I have heard that you can take a peek behind the curtain and look at some of the work in progress. Is this true, or just another myth that has not been debunked yet. This Inquiring Mind wants to know.
After s few minutes I quit taking pics, there was no way I could do it justice. However I should have taken pics of the small area of wall dedicated to US 30 drag way in Gary.
Weather and traffic wise spring fall are great. Nice temps and lower humidity and off tourist season. Also check his show schedule you may be able to coordinate with another event there. Or go to the Turkey Rod In Daytona and do Garlits as a day trip, only a 1.5 hour drive. Headed back to the Turkey Rod this morning Sent from my iPhone using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
Before you go, make sure it is one of the days Don is there to give a guided tour. As amazing as all the machines that are there, he is even more amazing. His memory of the history of his career and out look on life will be something you will remember much more than any object you may see there. I have been there a few times, but was only lucky enough once to be there when he gave his "personal tour". He has a small box under the work bench in the engine room with index cards with information on engines he balance from as far back as 1957. He showed us this as he was making a point about the importance of balanced during an engine build. That day happened several years ago, but I thinks about the experience of being around him many times. One of the wisest men I have ever met.
Hey 65, Nice coverage of the hot rods and race cars at that Museum. It seems like it showcases the cars we used to see at the dragstrips, all over the USA. Having seen the 2nd gen Swamp Rat up close and personal out West during Garlits’ West Coast road trip in 1959-60, it was impressive for us West Coast hot rod/drag race guys. His competition during that road trip has been documented almost everywhere, even here on the HAMB. By the way, you didn’t happen to see any of his 1959-60 drag racing films on that road trip showing somewhere in the museum, did you? They are the only action films of his early racing career during that time period. The Garlits section of my early 59-60 drag racing films were donated to that museum, including some of his brother’s FED at Lions Dragstrip in 1960. That would be very cool if they were shown somewhere in the museum. Thanks, Jnaki 1959 Riverside, 1960 Bakersfield, 1960 Lions total …including the controversial final at Riverside against Art Chrisman. This is a You Tube copy, they have the Digital HD versions for their files.
I was able to get a guided tour before and it is awesome also got to visit the garages on the side during the MoPar show when he found out we had a mutual friend in Larry Barnett of Lexington (RIP). When Don started the museum he and Larry were friends and he remembered giving Larry a piston with a spark plug embedded in it from an engine failure at Indy and he asked for it back, it’s in the display cabinet. He repaid Larry with VIP treatment at the US Nats plus some rare Chrysler blue prints of the 64 race Hemi. Sent from my iPhone using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
The absolute neatest places I have ever been to. If you spent two days there I don’t think you would ever see everything! Sent from my iPhone using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
Great information it would have been fun to see all that in Person, your lucky. There is a film that constantly loops about his career and drag racing history in the museum and it looks like some of your footage was used. Cool story. Sent from my iPhone using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
This is one of Don's weekend warrior. MERC w/ 426 HEMI. It is a very good museum. Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930A using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
Enjoyed my trip there last January. https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/you-can’t-handle-the-truth.1094791/
I can so much appreciate the eye candy and give my appreciation to those who put their time and talents to the builds , restorations as well as letting the public view history. Thanks 65 for sharing pics and time for those of us that haven't or cannot make it there. Much appreciated.
Always wanted to stop there, think this settles it: I’m not driving past it again! Sent from my iPhone using H.A.M.B.
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