We’ve seen this link pop up in a couple places over the last few days and finally we’ve been able to highlight it here. This is a fantastic tour of Don Garlit’s racing operation in 1971 with lots of great photos and narration by the “Ol’ Man” himself. It was 1971 when Garlits and his henchmen TC Lemons and Connie Swingle unlocked the secret that made the rear engine dragster a viable and in fact favorable chassis configuration for Top Fuel Racing. It altered the direction of the sport forever. 

These photos were taken by British photographer Roger Phillips and they rule. We get to see both the race and machine shops, along with the speed shop Garlits operated called Do Garlits Hi-Performance World. The photos are total greatness with shots of Connie Swingle welding up chassis lying on the floor, Garlits assembling engines, and some of the literal tricks Don and the boys employed in the construction of their race cars. 

Hit the link below to take an amazing photographic tour of what can be called the most important racing operation in drag racing history. Garlits ruled then and he rules now!

Bitchin’ Link:A Tour of Don Garlits’ Race Shop Circa 1971