I saw him run twice at Indy Nationals and it was so awesome. He was the King and always remained so in my mind. His Museum is a dream. I must try to get there soon. Love the engines and cars so amazing. What a guy! God Bless, Dennis in Virginia
My mother had a 1953 Ford with a flathead V-8, the last year for the engine. The car was ugly, beige everything, but it had a very distinct sound that I have never forgotten.
seeing Big working out of a similar shop as most of us makes me feel goodis. no dazzling shine on the floor, no toolbox the size of a spray booth....he hasnt changed even after all these years. still the same guy that refused to sacrifice his equipment for the few bad track-owners, when very few had the guts to stand-up to them....no surprise there for me, Mr. Garlits has always been...a stand-up guy.
charlotte q..... and That, is the absolute.. unadulterated Truth!!... not to mention, what a tremendous role model he was to the younger generation, Not just because he was the greatest "mind" & innovator in drag racing, but more so & Most importantly, because he was a role model for what it meant to be a committed, faithful and loving husband, & father to his family.... and his wife Pat, equally so.... and they were Very Much, each others Very Best & Closest friend, right to the end.... just the way God intended a marriage between a Man and a Woman to be. "Big" was (& is, still) the "king" in more ways, than just drag racing.
Don literally is the living legend our 60s and 70s generation grew up admiring, and watching as a drag racer. He was a huge inspiration to many of us Mopar types as well as countless other drag racers of many brands
This is the coolest guy on the planet, This guy has cast Iron balls, They clang when he walks. Not many if any have been through what D G has suffered in and for his craft. Does any one know if he is still up and active ? I hope so. Talk about the last Real American Hero. He gets into his work and his family, Unlike many high profile people he has maintained a professional reputation with out a single blemish on it. The higher up you go the more temptation get shoved in your face. My guess is his dedication to his strong beliefs keeps him centered. Also losing a loving wife of over half a century or more had to be incredibly painful, But because he knows who he is he is not afraid to show the world he has a heart. But when it comes to being a tough guy they don't come with much more tenacity. I wish we had more guys like Don for kids to look up to today.
BIG DADDY Do you recall a speed shop In MD called Coleman Brothers? It has been a few years but as far as I know Bill Coleman was specializing in flat heads.
My brother and I read your book, many years ago. Don't know it it was a typo or what, but you are referred to as "Tampa Dan." Dan, not Don. Anyway, saw you in the pits at Pomona circa 1972. This was when a pit pass got the fans in the pits, right up to the racers. Brother asked why "Tampa Dan" but you were either too busy (likely) or didn't hear him. See you have a Navy A-7 out front. Was a jet mechanic in the Navy, VA-305 "Lobos" with the A-7B.
This isn't just a "tune up." At 1:09 I'd bet money he can visualize every individual moving part in that engine, match it with the sound of the exhaust and know if it's working right or not. Not just timing and fuel. I'm sure he hears everything. There's a butt load of brilliant engine builders on the planet but there will be only one "Big Daddy." Deep respect for the man he is and for what he's done.
@@michaelslack5269 I was 9 in 66. Got to see him several years in a row at the Nat's back in the 70's. He hauled his car with a Dodge Power Wagon and a trailer. I had a favorite restaurant that I would hit after the races around midnight. Apparently it was one of Don's favorites as well because we would often get there at about the same time every year after the race. The place wasn't very big so we were usually seated 2-3 tables apart. Don and a couple of his guys would be elbow deep in a big Mexican plate. He always wore a dirty cap, dirty t-shirt and was usually still covered with oil, dirt and grease. I never tried to strike up a conversation or bug him for an autograph though. He was just a hungry guy enjoying his dinner.
