How could anybody not love a crazy rig like this? The cool factor is off the chart. It's about as primal as you can get, like the blues from Mississippi or the guys who fought in the Revolutionary War. Amazing restoration and documentation! My hat is off to you sir. There is one thing I've been curious about all my life, maybe you could help me with. How do they get by without a radiator or water pump in a car like that? It seems like the nitro fuel, combined with the RPM's they run those things at, ought to blow up the engines and melt them from the heat. I've wondered about that for years. Maybe you could tell me how they manage to keep those engines from totally self destructing? I love all this stuff, by my knowledge has lots of gaps in it and this is one of them.
Awesome, awesome job bringing the story of an old drag racer and his homemade machine to us. Your passion for the history of automobile racing 🏎️ and the people behind the wheels and/or wrenches is boundless and I can't wait to hear another great history lesson from you! Thank you for your endless energy!
What a wonderful story, thank you. I'm a 71 year old Brit who read Hot Rod magazine every month back in the 60s. About ten years ago I flew over to watch a Shuttle launch. A couple of days later, I drove up to Ocala and was honoured to meet Big Daddy and his lovely wife Pat, in their amazing museum.
@@MrJdsenior for sure....just look at how in the seat you have to straddle the rear diff and the bell housing lol that's just insane! These guys were truly dare devils but that element of danger is probably part of the excitement around it those days....It must have been one hell of a time
@@SNeal5966 Yup, and again, Garlits fixed those problems as well, with a rear engine racer, AFTER he nearly had his foot removed by an exploding clutch (If I remember correctly), and was tired of engines exploding in front of him and showering him with debris.
Thank You for preserving that History . Another little piece of History that not too many people know about : Back in 1963 when I was a student at John Burroughs High School in Burbank, California ; while in Auto Shop Class , I got the job of doing all of the Welding on Tommy Ivo's "Lil' Red Rail" . Tommy lived just a couple of blocks away and brought the frame parts to the School to have it welded , and since I was the best Welder in the Class , I got the job . If you ever get to see the "Lil' Red Rail" up close , look at the frame in the lower right side of the Cockpit - I signed my initials "W.D.C." in weld , on the lower tube . < Walter D. Cosdon >
Wonderful story, I'm sure it meant the world to him to see his car back together. You did a great thing for him, and for automotive history as well. Thank you!
@@HotRodHoarder this story hit close to my heart as we have a similar story with my grandfathers old moonshine runner and drag car mercury.thank you for sharing this story it flooded old memories back.From the mtns of NC you now have a subcriber for life...and rest in piece to JEFF HAGAMAN the best to ever strap on a helmet, the legend of him will live on forever as we lost him almost 1yr ago at the wanna go fast event in L.A..doing what he did best at 216mph in his GTR...your legend lives on my friend. ..thank you
Great Job on the video and compassion you have for Jim and his family. A lot of folks appreciate it, even though they may not comment. I certainly appreciate it! Forwarded the link and short story about it to all my uncles and brothers so that they may see your work and Jim's obvious passion back in the day! Thanks!
Sorry about your friend Jim, It’s great you could bring him some happiness before he left this would . It’s also good your daughter is doing well . I’m kinda in the same situation with my friend who is still home but can barely get around But we are into old tractors he has a international cub that needs a new clutch but gonna have to wait awhile because I just got out of the hospital from having heart surgery so it will be some time before I can work again, hopefully about the time it cools off some.
Richard, could see your comment while vid playing and thought at the beginning you were being dramatic- I’m typing this with an actual tear on my cheek
lincoln Blk hello, so here’s my story.... I’m in Australia, 1 of 5 children that my parents had. My father was Bernhardt Joseph Brummer and my mother Magdalena who immigrated to Oz in 1959. I recall my father saying we had an aunt in Cincinnati, the family name was changed to Bruemmer during the formalities of becoming Australian citizens as people couldn’t get their head around the 2 dots above the U...hence the e after the u, which I ignore anyway. My father came from a German town called Soegel, near the Black Forest. I believe he had 2 brothers, he was raised by his mother and an aunt as his father died of pneumonia due to riding a motorcycle during winter when my father was 2 years old. That’s about all I have, not a lot was ever talked about and considering the war and shite people had to deal with I guess it’s understandable. Anyway, all the best and if any of that triggers something let me know. Regards, Peter.
That has to be. One above the rest of videos I have seen on here. You should be pretty proud of your self. For being able to show some who have been forgotten and to do a very nice job of giving his family some a great closure. Great job
I teach my students the value of spending time with the elderly-this video is a perfect example of things I talk about. Thank you for preserving this story-in the archives, on the pages of Hot Rod Magazine, he will live forever.
My grandpa use to race the front engine dragsters his name was larry leetz . Still finding drag racing parts going through the garage a lot of hemi parts.
Somehow, it's more impressive when someone like Jim, with limited means, uses his wits and resourcefulness to literally create something from next to nothing. It's good to see people like him and their work appreciated and recorded for posterity. They epitomize what America was, and should still be about. Real car people understand and recognize talent like his. I see that sort of recognition when I go to the local Caffeine and Octane car meet, where on a good day there will be 300 cars shown. And it's telling that some of the cars that get the most attention aren't the Lambos, Porsches, or Ferraris. Or not even the prefect Hemi Charger. It's often something that may be low-budget that some kid cobbled together, like the Miata with an LS engine swap, or some kid's old Toyota wagon with a cammed up, carbureted 4 he just got on the road. Or the guy who actually drove his amphibious armored vehicle to the show. Or the guy who showed up in a really slick late 50's Dodge Power Wagon with a Cummins 4-cylinder Diesel engine conversion that he did. There's a recognition that anybody with deep pockets can pay someone to do any manner of upgrades, but it takes real talent to do it all yourself like this guy Jim and his brother did. Thanks for taking the time and effort to save this car and tell it and it's owner's story.
Build a running replica...then put the og as is. Don't touch it ever...unless you find another part in the woods. Beautiful story. Beautiful car. Sad to see a man leave the earth.
It would have been a wonderful thing if Jim had heard that old dragster fire up, 'ONE MORE TIME'. Too bad, so sad that he didn't get that moment, but you should be congratulated for your valiant efforts. Your words brought a tear to my eye, .... thanks.
No way.... If I had made something, I would want someone to rebuild my car if I could not. It is an honor to a the original maker to not let his creation remain looking like a parted out piece of junk.
