I have never spent almost 90 minutes watching anything on RUclips until this morning. I’ve been to the museum half a dozen times but never had Garlits to walk me around and tell stories. This is wonderful, thank you!
SINCE THE 1960. BIG DADDU BOTH ROTH AND DON....WHERE MY HEROS....DONS ROSIN WENT IN MY DADS EYE. AT. OCIR.....DAD WAS NOT HAPPY....I SAID DAD YOU JUST HAD A R OF SIN STRING. HIT YOU FROM BIG DADDY DON GARLITS...THE KNIG OF ALL TOP FUEL DRAG RACERS....YOU SHOULD FEEL HONORED........DAD LOOKED AT ME SAID....YAH...I SAID YAH.....AND HE JUST SMILED........IT WAS A FATHER SON MOMENT...ONE OF THE FEW BEFORE HIS DEATH......
Pleasure of meeting Don at Dragway 42 WEST SALEM OHIO IN1972 NICE GUY I later became a truck drive ran into Don several times same nice guy at truck stops he and ELVIS appreciated their fans
Wow! That was extremely entertaining! I'm amazed at how good Don's memory is, especially his recalling all those ET & MPH records, names of people long gone, etc, etc! You really get a sense of his love and enthusiasm for drag racing too. Thanks for posting this!
This museum is worth the visit. Awesome dragsters and other high quality automobiles. Didn’t know what to expect because the outside buildings are very non descriptive but once you get inside it’s truly incredible.
I wanted to drag race full time instead of working in corporate America, until I read Dons book. When I saw the schedule it took to make it in drag racing, I knew there was no way with a young family I could do that. Don and Pat traveled the world all thanks to drag racing. But what you don't see or hear are the long hours on the road, traveling from event to event. One time I don't know if Don fell asleep at the wheel or what, but they went off the road and almost were killed. Their personal life was almost non existing for long periods at a time. Bottom line was that Dons book kept me out of drag racing. My Uncle Robert own American Race Cars in Pomona and was the best pipe welder at the time, and always had some famous car on the jig. Uncle Bob was a hell of a driver too and held the AA/FA Low ET record at Lions till the very end. I know Don knew him. I did try my hand at Jr Fuel in 1970 but fell short of the funds needed to compete. Now all I do is nostalgic gasser stuff and it's a lot of fun. Don has always been my Idol and I hope I can get there and see him soon. Thanks for posting this, good job.
Went there in the 80s, dropped the family off at Disney. Drove up to Ocala and went in, paying my entrance fee, entered, then Mr Garlitts came up and said, you from England ? Yes I said, he then spent a good 20 minutes showed me around a little. Signed a t shirt and gave it to me. He was my hero before, but what a gent and still a hero !!
I've been to the museum, but Don wasn't there that day. This is an amazing video. I've seen Don race many times. He's a living legend. Thanks for posting this great guided tour by the man himself.
Thanks for posting this. In the early 80s I worked on a IMSA GTO Corvette team with engines built by Jon Zorian who was with Garlits for many. It brought back a lot of great memories..I appreciate that you posted it.
As I was listening to this video I was scrolling through the comments & somehow found yours, my name is Justin Zorian. Jon Zorian is my father. I just wanted to tell you thank you, i appreciated reading your comment. Alot more than you might realize.
@@1992justinz I have so many memories with him. I'm the guy who drove down to his shop to pick up and drop off the engines and parts. Some really funny stories at the track..hotels etc. I took a million pictures. Unfortunately..the rotten bitch that I married..during the divorce...she threw away 95% of my pictures. From IMSA..NASCAR and racing MOUNTAIN Moto pro stock..all with the Dingmans. In those thrown away pictures I actually had a picture of your Dad from when he was on the TV show Bonanza. We used to Razz him about that because until then..we didn't know he wore a hair piece?? Btw..I didn't ever meet him that I know of but very sorry for losing your brother so young. My heart felt condolences to you and your family.
@@1992justinz the way your Dad did the intake galley..smoothed it out PERFECT with tons of machine and by hand work. Then he put epoxy in to smooth it more with small screens epoxy to capture possible valve train failures. I'm telling you Justin...people's jaw dropped when they saw it with the intake off..many of the IMSA engine builders had never seen anything like it. It always drew a HUGE crowd to see what Jon did inside the engine. I actually emailed your Dad..probably if I had to guess..2016 or 2017 because we were having our Pro Stock engine builder refresh the L 88 Jon built. We had some questions about how things had been done. He said "Mike..we're talking about 1983..35+ years ago. I've built so many engines..I just can't remember it.?" We chatted about his boat..Tarpon fishing and pleasantries. That was the last I heard from him..he was a GREAT AND TALENTED MAN.!
