(Text by Darr Hawthorne) In the late 1960’s high horsepower Muscle Cars were available on every new car lot and on the streets of America and Chrysler had some of the most powerful engines and lots of success on the drag strip.  In the early 70’s, Chrysler started MOPAR enthusiast clubs for both Dodge and Plymouth owners, the Scat Pack Club for the Dodges and later for Plymouths – the Rapid Transit System.

Fortunately Chrysler had some killer drivers like Dick Landy (Dodge) and Ronnie Sox (Plymouth) and they were used as spokesmen for each brand in advertising, newsletters and in-person performance clinics led by Chrysler’s Professional drivers.  MOPAR fanatics could hear the latest performance tips, ask questions of expert tuner/drivers, hang out with their heroes and pick up the latest decals, posters and jackets.

Both MOPAR clubs also allowed the factory to offer news on the latest performance parts available for factory hot rods at local dealerships.

In 1971 Chrysler had a film made documenting the “Age of Drag Racing” featuring Dick Landy’s prowess on the dragstrip, getting his Dodge Pro Stocker ready for the 1971 Supernationals at Ontario Motor Speedway and leading a Scat Pack Club seminar.

A cigar-chomping Landy answers some tech questions and talks of head games acquired in testing his Pro Stock Hemi Challenger at SoCal’s old Irwindale Dragstrip and the days of ramp trucks, long before today’s Pro Show 18 wheelers.  Funny cars, front-engined top fuel dragsters, altereds, modifieds and 32 Pro Stockers assemble at Ontario Motor Speedway to compete for NHRA Wally’s in 1971.

A young Dave Despain hosts this 1991 ESPN2 copy of “Glory Days”.

Click play to watch all three parts of this epic video.