You did a great job on this story and the photos. My brother was a drag racer also and at the height of his racing career he sadly died from a freak surgery. Johnny Ray McPeake. He was a organ donor and the man that got his heart now tours with the race car for organ donation awareness. Thank you!
OUTSTANDING! All I can say. We all knew a Jim or two back in the day, and so many are gone now. Thanks for preserving our history and the men who made it!
This actually brought tears to my eyes when you had the car back at the farm taking pictures, and again with the photo of him and the car late in the video.
Awesome ... to have resurrected such a piece of History to once again be viewed by it's original builder during his final days. His silence had to be so emotional for him to be ready to go in Peace. You are a very Honorable Young Man....:)
To race go clone modern safety to have fire up and possibly sell go original bias tires and original before economy collapses again and they devalue almost every thing once again. Sadly another bad finical storm coming.
Thank you all involved, Jim's story needed to be told and the days gone by remembered. The part of our past that needs to be told so we remember all the work and time spent again thank you 👍
This is great Tommy Lee. Your effort to bring this to life again for Jim and his family is truly amazing. What a great thing to do and share with the world!
Thanks Steven. I really get a lot of enjoyment out of these old cars. Some people might not see the value in a rusty pile of tubing, but it meant a lot to Jim and it means a lot to me.
RIP (Race In Paradise) Jim ...those engine mounts!! (Absolutely brilliant old school solution) Truly Loved watching this ❤ ...thank you for the effort in sharing Jims story and restoring that awesome dragster...may she race again someday
As rough and tough, down and dirty, grungy, greasy, smelly, hard ass and shit kicking us hot rodders are. If we see a rare, legendary car and driver on their last legs, we are puddles. And damn proud of it.
Glad I came here too. These mavericks of the golden age are the inspirations to us crazies who wonder "Why not?". I have a love/hate relationship with onions too. Wouldn't believe how I was grinning at the same time though.
I'm rather annoyed about it. I quite enjoy watching old cars get driven out of their graves, and that's what I was expecting when I came here. Instead I get a 13 minute rambling sob story and a slideshow.
The car never stopped mattering to Jim, even if it was scattered in the woods. Why he scattered it like this is a great mystery alone - maybe he wanted to prevent someone from taking it.
When Jim was born they didn’t break the mould it was kept and used on you You sir are a true gentleman Myself I am into bikes but that was a fitting tribute to a true back garden engineer Far to few left Respect
I remember in the 60's my brother and I were going to build a dragster. We had the frame lined up but that was it. It would have been a front engine design. My Dad was an excellent mechanic and loved cars so we asked if he would help. I believe he would have but probably realized he would have to foot the bill on much of it so he said, "I will help but you have to fund it." We then looked at our fiances and realized we could not afford to finish the project. I was 14 my brother was 16 years old. I have the love for cars that my Dad had and now own a 1937 Plymouth. I wish my Dad were alive to see it. I am now 66 years old. The lesson? Don't give up on your dreams, You never know when they will come true.
I was born in 71 , and been a drag race fan in the uk from a very young age. All these guys back in the day were legends. Every one of them !!!! They should never be forgotten, for chasing a passion that still lives in us today. A great , heart warming story. Thank you. 😊
One of the tenderest and loving stories I have ever seen or heard of in my 75 years of living. Thank you so much for sharing this timeless victory of a real winner in the World of Drag Racing. Thank you!
Too often the owner passes before they get to see it. I was so glad to hear he got to see it. And that photo of him next to it is just the icing on the cake.
Thank you for saving a piece of Americana!! This type dragster was the start of our 300mph passes!! This is a wonderful gift to Jim!! You are a special historian!! I have a Hot Rod edition of my Birthday from 1964!!! It’s in my blood too!!!
Thanks for a really great story ,at 76 years old I have seen so many great stories lost and forgotten. These old timers can never be replaced but thanks to people like you,not forgotten!
In budget builds you do what you can to get it done. Modern day mods are based on what we did in our shed with files, sandpaper, drill bits , and junk yard parts ...heads were swapped by going to a bone yard and gasket matching gaskets to fit whatever head.....you were always learning and had nobody to teach you a thing ... You listened to the old timers talk, showed respect and kept your mouth shut.....it was a whole other world before efi, turbo, and fuel injection. It's the foundation for modern performance. It a ton of skill and no computers to get the things we expect technology to do for us now . Old school mechanics could listen to an engine and time it by feel or diagnose issues just by listening. It's becoming a dead skill now
Car companies don't want that sort of repair skill around anymore. They can't sell you on their service department if the old timer two doors down can just put an ear to a valve cover and pinpoint the problem...
@@TestECull I still can to an extent on the 90's and early 2000 models but all this eco stuff I'm lost. I do work on semi truck issues for my own stuff but all this computer , sensor stuff....im lost. Usually I can hillbilly past it but a lot of it is just stupid. I mean who in their right mind builds a car you have to lift the engine 3" to work on the a/c compresson....smfh!
@@hillbillyholler516 Part of why I'm not getting rid of my '85 F150 anytime soon. That old 300 will never die; if it does mess up I can fix it with basic tools for pennies. And my next car will be even older still; looking to get something from the 1930s or 1940s with a Flathead V8 in it. Gonna daily it too; all it needs is aircon, a 12v socket, a decent radio, and maybe a lap belt. Prolly gonna be a panel van, as I could use it to take my RC aircraft to the field then.
@@TestECull I'm my personal opinion....I would keep the old 300 and avoid the 5.4 at all costs. I have seen too many Triton's have issues because the heads have 5 threads for a 12 thread sparkplug......under stress the plug can blow out the threads. I have one in the shop with gacked threads, and aluminum can main bearings that needs a total rebuild and bored....so I can install plastic pan, intake, and rocker covers...no glass fibres reinforced parts available at all aftermarket. Abs plastic timing chain guides too......junk in my opinion. I stick with LS parts...cheaper, and readily available for now.....its all a rip off ....quantity vs quality and the cost hits you in the south end dry as frig when you are facing north
I've passed over this video several times over the last few months and finally, I decided to watch it, what a good idea! I'm very impressed in the way you presented the car and the owner and putting it together the way this gentleman would have wanted, along with telling his story. I decided to subscribe to your channel, I hope to see more of your work. Thank's for sharing.
