48-Year Itch!
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 11 ก.ย. 2024
- When the stars line up in front of me, I just have to record it.
I have no choice.
And this was one of those moments.
I don't know if this will ever happen again. I certainly hope it will--and in front of the grandstands at some selected NHRA events. For you see, you just don't see this happening at all-- when you look back at how unlikely it is that the car and the driver would still be around in 2012!
Take the driver, Don Prudhomme. How many times did he make full passes in a top fuel dragster or funny car? And for how many years?
In short, it's a miracle that he is in one piece, after all that--and he is! Thank goodness!
Then the car:
The Greer, Black, and Prudhomme dragster, built by Kent Fuller and raced from 1962 through 1964, with the original partners, it ran up an incredible record at southern California tracks of 81 wins and only 8 loses! (According to Phil Burgess) Then lengthened--bought and raced as the "Bonanza" for a while, eventually stripped of it's motor and left sitting for years. Restored by Steve Davis, bought by Bruce Meyer--How likely is it that it would be allowed to join up with "Snake" for this moment?
Pretty unlikely--except that it's owner Bruce Meyer, is a good friend of Don's, and after hearing about Rick MacDonald, they gave him the nod to bring the car to the track, and push start it to life. Now the driver could have been someone else....but it wasn't.
That's what makes this fire up so significant.
And like I said: All we can do is hope that this mind blowing moment will happen again at a track near you.
And if you hear they are coming, better "Make the Scene". For the chance may not come again.
Like an old legendary cowboy on a white horse in your local parade. And all you need to do is what you did when you were a kid: Sit on the curb and watch him go by.
Perfect. :)
Always brings tears to my eyes when I watch this video....I've seen it numerous times and it never gets old......thanks for the memories!
Heartwarming to see the goose check the throttle return spring.
It's been 8 years since this was posted, still get thrilled every time I watch it. Thank you Bill !!
Oh, Wayne...
I am overjoyed that it still has that effect on you.
It's a "timeless piece." And matures like a fine wine. ;)
I'm just glad I decided to jump into that pickup bed and film it from up above.
I could have just as easily waited for those guys to come back.
it's "the road less travelled" and it made all the difference.
Thank you for contacting me again.
Take care, Wayne.
Bill
Hi Sam.
The car was faithful restored to as original as possible. Steve Davis did the work. Bruce Meyer financed it, and is the current owner. Both Steve and Bruce are very exacting people.
And like an old glove, Don found his way in just fine, and worked the controls as if time had stood still.
Bill Pitts was he getting cocky when telling the guy let's go or talking trash
Bruce Meyer is Jay Leno-level, along side Tim Allen.
I had the chance to meet Don yesterday at the Spokane Speed and Custom show after traveling from 2 states away to get there. I arrived with my kids, ages 14 down to 7 and found a HUGE line to get into the indoor event. We waited in line for nearly an hour just to reach the gate. I kept thinking "Are ALL these people here to meet their childhood hero too??" With so many, how could I possibly keep my kids interested long enough to wait in what was sure to be another long line to try and get an autograph? ....Finally inside, the facility was packed. First came the vendors and sponsor booths. After a few polite knods, smiles, and no "thank you's", we made it into the first room full of shiny machines on display with lights and mirrors to show every detail of it's craftsman's work. But again, I had the sinking feeling, with all the people here, I'd never get to shake hands with The Snake. We went to the end of a row, past a beautiful purple Challenger and over to a couple short chassis fuel cars. There were some older gentleman talking and telling stories, no doubt about races won and girls lost.... I gazed under the lifted body at the sheer size of the Hemi and blower and the smallness of the driver seat. I stood up and turned to walk away and.....😳 I suddenly found myself standing face to face with Don "The Snake" Prudhomme. He smiled and sat down in a foldable chair beside me. I was frozen. Out of instinct or perhaps some fear, I walked away amazed. I stood in the corner not knowing what to do. My kids could sense it, and I'm sure wondered what had turned their big, strong, not scared of anything dad into a pile of shaking knees in the corner of a hot rod show!!! LOL I gathered my composure and went back, standing patiently until a break in their conversation. Don again smiled, stood up and extended his hand. SUCH and amazing and humble man.... I had lived this moment a thousand times in my head. What I would say, things I would ask, or tell him how many hundreds of hours I spent racing his cars on the floor of my bedroom or in the yard... dreaming, even aching for one day I would power one of these screaming fire breathing monsters down the track. But when you're there, in that moment of time, all that goes away. All I managed to choke out was "I just wanted to say hi. I grew up playing with your toys." LOL🙄 I introduced my kids and told Don how we had watched the Snake and Mongoose movie the night before. He signed a couple autographs and before we walked away I said thank you and told him "You were the reason I came here today." He grinned and said "Well.... I hope you're not disappointed." What an amazing man and a dream come true to have met him!!! Now I sit here watching videos and reliving the bittersweet yesterday, wondering how I can tell him all of this or if he'll ever understand how much it meant to that little boy that still lives in me. God Bless you Don!!!
