Don Garlits - "Big Daddy" Don Garlits has been named the "King of the Dragsters." He has won the NHRA U.S. Nationals 8 times, has 17 World Champion titles and a total of 144 National Event wins.Episode 7010
...BIG DADDY DON has raced Whit the best of them all but he makes um all look like there running in slow motion he needs to be recognized just like neal Armstrong,John f Kennedy,and miney More...thank you big daddy for years of great racing...an thanks to the people that made this film 👍👍👍
Glad I got to meet Don Garlits years ago in the 1980s up here in Michigan. Hard to believe those years went so quickly but through the decades I have stayed a Mopar branded guy, and don was one of my car Heroes. When I finally met him at the Nostalgia drags in Milan Michigan, it was a momentous day for me. Having owned 3 six pack cars and a Hemi car, it was an easy conversation. Don is a great conservationist. He doesn't try to own you , but you can tell he has the same passion as you do x 10 LOL. Having a faith in God during difficult times always brought me through. It's nice to know that Don has always felt the same way. What a great man
I was at Don's museum in the early 2000s. I video taped the entire museum (with permission) with my 8mm Sony camcorder. I will have to look to see if I still have the video and make a copy for Don. What a great museum! Don and Pat are great people as well. Don has given back so much to the drag racing community and to community itself. He earned the title "Big Daddy", it wasn't given to him...
When I was about 13, Big was match racing at Dover Drags in upstate NY, 1963. I had models of the Swamp Rats and was dazzled just to see him in the pits. I was watching him as he was working on the car and he turned to me and asked me how I was enjoying the races. I was absolutely blown away, and I never forgot that he took time to speak to me and giving me that big smile. Such a good and honest man, he is indeed an icon. God Bless you Sir.
I loved what he said in a tv commercial once, "I've been upside down, backwards, on fire, faster than any man alive! A real hero in my book, for many reasons!
WHAT an amazing example for all to live by. He's an EXPERT in many areas IMO and won't talk bad about anyone. This is how I was raised and haven't been so successful at that as him but I'm still trying. Talk about a expert mechanic ! Wow ! I highly recommend the other videos he's done. WHAT a life ! Talk about having more than 9 lives !!!!!
An incredible life and an incredible man. Thanks for a life time of memories. I'm so fortunate to have witnessed and participated drag racing from the beginning.
Just an incredible story. Thank you for sharing this priceless glimpse into the true innovator and mastermind of modern drag racing. Everyone who loves this sport, owes “Mr. Garlits” a huge debt of gratitude. There is one thing I would love to know. I’ve heard that DG was the first to put a parachute on a drag car, which solved a growing, very dangerous situation, as cars ran faster. I would love to know when that happened. Thanks to this, I WILL make plans to visit Ocala soon ! Great video ! 🇺🇸🇺🇸
I believe it was Mickey Thompson with help from Deist Equipment was the first with the parachutes in Drag Racing although cartoon character Stroker McGurk had on in that Hot Rod Magazine before that.
Loved the video have numerous models of Don's cars still from when I was younger teenager I've always admired him he's a true honest God-fearing man and I always stop into his Museum when I'm in the Ocala area. I would highly recommend if you haven't been to his Museum to do so you will never regret it and you will enjoy yourself plus you could always buy souvenirs which I always do and you never know you may actually have the honor of meeting and talking to him in person while you're there
I have listened to dozens of Garlits interviews and I have noticed something... He always talks about his machinery but he never talks about his driving skills.
it is a type of narcissism, Garlits believes he is better than his equipment. So talking about the equipment highlights himself.... If Garlits put two pieces of aluminum together with a screw and leaves it on a bench it means nothing..Bolts it to the car he is in it has meaning! He doesn't talk failure the same way either! Narcs don't process mental instructions well or at all....
@@willieboy8798 We all have our faults. If Garlits is narcissistic, it's only added flavor to his personality. Nothing I'd fault him for. Still the best frame and engine builder, tuner and driver ever, and business man in racing.