@@dingmanracing hey man i responded to ya weeks ago but when i came back and checked just now i dont see my reply. Maybe i didnt hit send or something or error occured on uploading the comment but i did reply. i would like to talk with ya more. not sure if you have an email address or something i can contact you personally. i have alot of stuff to share as well. lots of pictures of that vette and things you may have been assopciated with that i have of my dads
I had the opportunity to have Don give me the 2hr tour of his back shop a couple of years ago. The man is still a teenager at heart and was a wonderful experience.😊
Thanks for posting this video. Big Daddy is 91 now. I'm amazed at the energy he has and still has a strong voice. I get board watching a lot of RUclips videos and cut them short. Not this one. His stories are very interesting, and his memory is astounding. I really enjoyed listening to him talk about the various cars. I visited his museum back in 1988, as well as going to the Gator Nationals that same year and saw him there. I also saw him at Bandimere Speedway near Denver. I remember seeing all big-time racers with their big rig semi trucks for their car haulers. Don Garlits had an inclosed trailer being pulled by a Dodge dually pickup truck. I don't remember how he did at that race, but I was impressed by how he did it with so little.
I have been a fan of him for ever . I have had the pleasure to meet him on two occasions . Very down to earth and hard working person. Very good video .
THIS WAS ONE OF THE BEST VIDEO,S I THINK I HAVE EVER SEEN OR HEARD ,,, BIG DADDY IS THE TOP DOG ,,, BAR NONE NO QUESTION EVER ,,, HIS MEMORY IS JUST PLAIN AMAZING ,,, WHAT AN ICON OF THE SPORT ,,, WHAT A LIFE HE HAS LIVED ,,, AND HIS MUSEUM IS ALOT LIKE HIM # 1 OF ALL TIME
Way back in 1998 I took my son Frank to the Winston Drag racing track. We got to meet Big Daddy, and Shirley Muldowney BOTH!!! They were set up side by side giving autographs and selling tee shirts hats and posters!!! Don was impressed with my question that I asked, which was about the Volkswagen bug, ~The Black Widow~ which had, as Don informed me, a ~Turbonique~ engine!!! I had first heard of "The Black Widow" way back in 1971(?)!!!! Never heard another thing about it until I asked Don about it. He was visibly excited that I asked him about it!!!! THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH FOR DON FOR BEING NOT ONLY A SUPER RACE DRIVER,, BUT FOR BEING A ~MAN~!!! God bless you,, and sorry for your loss of your Boss. God Bless!!!!! Sonny.
I was here in 1996 with my late wife, met Don and did the tour. I recently sent him a photo I made of him in 1985 at the Spring-Nationals and he signed it for my grandson. Thank you very much for the video! Lots of great memories!!
WOW! this video is fantastic. I never knew what kind of guy Garlits was other than having such a successful drag racing career. This sure gives insight to the man and his life. Thank you for filming this and posting it.
John, Thanks so very much for recording this! I've visited the museum once way back in the 80's just after he opened it, and more recently a few times after moving to Florida. It has grown immensely! My wife gave me a tour with Don on the 25th of October of this year (2023), for my birthday. It was awesome, but different. Don only talked about a few cars in the museum, before we headed out to the shop and the garage where he told us accounts of many historical moments, which were also extremely interesting. He fired up not only his cackle car for us, but a bunch of other cars and engines in his garage! The man has been my hero since I was a kid in the 60's watching him run on TV, and it was a crowning jewel of my life to actually meet and speak personally with him back in October, at the end of the tour. We took some pictures together and he signed a really nice photo for me. I'm currently overhauling the HV-12 engine in my recently acquired 1939 Zephyr (he has a few of those engines in his museum). I'm hoping to drive it up to see him (I'm only 30 miles south of the museum), so he can drive it, once it's done. He is a huge fan of not only Flatheads, but the Zephyr HV-12s, and it would be a special honor for me to bring some memories back to him with this car. He is such a very special, down to earth and caring individual, that it is obvious that GOD has cradled him with love, enabling him to touch so many lives in a positive way. Thanks again for capturing this piece of drag racing nostalgia from none other than the King of drag racing, "Big Daddy" Don Garlits!