I'm late to the thread, but from an old gray beard who lived at the 1/5th mile (long drive on a short track) Islip Speedway in NY, just want to thank you for an amazing tribute to a great racing legacy and his work, and as much, to a young man and his family who hold tight to and document the history and even more, bring great joy to our heroes of the 50s and 60s who laid the foundation of this great community and sport. The love and respect for the folks and their history is and sets the foundation of how life should be cherished and lived. God Bless all ... let's take care of each other, on and off the strip and oval. Very best to all. 42 Jack.
1989 While attending a Trade School in Waco Texas, Monty was a Class Mate i won't ever forget, he was a real go get'r and was so glad to call a friend, he went and found an old Don Garlet front engine frame, and we Built the first of 383 Stroke'r, back then, that was big Tech, the MC Solenoid for the Quad Four Barrel was the beginning of Emissions, OB1. I hope to see Monty one day again, he made an impression on me, being one of the best Mechanics ever!
@@nitrousninja882, This guy sounds like he just wants to troll someone, ignore people like that. Now you might understand the signs that say "Don't feed the animals". lol.
@@FACELOWNER It's a beautiful story, troll. Get over yourself. I'm not american but yeah, ONLY IN AMERICA. Only because of america your fingers are typing and your browsing the web and watching videos on youtube. Do better yourself if you can basement genious.
I Applaud you sir , first for making the best memory in the world for Jim . going above and beyond in your efforts to preserve a part of drag racing history for many people, as well as Jim to enjoy. And I certainly hope that when your day comes, that someone like yourself steps up to make your dream and memory a reality as you did for Jim. may god bless you in all you do.
Awesome history! Thanks for saving it and documenting the story.
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back in the sixties there was a mild little guy in my neighborhood that ran an early 60's Mopar. he did a lot of fabrication in his garage. I particularly remember that he brought the rear axle forward and can still see the welds (in my memory) on the body panels where he cut out and moved the rear wheel openings to match the new axle location. he fired it up once a week to check his work, then loaded the car on the trailer and went racing. as far as i'm concerned, those were the glory days of racing. now it's all high dollar parts and cubic money. my personal car guy heroes are Max and Ina Balchowsky. he built a series of sports cars using buick engines and junkyard parts. google "old yeller" if interested. thanks for telling this story. jim and my old neighbor might have competed. on my liked list. I think my neighbor's name was Ronnie Dill (?) in Memphis Tn.
I was able to watch Big Daddy, The Snake, Jungle Jim and Grumpy race at Island Dragway in Indepence Twp., NJ back in the day. I was there in 1964 when Garlits was the first to hit 200 mph. Man, I just love the smell of nitro in the morning, and afternoon and evening. :-) It was an amazing time in our history and I'm looking forward to your upload to see what you can do with this dragster that has been slightly woods modified. LOL Save the Wave.
Yes I remember back in the day we would wait for big daddy Don to come to our little track in Muncie Indiana. 200 mph those was the good old days thanks for bringing back good memories
@@robert.clarencehardin1876 I totally agree. Now it's time to make some new "old" memories. Remember, the reward is in the journey and not the destination. Save the Wave.
@@thenegus5469 right I've seen all the Big names right here. They used to stay all night in a little hotel rright by my house grays hotel I've seen little red wagon big daddy and the snake mongoose and all of them that was any body. Nw I enjoy the gassers. Sixty five year old kid at heart Robert H. Muncie Indiana. Have a good one thanks for your reply..
For us old folks that remember the days watching the junkyard drag cars at the local drag strip are great memories. The drag strips are now housing developments and most of the guys that built and raced the jalopies are gone as well. Thanks to the younger people who are trying to preserve the history before it is gone. You and your crew made special memories for his daughters that probably weren't around when he did this.
RIP Mr. Jim! I didn’t have the honor of meeting you but through this young Man’s foresight of recognition of things that are slipping by us daily without someone caring enough to document or at least tell the stories! I feel like I have known you forever! Tgi brought a smile to my day! Thank young MAN! God Bless you and your compassion, passion and love for the past and hope to enlighten our youth into seeking out our history! GOD BLESS YOU and GOD BLESS AMERICA! Mr. Jim, You were a true PIONEER Sir! Rest peaceful in that drag strip above Sir!
Nostalgia dragster with nostalgic build. Love how he built the car from junk and still ended up racing for 3 long seasons. Hard to find such ingenious builder today. 🙏🙏🙏
Now finish and restore it in his memory to running condition since you got and put it on display somewhere in his honor with all the history you’ve been pricelessly been shared by him👍
What a fabulous story, thanks for sharing. I grew up in this era and spent countless days at Lions Drag Strip. I remember when the 8 second barrier was first achieved by dragsters. Eyes burning from nitro fuel, ears throbbing from the sound of the motors, and the smell of burnt rubber. Yes, those were the days.
HAHAH...this video is AWESOME!!!....the back story is amazing!!, and the back story and the man ....JIM, the man behind this find is the best part!!....i am NOT a gearhead, but an enthusiast for the old 50's....60's drag cars, and i tell ya, this vid brought me to tears...... You went WAAY beyond, and brought a pile of rust to a thing of beauty that all car freaks can say "oooooooooooooooooooooooooooHHH"........thank you for the vid...and thank you for making an old dragger feel important, as they all REALLY are! I never saw the Hot Rod article......but saw THIS article here on TH-cam, and thank you again for putting Jim's story on here!!
This video has touched my heart in a way I can not describe.... I got involved in drag racing at the age of 13 years old when my dad took me to Cecil County Dragway in Rising Sun Maryland. I fell in love with everything about drag racing from that day on. When I turned 16 my dad bought me a 1970 ss396 Elcamino... One of the first things we did was buy a set of slicks and went racing. The car ran 13's at that time. My dad and i weren't real happy with that so we put 4:56 gears in it a roller cam and lifters and did a ton of head work to the car. It eventually ran 11's... That car was my pride and joy and the time i spent with my father are some of the best days of my life. Thanks for posting this video...
I have watched a few of these episodes and I am struck by the respect that you carry towards your seniors / elders. Very high class, the compassion that you seem to operate in really shines through. Keep up the good work.
