Legendary Collector Cars » dragster

1969 Yenko Camaro Dragster, Cliff Ernst Collection

Richard — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 14:33:19 +0000

We all know how special the 1969 Camaro is. Seems like it is the stand out favorite of most collectors and car geeks of all kinds. On top of the regular Camaro stands the ultra rare COPO cars. You know the ones. The ones, you go into the dealer and give him the magic hand shake and a wad of cast and you could order up a car unlike the normal run of the mill buyer.

What’s better than a COPO?

Now, if you were really cool in 1969 a regular COPO wasn’t enough, you wanted a Yenko Camaro with the big 427. Bright yellow with black stripes would be a good choice of color. Then what did you do? You tweeked it, you wrenched on it some more and then went to the drag strip.

Here is the ultimate in street legal Camaro. It is a 427 Yenko Dragster with Cliff Ernst name on the side. Sit back turn up the speakers on your computer and listen to this special Chevy sing to you.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Technorati Tags: 427, camaro, cliff ernst, dragster, muscle car, Yenko

Super Chevy Show, Drag Races 2009

Richard — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 19:40:10 +0000

The rain really put the drag racers in their trailers. It seemed as soon as the track was dry it was a signal for the rain to start. In fact on Sunday when a few racers did get on the track the mops came out to dry the track from a weeping crack at the 1/8 mile marker.

We did get a few shots and some videos for you. We will be posting them on this site over the next couple of weeks as time permits. Just Click Here to see some photos and videos.

In the meantime I will post one for you right here! Check this wreck by Jerry Hunt in his Corvette.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Technorati Tags: Drag races, dragster, jerry hunt memphis, Super Chevy

NHRA Wally Parks Museum, Pomono CA

Richard — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 14:18:57 +0000

I just returned from a trip to Southern CA and a visit to the Wally Parks NHRA Museum. It reminds me that the best museum I ever saw is always the last one I visited! There are so many great ones out there and this is one of the must sees. It is small but very rewarding.

I will share a few of my photos on this page but you can see many more on the ON TOUR page.

There were two highlights of the visit for me and neither one were dragsters. The first, as you enter the main entrance was there in all its glory; the Ala Kart by George Barris. This has always been one of my very favorite hot rods and I think an icon of the early years of the hobby. It is absolutely beautiful and way ahead of its time.

It was actually only the first time I have ever seen it in person. When I was a little kid I studied pictures of it in all the car mags back in the day and memorized every curve but this was the first time to ever see it in person and it was better than the pictures.

It was like meeting a movie star or a race hero. I wanted to ask the car for an autograph or maybe a tire track print. George and his brother Sam were prolific in their creations but the Ala Kart is arguably the pinnacle.

The second highlight is rather sexist but were the photos of Linda Vaughn, Miss Hurst Golden Shifter from the good old days. She remains a striking woman even today but back in the 60’s she was a knock out and the dream of every teenage boy that ever saw her. She was beautiful, sexy and loved cars! What more could any red blooded American boy ever ask for?

The few photos of her from back then brought back of surge of fond if not suggestive memories.

Put this museum on your list. I have been there a number of times and have never been disappointed. It is located at the Los Angeles County Fairplex in Pomona, California in the same complex as the drag strip.

Technorati Tags: Ala Kart, dragster, George Barris, Linda Vaughn, Miss Hurst Golden Shifter, NHRA Museum, Pomona, Sam Barris