Bucket list for me! Thanks Don, I could sit like a little kid at Christmas listening to Christmas stories cross legged in front of the fire to you! You are a true RACER!, Innovator, and competitor! Im in Nebraska, and feel like if I dont get there soon! Ill never get to introduce you to my beautiful girls, and take a tour with you!
Gaud , the ole man still has nitro in his blood, look at him go, and how old is he? There is not a single man in any automotive sanctioning organization that has a legend like him representing them. Long live Big Daddy
How lucky are you, to get a tour with this legend, and how lucky are we, that you shared this video with us. Don Garlits is my racing idol. Thank you for sharing this!
Thank you so much for this video. Big Daddy Don Garlits is the greatest drag racer of all time. No disrespect to many other great competitors in the sport, but Garlits influenced the sport in so many positive ways and always found the winners circle. My hero since 8 years of age. God bless him.
Pops here. One Saturday morning we were pulling into the museum and this chopped 49 merc was leaving so me .and my youngest son stopped and ask the guy driving the Mercury when it opened up. He sat and talked a while and then he left to go to breakfast. When we parked and got out to go in , i asked the guy opening the door if Don was ever around for pictures. He said you just missed him, he just in the Mercury. So we talked to him and didn't realize it.
My son and I were there at the end of Sept and I was in awww with what was on display, all the cars my dad and I watch on tv race from the mid 80's on, cheering for Shirey (sorry Don...LOL) awesome walk thru and took tons of pics. Thank you Don and family for keeping this running!!!!
Thank you for sharing this = this is GOLD. I visited this museum 20 years ago and have read all about Don Garlits. He is an innovator and a drag racing Legend!!! We could listen to Don all day = his stories are so interesting and colorful!!!!
Thank you for sharing this! You may not have seen it, but my father Bob is the one resting in the trophy urn near the swamp rat 11. The one with daffy duck and the 72 hour build that won the nationals. My father was the redhead in the picture with the time ticket in his mouth. 😂 He passed in 2021.
MAN! I wanted to make that trip for so long and hear Big tell us about his career. I’m a huge lifelong fan (now 63) and Gartlits was always a favorite of mine. This was a wonderful gift to watch. Many thanks for sharing this video diary of his journey. It really made my day! Mark
@@davidreed6070Big did comment on that car and I believe he said where it was. Only it was not in the museum. Maybe he doesn’t really want to look at or display failures or close calls. The car did save his life. I think that was the one he almost burned up in.
@@anetworkservice man I thought it was against the back wall laying down in the middle. It's been years since I've been there so I could be imagining. Or daddy could have built it back, I don't know.
I was so close and wanted to go but at Sonny's down the street for lunch my wife said no. I was there years ago and met Don's Dad. What a memory. I still remember seeing big Daddy Don in the early 70s at CT dragway.
Grrrrrrrrrrreat to see Don and hear his stories!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I could listen to him for hours! He is such a nice man. He used to eat at my place called Zinn's Diner in Denver, Pa. and was there on our last day. Always thought the world of him. GOD BLESS
Utterly magnificent video, thank you so much for sharing it. I've been to the museum, it's the holy shrine to drag racing. I can only imagine getting the tour by Big himself. I was at the US Nationals in 2011. Walking around we passed a nondescript trailer, outside of it was a Dodge Challenger with "Garlits Dodge" lettered on the doors. Hmmm, what's that? Looked inside the trailer and there was the great man himself, all alone. I mustered the courage to say "hello Mr. Garlits". He immediately got up & came out to chat with us. I'll carry that memory to my grave. A wonderful man.
John Rivinius - I want to thank you for taking the time to video your time with Don and then posting it for everyone to see. I was born into racing and have seen/met Don at quite a few races in the northeast. But I haven't yet been able to get to the museum...and we all know Don aint getting any younger...your video might be the closest I get to talking with him again. Thank you so much 😎👍
I love this man's legacy. I saw him working in the pits back in California while I was in the Marine Corps. Date was in 1973. My seizures have wiped the track and date from my memory. But I still remember him with the beaker and specific gravity float checking his fuel mixture.
Wow! I have always wanted to see that museum as I have been by it many times but never had the time or was to tired to stop. Always thought so much of Big Daddy since 66 when I first got into Drag Racing. Thank you so much for this. Had I known I would have been there for this taping!!!
