When I was putting together the story about the nine cars I think can better the existing wheel driven Bonneville speed record, I came across this short film about the Richmond and Stark streamliner. This car isn’t one of the better known pieces and it has made one appearance on the salt, which was in 2012. The crew did not return in 2013 but are on the list to be in action in 2014. Powered by a pair of supercharged small block engines and built by a couple of life long hot rodders that have been friends since the third grade, it is one of the great stories you will see. The film is damned simple and shows the fellows working on the car, talking about why they built it, and showing some honest to God childlike excitement at the prospect of being able to bring it to Bonneville (Or Bonny-Ville as Bud Stark pronounces it).

In many ways, everything at Bonneville is a grassroots effort, but to see one at this level, manned but a couple guys who have thrown all their chips into the middle of the table one last time to take a swing for hot rodding’s deepest fences is pretty flipping awesome. We’re hoping that the car does make the trip and that we’re able to see the fellows out there in Utah. The car’s lone appearance did not go as smoothly as they would have liked with tech issues keeping them down for a couple days and then some mechanical issues limiting them to a best speed of 251mph. For a first time appearance, that’s nothing to be ashamed of, especially after working through the various bugs that they did.

What a story it would be if these two hot rodders from could push the envelope and run this car over 400. THAT would be a monumental accomplishment in its own right and we’re hoping it happens as a reward for their work and investment in the car. Go, baby, GO!

PRESS PLAY TO SEE THIS COOL SHORT FILM ON THE RICHMOND AND STARK STREAMLINER –

CLICK THE “WATCH ON VIMEO” BUTTON TO SEE THE VIDEO 

Test Edit – Richmond Stark Streamliner 1238 – Bonneville 2012 from Digital Boondocks on Vimeo.