JUNE 2005
Here are some pictures from the Don Garlits Museum of Drag Racing. The museum is composed of two large buildings. The first building houses the drag racing cars and a few other cars from other racing circuits. The second building houses mostly older restored vehicles, 50's styled hot rods and some nice muscle cars.
1966 Dart Roadster, Swamp Rat 9
Built in Troy, MI by Emery Cook & Don Garlits for Dodge. This was the first "plastic" bodied. steel tubing funnycar to exceed 200 mph in a quarter mile. It was outlawed by the NHRA in late 1966, the car was then retired from racing. Best times were 8.04 seconds @ 200.44 mph
The Sidewinder
Built in 1981 by Big Daddy and "SOS" Gearbox. It is powered by a 454 cu. in. Dodge Hemi, supercharged by a 8-71 Mooneyham blower, fuel injected and burns nitro. The engine made about 2700 horsepower. The engine was mounted sideways to attempt to take advantage of the engine torque to cause the rear wheels to have more traction. Best times were 6.20 @ 230 mph.
The Turbine Car
Built in 1982 by Big Daddy & Tom (TC) Lemons. It was powered by a GE T-58-10 gas turbine, developing 1400 horsepower on kerosene. The engine turns 22,000 rpm. It drives the rear wheels. It was an experimental car. Craig Arfons did the engine work.
Mooneyham, Ferguson, Jackson & Faust 1964 "44" Streamliner
This car showcased the talents of Woody Gilmore (chassis) Jocko Johnson (body) George Cerny Jr. (paint) and the driving of Larry Faust. During testing at Lions & San Fernando affected handling and although the results were promising, inadequate funding forced the streamlining project into mothballs. Best times were 8.20 @ 197.80 mph
Gilmore & Petersen Streamliner, 1974
The term for this car was Total Air Management. However, the additional weight caused the car to be unsuccessful. Best times were 6.32 @ 224 mph
The Bug, 1941-1950
The first "rail" dragster ran at Muroc Dry Lakes in the early 40's. When the first real dragstrip opened at Santa Ana, owner Dick Kraft was there every week. He kept stripping it down until everyone called it a "rail". A name that has stuck to this day. Dick Kraft restored "The bug" in 1985 and sold it to the museum. Can you imagine driving in this thing at over a 100 mph!
Swamp Rat Number 1
This is a recreation of the original Swamp Rat as it appeared at the Brooksville, FL Airport in the spring of 1956. The car has a 1954 Chrysler Hemi displacing 354 cubic inches, a Crane roller cam, Jahns 10 to 1 pistons, 117 inch wheelbase, a 1940 Ford transmission and rear end. Best ET was 10.80 @ 128 mph!
K.S. Pittman 1941 Willys
In the 60's the "Gassers" were born! This red Willys set the record in the A/GS class. It ran a 10.55 in June of 1962 at Pomona Raceway. It ran a 1957 Olds displacing 402 cubic inches. It had a Hilborn 4-port injector, B&M Hydro Transmission, and Mondello Oldsmobile heads. The rear end was a 4.88 Ford unit.
Bruce Larson's USA-1 1966 Chevelle
This was one of the first all fiberglass Funnycars. It appeared at ATCO Raceway in NJ in 1965. It was hand built by Don Milletics, Mike Lloyd and Bruce Larson. This car still runs! It is equipped with a 454 Chevy, injected on nitro. It has a Crane roller cam, B&M Turbo 400 transmission and a Dana 60 rear.
Don & Pat Garlits 1936 Ford Coupe
This replica was built to showcase their first drag car that was built in 1953. They channeled a 5-window coupe 6 inches over the frame and installed a hot Mercury V-8 flathead. It had a 296 cube Mercury with a Smith & Jones cam, 25 tooth Lincoln transmission.
The Pollutionizer, 1959-1960
This was a late 50's dragster powered by a V-12 Allison engine. (the injector set up was just sitting on top) The motor produced over 2000 horsepower on gasoline. the engine displaced 1700 cubic inches and originally powered a P-40 fighter plane. The engine in the car was bought from a surplus salvage yard for the whooping total of $50!
Ultra-Digger
This 185" wheelbase dragster is powered by a Turbonique 1000 hp axial-flow turbine engine. The turbine spins at 62,424 rpm, driving the rear end through a planetary gear box with a 8.67:1 ratio. Fueled by nitrous oxide, it's estimated 1/4 mile speed is 209 mph.
1970
Plymouth Superbird
Know as the "Rootbeer Hemi", this Superbird is one of only one with this unique paint color.
1966 Dodge Coronet
This is an original Hemi powered 4-door car originally ordered by the FBI. The engine displaces 426 cubuc inches, has 2 four barrel carbs, automatic transmission, AM radio and a bench seat.
Zora Arkus-Duntov
After WWII, Zora Arkus-Duntov designed this hemi head conversion for the flathead Ford V-8. The "Ardun Kit" raised power of the little 239 cube engine from 100 horsepower to a staggering (for the time) 176 horsepower. Many drag and salt records were set with the Ardun.
1971 McNamara USAC Indycar
Built in Germany with an innovative wedge shape, only two were constructed. One was driven by Mario Andretti and powered by a Ford V-8 with 4 overhead cams. The engine was turbocharged and made ~1000 horsepower.
TV Tommy Ivo
One of Tommy Ivo's twin engine, Buick Nailhead powered dragsters!
(Dial-Up users take note, there's over 30 picture thumbnails on each of the following two pages, it might take a bit to load!)