I met his mother 20 years ago and she was just like Big daddy she told us stories about Don and his dad the story about How the super bird became 1 of 1 was like his mother unforgettable . If I'm not mistaken she was over 100 years old at that time
We were there after Mecum in January this year. Really enjoyed this tour with the man himself. Was wondering if Mr. Garlits would give a tour of his street cars in the other building? From what little I was able to read each car had it’s own story and place in his life. Thank you for posting this video.
Thank you very much for posting this video. Don's memory is amazing. All of those details regarding every car. I hope Don and his wife are with us for many more years.
Sadly Don's Wife of 61 years Pat passed away after many years struggle with alzheimer disease February of 2014. Don enjoys doing these tours when he feels good and is in town. It truly is amazing that at 91 years young his memory is so crystal clear and he's still able to get around to do these very special tours. This video will always be a recorded visit to a very long and most successful career of the GREATEST DRAG RACER of ALL TIME. There may be others who have and will win more races BUT the many, many changes in performance and SAFETY Big Daddy brought to the sport may likely never be duplicated. GOD Bless him.
Wow! I was there that day filming the car show, but this special tour was full and closed. I was lucky to get the two-hour tour on August 18, 2023. I also posted a video on it, check it them out. We need to document our hero while he still around. Thanks for documenting this one.
Ive been to this several times it brings back memories of my childhood and big daddy is the man today and was the man back then they dont biuld them like that any more and im talking about the man not the machines Don is a National treasure
Don was also an Eagle Scout. He gave my son a signed letter of accomplishment when my son made Eagle Scout. Been to his museum multiple times and he has a cabinet with a lot of his Scout awards, which is how I found out.
Don is a National Treasure in the drag racing world.
Don Garlits a true legend of the sport.
I have never spent almost 90 minutes watching anything on RUclips until this morning. I’ve been to the museum half a dozen times but never had Garlits to walk me around and tell stories. This is wonderful, thank you!
SINCE THE 1960. BIG DADDU BOTH ROTH AND DON....WHERE MY HEROS....DONS ROSIN WENT IN MY DADS EYE. AT. OCIR.....DAD WAS NOT HAPPY....I SAID DAD YOU JUST HAD A R OF SIN STRING. HIT YOU FROM
BIG DADDY DON GARLITS...THE KNIG OF ALL TOP FUEL DRAG RACERS....YOU SHOULD FEEL HONORED........DAD LOOKED AT ME SAID....YAH...I SAID YAH.....AND HE JUST SMILED........IT WAS A FATHER SON MOMENT...ONE OF THE FEW BEFORE HIS DEATH......
Pleasure of meeting Don at Dragway 42 WEST SALEM OHIO IN1972 NICE GUY I later became a truck drive ran into Don several times same nice guy at truck stops he and ELVIS appreciated their fans
Don Garlits is drag racing royalty and also a legend forever. Thank you for this great video. It's wonderful history.👍
Glad you enjoyed it
Thank you for recording and sharing this. Big Daddy and his museum tour is beyond awesome. Brings goosebumps!❤
What an absolute pleasure .
Living history.
Props to all you people letting us tag along 👏
The king of drag racing .. period
Wow! That was extremely entertaining! I'm amazed at how good Don's memory is, especially his recalling all those ET & MPH records, names of people long gone, etc, etc! You really get a sense of his love and enthusiasm for drag racing too. Thanks for posting this!
This museum is worth the visit. Awesome dragsters and other high quality automobiles. Didn’t know what to expect because the outside buildings are very non descriptive but once you get inside it’s truly incredible.
I wanted to drag race full time instead of working in corporate America, until I read Dons book. When I saw the schedule it took to make it in drag racing, I knew there was no way with a young family I could do that. Don and Pat traveled the world all thanks to drag racing. But what you don't see or hear are the long hours on the road, traveling from event to event. One time I don't know if Don fell asleep at the wheel or what, but they went off the road and almost were killed.
Their personal life was almost non existing for long periods at a time. Bottom line was that Dons book kept me out of drag racing.
My Uncle Robert own American Race Cars in Pomona and was the best pipe welder at the time, and always had some famous car on the jig. Uncle Bob was a hell of a driver too and held the AA/FA Low ET record at Lions till the very end. I know Don knew him. I did try my hand at Jr Fuel in 1970 but fell short of the funds needed to compete.
Now all I do is nostalgic gasser stuff and it's a lot of fun.
Don has always been my Idol and I hope I can get there and see him soon.
Thanks for posting this, good job.
