One of the things I remember as a kid was the first time I saw the Joie Chitwood stunt show. It was at the Brockton Fair and it was all of the great stuff you can imagine a kid would love. Stuff on fire, stuff on two wheels, and ultimately stuff getting jumped. It made a great impression on me and it was certainly something I wanted to see again. The funny thing is that I cannot remember what they were using for cars but I think it was GM stuff at the time.
Anyway, these stunt shows and “hell driver” acts have been a staple at fairs for about as long as the automobile has been mass produced. Names like Lucky Teeter become household because of the fact that these barnstorming acts would ply their trade all over the country and on a schedule that would make your head spin. Jack Kochman’s act was also part of this program and his drivers are the center of this easy 1980s film showing off their stuff. The stunts are all things you have seen before but the cars? The cars are a bit of a shocker.
How about Dodge Aries sedans…WITH FOUR SPEED MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS?! Who even knew this was a thing?! We had no idea you could get those cars with a clutch. These seem to be early K-cars so perhaps the option was gone after the start of the platform that would ultimately help to save Chrysler from financial ruin (again). Make no mistake, we don’t want one of these cars but the fact that it has a freaking four on the floor with a chrome stick bent to clear the bench seat is just fantastic.
Are we the only ones who never knew this was a thing? Are we also the only ones shocked by the fact these cars did not fall apart by week two of the show?!
Joey Chitwood was the best. After going to the fair, every kid in the neighbor hood had a ramp set up to make jumps with their bikes.
Yep, I owned a 2 door with a 2.2 and a 4 speed manual trans.
Kinda wish I still had that oddity!
Reliable and Dodge Aries? Those are two words I have never heard used in the same sentence before!