Just an amazing story and video, it's truly awesome that another piece of drag racing history is saved and it's story told, it's so cool that Jim got to see it and hold that trophy with it again before he past, great stuff 👍
I didn't get to see the Hot Rod article, but this video was very well done and from the heart. My Grandfather, Uncle and Father built these old sling shot and the newer 70's style dragsters from my grandfathers garage in the 50's through the late 60's, maybe to early 70's. It was so cool to see all the machines in the shop running, the frames being built, rear ends cut down and other parts that they made by hand, go together, like a puzzle before my eyes. For me from age 6 thru 10, it was the coolest thing I could watch, seeing my family put them together. The best part was hearing it fire up in our home garage and see my dad run it down our neighborhood street at 100 or so mph. Then turn around at the end and hard run it back, doing test runs before the weekend of racing. Those old 331, 354, 392 Hemi engines were a sight to see and hear, all decked out with injectors and 8-71 blowers... zoomies sounded awesome too ! Their Speed Shop was Straightway Engineering, out of Willoughby, Ohio. That reminds me, I need to go visit my Uncle Martin, he's the only one left from those great times. Thanks for the video and memories.
People who never hot rodded or raced don’t understand the excitement, don’t understand how it seeps into your soul. The experience just embeds itself into you soul. Thats why allot of us reflect on it as one of the best experiences of our lives. Thanks for posting.
Amazing story, MEN like him lay the foundation so we can be where we are today. Gives me a lot of motivation to finish my 69 camaro restoration project and not take anything for granted from that car and time. Thank you, Jim!
Very awesome story!! Thanks for sharing and for doing what you do . Keep it up so these things can be remembered and we can know about how drag racing was back in the day. Thanks again!
You told this vary well and it made me cry and laugh at the same time. The fact that your documenting this history is such a cool thing . Not just for Jim and his family but for the people who never got meet him now know a little bit him and what it was like In the early days of drag racing. Story well told. Good to hear your daughter doing better I pray that she made a full recovery. Keep up the good work
Thank you for the kind words! My daughter made a full recovery...you'd never know she had such a serious issue with her kidney. Thank you for your concern.
this brings back so many memories...1975, I was 17 n had just met steve svetz a racer out of Illinois who had moved his operation down to deer park texas (just south of Houston) he had I think it was a 70 mustang with a hodge podge homebrew boss 302 he and his father had cobbled together. man that car was fast. 4speed B/W super T10, Pontiac 5:13 rearend it was a direct bolt in on that mustang, speed shifting like ol Ronnie sox from the days of yore….steve could really make that ol pony fly. I lost touch with steve after that summer of endless adventures.....I only recall him losing 1 race. im 61 now and I constantly think about what ever became of ol steve, that car and all that time....im 61 now but looking back it was surely a dream living when the muscle cars ruled the road. memories of walking into junkyards and seeing hemi's lined up in a row waiting on new owners. and the sounds of hot cammed cars as they rolled past. it was truly wonderous
Man this story is so touching as a young car guy myself it's amazing to hear the crazy story's and see the amazing vehicles these original car guys built and raced its absolutely amazing the sheer design prowess and just tenacity they had to drive these vehicles... Truly an amazing story God speed Jim! You left an amazing legacy.
Thank you for digging out his old dragster, putting it together in his honor and delivering it to him before he passed away. You're a wonderful group of guys. HUGS
1 million views! Thank you so much for the views, the kind words and support!
Great stories about fascinating people and cars. Thanks man.
How much for the red 67?
How could anybody not love a crazy rig like this? The cool factor is off the chart. It's about as primal as you can get, like the blues from Mississippi or the guys who fought in the Revolutionary War. Amazing restoration and documentation!
My hat is off to you sir.
There is one thing I've been curious about all my life, maybe you could help me with.
How do they get by without a radiator or water pump in a car like that? It seems like the nitro fuel, combined with the RPM's they run those things at, ought to blow up the engines and melt them from the heat. I've wondered about that for years.
Maybe you could tell me how they manage to keep those engines from totally self destructing? I love all this stuff, by my knowledge has lots of gaps in it and this is one of them.
Why was the dragster disassembled over the years scattered all over the yard
Awesome, awesome job bringing the story of an old drag racer and his homemade machine to us. Your passion for the history of automobile racing 🏎️ and the people behind the wheels and/or wrenches is boundless and I can't wait to hear another great history lesson from you! Thank you for your endless energy!
What a wonderful story, thank you. I'm a 71 year old Brit who read Hot Rod magazine every month back in the 60s. About ten years ago I flew over to watch a Shuttle launch. A couple of days later, I drove up to Ocala and was honoured to meet Big Daddy and his lovely wife Pat, in their amazing museum.
Can't imagine a finer living tribute to Jim with the car he built and loved.
Amen!
@David Armstrong drive
Started going to Cicil County Dragaway after service in 62!! Brings back some great memories!!
Man the guys that raced these cars from this period were really fearless....I could not imagine going 150+ mph in that car. Awesome story.
It was more dangerous then than it is now, even with twice the speeds involved.
@@MrJdsenior for sure....just look at how in the seat you have to straddle the rear diff and the bell housing lol that's just insane! These guys were truly dare devils but that element of danger is probably part of the excitement around it those days....It must have been one hell of a time
Nobody back then new any different, You have the advantage of 50 yrs of hind sight.
@@SNeal5966 Yup, and again, Garlits fixed those problems as well, with a rear engine racer, AFTER he nearly had his foot removed by an exploding clutch (If I remember correctly), and was tired of engines exploding in front of him and showering him with debris.
@@MrJdsenior He used to say all his problems were behind him! Great days for racing!
Thank You for preserving that History . Another little piece of History that not too many people know about : Back in 1963 when I was a student at John Burroughs High School in Burbank, California ; while in Auto Shop Class , I got the job of doing all of the Welding on Tommy Ivo's "Lil' Red Rail" . Tommy lived just a couple of blocks away and brought the frame parts to the School to have it welded , and since I was the best Welder in the Class , I got the job . If you ever get to see the "Lil' Red Rail" up close , look at the frame in the lower right side of the Cockpit - I signed my initials "W.D.C." in weld , on the lower tube . < Walter D. Cosdon >
That's pretty awesome!
Wonderful story, I'm sure it meant the world to him to see his car back together. You did a great thing for him, and for automotive history as well. Thank you!
So awesome you saved that dragster and saved Jim's story. Great job.
Thanks Dave, the whole process was really enjoyable.
@@HotRodHoarder this story hit close to my heart as we have a similar story with my grandfathers old moonshine runner and drag car mercury.thank you for sharing this story it flooded old memories back.From the mtns of NC you now have a subcriber for life...and rest in piece to JEFF HAGAMAN the best to ever strap on a helmet, the legend of him will live on forever as we lost him almost 1yr ago at the wanna go fast event in L.A..doing what he did best at 216mph in his GTR...your legend lives on my friend. ..thank you
Great Job on the video and compassion you have for Jim and his family. A lot of folks appreciate it, even though they may not comment. I certainly appreciate it! Forwarded the link and short story about it to all my uncles and brothers so that they may see your work and Jim's obvious passion back in the day! Thanks!
