(Photo by Martyn Schorr) – These days most people know Bill Mitchell because he runs a Top Fuel dragster, operates World Products and Bill Mitchell Hardcore Racing Products but back in the early 1970s Bill Mitchell was known because he raced one of the most dominant gassers in the country, a VW Beetle called, “The Thunderbug”. At that time, Mitchell was running “Motion Mini-Cars” a wing of the vaunted Motion Performance company founded and run by Joel Rosen.
The Thunderbug absolutely terrorized the ranks of H/Gas mostly but also cleaned up records in G,I,and J along the way. Powered by a 2200cc VW flat four with nearly 14:1 compression, a forged Scat crank, Porsche rods, and a pair of IDA carbs, it was a hellacious screaming racer. Reports are that the engine made nearly 250hp at over 7,000 RPM. It ran into the very deep 11s, like in the 11.0 range and basically laid waste to class records whenever Mitchell felt like turning the wick up on it.
Sporting a tube chassis and a wicked chop, the Thunderbug was only about 40 inches tall. Mitchell ditched the Bug in 1973 in favor of a chopped down Porsche 911 body. That didn’t last long because the car was so quick the NHRA made rules adjustments to slow it down. Mitchell saw the writing on the wall and hung up his spurs, spending his time at the Motion business.
All of this leads us to the photo below with Mitchell, sporting the mane of hair and intent look in his eyes peering into the engine bay of the Thunderbug. We don’t know whose legs those are, but we’re thinking that the fellow is wrenching like his life depended on it down there.
Marty Schorr who is a legend in his own right, took this photo and gave us permission to use it. Marty said that at the time, they would have used this as a promotional shot for CARS magazine which he was editing during this period. We think that it is a great shot that really captures the intensity of the drags and is just a really great pit candid.
Now its your time to shine! Caption this photo! What’s Mitchell saying or thinking here?
Looks like “Wolfman Jack” preparing his bug for the next run!!!!
Ah come on lil’ buddy, I’ll have some more nuts for after you make this last run!
If I ever get this figured out – and it works – I’ll have Jack Black play me in a life-of bio-pic!
“ok,we’re up against some real stiff competition in the next round,so give the rubberband THREE more twists!!”
Look, I’m sorry I ran ya over, but hey, while your down there how ’bout helping me out changin’ the oil, OK??
Tighten the vale lash! That Californian car is here.
“Would someone be so kind as to remove that trumpet from my…. Never mind I’ll go see a doctor after the races.”