The Hot Rod Story

I don’t know how I missed this gem from the King Rose Archives, but here is a fantastic Petersen documentary from around 1966  simply titled “The Hot Rod Story” and hosted by sportscaster Dick Enberg. It should be called “The Drag Racing Story”, because after giving a brief history of Bonneville and early airstrip drags (killer Kodachrome footage) we get right into interviews with icons of the sport in the glory years. Wally Parks is up first, the gentleman of the NHRA explains the safety and function of the modern rail job. Next, the late Hot Rod publisher Ray Brock explains the Christmas Tree staging lights, then onto conversations with plenty of legendary drag racers  you’ll recognize, all just speaking to Enberg in a very casual manor at the track. There is tons of information and insight provided on how it really was to race the Quarter in the mid 60s, all backed by a groovy soundtrack. Here’s one to watch for a movie night before the next HAMB Drags!