Wait; the Snake, his GPD monster, *and* Roland Leong - coolin' it, in shorts ?!
You're right; this *is* truly *priceless.*
Awesome video guys. Watched the Snake and the Mongoose and the Hawaiian since I was a kid, almost 60 years. They made it what it is. Great! Big Al.
Thanks Big Al.
You gotta seize the moment. I ALMOST DIDN'T JUMP IN THE PICKUP TRUCK with my video camera. Sure glad I did. :)
Thanks so much Bill! That is priceless!
Although I am far too young to be there originally, I absolutely love these old dragsters and this one in particular. Thank You for posting such a special moment for us all to share!
I have to tell you Bill, I just love this video. I play it at least once a month. In 1961 I was 20 years old and spent every Saturday night hanging over the tower side fence at Lions. My ears are still ringing.
+Jim Dincau
It's a good ring, isn't it, Jim? ;)
Had to play it again this AM, hope you are well.
ooh to have a time machine.... just for one night.... To see the nitro fire of these cars would be a dream
Im old, love the old school stuff,good job guys
Incredible!!! Love the car and Snake!!!!! Brings back so many great childhood memories that I miss very much! Thank you!
Period correct pushtruck! OUTSTANDING!!
Such good memories of the "Snake". I remember as a kid in 1965 when Don Prudhomme came to Santa Maria Dragstrip in the Hawaiian Digger and won the event. Not too much safety back then. They push started the dragster just a few feet away from us. So close you could see the intensity in his eyes.
Takes me back to the good old days. 🇺🇸👍AWESOME
LOVE the Push truck !!!!
What's truly amazing is that he could still get in the car which was campaigned by a much thinner Don Prudhomme. WOW!
Only just though!
This is beyond amazing, my favorite driver in my favorite car. The only exception on the car is stone,woods,and cook 41 willys...
My parents Met at Fremont dragstrip... I know the flywheel thing is very dangerous, but slingshots just LOOK so cool.
This car was a very big deal in it's day. Things you may not know: 1). It was built for Rod Stuckey who was killed in a racing accident just when it was almost completed for him and GB&P took it... 2) It was painted red at one point then returned to it's yellow... Tom "The Mongoose" McEwen was just a "sparing partner" for the "Snake"... They set up and did paid match races around the country traveling together.
What an AWESOME video! My dad would take us to the track and we would watch them race in the 70s.
Thanks for posting!!
We can't turn back the clock, but we can listen, view & Enjoy these "old Moments " & Give Thanks2 All That Are Working Hard So Many Can See Them in The Future - Thanks .....
Great video.... the only thing better would be the snake & mongoose funny cars loaded on their trucks as they drove up !
Amazing video.....THANK YOU ✌😎
The coolest ever!! Thank you.🥲
That is the most beautiful car that was ever made for drag racing..Thanks for the memories...
You're certainly welcome, Vernon.
Have a good day.
Bill
Oh man, I remember seeing Don race this digger back in the day. I didn't even know it still existed! Thanks for some fond memories! I'm glad someone had the heart to preserve it...
Holy cow!! First time I have seen that!! Beautiful!! Thank you!! Goosebumps!!....no pun intended Tom! R.I.P. Mongoose.😢
One of my favourite things is my 1:6 model of this car and I saw it on display in the Pomona museum a few years back. What a beautiful machine and thanks for uploading. Brilliant!
Totally loved it, thanks for the show.
Bill i stumbled across your video and want to thank you for sharing this with us, Don has been my hero for more then 3 decades, and this video gave me chills. Thanks again!
