race.... and lose. Was a 1972 Buick Skylark GS455, it was Dark Green, automatic, plates read.... "LastGS". Probably the reason I am now building a Buick Skylark 455. Funny how everything goes full circle?

The Buick owner was a loaner, he was always by himself. He never had a passenger. We all made fun of him because he wore black racing gloves. Off the line I had him everytime...but then right around 70mph, here he comes. His car was fast. I`d love to know where this car is today?

The second car I would always lose to was my buddies 1970 Dodge Challenger T/A..... Automatic, 3:90 gears.

My other buddies car was a Day 2 1973 Vega with a 350, It was scary. The back tail panel read...."Suicide is Painless"

Those were the days.

Dan.

Dedicated to the Promotion and Preservation of American Muscle Cars, Dealer built Supercars and COPO cars.