There are cars that transcend the decades of drag racing and continue to stand out amongst others of their era. Maybe we’re talking about machines like the Sox and Martin Barracuda, Prudhomme’s Super Snake Dragster, or even early drag machines like the famed Glass Slipper with its enclosed cockpit.
If we are talking funny cars in the early 1970s, the conversation of hardest running and most beautiful needs to include the famed Green Elephant of Jim Green that was wrenched on by Jerry Verheul and driven by Frank Hall. This early Vega bodied edition of the car is our absolute favorite. Sure some people may say a green car is unlucky, but look at the magnificence of this one and tell us that.
The most awesome thing about this video is that while silent, we are taken placed where we NEVER are in these old films. You are going to see the car get fully serviced in the pits, which is awesome to watch in 1970s style, you are going to see a guy in a dress shirt plunk the blower and injector back on top of the hemi, and you are going to see some of the most beautifully shot 1970s on-track action that you will ever look at. The camera angles used on the track literally do not exist today and you’ll wonder why not after seeing this.
This isa beautiful look back at what it was like to run a funny car 45 years ago. It’s the equivalent of being on a different drag racing planet.
This video ‘Rules’….
Really miss those burnouts.
Not a thing wrong with green race cars! The Green Elephant and the Jade Grenade are two of my all time favorites.
Very cool. Was surprised to see them using a remote starter to fire the engine. That had to be one of the earlier uses. I shook my head when they showed the driver putting on his safety gear. With an open faced motorcycle style helmet! Safety gear has come so far since then. Thankfully.
Looks like the camera was under the steel guardrail in a couple shots. That’s one reason we don’t get angles like that anymore. And how about we suck on a rubber hose filled with nitro to fill the hydrometer?
Great footage from the days of dry hops. Frank always had time to say hi. Jim Green always had a class ride.
Killer video!!! I took a tour of Jim Greens speed shop a few years ago in Monroe Washington before it closed. He was searching for the frame from the Green Elephant to restore the car, he had nearly everything else. A guy called him and said he knew where the frame was. He said it was in a friends living room. Keep in mind Jim is telling this story. So he sets up a time to go see this not believing the story. Sure enough there is the frame set up in this guys living room pointing at the TV. I don’t remember if he was able to get the frame back?