Sorry about your friend Jim, It’s great you could bring him some happiness before he left this would . It’s also good your daughter is doing well .
I’m kinda in the same situation with my friend who is still home but can barely get around
But we are into old tractors he has a international cub that needs a new clutch but gonna have to wait awhile because I just got out of the hospital from having heart surgery so it will be some time before I can work again, hopefully about the time it cools off some.
Gas welding it's a similar technique to TIG welding except you're using an oxy acetylene torch. Properly done it makes for a very nice weld.
The picture of him with the car and trophy made me almost cry
Not almost for me.
yeah my eyes got a bit wet too.
What a beaut of a story, what a great time to have been alive
Richard, could see your comment while vid playing and thought at the beginning you were being dramatic- I’m typing this with an actual tear on my cheek
gristlepounder o
Well done, you did Right by Jim in his declining days and at the same time reminded people it’s not all about the money. All the best.
hey bro are u related to joseph Brummer and Ernest Brummer we might be related.
lincoln Blk hello, so here’s my story.... I’m in Australia, 1 of 5 children that my parents had. My father was Bernhardt Joseph Brummer and my mother Magdalena who immigrated to Oz in 1959. I recall my father saying we had an aunt in Cincinnati, the family name was changed to Bruemmer during the formalities of becoming Australian citizens as people couldn’t get their head around the 2 dots above the U...hence the e after the u, which I ignore anyway. My father came from a German town called Soegel, near the Black Forest. I believe he had 2 brothers, he was raised by his mother and an aunt as his father died of pneumonia due to riding a motorcycle during winter when my father was 2 years old. That’s about all I have, not a lot was ever talked about and considering the war and shite people had to deal with I guess it’s understandable. Anyway, all the best and if any of that triggers something let me know. Regards, Peter.
This right here! 100% agree. Showed the respect the man and his car deserved. Well done and F the money.
You did a great thing for that man and his family. I have great respect for you.
That has to be. One above the rest of videos I have seen on here. You should be pretty proud of your self. For being able to show some who have been forgotten and to do a very nice job of giving his family some a great closure. Great job
Thank you Donald, it was definitely one of the coolest projects we've ever been involved in.
What a brilliant story, I'm so glad the old boy got to see it again
I teach my students the value of spending time with the elderly-this video is a perfect example of things I talk about. Thank you for preserving this story-in the archives, on the pages of Hot Rod Magazine, he will live forever.
My grandpa use to race the front engine dragsters his name was larry leetz . Still finding drag racing parts going through the garage a lot of hemi parts.
Your grandfather was a bad ass
Are you serious? I know of Larry leetz dragster
Somehow, it's more impressive when someone like Jim, with limited means, uses his wits and resourcefulness to literally create something from next to nothing. It's good to see people like him and their work appreciated and recorded for posterity. They epitomize what America was, and should still be about.
Real car people understand and recognize talent like his. I see that sort of recognition when I go to the local Caffeine and Octane car meet, where on a good day there will be 300 cars shown. And it's telling that some of the cars that get the most attention aren't the Lambos, Porsches, or Ferraris. Or not even the prefect Hemi Charger. It's often something that may be low-budget that some kid cobbled together, like the Miata with an LS engine swap, or some kid's old Toyota wagon with a cammed up, carbureted 4 he just got on the road.
Or the guy who actually drove his amphibious armored vehicle to the show. Or the guy who showed up in a really slick late 50's Dodge Power Wagon with a Cummins 4-cylinder Diesel engine conversion that he did.
There's a recognition that anybody with deep pockets can pay someone to do any manner of upgrades, but it takes real talent to do it all yourself like this guy Jim and his brother did.
Thanks for taking the time and effort to save this car and tell it and it's owner's story.
That has never been so true
Even if you don't make it a driver you should make it a runner
Far better to make a replica, rebuilding the original would take replacing or destroying the originality.
Build a running replica...then put the og as is. Don't touch it ever...unless you find another part in the woods. Beautiful story. Beautiful car. Sad to see a man leave the earth.
You can recover and build it
It would have been a wonderful thing if Jim had heard that old dragster fire up, 'ONE MORE TIME'. Too bad, so sad that he didn't get that moment, but you should be congratulated for your valiant efforts. Your words brought a tear to my eye, .... thanks.
No way.... If I had made something, I would want someone to rebuild my car if I could not. It is an honor to a the original maker to not let his creation remain looking like a parted out piece of junk.
You did a great job on this story and the photos. My brother was a drag racer also and at the height of his racing career he sadly died from a freak surgery. Johnny Ray McPeake. He was a organ donor and the man that got his heart now tours with the race car for organ donation awareness. Thank you!
OUTSTANDING!
All I can say.
We all knew a Jim or two back in the day, and so many are gone now.
Thanks for preserving our history and the men who made it!
You were able to add some living to the end of Joe’s life. Great story and touching tribute. Thanks for sharing this.
Jim's life.
This actually brought tears to my eyes when you had the car back at the farm taking pictures, and again with the photo of him and the car late in the video.
Yeah man that busted me.
Me too. ❤🙏
Thank you for sharing Jim's story. Got a little choked up watching this one.
Me too, very moving, glad Jim held out to the end to see his rail, thank you for making this video.
As did I. One hell of a good story. Sad but happy ending for sure.
I as well got choked up a little in hearing this story. Thank you for this story and how you went about it. Very touching.
Hit hard I’m from Chattanooga Tn and I’ve heard a lot about this dragster and glad someone has brought history back! Rest his soul 🙏🏼
Awesome ... to have resurrected such a piece of History to once again be viewed by it's original builder during his final days. His silence had to be so emotional for him to be ready to go in Peace.
You are a very Honorable Young Man....:)
Thank you, it was an absolute pleasure.
Wow! Awesome story! This man was in the thick of it when drag racing was a new thing! R.I.P
you guys should try fabricating a running version of Jim's dragster as close to the original as possible. and leave the original as is for show
Too much money for too little reward...sadly
A replica would definitely be doable.
To race go clone modern safety to have fire up and possibly sell go original bias tires and original before economy collapses again and they devalue almost every thing once again. Sadly another bad finical storm coming.
