The Jalopy Journal

**Jive-Bomber** · 02-09-2012, 09:25 AM

Very few names can truly be called "iconic" in the world of hot rodding, but I can safely say that Mickey Thompson is one of them: A legend in racing, a pioneer of speed, and an all around good guy by everyone's account. Challenger 1 was the radical ...

To read the rest of this blog entry from The Jalopy Journal, click here.

**JeffreyJames** · 02-09-2012, 09:36 AM

I can't imagine sitting that far back looking down the snout of the monster known as Challenger 1......and doing it at 400+ mph. Absolute Legend.

Side note, trailer that transported the streamliner was pretty damn cool itself!

Willy301 · 02-09-2012, 09:41 AM

Mickey was an absolute legend and his developments in the field of racing continue to this day. I think Icon certainly fits!

**chaddilac** · 02-09-2012, 09:46 AM

Agreed that trailer was cool! Great video!!

Tman · 02-09-2012, 10:11 AM

Danny Thompson is refurbishing Mickeys Autolite Liner (later car) and planning to run it this year.

sodbuster · 02-09-2012, 10:12 AM

Ruler! and thanks for sharing the video. I miss the salt.

Chris

**Mr48chev** · 02-09-2012, 10:29 AM

One of the best and most inspiring books hot rod wise that I have ever read was his book Challenger. He told of his early days of racing using used parts and of scrounging parts in the junk bins behind shops in the evenings. His wife bought him a boring bar so he could fit the pistons he found to the blocks he had. That book is very collectable and expensive now but well worth reading if a guy can get his hands on a copy.

Boeing Bomber · 02-09-2012, 11:17 AM

I got my copy of "Challenger" at a garage sale for .50 cents. One of my prized books. I love how he made a killing at the gambling tables in Vegas, (or Reno?) one night and used that money to start his business.
I've read that he said he had U-joint problems, and couldn't make a back up run to his 406.6 run, keeping him out of the record books, but it was actually engine problems. He didn't want to lose his Pontiac sponsorship.

notrod13 · 02-09-2012, 11:25 AM

it was a controversial run, and if you ask people that knew Mickey in regular racing they have some crazy shit to say , but would never speak on record about it .... My friend did a documentary on the whole deal , never aired on tv but is amazing ! its a whole nother story that was never told in the media of the day ... too kool.

5window · 02-09-2012, 02:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by notrod13

it was a controversial run, and if you ask people that knew Mickey in regular racing they have some crazy shit to say , but would never speak on record about it .... My friend did a documentary on the whole deal , never aired on tv but is amazing ! its a whole nother story that was never told in the media of the day ... too kool.

So tell us now.

goetzcr · 02-09-2012, 02:11 PM

I've been learning more and more about MT recently. As a kid I knew about him as a Baja racer and seller of race equipment, and I knew he had an auto racing career. Anything tubbed with fat MT tires was super cool to me. The more I learn, the more incredible his story is. It's a damn shame how his iconic life came to an untimely end. It's also too bad that much of his "icon status" has been recognized postumously. He must have been an amazing person to be around.

goetzcr · 02-09-2012, 02:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by notrod13

it was a controversial run, and if you ask people that knew Mickey in regular racing they have some crazy shit to say , but would never speak on record about it .... My friend did a documentary on the whole deal , never aired on tv but is amazing ! its a whole nother story that was never told in the media of the day ... too kool.

What is the documentary, and is it somehow available?

KaiserM715 · 02-09-2012, 02:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Boeing Bomber

I got my copy of "Challenger" at a garage sale for .50 cents. One of my prized books.

Quite a bargain for a very hard to come by book. Hang on to it!! One of my prized books as well.

richie rebel · 02-09-2012, 02:37 PM

yea, so tell us the real story

Flat-N-Low · 02-09-2012, 03:08 PM

Mickey Thompson (in my opinion) is probably the most innovative, influential hotrodder in history. In the 50s, 60, and 70s, Mickey had his hand in nearly everything. He raced cars, he built parts, he sold parts, he promoted events. The guy was everywhere, and successful in nearly everything he ever did.