Big Daddy. Innovator, legend, and all around really cool guy. May God continue to bless Mr. "Big Daddy" Don.
Went there in the 80s, dropped the family off at Disney. Drove up to Ocala and went in, paying my entrance fee, entered, then Mr Garlitts came up and said, you from England ? Yes I said, he then spent a good 20 minutes showed me around a little. Signed a t shirt and gave it to me. He was my hero before, but what a gent and still a hero !!
He has an amazing memory for a man of his age!!
One of the best museum tours, racing history lessons, and entertainment video's I've ever seen, thanks for going, filming, and posting.
thank you for watching
very good video. a quote from Big Daddy I always loved. "" Gas is for getting to the track / Alcohol is for drinking / Nitro is for racing.""
Best documentary I've heard. Don you are a legend.
I grew up watching these guys race...
Wish I could get up there to see the museum...
Big Daddy is truly one of the greatest...
Thanks for watching ❤
I've been to the museum, but Don wasn't there that day. This is an amazing video. I've seen Don race many times. He's a living legend. Thanks for posting this great guided tour by the man himself.
Thank you for watching
Thanks for sharing. What an amazing experience.
Don Garlits is a truly American and Hot Rod, may God continue to give Garlits Healthy, Love and Happiness, God Bless.
Hard to believe that Big Daddy is in his 90’s nowadays!! I love this guy, so full of life and spirit of God!!
I'd been there but I couldn't stop watching this. What great stories from a guy I grew up admiring and watching. Thanks for sharing!
Glad to hear you Don, lots of good memories
Thank you for sharing this. That was a once in a lifetime opportunity.
This guy is the greatest for drag racing!!!
Thanks for posting this. In the early 80s I worked on a IMSA GTO Corvette team with engines built by Jon Zorian who was with Garlits for many. It brought back a lot of great memories..I appreciate that you posted it.
As I was listening to this video I was scrolling through the comments & somehow found yours, my name is Justin Zorian. Jon Zorian is my father. I just wanted to tell you thank you, i appreciated reading your comment. Alot more than you might realize.
@@1992justinz I have so many memories with him. I'm the guy who drove down to his shop to pick up and drop off the engines and parts. Some really funny stories at the track..hotels etc. I took a million pictures.
Unfortunately..the rotten bitch that I married..during the divorce...she threw away 95% of my pictures. From IMSA..NASCAR and racing MOUNTAIN Moto pro stock..all with the Dingmans. In those thrown away pictures I actually had a picture of your Dad from when he was on the TV show Bonanza. We used to Razz him about that because until then..we didn't know he wore a hair piece??
Btw..I didn't ever meet him that I know of but very sorry for losing your brother so young. My heart felt condolences to you and your family.
@@1992justinz the way your Dad did the intake galley..smoothed it out PERFECT with tons of machine and by hand work. Then he put epoxy in to smooth it more with small screens epoxy to capture possible valve train failures. I'm telling you Justin...people's jaw dropped when they saw it with the intake off..many of the IMSA engine builders had never seen anything like it. It always drew a HUGE crowd to see what Jon did inside the engine.
I actually emailed your Dad..probably if I had to guess..2016 or 2017 because we were having our Pro Stock engine builder refresh the L 88 Jon built. We had some questions about how things had been done. He said "Mike..we're talking about 1983..35+ years ago. I've built so many engines..I just can't remember it.?"
We chatted about his boat..Tarpon fishing and pleasantries. That was the last I heard from him..he was a GREAT AND TALENTED MAN.!
@@dingmanracing hey man i responded to ya weeks ago but when i came back and checked just now i dont see my reply. Maybe i didnt hit send or something or error occured on uploading the comment but i did reply. i would like to talk with ya more. not sure if you have an email address or something i can contact you personally. i have alot of stuff to share as well. lots of pictures of that vette and things you may have been assopciated with that i have of my dads
Absolute classic! Thank you
I had the opportunity to have Don give me the 2hr tour of his back shop a couple of years ago. The man is still a teenager at heart and was a wonderful experience.😊
Very kool. History lesson learned. Thx👏
Thanks for posting this video. Big Daddy is 91 now. I'm amazed at the energy he has and still has a strong voice. I get board watching a lot of RUclips videos and cut them short. Not this one. His stories are very interesting, and his memory is astounding. I really enjoyed listening to him talk about the various cars. I visited his museum back in
1988, as well as going to the Gator Nationals that same year and saw him there. I also saw him at Bandimere Speedway near Denver. I remember seeing all big-time racers with their big rig semi trucks for their car haulers. Don Garlits had an inclosed trailer being pulled by a Dodge dually pickup truck. I don't remember how he did at that race,
but I was impressed by how he did it with so little.