@@lobmin They can afford it 👍
Thank you all involved, Jim's story needed to be told and the days gone by remembered.
The part of our past that needs to be told so we remember all the work and time spent again thank you 👍
This is great Tommy Lee. Your effort to bring this to life again for Jim and his family is truly amazing. What a great thing to do and share with the world!
Thanks Steven. I really get a lot of enjoyment out of these old cars. Some people might not see the value in a rusty pile of tubing, but it meant a lot to Jim and it means a lot to me.
Very cool! Especially taking the car back to show Jim and taking his picture.
Making the last pic match the first was genius
RIP (Race In Paradise) Jim
...those engine mounts!! (Absolutely brilliant old school solution)
Truly Loved watching this ❤ ...thank you for the effort in sharing Jims story and restoring that awesome dragster...may she race again someday
I'm glad TH-cam brought me here. Such a great story. I just want to know who's cutting onions?
you got that too, though it was just me,
I teared up too
As rough and tough, down and dirty, grungy, greasy, smelly, hard ass and shit kicking us hot rodders are. If we see a rare, legendary car and driver on their last legs, we are puddles. And damn proud of it.
Glad I came here too. These mavericks of the golden age are the inspirations to us crazies who wonder "Why not?". I have a love/hate relationship with onions too. Wouldn't believe how I was grinning at the same time though.
I'm rather annoyed about it. I quite enjoy watching old cars get driven out of their graves, and that's what I was expecting when I came here. Instead I get a 13 minute rambling sob story and a slideshow.
Thanks for sharing this story,I feel like I got to know a little about a man I never met-RIP Jim
Auto racing is such an important part of our American heritage. Thank you so much for your efforts to save this wonderful piece of History!
The car doesn't actually matter. The memory of Jim does, and you have done him a world of justice. What a wonderful story. RIP, Jim.
The car never stopped mattering to Jim, even if it was scattered in the woods. Why he scattered it like this is a great mystery alone - maybe he wanted to prevent someone from taking it.
When Jim was born they didn’t break the mould it was kept and used on you
You sir are a true gentleman
Myself I am into bikes but that was a fitting tribute to a true back garden engineer
Far to few left
Respect
Great American story of ingenuity, dedication, and perseverance. So well photographed and produced, Bravo!
I remember in the 60's my brother and I were going to build a dragster. We had the frame lined up but that was it. It would have been a front engine design. My Dad was an excellent mechanic and loved cars so we asked if he would help. I believe he would have but probably realized he would have to foot the bill on much of it so he said, "I will help but you have to fund it." We then looked at our fiances and realized we could not afford to finish the project. I was 14 my brother was 16 years old.
I have the love for cars that my Dad had and now own a 1937 Plymouth. I wish my Dad were alive to see it. I am now 66 years old.
The lesson? Don't give up on your dreams, You never know when they will come true.
Kudos to you man, you are doing a tremendous service to automotive history by chronicling these stories. Thank You so much.
Thank you for watching!
I was born in 71 , and been a drag race fan in the uk from a very young age.
All these guys back in the day were legends. Every one of them !!!!
They should never be forgotten, for chasing a passion that still lives in us today.
A great , heart warming story. Thank you. 😊
One of the tenderest and loving stories I have ever seen or heard of in my 75 years of living. Thank you so much for sharing this timeless victory of a real winner in the World of Drag Racing. Thank you!
This might be the best video i have ever seen in my life.
Thank you Ralph, it was fun to put this one together!
wow... what a find......totally awesome....i hope you bring it back to life
Such a cool cool
Story
I grew up
In the 60’s and 70’s
Men like Jim were hometown legends
Every day we lose another old mechanic, driver, or car builder. Thank you for what you did for him, and us (by bringing the story to life).
This kind of stuff makes me extremely proud to be an American & appreciate the small stuff.
Too often the owner passes before they get to see it. I was so glad to hear he got to see it. And that photo of him next to it is just the icing on the cake.
Such a beautiful story, rest in paradise Jim, Thanks for building this piece of history, and thank you for sharing it with us. 🙏🏻
Thank you for saving that beautiful dragster. What a great video. Was glad Jim got to see it one more time.
Thank you for saving a piece of Americana!! This type dragster was the start of our 300mph passes!! This is a wonderful gift to Jim!! You are a special historian!! I have a Hot Rod edition of my Birthday from 1964!!! It’s in my blood too!!!
Thanks for a really great story ,at 76 years old I have seen so many great stories lost and forgotten. These old timers can never be replaced but thanks to people like you,not forgotten!
In budget builds you do what you can to get it done.
Modern day mods are based on what we did in our shed with files, sandpaper, drill bits , and junk yard parts ...heads were swapped by going to a bone yard and gasket matching gaskets to fit whatever head.....you were always learning and had nobody to teach you a thing ...
You listened to the old timers talk, showed respect and kept your mouth shut.....it was a whole other world before efi, turbo, and fuel injection.
It's the foundation for modern performance.
It a ton of skill and no computers to get the things we expect technology to do for us now .
Old school mechanics could listen to an engine and time it by feel or diagnose issues just by listening.
It's becoming a dead skill now
So true about modern mechanics, hell Ive seen the difference since I was an apprentice 40 years ago.
Car companies don't want that sort of repair skill around anymore. They can't sell you on their service department if the old timer two doors down can just put an ear to a valve cover and pinpoint the problem...
@@TestECull I still can to an extent on the 90's and early 2000 models but all this eco stuff I'm lost.
I do work on semi truck issues for my own stuff but all this computer , sensor stuff....im lost.
Usually I can hillbilly past it but a lot of it is just stupid.
I mean who in their right mind builds a car you have to lift the engine 3" to work on the a/c compresson....smfh!
@@hillbillyholler516 Part of why I'm not getting rid of my '85 F150 anytime soon. That old 300 will never die; if it does mess up I can fix it with basic tools for pennies. And my next car will be even older still; looking to get something from the 1930s or 1940s with a Flathead V8 in it. Gonna daily it too; all it needs is aircon, a 12v socket, a decent radio, and maybe a lap belt.
Prolly gonna be a panel van, as I could use it to take my RC aircraft to the field then.
@@TestECull I'm my personal opinion....I would keep the old 300 and avoid the 5.4 at all costs.
I have seen too many Triton's have issues because the heads have 5 threads for a 12 thread sparkplug......under stress the plug can blow out the threads.
