Thread: NHRA Nationals, Detroit, 1959

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Ran across this on youtube. While these guys were burnin' rubber in Detroit, Ken and I were workin' the drag strip in Dayton, Ohio as part of the Viking Customs crew.

One of the racers from Dayton, George Montgomery, is shown in the film at 11:05, 22:42 and 25:04. He took Little Eliminator in his baby blue, Cadillac-powered '33 Willys coupe. Another famous car, The High and Mighty C/Altered '50 Plymouth coupe, built by the Ramchargers (a group of Chrysler engineers), is seen at 21:58. You sharp-eyed guys will recognize the MEL (Mercury/Edsel/Lincoln) 430 cubic inch V8 that is powering the Top Eliminator at 26:10. Of course, Mr. Art Arfons is there at the end with his Allison-powered (1,710 cubic inches) entry (Green Monster) and took top speed of the meet with a remarkable 170 mph run.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NkDtInxIUR0

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That's a great video. Thanks for posting.

I had seen this before, years ago, but it was fun watching it again. I flagged "Ohio George" a few times and let's just say he wasn't all that pleasant to be around. Richard was so jazzed that he went and bought, with the club's money and blessing, Hot Rods & Dragsters in stereo recorded at Detroit Nats in 59. When the club broke up things kind of got crazy and I ended up with the record which I still have. Someday, when I figure out how, I will burn copies to cd and they'll yours for the asking.20180526_181244_001.jpg