Thank you for watching
My pop's used to race TA/FC and when I was 12 or so I was able to get a autograph and pix of Big and the swamprat.
What an amazing man.. God bless Don Garlits
I have been a fan of him for ever . I have had the pleasure to meet him on two occasions . Very down to earth and hard working person. Very good video .
THIS WAS ONE OF THE BEST VIDEO,S I THINK I HAVE EVER SEEN OR HEARD ,,, BIG DADDY IS THE TOP DOG ,,, BAR NONE NO QUESTION EVER ,,, HIS MEMORY IS JUST PLAIN AMAZING ,,, WHAT AN ICON OF THE SPORT ,,, WHAT A LIFE HE HAS LIVED ,,, AND HIS MUSEUM IS ALOT LIKE HIM # 1 OF ALL TIME
Way back in 1998 I took my son Frank to the Winston Drag racing track. We got to meet Big Daddy, and Shirley Muldowney BOTH!!!
They were set up side by side giving autographs and selling tee shirts hats and posters!!! Don was impressed with my question
that I asked, which was about the Volkswagen bug, ~The Black Widow~ which had, as Don informed me, a ~Turbonique~ engine!!!
I had first heard of "The Black Widow" way back in 1971(?)!!!! Never heard another thing about it until I asked Don about it. He was visibly excited that I asked him about it!!!! THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH FOR DON FOR BEING NOT ONLY A SUPER RACE DRIVER,, BUT FOR BEING A ~MAN~!!!
God bless you,, and sorry for your loss of your Boss. God Bless!!!!! Sonny.
I was here in 1996 with my late wife, met Don and did the tour. I recently sent him a photo I made of him in 1985 at the Spring-Nationals and he signed it for my grandson. Thank you very much for the video! Lots of great memories!!
WOW! this video is fantastic. I never knew what kind of guy Garlits was other than having such a successful drag racing career. This sure gives insight to the man and his life. Thank you for filming this and posting it.
Thank you for watching
Great presentation! What an incredible memory!
Thanks so much!
That is the greatest thing I have ever seen! Thank you for capturing Mr. Garlits' performance. Bravo!
Thank you for watching ❤
John,
Thanks so very much for recording this!
I've visited the museum once way back in the 80's just after he opened it, and more recently a few times after moving to Florida. It has grown immensely! My wife gave me a tour with Don on the 25th of October of this year (2023), for my birthday. It was awesome, but different. Don only talked about a few cars in the museum, before we headed out to the shop and the garage where he told us accounts of many historical moments, which were also extremely interesting. He fired up not only his cackle car for us, but a bunch of other cars and engines in his garage!
The man has been my hero since I was a kid in the 60's watching him run on TV, and it was a crowning jewel of my life to actually meet and speak personally with him back in October, at the end of the tour. We took some pictures together and he signed a really nice photo for me.
I'm currently overhauling the HV-12 engine in my recently acquired 1939 Zephyr (he has a few of those engines in his museum). I'm hoping to drive it up to see him (I'm only 30 miles south of the museum), so he can drive it, once it's done. He is a huge fan of not only Flatheads, but the Zephyr HV-12s, and it would be a special honor for me to bring some memories back to him with this car. He is such a very special, down to earth and caring individual, that it is obvious that GOD has cradled him with love, enabling him to touch so many lives in a positive way.
Thanks again for capturing this piece of drag racing nostalgia from none other than the King of drag racing, "Big Daddy" Don Garlits!
Bucket list for me! Thanks Don, I could sit like a little kid at Christmas listening to Christmas stories cross legged in front of the fire to you! You are a true RACER!, Innovator, and competitor! Im in Nebraska, and feel like if I dont get there soon! Ill never get to introduce you to my beautiful girls, and take a tour with you!
Incredible - what a treat - goes without saying, Big Daddy is still a hero to this old man and will be till the day I leave the planet.
Gaud , the ole man still has nitro in his blood, look at him go, and how old is he? There is not a single man in any automotive sanctioning organization that has a legend like him representing them. Long live Big Daddy
He turns 92 in January... Living legend
Thanks Big Daddy - my wife and I had a blast with your Museum tour…I felt like a ten year old again! Cheers.
