Vintage Drag Race Video From 1959

For who ever is interested. I came across this vintage drag race video from 1959. Its pritty cool.





http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SW3XODojZXg

 

Never saw that one before. Fantastic!!!!! Took me right back to my childhood. Its the first time I've ever seen the Hollish Bros. coupe in action. Always loved that car. Thanks.

 

thanks a bunch I am one of the whoevers, neat video. Cadillac Dave

 

Great documentary - thanks for sharing the link, old soul!

-Pasi

 

Man,.....what a trip back. Thanks for posting that, I enjoyed the hell out of that, even if I was only in the 1st grade at the time.

 

What was the engine in the winning car? I think it had perimeter valve cover bolts but I could not ID it.

 

It was a blown Lincoln driven by Rodney Singer. I think the engine was built and owned by Karol Miller.

 

Thats the COOLEST thing I've seen since Endless summer!!!! Thanks for that!!

 

What an amazing bit of film! Even the illustrations during the opening and closing credits were stellar! When we watch this film we are seeing the golden age of drag racing! If Tom Compton would only celebrate the history of the N.H.R.A. instead of trying to turn into some NASCAR - ESQUE circus the sport could be great again! Case in point the cackle fest cars. People spend big money restoring these vehicles and towing them to races, and the crowds flock to them like pigeons being fed. Why is there so such much enthusiasm just to watch a car sit and idol? Because people are starving for a glimpse of what was great about drag racing! The cars were works of art! The whole show was breath taking! Watching the fuel cars being pushed started up the return road, roaring to life right at the edge of the grandstands! Smoking the tires all the way down the track! Front engine Dragsters! Fuel Altereds! Door Slamin' Gassers and all simply beautiful to behold! And let us not forget beautiful trophy girls! What a show! I would rather watch the Greer, Black and Prudhomme car run 200 M.P.H. in a quarter mile, than Shumacher's ARMY car run 320 M.P.H. in a 1000 ft. any day of the week!

 

Man...them were the days!!! Huh?

 

Yes they were. Today's "dragsters" are nothing more than spec cars where ingenuity is forbidden. Look at that movie and see all the different engines. The different frames set ups etc. People were able to think and build what they believed would be faster than the next guy. Sadly no longer allowed. Much like this board with its traditional. period correct, etc.

 

Im suprised more people havent watch this.

 

that video is like time in a bottle.... loved it, thanks

 

Thanks for sharing, it put some tears in this 'ol farts eyes ! I loved the starter running for dear life ! This is what OUR sport used to be about when NHRA didn't stand for no hot rods allowed.

 

I had seen it before but I watched it again, thanks!

 

Thanks for posting. That video has been posted a couple times before on the build thread for the "Hollish Bros coupe". I aways watch it when someone post it again. As far as the winning engine, it was a Potvin blown 480 cube MEL. One interesting fact is that the Hollish bros were the first car to make it to the final round for Top Eliminator with a top mounted blower, they have all been top mounted since. Fact #2 is final round was run 5 times because of false starts and WallyParks was not going to let a little 345 cube Olds A/C coupe win top prize over the A/Dragster. Eventually the clutch let go in the coupe and the dragster went bye. Your Top Eliminator for 1959 would be Rodney Singer. BS.

 

Thank you indeed!!
What a great film that is..
Those were indeed the good ol' daze...!!
Cheers.......

 

That was great . I wonder what happened to the El Camino

 

What's neat is that shop (Dragmaster) is still in the same location and still wearing that name on the front of the building! And Dode Martin (eighty plus years old) is still building dragsters like that at his home shop!!

 

Been looking for 8 years.

 

cool video.. the thing is the family could afford to compete..
i like the dragsters and belly tankers of this time period.. in 10 years from two strips to 210 is amazing..
i like the belly tanker at 14:10.. looked like it had duel snorkels or sumtin.
chris.

 

that has to be THE best vintage video I have ever seen. I was born
about 20 years to late. Thanks for sharing , I need to figure out how make a DVD of that to keep.
anyone notice how many black T-shirts???? ---maybe none

 

That was good! Thanks for posting it.

 

yeah, all white T's or speed shop T's or the guys in suits.
there is programs you can use to download youtube video's just google for "how to download youtube video's" that should bring up some options for you.
chris.

 

Fantastic! I've only heard stories of "top eliminator" drags, NHRA was already ruining it when I came around. Anymore like that?

 

Have you found any info or leads . I have friends in the Houston area and all over Texas . Let me know if there are any leads

 

What a great video! THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR POSTING!

 

ChassisResearchKid

I heard tell before about the Five runs and clutch failure/problems,
would love to hear the complete story !

I saw this video before ,love it ....

BUT

This time I saw alot of different stuff ,

Like Eric Rickman @15:06 at the Coke stand
AND
again @22:00 & @23:30.

I've always enjoyed his work....

 

It's available on evilbay, that's were I got my copy.

 

cool thanks I will check it out. the car in your avatar,is it yours?
I thought I saw it in that video?