When writing about Cotton Owens’ passing yesterday, I of course thought of his cool “Cotton Picker” match bash wagon right off the bat. It got me to thinking about what single race car I would drive from the annals of history, given the chance. I was thinking about one of the GT40s that won LeMans, maybe an Allard J2, Buddy Baker’s 200mph Daytona record car, Craig Breedlove’s Spirit of America, and about half a million others, but one kept creeping back into my mind and it is my favorite drag car of all time. That car is the Secret Weapon Jeep funny car of Ed Lenarth.
I don’t know why or for what reason, but I just think that this is about the neatest thing ever built. It ran like stink and eventually led the NHRA to ban Jeep funny cars. It looks cool as hell, was fast as blazes, and about as predictable as Gary Busey on a bad day. Strapping into this thing in an old school aluminized fire suit, breather mask, and open face helmet with goggles would be hard to top.
I realize that I’m probably the only dude in the world with this as my top pick as an all time historic race car ride, but I’m OK with that. Everyone out there in reader-land has to have had this fantasy once or two hundred times when drooling over cars at a show, a museum, or reunion event like we’ll be live broadcasting next weekend. I want to hear your pick!
Question of the Day: Given the chance, what historic race car would you drive?
Definetely Big Oly Bronco….I’m not even really an off-road kinda guy but that truck just screams to be hammered on!!
So many choices, but I’d have to go with Bobby Allison’s 1972 Coca-Cola Monte Carlo.
1971 Penske/Donohue Javelin
I was thinking about the 1968 Penske Camaro, but we’re close…
This is an easy one, Porsche 917K, in GULF colors.
First one that came to mind for me, also.
This is a no brainer for me too. Speed Sport Special of Red Greth…(Boyd probably wouldn’t give up the ‘Express without a fight!)
The Panella Trucking Anglia, stirring that 4 speed with the blown big block in that little car would be insane!
GT-40-ROAD RACE…..SUPER BIRD-NASCAR……..JUNGLE JIM-DRAG RACE
I would love to experience some laps in a Indy roadster.
Maynard Rupp’s “Chevoom” Corvair funny
I would love to drive Bill Jenkins 66 Chevy Nova ( Grumpy’s Toy ) Stock Eliminator car.
The ThrustSSC – 763 MPH . . . create your own sonic boom! All the rest of the race cars are whimps!! LOL
Hey Lee check this out this insanity!
http://www.bloodhoundssc.com
Enjoy
Dunn & Reath Rear engine cuda funny car
…..the “Holy Toledo” Commando…..
Pebble,Pulp and Chef, Swindler b ; hard to top a Willys for a real hot rod……
hmmmm so many to choose from, lemans winning GT40
Do all the evolutions of Swamp Rat count as one car? Also the Porsche 917/30.
Kevin
Speeking of Jeep funnt cars, don”t forget the C&O hydryo Jeep. So many to choose from, The Motion Performance King Cobra .427 set up for drag racing. Got real close to the 9″s in the early ’60’s. With modern tires I can only imagine. By the way the new issue has an excellent on the Cobra.
Arnie Beswick’s Tameless Tiger
The original Green Mamba jet dragster.
Brian ,I’ll second you on the Secret Weapon. Ed Lenarth could make a 392 sing at the top end. I saw it more than once at Lions. The yellow Jeep after the Weapon was just as Badd, Jeff
I’d have to say Petty’s ’72 Charger. Big, heavy, hemi powered, driver’s seat resembles a torture device, open face helmet, and chewing on a wet towel to stay cool.
Easy, landys 68 hemi dart, or his 70 challenger.
Ramo Scott’s 1970 ARCA Plymouth Superbird.
917 Porsche…no question about it!
Tyrrell P34 Six Wheeler
The Summers Brothers Golden Rod.
Good One
2j to see how great it was or the 2h to see how awful it was
Donald Campbells “Bluebird”