While I do agree that Don Garlits is a master of building, tuning, and racing engines & cars from any era, you go ask him personally about the late, great Smokey Yunick. When it came to engines & cars as far as racing or overall innovation, Smokey Yunick was ahead of his time. He patented many things that exist in the car you drive today. I invite and encourage you to do deep research about Smokey Yunick, not just a couple videos that you can find. During a personal/private tour in recent years at the Garlits museum, Don literally spent at least 20 minutes talking about Smokey Yunick and how incredibly smart & innovate he was, in addition to telling great and/or funny stories that Don witnessed in person pertaining to his good friend: Smokey Yunick. They were best friends for many years. That video is right here on youtube. I think the name of the video is: "Private Tour Don Garlits Museum". If you type that into your youtube searchbar, it should be easy to find from there. It's over an hour long!!! Smokey Yunick was light years ahead of everyone else, even though his forte was stock car and road racing, such as NASCAR and others. Don Garlits will tell you that Smokey Yunick was the most brilliant engine & car builder he ever met. As a matter of fact, NASCAR had to constantly re-write the rule book because of all the innovative tricks Smokey was using on the cars. Don Garlits has a lot of Smokey's equipment in his museum.
Remember seeing him at the Hollywood(Fla) Speedway way back,thinking it was the original "Swamp Rat",anyway he was the greatest that ever lived,nobody can come up with the ideas he made possible if only because it's all been done...
Big Daddy! Needs to make VIDEO's. On how to make these engines run. Tear down and rebuild old Hemi's. He has world knowledge on engines. Leave something behind. Don! Shawn
![[ENGSUB] UNPRODUCTIVE DAY ใช้ชีวิต (เปื่อยๆ) ด้วยกัน 1 วัน! | OUROAD CLOSEFRiEND SS2 EP.9](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/pyYKZ3kra9w/mqdefault.jpg)
I saw him run twice at Indy Nationals and it was so awesome. He was the King and always remained so in my mind. His Museum is a dream. I must try to get there soon. Love the engines and cars so amazing. What a guy! God Bless, Dennis in Virginia
An American treasure. May God continue to bless Don and his family.
An incredible man an incredible life. Thanks for the memories Don and keep them coming.
Don, I am so glad that God has led you to a woman like Lisa. God blesses it, and I know Pat does too, because that’s the kind of woman she was and is.
Really enjoyed that. My best to you and your family.Keep going.
My mother had a 1953 Ford with a flathead V-8, the last year for the engine. The car was ugly, beige everything, but it had a very distinct sound that I have never forgotten.
seeing Big working out of a similar shop as most of us makes me feel goodis. no dazzling shine on the floor, no toolbox the size of a spray booth....he hasnt changed even after all these years. still the same guy that refused to sacrifice his equipment for the few bad track-owners, when very few had the guts to stand-up to them....no surprise there for me, Mr. Garlits has always been...a stand-up guy.
charlotte q..... and That, is the absolute.. unadulterated Truth!!... not to mention, what a tremendous role model he was to the younger generation, Not just because he was the greatest "mind" & innovator in drag racing, but more so & Most importantly, because he was a role model for what it meant to be a committed, faithful and loving husband, & father to his family.... and his wife Pat, equally so.... and they were Very Much, each others Very Best & Closest friend, right to the end.... just the way God intended a marriage between a Man and a Woman to be. "Big" was (& is, still) the "king" in more ways, than just drag racing.
A special kind of man !!
Don literally is the living legend our 60s and 70s generation grew up admiring, and watching as a drag racer. He was a huge inspiration to many of us Mopar types as well as countless other drag racers of many brands
Even God says"Damn,He's good!",,,Don,you are the best!..
I'd love to have that Ardun in my 1950 Mercury coupe. I still run the stock flathead. Have for 50 years now. "Flatheads Forever".
Your the man Don,............God Bless you
Great guy. Met him in Norwalk Ohio (Norwalk Raceway Park) in 1999. signed a steering wheel for me. :)
Big Daddy can make any engine sound like a million dollars. He's an old school master of engines.
This is the coolest guy on the planet, This guy has cast Iron balls, They clang when he walks. Not many if any have been through what D G has suffered in and for his craft. Does any one know if he is still up and active ? I hope so. Talk about the last Real American Hero. He gets into his work and his family, Unlike many high profile people he has maintained a professional reputation with out a single blemish on it. The higher up you go the more temptation get shoved in your face. My guess is his dedication to his strong beliefs keeps him centered. Also losing a loving wife of over half a century or more had to be incredibly painful, But because he knows who he is he is not afraid to show the world he has a heart. But when it comes to being a tough guy they don't come with much more tenacity. I wish we had more guys like Don for kids to look up to today.