I have 2 heroes in my life - Mike Finnigan on Hammond B3 organ, and Don Garlits in drag racing.
How lucky are you, to get a tour with this legend, and how lucky are we, that you shared this video with us. Don Garlits is my racing idol. Thank you for sharing this!
Thanks for watching
Thank you for that!! I’ve been to Dons 100’s of times and never heard him talk like that. As much that is
Oh the knowledge wow the man should be in a museum all by himself love my hero god bless BIG DADDY
Thank you for watching
Thanks for posting this. Always wanted to visit the museum. This was cool
Been at Big Daddy Don Garlits museum in 1986 and was lucky enough to have my picture taken with him...He was such a down to earth man...
Thanks John. Little different from my tour in 85....🙄❤
My hero!
My bucket list is simply to meet this man.
Thank you so much for this video. Big Daddy Don Garlits is the greatest drag racer of all time. No disrespect to many other great competitors in the sport, but Garlits influenced the sport in so many positive ways and always found the winners circle. My hero since 8 years of age. God bless him.
Glad you enjoyed it
Hi ya I heard that big daddy race a dodge challenger I think it was the factory race car
There are just no words to describe this MAN!!!
Im in Aww!!!!
Pops here. One Saturday morning we were pulling into the museum and this chopped 49 merc was leaving so me .and my youngest son stopped and ask the guy driving the Mercury when it opened up. He sat and talked a while and then he left to go to breakfast. When we parked and got out to go in , i asked the guy opening the door if Don was ever around for pictures. He said you just missed him, he just in the Mercury. So we talked to him and didn't realize it.
So cool to watch 'Big Daddy' recount the history of T/F drag racing!! Thanks for posting!
My son and I were there at the end of Sept and I was in awww with what was on display, all the cars my dad and I watch on tv race from the mid 80's on, cheering for Shirey (sorry Don...LOL) awesome walk thru and took tons of pics. Thank you Don and family for keeping this running!!!!
🏁Enjoyed!! 🏁
Thank you for watching
Thank you for sharing this = this is GOLD. I visited this museum 20 years ago and have read all about Don Garlits. He is an innovator and a drag racing Legend!!! We could listen to Don all day = his stories are so interesting and colorful!!!!
I met Don at Lions Drag strip in California when I was about 16, very nice guy. I really enjoyed this video, his memory is amazing !
What memories, what stories, what a memory he has. His wife has saved so many top fuel drivers. What a Kool guy.
Amazing. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you for sharing, that’s a MAN right there.
God Bless Don Garlits And God Bless America.
A Great Video Here, Thanks, I used to see him race at the Old Detroit Dragway when I was 12 years old, Cousin Figel
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Thank you for sharing this! You may not have seen it, but my father Bob is the one resting in the trophy urn near the swamp rat 11. The one with daffy duck and the 72 hour build that won the nationals.
My father was the redhead in the picture with the time ticket in his mouth. 😂
He passed in 2021.
This is the Best Thank you wow amotional his heart runs on nitro Best Tour Ever BIG DADDY this is priceless thanks again Bless 👌
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Brilliant car builder and driver Big Daddy the big deal of Drag Racing. The Great one period..
MAN! I wanted to make that trip for so long and hear Big tell us about his career. I’m a huge lifelong fan (now 63) and Gartlits was always a favorite of mine. This was a wonderful gift to watch. Many thanks for sharing this video diary of his journey. It really made my day! Mark
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I thought the last front engine car was in the museum still cut in half.
@@davidreed6070Big did comment on that car and I believe he said where it was. Only it was not in the museum. Maybe he doesn’t really want to look at or display failures or close calls. The car did save his life. I think that was the one he almost burned up in.
@@anetworkservice man I thought it was against the back wall laying down in the middle. It's been years since I've been there so I could be imagining. Or daddy could have built it back, I don't know.
I can’t thank you enough for posting this.
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I was so close and wanted to go but at Sonny's down the street for lunch my wife said no.
I was there years ago and met Don's Dad. What a memory. I still remember seeing big Daddy Don in the early 70s at CT dragway.
Great video, thank you! Living legend and a tireless innovator.
Amazing man and collection. So much history that has influenced cars of all types from race cars to family cars.