Yes Bill, it was VERY VERY COOL! My supervisor at work used to help out with Herm Peterson's car back in the late '60's when he was a kid. He told me about watching the push start from the back of the truck. It's cool to see it for real especially since I've seen this car in person. Thank you for posting this! Very COOL! :D
Thank you so very much for this footage.. As stated earlier it's priceless. Just takes us all back to such great times. .. A breath of Fresh Air if you will.... It was The golden age.... Just close your eyes and it's like you found a time machine .... And Indeed we have 👍😃
I'm 65 in '20, and boy...I sure remember this digger. Seems like it was ALWAYS in the winner's circle.
Joel Ewing Yeah, Joel.
It was an amazing car. Good eye for a winner!
Incredible. The perfect blend of nitro-cackling and supercharger whine.
So cool. I wish is was involved in drag racing back then( alive to start with)
That was so cool I wasn't even thought of when that car was first built back then and it's gave me goose bumps thanks for sharing you guys memory with us.
Glad you liked it, Mr. Haines.
Have a good day.
Bill
Thanks you love seeing all these vids of the old dragsters and funny cars.
It get's better every time I watch this. Thank you, Bill !!
I'am a retread from the Buckeye and I have 8mm footage of you at Indy in the 70's !! this clip give me chicken skin !! great job everyone ....mercman ....
that was awesome! got a lump in my throat too!, and blipping that throttle, thanks so much for this, made me into a young boy racing my snake and mongoose cars down my hot wheel track....happy days
Glad you liked it, Tim.
Yep, they were are heroes.
Hi Tim. I couldn't just let it pass by without recording it.
Glad you liked it.
Have a nice day.
Bill
Yep, it was cool! I saw this car at Canepa in 2010. Very cool! Thanks for sharing!
WOW. I spent much time in elementary school circa 1963 drawing top fuelers. I believe this car is the most beautiful dragster ever built.
The sound of that car beats anything they race today. Amazing!
Truly Amazing, Thanks so much for sharing !
That thing sounded nasty! So awesome!
Wow is this special. Mcewen, Leona, Donny and the Greer black car.
I remember as a young kid around 64 65 or so I had a poster of the snake in this car.. God I miss the old days
Absolutely the coolest Dragster ever built.
Excellent! Love those ole front motor dragsters and funny cars too!!
Couldn't help myself! Had to watch it again. Would've been great if they'd have started him up on the track like they used to and then pulled up to the starting line!
Just hearing it run, gives you chills
BEAUTIFUL
You’re right, Mean. Thanks for saying so. Bill
love this vid..That car is Beautiful, No other way around it! That sound, Ferocious! WOW!
Nice job. This was fun to see.
EVERY GOD NEEDS A CHARIOT THIS IS MR PRUDHOMMES
Bill, you are forgiven for shaking the camera. My hands would be shaking, too, if Don Prudhomme was in front of me, climbing into the Greer, Black and Prudhomme digger.
That was as cool as it gets!!!
One of the coolest vids yet, Bill. Thank you!
That was Very Cool. Such an Iconic car & driver reunited again.
The GB&P car was built for Rod Stuckey who was killed in a racing accident just before it was completed and GB&P took it over. That car may very well have had one of the highest Win/Lose ratios of any top fuel car in history I speculate. It had a red paint job for a time but was most of the time yellow. Don Prudhomme would just rip their throats out...
I remember one Saturday afternoon when GBP rolled into the parking lot at Lions and left the race car on the trailer until the last possible minute for qualifying. His pass was low ET for the day. That left a bunch of AA/FD teams shaking their heads.
Today's Race in Chicago & Last Night's Qualif. Sesion Was GR8 - I Still Think About Those Early Years Here on The East Coast, Thunder Valley,Rockingham & Down2 Ga. & Florida - Late 60's - 70's, Clear Through Till Now, Going2 The Drag's Were Wonderful Times - I'm 60 & Still Luv-it - Just Waiting on This Release Date - Gotta See-it, More Than Once - Thanks4 Doing-it .....
Thank you very much for those wonderful pics and sound!
Michigan, Detroit Dragway, Match Race Weekends......I read about this car, saw it at the Autorama, back then, followed it in HOT ROD, and bought parts from KB......when I found this, I realized what you tube is for....and Roland looks as smart as the days of the Hawaiian vs. the Chi-Town Hustler. Thanks for this....Capt. B. Bart
Aye, Captain. Happy to be of service.
Retired Capt. B. Pitts
SDFD
Amazing , wish I could go back in time to watch it run. Thanks for sharing 👍🏻
Hi Mads...
Look up on You Tube: "Top End Charge".
I think you will like it!
And thanks for the positive comment.
Bill
Got a little misty watching this. Thank you very much for posting it.