I hope he's passing his knowledge onto the next generation! A monumental colossus of knowledge will be gone when he passes
Glad to see that you are doing so well Big Daddy
SUPERWRENCH,he understands,he knows,its second nature,god bless don,never slowdown,never get old
BIG DADDY Do you recall a speed shop In MD called Coleman Brothers? It has been a few years but as far as I know Bill Coleman was specializing in flat heads.
My brother and I read your book, many years ago. Don't know it it was a typo or what, but you are referred to as "Tampa Dan." Dan, not Don. Anyway, saw you in the pits at Pomona circa 1972. This was when a pit pass got the fans in the pits, right up to the racers. Brother asked why "Tampa Dan" but you were either too busy (likely) or didn't hear him.
See you have a Navy A-7 out front. Was a jet mechanic in the Navy, VA-305 "Lobos" with the A-7B.
earplugs !? he don't need no stinkin ear plugs... LIVIN LEGEND!
bit late now lol
as long as keeps riding that bike, he will live forever
LONG LIVE THE KING OF SPEED
This isn't just a "tune up." At 1:09 I'd bet money he can visualize every individual moving part in that engine, match it with the sound of the exhaust and know if it's working right or not. Not just timing and fuel. I'm sure he hears everything.
There's a butt load of brilliant engine builders on the planet but there will be only one "Big Daddy."
Deep respect for the man he is and for what he's done.
Amen brother totally agree, my childhood hero in 1966 I was 10.
@@michaelslack5269
I was 9 in 66. Got to see him several years in a row at the Nat's back in the 70's. He hauled his car with a Dodge Power Wagon and a trailer.
I had a favorite restaurant that I would hit after the races around midnight. Apparently it was one of Don's favorites as well because we would often get there at about the same time every year after the race. The place wasn't very big so we were usually seated 2-3 tables apart. Don and a couple of his guys would be elbow deep in a big Mexican plate. He always wore a dirty cap, dirty t-shirt and was usually still covered with oil, dirt and grease. I never tried to strike up a conversation or bug him for an autograph though. He was just a hungry guy enjoying his dinner.
While I do agree that Don Garlits is a master of building, tuning, and racing engines & cars from any era, you go ask him personally about the late, great Smokey Yunick. When it came to engines & cars as far as racing or overall innovation, Smokey Yunick was ahead of his time. He patented many things that exist in the car you drive today. I invite and encourage you to do deep research about Smokey Yunick, not just a couple videos that you can find. During a personal/private tour in recent years at the Garlits museum, Don literally spent at least 20 minutes talking about Smokey Yunick and how incredibly smart & innovate he was, in addition to telling great and/or funny stories that Don witnessed in person pertaining to his good friend: Smokey Yunick. They were best friends for many years. That video is right here on youtube. I think the name of the video is: "Private Tour Don Garlits Museum". If you type that into your youtube searchbar, it should be easy to find from there. It's over an hour long!!! Smokey Yunick was light years ahead of everyone else, even though his forte was stock car and road racing, such as NASCAR and others. Don Garlits will tell you that Smokey Yunick was the most brilliant engine & car builder he ever met. As a matter of fact, NASCAR had to constantly re-write the rule book because of all the innovative tricks Smokey was using on the cars. Don Garlits has a lot of Smokey's equipment in his museum.
"Big Daddy",,,, Simply The Best Ever,,,,
Love the music
who is the blonde with him near the end...daughter?
The greatest drag racer ever
Remember seeing him at the Hollywood(Fla) Speedway way back,thinking it was the original "Swamp Rat",anyway he was the greatest that ever lived,nobody can come up with the ideas he made possible if only because it's all been done...
So wonderful .
Big Daddy! Needs to make VIDEO's. On how to make these engines run. Tear down and rebuild old Hemi's. He has world knowledge on engines. Leave something behind. Don! Shawn
class act..