Grrrrrrrrrrreat to see Don and hear his stories!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I could listen to him for hours! He is such a nice man. He used to eat at my place called Zinn's Diner in Denver, Pa. and was there on our last day. Always thought the world of him. GOD BLESS
He is my hero I watched him 60 on been to his shop 90s he was working on Dragster I could almost Touch him !!
that was a treat and a Privilege to see that personalized tour. Last time I was there was 1987. thanks for posting this video.
Utterly magnificent video, thank you so much for sharing it. I've been to the museum, it's the holy shrine to drag racing. I can only imagine getting the tour by Big himself. I was at the US Nationals in 2011. Walking around we passed a nondescript trailer, outside of it was a Dodge Challenger with "Garlits Dodge" lettered on the doors. Hmmm, what's that? Looked inside the trailer and there was the great man himself, all alone. I mustered the courage to say "hello Mr. Garlits". He immediately got up & came out to chat with us. I'll carry that memory to my grave. A wonderful man.
what a video - I remember watching him race in Georgia...when we saw those tiny wheels in the front we went crazy...
Amazing man...Don Garlits.
John Rivinius - I want to thank you for taking the time to video your time with Don and then posting it for everyone to see. I was born into racing and have seen/met Don at quite a few races in the northeast. But I haven't yet been able to get to the museum...and we all know Don aint getting any younger...your video might be the closest I get to talking with him again. Thank you so much 😎👍
You are very welcome
I love this man's legacy. I saw him working in the pits back in California while I was in the Marine Corps. Date was in 1973. My seizures have wiped the track and date from my memory. But I still remember him with the beaker and specific gravity float checking his fuel mixture.
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Wow! I have always wanted to see that museum as I have been by it many times but never had the time or was to tired to stop. Always thought so much of Big Daddy since 66 when I first got into Drag Racing. Thank you so much for this. Had I known I would have been there for this taping!!!
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Your ty man grew up watching you love you
Great footage!!!
I was there last December and talked with Don but couldn’t afford the personal narrative tour.
It was a amazing experience that I'll never forget
Such a remarkable tour.
This is amazing. Thanks for posting. I had no idea it was such a comprehensive museum. I will get out there for sure now.
I met his mother 20 years ago and she was just like Big daddy she told us stories about Don and his dad the story about How the super bird became 1 of 1 was like his mother unforgettable . If I'm not mistaken she was over 100 years old at that time
Awesome show...it's on my bucket list to visit the museum ❤
the was the best tour ever . wow !
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When i was in my late teens I saw Don Garlits and TV Tommy Ivo racing at Sanford, Maine. Don turned 186 mph that exciting day.
We were there after Mecum in January this year. Really enjoyed this tour with the man himself. Was wondering if Mr. Garlits would give a tour of his street cars in the other building? From what little I was able to read each car had it’s own story and place in his life. Thank you for posting this video.
Thank you very much for posting this video. Don's memory is amazing. All of those details regarding every car. I hope Don and his wife are with us for many more years.
Sadly Don's Wife of 61 years Pat passed away after many years struggle with alzheimer disease February of 2014. Don enjoys doing these tours when he feels good and is in town. It truly is amazing that at 91 years young his memory is so crystal clear and he's still able to get around to do these very special tours. This video will always be a recorded visit to a very long and most successful career of the GREATEST DRAG RACER of ALL TIME. There may be others who have and will win more races BUT the many, many changes in performance and SAFETY Big Daddy brought to the sport may likely never be duplicated. GOD Bless him.
Wow, thank you for letting me know. I lost my mom to Alzheimer's disease. It's a difficult way to lose a loved one.@@quickdeuce
@@quickdeuce I thought she passed away from parkinsons disease , Pat is surely missed
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Wow! I was there that day filming the car show, but this special tour was full and closed. I was lucky to get the two-hour tour on August 18, 2023. I also posted a video on it, check it them out. We need to document our hero while he still around. Thanks for documenting this one.
What a legend!
Awesome video! Don is one of my heroes! Thanks for the video😊
Ive been to this several times it brings back memories of my childhood and big daddy is the man today and was the man back then they dont biuld them like that any more and im talking about the man not the machines Don is a National treasure
Great video
Wow unbelievable! If that doesn’t get you emotional I don’t know what will.
Don was also an Eagle Scout. He gave my son a signed letter of accomplishment when my son made Eagle Scout. Been to his museum multiple times and he has a cabinet with a lot of his Scout awards, which is how I found out.
This is something special.
Great video!!! A treasure of stories!!!
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Wow!!! Thank you so much for posting this!!!
Chris