I have one in the shop with gacked threads, and aluminum can main bearings that needs a total rebuild and bored....so I can install plastic pan, intake, and rocker covers...no glass fibres reinforced parts available at all aftermarket.
Abs plastic timing chain guides too......junk in my opinion.
I stick with LS parts...cheaper, and readily available for now.....its all a rip off ....quantity vs quality and the cost hits you in the south end dry as frig when you are facing north
you have a heart of gold for doing that for Jim Smith
It reminds me of an old coyote road runner episode where the coyote builds a dragster from a junkyard :)
Priceless moments, you made him relive his glory days
Thank you for watching!
Hat's off to a youngster that respects history ! The world needs more people like you !
Thank you for the kind words John!
THANK YOU FOR TELLING US THIS GREAT HISTORY OF THE MAN AND HIS CREATION...KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK.
I've passed over this video several times over the last few months and finally, I decided to watch it, what a good idea! I'm very impressed in the way you presented the car and the owner and putting it together the way this gentleman would have wanted, along with telling his story. I decided to subscribe to your channel, I hope to see more of your work. Thank's for sharing.
What u did for him was absolutely amazing God bless u man u made his day when he got to see the Dragster for the last time absolutely amazing
I'm late to the thread, but from an old gray beard who lived at the 1/5th mile (long drive on a short track) Islip Speedway in NY, just want to thank you for an amazing tribute to a great racing legacy and his work, and as much, to a young man and his family who hold tight to and document the history and even more, bring great joy to our heroes of the 50s and 60s who laid the foundation of this great community and sport. The love and respect for the folks and their history is and sets the foundation of how life should be cherished and lived. God Bless all ... let's take care of each other, on and off the strip and oval. Very best to all. 42 Jack.
1989 While attending a Trade School in Waco Texas, Monty was a Class Mate i won't ever forget, he was a real go get'r and was so glad to call a friend, he went and found an old Don Garlet front engine frame, and we Built the first of 383 Stroke'r, back then, that was big Tech, the MC Solenoid for the Quad Four Barrel was the beginning of Emissions, OB1.
I hope to see Monty one day again, he made an impression on me, being one of the best Mechanics ever!
Truly a heart warming story. Thank you for what you did. Only in America.
"Only in America" what a stupid statement, do you really think your the only people in the world with feelings, emotion's and a heart, how sad.
@@FACELOWNER, what I meant by "only in America" was in relation to the hemi powered dragster, not to the people of other nations.
@@nitrousninja882,
This guy sounds like he just wants to troll someone, ignore people like that. Now you might understand the signs that say "Don't feed the animals". lol.
@@FACELOWNER It's a beautiful story, troll. Get over yourself. I'm not american but yeah, ONLY IN AMERICA. Only because of america your fingers are typing and your browsing the web and watching videos on youtube. Do better yourself if you can basement genious.
Vintage dragsters, the drivers and builders are awesome.
I Applaud you sir , first for making the best memory in the world for Jim . going above and beyond in your efforts to preserve a part of drag racing history for many people, as well as Jim to enjoy. And I certainly hope that when your day comes, that someone like yourself steps up to make your dream and memory a reality as you did for Jim. may god bless you in all you do.
Such a cool story, get it running and driving again
Get some of the other car in the forest too
The world needs more men like Jim and you.
You're a good man. May Good Fortune always keep you in her shadow.
Awesome history! Thanks for saving it and documenting the story.
back in the sixties there was a mild little guy in my neighborhood that ran an early 60's Mopar. he did a lot of fabrication in his garage. I particularly remember that he brought the rear axle forward and can still see the welds (in my memory) on the body panels where he cut out and moved the rear wheel openings to match the new axle location. he fired it up once a week to check his work, then loaded the car on the trailer and went racing.
as far as i'm concerned, those were the glory days of racing. now it's all high dollar parts and cubic money.
my personal car guy heroes are Max and Ina Balchowsky. he built a series of sports cars using buick engines and junkyard parts. google "old yeller" if interested.
thanks for telling this story. jim and my old neighbor might have competed.
on my liked list.
I think my neighbor's name was Ronnie Dill (?) in Memphis Tn.
I was able to watch Big Daddy, The Snake, Jungle Jim and Grumpy race at Island Dragway in Indepence Twp., NJ back in the day. I was there in 1964 when Garlits was the first to hit 200 mph. Man, I just love the smell of nitro in the morning, and afternoon and evening. :-) It was an amazing time in our history and I'm looking forward to your upload to see what you can do with this dragster that has been slightly woods modified. LOL Save the Wave.
Yes I remember back in the day we would wait for big daddy Don to come to our little track in Muncie Indiana. 200 mph those was the good old days thanks for bringing back good memories
@@robert.clarencehardin1876 I totally agree. Now it's time to make some new "old" memories. Remember, the reward is in the journey and not the destination. Save the Wave.
Robert. Clarence Hardin Hey! i live in muncie!
@@thenegus5469 right I've seen all the Big names right here. They used to stay all night in a little hotel rright by my house grays hotel I've seen little red wagon big daddy and the snake mongoose and all of them that was any body. Nw I enjoy the gassers. Sixty five year old kid at heart Robert H. Muncie Indiana. Have a good one thanks for your reply..
Ever been to english town my dad ran there in the late 60s early 70s with a white 63 studelark that pulled wheelies maybe you seen it
For us old folks that remember the days watching the junkyard drag cars at the local drag strip are great memories. The drag strips are now housing developments and most of the guys that built and raced the jalopies are gone as well. Thanks to the younger people who are trying to preserve the history before it is gone. You and your crew made special memories for his daughters that probably weren't around when he did this.
The car and the story belong in a museum. I'm so glad that there are people out there that keep history alive! Thank you.
Great story that might have never been told. Keep up the good work!
Man this brings tears to your eyes.
Has to be the best barn find story yet
Great Story and video! Love these old drag cars
RIP Mr. Jim! I didn’t have the honor of meeting you but through this young Man’s foresight of recognition of things that are slipping by us daily without someone caring enough to document or at least tell the stories! I feel like I have known you forever! Tgi brought a smile to my day! Thank young MAN! God Bless you and your compassion, passion and love for the past and hope to enlighten our youth into seeking out our history! GOD BLESS YOU and GOD BLESS AMERICA!
Mr. Jim,
You were a true PIONEER Sir!
Rest peaceful in that drag strip above Sir!
Nostalgia dragster with nostalgic build. Love how he built the car from junk and still ended up racing for 3 long seasons.
Hard to find such ingenious builder today.