@@ThomasDeLello so your hero is a narc huh! i met the guy several times he is a full pathologic narcissist....and none of your BS comments are going to change that peaches!!! when you learn psychology then lets talk!!! other wise shut up lil boy
I grew up watching Don, what a great guy - gave us so many historic moments in drag racing history. There are many great names in the sport, but hard to beat the legend Big Daddy Don Garlits for his contributions and giving us the rear engined dragster - he earned his place the hard way almost died twice and kept on going - not taking anything away from todays greats but theres only one Big Daddy ----
He was visiting a friend of ours in grand prairie Texas back in the early seventies and I got to meet him. I didn't get to see his swamp rat but I saw that he was They are to consult the gentleman we know about his swamp buggy which I did get a ride in period those were the good days
The family that showed up and asked to look around was my family. It was my mom and dad and little sister plus myself on vacation from Oklahoma. I still have all the pictures that was taken
Don is the legend in top fuel .and utmost it’s a blessing he is still here to tell the of the roads he and his wife hoed for millions to see .around 2002 2005 time frame time gets away I’ve always been CPD to heart had a 67 Plymouth satellite powder blue non original 440 three small kids many years down the road left behind the hard times that came upon us I sold the car to a guy that run the shut downs mr flower I told him I had one he worked for me in my dept he wouldn’t let up for a week I didn’t really tell him until the day he arrived to pick both of them up one a parts car belv and he only had half the money I explained Ronnie your outta state and you see what I sold the car for with all the goodies 915 heads dual snorkel air cleaner lots of goodies I said the parts car first then the blue one that way your happy I’m happy and the deal is fair he hot shored the blue car after I gave in and said bring back what you owe me he did and I was hit hard bye the loseit took me years to get that car with three kids and life’s bills many been down the road but I was pulled to the side Monday morning bye one of his family members that also worked the road with us at paper mills joe why did you give that car away to him that car was three times that valve you no had three kids and bills and we hit a big hole in the road that’s all I had I’m pissed he did you like he did you we all got on his ass about it I was clue less what’s up he beat you outta that car for peanuts and said he was going to finish it up and you would always be the first one to get buy back if he sold it I don’t under stand that car never made it home. He told daddy he stopped and sold it to garlics museum I said no he didn’t do you see him at work today matter as fact he and his riding buddy are out n I haven’t got no call in. Joe you won’t see him any more I’m his brother and we told him if he showed up his ass was grass and they were the lawn mowers well in the real world I sold it to him I couldn’t really afford to have bought it right back anyway just don’t have that kinda money now but I did at least take him on his word that he wood have offered but moved on it hits me now and then just to no we’re the car really is and if it’s like it was or if’s it’s been redone I still to this day have the brass I’d tag that came from under the hood if you got it big daddy I’ve got the code tag for it won’t do me any good but the car wood look much better if it had the tag I may just take a trip soon always wanted to visit need a get away from thes four walls life has changed now after the lose of my daughter all days are different Wishing all well
When they used to have the SpringNationals at National Trail Raceway outside of Columbus OH, I used to go. It was always great to meet Garlits. A Great Gentleman.
i saw don right after i moved to florida 22 years ago never got to meet him though wish i did. but i am a very close friend of his cousin chuck garlitz he was my best man at my wedding.helped him set up his knife shop he makes the happy jack knifes and they are top notch. but i still want to meet big daddy don garlitz. my son is also a drag racer and he really admires like i do the acomplishments of don garlitz. good luck to you don
i had a vhs tape many years ago, i wanna say it was made by an Australian or European film company. it covered servereal different types of motorsports. had Garlits's blowover in it, a piece of how to pack parachutes. and other racing series. i know its not much info but can anyone help me?
I have a photo of the inside of Big's trailer at the US Nationals. There's nothing in it but cases of Kendall oil. He set low et and mph. Won the event.
I understand why, after blowing half of his foot off, he worked on perfecting the rear engine dragster and tried to wipe out the front engine cars. The rear engine cars were safer at least in terms of having a transmission blow up between your legs or should I say avoiding said disaster but I still love the front engine cars. For years I've been trying to get a freind of mine to join me in a front engine dragster build. He's hooked on the altered cars though.
Watch the video from SDR. Production. They interviewed him and he tells in detail how he kept his engine happy !!!!! He's at one with those cars and it shows in the unbelievable records he's set !! OMG
...BIG DADDY DON has raced Whit the best of them all but he makes um all look like there running in slow motion he needs to be recognized just like neal Armstrong,John f Kennedy,and miney More...thank you big daddy for years of great racing...an thanks to the people that made this film 👍👍👍
I have been a fan of Big Daddy since I was 10 Years old Now I am 61
Glad I got to meet Don Garlits years ago in the 1980s up here in Michigan. Hard to believe those years went so quickly but through the decades I have stayed a Mopar branded guy, and don was one of my car Heroes. When I finally met him at the Nostalgia drags in Milan Michigan, it was a momentous day for me. Having owned 3 six pack cars and a Hemi car, it was an easy conversation. Don is a great conservationist. He doesn't try to own you , but you can tell he has the same passion as you do x 10 LOL. Having a faith in God during difficult times always brought me through. It's nice to know that Don has always felt the same way. What a great man
I was at Don's museum in the early 2000s. I video taped the entire museum (with permission) with my 8mm Sony camcorder. I will have to look to see if I still have the video and make a copy for Don. What a great museum! Don and Pat are great people as well. Don has given back so much to the drag racing community and to community itself. He earned the title "Big Daddy", it wasn't given to him...