Smokey Yunick said, "Mickey had balls the size of an elephant". Smokey thought very highly of Mickey, and Smokey didn't like too many people. That's enough for me.

**flamedabone** · 02-09-2012, 04:08 PM

Thanks for the article. I'm a huge Mickey Thompson fan...not just because he was a fellow Pontiac guy, but because he was a thinker AND a do-er. Mickey was about the best example of Great American Spirit you will ever find.

By the way...those big blown Ponchos sounded pretty damn bad ass flying through the traps.

-Abone.

MUNDSTER · 02-09-2012, 10:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flat-N-Low

Mickey Thompson (in my opinion) is probably the most innovative, influential hotrodder in history. In the 50s, 60, and 70s, Mickey had his hand in nearly everything. He raced cars, he built parts, he sold parts, he promoted events. The guy was everywhere, and successful in nearly everything he ever did.

Smokey Yunick said, "Mickey had balls the size of an elephant". Smokey thought very highly of Mickey, and Smokey didn't like too many people. That's enough for me.

He also managed Lion's, and I think they drug in the salt when he walked.

tfeverfred · 02-09-2012, 10:13 PM

"Mickey had balls the size of an elephant". Damn straight.

DualQuad55 · 02-09-2012, 10:23 PM

Mickey Thompson was indeed a smart man with the drive to succeed.
Not to take ANYTHING away from his accomplishments, but I understand he was a shrewd business man. The SCORE deal left hard feelings with his ex-partner who was at some point a 'person of interest' after MTs death.

richie rebel · 02-09-2012, 10:29 PM

i think his ex partner had him done in

02-09-2012, 09:25 AM	#1
Jive-Bomber Alliance Member Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Moraga, Ca Posts: 2,419	The Fastest Man on Earth Very few names can truly be called "iconic" in the world of hot rodding, but I can safely say that Mickey Thompson is one of them: A legend in racing, a pioneer of speed, and an all around good guy by everyone's account. Challenger 1 was the radical ... To read the rest of this blog entry from The Jalopy Journal, click here.

02-09-2012, 09:36 AM	#2
JeffreyJames Alliance Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: SUGAR CITY Posts: 15,907	Re: The Fastest Man on Earth I can't imagine sitting that far back looking down the snout of the monster known as Challenger 1......and doing it at 400+ mph. Absolute Legend. Side note, trailer that transported the streamliner was pretty damn cool itself! __________________ I PLAY WITH TIGERS WWW.SUGARCITYSPEEDSHOP.COM CHECK OUT MY INSTAGRAM IMAGES

02-09-2012, 09:41 AM	#3
Willy301 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Magnetic Springs, Ohio Posts: 1,413	Re: The Fastest Man on Earth Mickey was an absolute legend and his developments in the field of racing continue to this day. I think Icon certainly fits! __________________ Fire Fighters find them Hot and leave 'em Wet NSMC Life member www.smallscalecreations.org

02-09-2012, 09:46 AM	#4
chaddilac Alliance Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Muskogee,OK Posts: 13,622	Re: The Fastest Man on Earth Agreed that trailer was cool! Great video!! __________________ Pinstriped iPhone 4 covers!! Whitewalls & Pinstriped iPhone Covers ON SALE!!

02-09-2012, 10:11 AM	#5
Tman Old School HAMBer Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Beautifull Black Hills of South Dakota Posts: 28,172	Re: The Fastest Man on Earth Danny Thompson is refurbishing Mickeys Autolite Liner (later car) and planning to run it this year. __________________ Open for business, website in developement www.compulsionrodandcustom.com

02-09-2012, 10:12 AM	#6
sodbuster Old School HAMBer Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Kansas Posts: 4,817	Re: The Fastest Man on Earth Ruler! and thanks for sharing the video. I miss the salt. Chris __________________ A Devil with A Hammer & Hell with A Torch

02-09-2012, 10:29 AM	#7
Mr48chev Alliance Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Yakima Valley, WA Posts: 15,402	Re: The Fastest Man on Earth One of the best and most inspiring books hot rod wise that I have ever read was his book Challenger. He told of his early days of racing using used parts and of scrounging parts in the junk bins behind shops in the evenings. His wife bought him a boring bar so he could fit the pistons he found to the blocks he had. That book is very collectable and expensive now but well worth reading if a guy can get his hands on a copy. __________________ Definition of a "work car". One you have to work on all weekend so you can drive it to work the next week.

