The 32 built and chopped by a 20 year old Dick Bergen in 1960/61 but forever know as the Doyle Grammel coupe after being featured in Rod and Custom in 1963 shortly after Doyle got it. It went through many changes over the years, eventually being big block powered in purple with flames. It was then bought by collector Bruce Meyer and restored to the basic 1963 version by Bob Bauder. One picture shows twins because a few years back Doyle built a tribute to his old car. I think this is one of the most intimidating hot rods of the early 60's and a timeless build. At any point in the last 57 years I believe anyone seeing it would say "That is so cool!!" Larry Also thanks loudbang for the picture posting lesson!
Yeah, she's a bad one! There are quite a few nasty cars that are orange for some reason. I don't think I could pull that off with my coupe.
Somehow the 15oz coupe disappeared from this thread. I think it got a lot more menacing looking with those huge rear tires and some age on the body. It looks like it's come out the other side of hell.
The Double Dragon! At one time it nearly set a record of 202.70 (two years before Garlits' 200) but didn't back it up. Eddie Hill eventually became the first man into the 4s - much later in his career. The Dragon, however, with its 4 rear tires, two engines, clutches and 3rds had to be an absolute terror. I think I read that he'd use this car to make him cash to use for his more expensive campaigned dragster.
Two fiberglass Willys I made in the 60's, both orange! one an HO slot car, the other a 1/20th scale shelf mode3l made in the method pioneered by the Yonts brothers using 00-90 nuts and bolts. As you might remember they won the Revell national model contests with fantastic scratch built dragsters based on Monogran Sizzler kits.
The original Swindler 2 which became the Swindler B car . This car was intimidating in its first incarnation because the rules required it be street legal and street driven! And the MAN himself with the best version of the Swindler A car. When other kids where idolizing guys like Bart Star and Mickey Mantel, this man was my Hero! R I P Doug Cook. Larry
Love the Swindler cars! In 1965 this 40 Willys had to be an absolute nightmare for opponents. The Mallicoat brothers campaigned this Willys with an Iskendarian twin-turbo 327 making north of 700 horsepower. It was the winner of the 1965 Winternats. They took out Stone, Woods, and Cook (winners for the Nats in 64) a couple of times, which only fueled the gasser war fire. College kids, relative nobodies, became somebodies partly because of this car and this year. Through the drag-racing publications, there was trash-talk and mudslinging by teams AND mfr sponsors. This car was part of the war.
From the first of my older brother's " car magazines" I ever read, I recall this era of Mopars, and how mean and ugly they looked, and how tough the owners had to be , cause they really didn't care what anyone thought of them. ( ps,I love the early 60's mopar's)
Around here ( Sanford ME and Epping NH ) the 1960's and early seventies was where it happened from the old Sanford drags onward. Loved going to the strip.
This weesner hot rod always checked the box for me. Reminds me of how “traditional” cars where being built when the hamb was first started.
JC Sizemore and the Golden Rod 55 Chevy. I think this is the first tri-5 I've posted. Admittedly, I don't know all that much about this car except I look at it and see youth. The kind of youth that chops the top of pretty hot car, pulls the front brakes and loads it with speed parts. From what I read, JC was a classy, regular guy. He lived a modest life. But I'd bet a buck that modesty ended when the throttle was smashed. There's a small thread on JC and the car, here.
The Jalopy Journal
