well to make this short...thear is a guy here in mass named bob woods....he was dedicated to going fast.....dedicated to drag raceing ect....headwork,big blocks...ect ect.infact he in 1980 brought his car to canada ...n low n behold took the win...up against ol grumpy jenkins......about 5 years ago bob wood was hit with lou gerig disease....now not able to get out of bed ...his supposed friends ect .,.....robbed him blind. heads ,full drag motors ect....not cool if you were to c ol bob in his present state.....well i got involved on this....in the celler was the car that in 1980 took the win over jenkins.....i was telling steve mingante about this.....he suggested the don garlits museum....what a great idea....how much more could you ask ...before you go to the big drag strip in the sky....knowing yer efforts in this geardriven world will not go unappreciated....well i called the garlits museum ...i emaild mr garlits,toled him the story of mr bob wood....low n behold the car is purchased ...and off to the garlits hall of fame....the money from the car goes directly to mr woods estate....the car will sit for all the world to c.....how cool.....i just wana say thanx to mr don garlits.....the man has to have the biggest heart in the geardriven world....thanx to mr steve mingante for the idea....both great great guys......
Watched Don Garlits when I was kid run in Tulsa, got some good ole pics from the 70's....My hat goes off to Don "Big Daddy" Garlits....abviously a CLASS ACT!!
Good for Bob Wood! Hope he got enough money to put a dent in the bills... I have mixed feelings about Garlits, but sure would like to see the museum some day.
Sorry to hear about your friend,it really stinks when the Vultures come out,i have seen it more times than i can count,we all like a good deal,but to take advantage of someones illness,well that really is low.I am not surprised about Don Garlits,besides being the smartest,cagiest,biggest Packrat,and best damn businessman i know,he is also the most generous with his time,knowledge,and sometimes money that i have ever seen,a true gentleman and credit to the sport.Gerry
Don knows the right thing to do and aint afraid to do it. Glad the car has gone to a place where we can all enjoy it and where it will be lovingly cared for.
I enjoyed reading this post ,sorry that Bob became another victim of a cruel incurable disease, but the ending is very satisfying to my sentimental side. I really enjoy a good feeling happy ending once in a while, to go along with all the hard hearted stuff we hear most of the time. The fact that Don Garlits does a good thing , does not surprise me in the least, I spent 4 or 5 days doing the graphics on a new trailor for him back in the early 80's in Dallas and had a great time with the guy . He was friendly and easy to talk to , and treated all the guys working on the trailor with respect, even though there were some problems getting it done on time . I was impressed . Waldo
the fealing of what mr garlits has done cant be beat....he is the man.....i am going to tell bob woods wear the car is going tamara.....he cant reply...just smile...and im sure his smile will be the most genuine ever...he will be imortalized with mr garlits ...
Tell Mr Woods, good luck & best wishes from the HAMB. It's good to hear a happy ending. And thanks to "Big" as well for showing some good ol human kindness
I'm not surprised to hear this about Don, Amazing Museum. Make a list of things to see in this country and actually do it. Once is usually enough. Daytona, Indy in the off season when you can take a ride around the track. Lets face it television gives you a better look. Hit hot Augest Nights at least once. Also Wheels and Waves in Seaside Oregon in September. Hey Thats where I live I have to support it. We need your tourist dollars. I'll be the geezer in the 60 corvette with my son in the 50 ford custom. I've been twice to Don"s place in Fla. and I live on the Oregon coast, Jump on a cheap flight, rent a car and see this stuff before it's gone.
i will pass al this along to mr woods and garlits.....i thank youi all 4 takein time on this....gearheads are one hell of a bunch i tell ya....
Don Garlits is a great guy. i had the p[leasure of meeting him. He's very humble and easy to talk to, other than he cant hear you. His museum is top notch. Its to me is the hot rodding mecca. You should check it out if you're ever near Fla.
Its good to hear the speed gods shined down on the great ones once in a while. As far as the vultures,karma will get them when they least expect it.
Great to hear about the community supporting each other like that. Those that ripped off Mr. Woods will get there just eventually.
What a great story. Sad too. ALS is a very deadly disease. How come Lou Gehrig dies from this, in like 1937 and we still have no clue about it but can fly to the moon....Thanks Big Daddy
Big is the man. I met him a while back at Cayuga Dragway park and for such a little guy he has a huge presence. Probably my all time hero, a self taught engineer, innovator and competitor.
That museum is a must see for any gearhead. Don has done what most other "collectors" fail to do, he's a hands on guy with a great collection, and shows it off for all of us to enjoy.
I had the privilege of meeting Don several years ago. Probably the nicest person I've ever met in the racing world. This proves my first impression.
I met Don's mom at his museum a few years ago, sweetest lady ever. Shook his hand at the HRR in columbus, he didn't know what to think cause I had my 1 year old son in a backpack carrier. (I probably looked pretty stoopid at a hotrod meet.) His museum is overwhelming. Nice story.
A buddy of mine drove from Illinois to Florida to purchase a drag racer. He stopped with his son at Bid D's museum as they had never been there before. They met Mr. Garlits and told him why they were in Florida. They all ended up in the parking lot where Mr. Garlits looked over the new race car and gave some pointers. We all have bad days but Garlits made the day for my buddy and his son!
Great to hear you worked this deal with Don Garlits, and many thanks to you for getting involved and helping out a fellow gearhead in his time of need. It was great talking with you at Lebanon Valley last Sunday and I am looking forward to your show.