🙏🙏🙏
Thats a pretty awesome thing you did there!!! Thats what drag racing should be now!!
Now finish and restore it in his memory to running condition since you got and put it on display somewhere in his honor with all the history you’ve been pricelessly been shared by him👍
What a fabulous story, thanks for sharing. I grew up in this era and spent countless days at Lions Drag Strip. I remember when the 8 second barrier was first achieved by dragsters. Eyes burning from nitro fuel, ears throbbing from the sound of the motors, and the smell of burnt rubber. Yes, those were the days.
Kudos for keeping Jim's memory and dragster alive! Proud of you! RIP Jim, you're not going to be forgotten!
This is the essence of what drag racing is all about.
Hard working talented VISIONARY guys figuring out a way to get it done.
Thank you.
Thank you for watching Jonathan!
HAHAH...this video is AWESOME!!!....the back story is amazing!!, and the back story and the man ....JIM, the man behind this find is the best part!!....i am NOT a gearhead, but an enthusiast for the old 50's....60's drag cars, and i tell ya, this vid brought me to tears......
You went WAAY beyond, and brought a pile of rust to a thing of beauty that all car freaks can say "oooooooooooooooooooooooooooHHH"........thank you for the vid...and thank you for making an old dragger feel important, as they all REALLY are!
I never saw the Hot Rod article......but saw THIS article here on TH-cam, and thank you again for putting Jim's story on here!!
Awesome story that there's some Grassroots history
Great job Very well done. Keeping drag racing alive and telling the story of how it all started. Built not bought.
This video has touched my heart in a way I can not describe.... I got involved in drag racing at the age of 13 years old when my dad took me to Cecil County Dragway in Rising Sun Maryland. I fell in love with everything about drag racing from that day on. When I turned 16 my dad bought me a 1970 ss396 Elcamino... One of the first things we did was buy a set of slicks and went racing. The car ran 13's at that time. My dad and i weren't real happy with that so we put 4:56 gears in it a roller cam and lifters and did a ton of head work to the car. It eventually ran 11's... That car was my pride and joy and the time i spent with my father are some of the best days of my life. Thanks for posting this video...
Wow, that's awesome John. Thank you for sharing!
I have watched a few of these episodes and I am struck by the respect that you carry towards your seniors / elders.
Very high class, the compassion that you seem to operate in really shines through.
Keep up the good work.
Incredible story of Jim, the dragster is a part of history and a work or art, thanks for sharing the story 👍
Wow I can't believe how much this dragster looks like my 1961 dragster!
Just an amazing story and video, it's truly awesome that another piece of drag racing history is saved and it's story told, it's so cool that Jim got to see it and hold that trophy with it again before he past, great stuff 👍
I didn't get to see the Hot Rod article, but this video was very well done and from the heart. My Grandfather, Uncle and Father built these old sling shot and the newer 70's style dragsters from my grandfathers garage in the 50's through the late 60's, maybe to early 70's. It was so cool to see all the machines in the shop running, the frames being built, rear ends cut down and other parts that they made by hand, go together, like a puzzle before my eyes. For me from age 6 thru 10, it was the coolest thing I could watch, seeing my family put them together. The best part was hearing it fire up in our home garage and see my dad run it down our neighborhood street at 100 or so mph. Then turn around at the end and hard run it back, doing test runs before the weekend of racing. Those old 331, 354, 392 Hemi engines were a sight to see and hear, all decked out with injectors and 8-71 blowers... zoomies sounded awesome too ! Their Speed Shop was Straightway Engineering, out of Willoughby, Ohio. That reminds me, I need to go visit my Uncle Martin, he's the only one left from those great times. Thanks for the video and memories.
People who never hot rodded or raced don’t understand the excitement, don’t understand how it seeps into your soul. The experience just embeds itself into you soul. Thats why allot of us reflect on it as one of the best experiences of our lives. Thanks for posting.
Thank you for watching Hayden!
Amazing story, MEN like him lay the foundation so we can be where we are today. Gives me a lot of motivation to finish my 69 camaro restoration project and not take anything for granted from that car and time. Thank you, Jim!
My grandpa traded his 69 Camaro for a t bucket hahah, weird seeing someone talk about that while I’m watching this
How on earth could anyone give this video a thumbs down ? Frigging people......
Very awesome story!! Thanks for sharing and for doing what you do . Keep it up so these things can be remembered and we can know about how drag racing was back in the day. Thanks again!
You told this vary well and it made me cry and laugh at the same time. The fact that your documenting this history is such a cool thing . Not just for Jim and his family but for the people who never got meet him now know a little bit him and what it was like In the early days of drag racing. Story well told. Good to hear your daughter doing better I pray that she made a full recovery. Keep up the good work
Thank you for the kind words! My daughter made a full recovery...you'd never know she had such a serious issue with her kidney. Thank you for your concern.
A very honorable tribute to what once was in this country and the people who lived it. RIP Jim.
Excellent video!
this brings back so many memories...1975, I was 17 n had just met steve svetz a racer out of Illinois who had moved his operation down to deer park texas (just south of Houston) he had I think it was a 70 mustang with a hodge podge homebrew boss 302 he and his father had cobbled together. man that car was fast. 4speed B/W super T10, Pontiac 5:13 rearend it was a direct bolt in on that mustang, speed shifting like ol Ronnie sox from the days of yore….steve could really make that ol pony fly. I lost touch with steve after that summer of endless adventures.....I only recall him losing 1 race. im 61 now and I constantly think about what ever became of ol steve, that car and all that time....im 61 now but looking back it was surely a dream living when the muscle cars ruled the road. memories of walking into junkyards and seeing hemi's lined up in a row waiting on new owners. and the sounds of hot cammed cars as they rolled past. it was truly wonderous
I'm 60 I'm from Pasadena just next to deer Park was the track out on battle ship road?
Man this story is so touching as a young car guy myself it's amazing to hear the crazy story's and see the amazing vehicles these original car guys built and raced its absolutely amazing the sheer design prowess and just tenacity they had to drive these vehicles... Truly an amazing story God speed Jim! You left an amazing legacy.
Awesome story. Did anyone else notice the 67 fastback sinking in the ground. I wonder, how much do you know about the Ringgold Ga drag strip.
Thank you for digging out his old dragster, putting it together in his honor and delivering it to him before he passed away. You're a wonderful group of guys. HUGS
What a heartwarming tribute to one of those brave determined men who made the sport of drag racing what it is today