Got chills watching this
Glad you liked it, Gerry.
That was pure magic.
THANKYOU, it gives us goose bumps watching this sort of history :)
it would be awesome to see Don "The Snake" Prudome in Greer Black Prudome. thanks for sharing!
Probably the best video i have ever seen!
Dang, I thought the Snake was gonna make a pass. But either way, thanks for the video. Love those old Hot Rods.
That was Great! Only thing could've made it better was if Snake had done a burnout ! ! ! (not possible I know)
I was... We had a world onto our own back then where creativity was alive and well. We went up to the line with both our works and our ideas. You had to love that. Today the cars are just formulas out of the rule book.
thats pretty awesome! Thanks for sharing. I can only imagine being there.
Thanks for making this video and posting it up.
Subscribed.
Amazing, after all of these years ...... Well done!
That was so cool, driving by his old funny car in the pits
Yep, Phillip.
It's a love of the old days in drag racing that just keeps moving this all along.
We wouldn't be doing it if it hadn't been so great.
Thank you for your comment.
Bill
Fantastic!!!
Thanks, Glen.
Like I said.
I just couldn't let the moment pass, as though it was a "normal" occurrence.
It was a very extraordinary moment, in my book.
Bill
that was the best, video was perfect, i don't know what to say, thank you!!
Soooooooooooooo cooooooooool. Thanks much for posting this.
Yes, those are tears in my eyes.
Wow, what a car, what a sound! I have a GMP model of this car in 1/6 scale, probably the closest I'll ever get to the real thing!
Hang in there, turboslag!!
The car pops up every once in a while.
Where are you?
Bill
That's the problem Bill, I'm in the UK! I am hoping to make it over there for an extended petrolhead vacation some time, I want to see big meets for Drag and Nascar, the big tuning shops, famous circuits etc. Fingers crossed for that!
***** Well, Crap!
Then start saving your pennies and make sure to make the California Hot Rod Reunion. The flavor of the past, in drag racing is there. SEE YOU THEN!!
I'll do my best to be there, thanks Bill!
Is this the same car that was making runs at Fremont Nostalgia Drags mid eighties?? Good to see Fanous rail making thousands foot smokers!!!! Did not have videos thingy but got a couple shots l might have to dig up
The printed words are to help those who may not have a good computer or good hearing. Allot of older people look at these as well, and I know there are parts of the audio that are covered by the announcer in the background. Sorry.
Glad you liked it Ron.
See you at the drags.
Bill
Man that is one bad dragster
Thank you very much!
Beautiful!✌😎👍
Cool vid!! Love that sound!!
Hi Richard.
I did as well. They were great cars to dream about.
Have a good day and thanks for your comment.
Bill
That car is so awesome ! I`m going to build one before long
Awesome!!....too cool!
P.S. Notice Don is wearing the period correct shoes. look at all the old photos everyone wore those. No tennis shoes back in the day. ;)
I saw this car at the Canepa Museum. It's beautiful. :)
What an awesome clip!!!!!
Why thanks, Bill.
It was a moment that could have gone by unnoticed.
But it didn't.
I feel very lucky to have been there.
Bill Pitts
That was great!!!!!
Thanks!!!
I remember that car. And isn't that the one before Roland Leong's Hawaiian? Similar but shorter?
Last watched this 3 yrs. ago. What an absolute JOY to witness this once more. Thank you Bill for all you do for our sport. jbeintucson
The only time you see a Chevy pushing a HEMI 😆
Trying to drive this is like doing it blind !
No wonder he is in history for it !
Had a Camaro with a tunnel ram 427 ! Very hard to see with monsters 👹 in your view .
Bad Ass.
Glad you liked it, Jon.
Bill
Don Prudohme is the shit i remember mom taking us to Ontario motor Speedway when The Snake and the Mongoose were a rivalry and for those who didn't know the Indy and NASCAR pit lane was the drag strip.not possible me today because of the speed but pretty smart design back then...Don was there then and just a couple years ago he was doing the snake pit exhibit and Don woulf talk to anybody on and level for endless amounts of time now that's the real deal ...i remember in 2008 when 1000 ft was proposed they were trying to sell the owners on all the parts they would save because the motors would.b Low after 1000 ft and he calmly said with the toothpick in his mouth ....we will figure out how to blow them up you can count on that....lol the real humor in that funny comment was just how serious he was when he said it ....shit I gotta go I'm a÷ing my first convertible charger.