When I was about 13, Big was match racing at Dover Drags in upstate NY, 1963. I had models of the Swamp Rats and was dazzled just to see him in the pits. I was watching him as he was working on the car and he turned to me and asked me how I was enjoying the races. I was absolutely blown away, and I never forgot that he took time to speak to me and giving me that big smile. Such a good and honest man, he is indeed an icon. God Bless you Sir.
Super show!
Thanks 😊
I loved what he said in a tv commercial once, "I've been upside down, backwards, on fire, faster than any man alive! A real hero in my book, for many reasons!
Don Garlits is a legend. A real legend. He is a gentleman and a fabulous engineer. Oh, and maybe the best driver in drag racing.
All that and more!!!!
WHAT an amazing example for all to live by. He's an EXPERT in many areas IMO and won't talk bad about anyone. This is how I was raised and haven't been so successful at that as him but I'm still trying. Talk about a expert mechanic ! Wow ! I highly recommend the other videos he's done. WHAT a life ! Talk about having more than 9 lives !!!!!
An incredible life and an incredible man. Thanks for a life time of memories. I'm so fortunate to have witnessed and participated drag racing from the beginning.
Amazing Grace!
Been to Don's Museum. Definitely worth the stop.
Big Daddy Don Garlits a name I used to follow, on Hot Rod and Car Craft magazines! Thanks for uploading and recomending!
Just an incredible story. Thank you for sharing this priceless glimpse into the true innovator and mastermind of modern drag racing. Everyone who loves this sport, owes “Mr. Garlits” a huge debt of gratitude. There is one thing I would love to know. I’ve heard that DG was the first to put a parachute on a drag car, which solved a growing, very dangerous situation, as cars ran faster. I would love to know when that happened. Thanks to this, I WILL make plans to visit Ocala soon ! Great video ! 🇺🇸🇺🇸
I believe it was Mickey Thompson with help from Deist Equipment was the first with the parachutes in Drag Racing although cartoon character Stroker McGurk had on in that Hot Rod Magazine before that.
@@ThomasDeLello Thanks ! Now Del Worsham is running three parachutes.
don garlits musiem is awsome the cars are unbelievable
Loved the video have numerous models of Don's cars still from when I was younger teenager I've always admired him he's a true honest God-fearing man and I always stop into his Museum when I'm in the Ocala area. I would highly recommend if you haven't been to his Museum to do so you will never regret it and you will enjoy yourself plus you could always buy souvenirs which I always do and you never know you may actually have the honor of meeting and talking to him in person while you're there
Happy 90th birthday Big Daddy Don Garlits ;-)
2 of my favorite car guys! Great video!
me and my dad used Maguiars wax. Made the car shine like glass. Very informative interview
I have listened to dozens of Garlits interviews and I have noticed something... He always talks about his machinery but he never talks about his driving skills.
it is a type of narcissism, Garlits believes he is better than his equipment. So talking about the equipment highlights himself....
If Garlits put two pieces of aluminum together with a screw and leaves it on a bench it means nothing..Bolts it to the car he is in it has meaning! He doesn't talk failure the same way either! Narcs don't process mental instructions well or at all....
@@willieboy8798
We all have our faults. If Garlits is narcissistic, it's only added flavor to his personality. Nothing I'd fault him for. Still the best frame and engine builder, tuner and driver ever, and business man in racing.
@@willieboy8798 That's bull sh*t.
@@ThomasDeLello so your hero is a narc huh! i met the guy several times he is a full pathologic narcissist....and none of your BS comments are going to change that peaches!!!
when you learn psychology then lets talk!!!
other wise shut up lil boy
@@willieboy8798 Why don't you go accomplish something with yourself instead of psycho-babbling pseudo-science on TH-cam... Show me your credentials.
Thanks Big Daddy. I saw you at KCIR back in the day.
God bless y’all
I grew up watching Don, what a great guy - gave us so many historic moments in drag racing history. There are many great names in the sport, but hard to beat the legend Big Daddy Don Garlits for his contributions and giving us the rear engined dragster - he earned his place the hard way almost died twice and kept on going - not taking anything away from todays greats but theres only one Big Daddy ----
... and he suffered thru it all with no meds during his operations, he's against pain killers. I can't get a tooth removed without getting numbed.