02-09-2012, 11:17 AM	#8
Boeing Bomber Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Edmonds, Wa. Posts: 1,058	Re: The Fastest Man on Earth I got my copy of "Challenger" at a garage sale for .50 cents. One of my prized books. I love how he made a killing at the gambling tables in Vegas, (or Reno?) one night and used that money to start his business. I've read that he said he had U-joint problems, and couldn't make a back up run to his 406.6 run, keeping him out of the record books, but it was actually engine problems. He didn't want to lose his Pontiac sponsorship. __________________ Beware of High Performance cars with Low Performance drivers

02-09-2012, 11:25 AM	#9
notrod13 Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: long beach Posts: 854	Re: The Fastest Man on Earth it was a controversial run, and if you ask people that knew Mickey in regular racing they have some crazy shit to say , but would never speak on record about it .... My friend did a documentary on the whole deal , never aired on tv but is amazing ! its a whole nother story that was never told in the media of the day ... too kool. __________________ Tim Sutton photo prints for sale http://timsuttonphoto.com/gallery/

02-09-2012, 02:11 PM	#11
goetzcr Grenade Inspector Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Springfield, VA Posts: 108	Re: The Fastest Man on Earth I've been learning more and more about MT recently. As a kid I knew about him as a Baja racer and seller of race equipment, and I knew he had an auto racing career. Anything tubbed with fat MT tires was super cool to me. The more I learn, the more incredible his story is. It's a damn shame how his iconic life came to an untimely end. It's also too bad that much of his "icon status" has been recognized postumously. He must have been an amazing person to be around.

02-09-2012, 02:37 PM	#14
richie rebel Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: allison park pa Posts: 1,059	Re: The Fastest Man on Earth yea, so tell us the real story

02-09-2012, 03:08 PM	#15
Flat-N-Low Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Apple Valley, California Posts: 976	Re: The Fastest Man on Earth Mickey Thompson (in my opinion) is probably the most innovative, influential hotrodder in history. In the 50s, 60, and 70s, Mickey had his hand in nearly everything. He raced cars, he built parts, he sold parts, he promoted events. The guy was everywhere, and successful in nearly everything he ever did. Smokey Yunick said, "Mickey had balls the size of an elephant". Smokey thought very highly of Mickey, and Smokey didn't like too many people. That's enough for me.

02-09-2012, 04:08 PM	#16
flamedabone Alliance Member Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Drinkin' beer and building hot rods in S. Carolina. Posts: 3,216	Re: The Fastest Man on Earth Thanks for the article. I'm a huge Mickey Thompson fan...not just because he was a fellow Pontiac guy, but because he was a thinker AND a do-er. Mickey was about the best example of Great American Spirit you will ever find. By the way...those big blown Ponchos sounded pretty damn bad ass flying through the traps. -Abone. __________________ Former two time HAMB Drags Yay-Hoo cup title holder.

02-09-2012, 10:13 PM	#18
tfeverfred Old School HAMBer Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Houston, Texas Posts: 7,116	Re: The Fastest Man on Earth "Mickey had balls the size of an elephant". Damn straight. __________________ We all tend to think that as we drive down the road in our rods or customs, that everyone who glances our way is admiring our car. In reality, the vast majority of people just don't get it. roddinron

02-09-2012, 10:23 PM	#19
DualQuad55 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Epsom, NH Posts: 1,184	Re: The Fastest Man on Earth Mickey Thompson was indeed a smart man with the drive to succeed. Not to take ANYTHING away from his accomplishments, but I understand he was a shrewd business man. The SCORE deal left hard feelings with his ex-partner who was at some point a 'person of interest' after MTs death. __________________ Joe ----------------------------- For some it's a hobby, others it's passion.

02-09-2012, 10:29 PM	#20
richie rebel Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: allison park pa Posts: 1,059	Re: The Fastest Man on Earth i think his ex partner had him done in

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