Uwtqwp97
He was visiting a friend of ours in grand prairie Texas back in the early seventies and I got to meet him. I didn't get to see his swamp rat but I saw that he was They are to consult the gentleman we know about his swamp buggy which I did get a ride in period those were the good days
The family that showed up and asked to look around was my family. It was my mom and dad and little sister plus myself on vacation from Oklahoma. I still have all the pictures that was taken
We Love Ya Don. and yes Sherley and you we're great competitors. Thanks Sherley for kicking his ass.
God has blessed him for not taking the Cross off of his car and spite of losing the sponsorship of the Navy
Don is the legend in top fuel .and utmost it’s a blessing he is still here to tell the of the roads he and his wife hoed for millions to see .around 2002 2005 time frame time gets away I’ve always been CPD to heart had a 67 Plymouth satellite powder blue non original 440 three small kids many years down the road left behind the hard times that came upon us I sold the car to a guy that run the shut downs mr flower I told him I had one he worked for me in my dept he wouldn’t let up for a week I didn’t really tell him until the day he arrived to pick both of them up one a parts car belv and he only had half the money I explained Ronnie your outta state and you see what I sold the car for with all the goodies 915 heads dual snorkel air cleaner lots of goodies I said the parts car first then the blue one that way your happy I’m happy and the deal is fair he hot shored the blue car after I gave in and said bring back what you owe me he did and I was hit hard bye the loseit took me years to get that car with three kids and life’s bills many been down the road but I was pulled to the side Monday morning bye one of his family members that also worked the road with us at paper mills joe why did you give that car away to him that car was three times that valve you no had three kids and bills and we hit a big hole in the road that’s all I had I’m pissed he did you like he did you we all got on his ass about it I was clue less what’s up he beat you outta that car for peanuts and said he was going to finish it up and you would always be the first one to get buy back if he sold it I don’t under stand that car never made it home. He told daddy he stopped and sold it to garlics museum I said no he didn’t do you see him at work today matter as fact he and his riding buddy are out n I haven’t got no call in. Joe you won’t see him any more I’m his brother and we told him if he showed up his ass was grass and they were the lawn mowers well in the real world I sold it to him I couldn’t really afford to have bought it right back anyway just don’t have that kinda money now but I did at least take him on his word that he wood have offered but moved on it hits me now and then just to no we’re the car really is and if it’s like it was or if’s it’s been redone I still to this day have the brass I’d tag that came from under the hood if you got it big daddy I’ve got the code tag for it won’t do me any good but the car wood look much better if it had the tag I may just take a trip soon always wanted to visit need a get away from thes four walls life has changed now after the lose of my daughter all days are different Wishing all well
When they used to have the SpringNationals at National Trail Raceway outside of Columbus OH, I used to go. It was always great to meet Garlits. A Great Gentleman.
great to know, i thank you.
i saw don right after i moved to florida 22 years ago never got to meet him though wish i did. but i am a very close friend of his cousin chuck garlitz he was my best man at my wedding.helped him set up his knife shop he makes the happy jack knifes and they are top notch. but i still want to meet big daddy don garlitz. my son is also a drag racer and he really admires like i do the acomplishments of don garlitz. good luck to you don
i had a vhs tape many years ago, i wanna say it was made by an Australian or European film company. it covered servereal different types of motorsports. had Garlits's blowover in it, a piece of how to pack parachutes. and other racing series. i know its not much info but can anyone help me?
I have a photo of the inside of Big's trailer at the US Nationals. There's nothing in it but cases of Kendall oil. He set low et and mph. Won the event.
Awesome
did it take off half his foot or were they able to save it?? tough to drive afte that!
He’s 90 years old. I hope he’s still living at his home.
Don just turned 91 and still lives on the property.
Interesting man.
Also listen to Big Daddy video Legend: the series- Don Garlits- I did it the right way. Competition plus TV.
Is the little red wagon still there?
392 videos! How ironic?
“He’s my mentor”
Gotta luv Don Garlits and the swamp rats !!!
I understand why, after blowing half of his foot off, he worked on perfecting the rear engine dragster and tried to wipe out the front engine cars. The rear engine cars were safer at least in terms of having a transmission blow up between your legs or should I say avoiding said disaster but I still love the front engine cars. For years I've been trying to get a freind of mine to join me in a front engine dragster build. He's hooked on the altered cars though.
1 PERSON IS A CYCLIST
Tampa boy!!
I think I know who gave the thumbs down.
♥♥♥♥♥♥♥
God is a big drag racing fan. But never puts his hand in his pocket. Not a great sponsor.
Don garlits was a cross dresser👸
Watch the video from SDR. Production. They interviewed him and he tells in detail how he kept his engine happy !!!!! He's at one with those cars and it shows in the unbelievable records he's set !! OMG
I think I know who gave the thumbs down.