Bob and Etta were staying at the same hotel I was during the '89 or '90 Summernationals in Englishtown. A fire alarm went off at around 1:00 or 2:00 am. All of us are standing around in the parking lot of the hotel waiting for the fire department to give us the "all clear". Bob is signing autographs for kids and adults! What an example of a fine human being! Rip Bob
Bob Glidden was my hero growing up. When I was a kid at Maple grove PA. he was always so friendly and welcoming to everyone. I saw him sign autographs in the staging lanes ! His quiet confidence and humility are sorely missed . Bob is still my hero .
When I was a young man in my early 20s I would drive by his house/shop in Whiteland Indiana (I lived 8 miles away) hoping for a glimpse of his cars outside. I caught it a few times. I have a poster of his Chief Auto Parts Thunderbird that's been hanging in my garage for 35 years. I had lunch next to him and his wife at ChiChi's in Greenwood Indiana. He didn't know me but I spotted him as soon as I sat down. I was 99% sure it was him. I asked our server what the name was on his credit card. She said, "I can't tell you that" I asked her, "if I guess it will you tell me if I'm right?" She agreed. I said, Bob Glidden? She said, "no, it is Robert Glidden" Lol. RIP Mr. Glidden. Thanks for giving us Ford fans someone to be proud of.
El mejor corredor de PRO stock de la historia sin lugar a dudas . Cuando vino a Puerto Rico fui a verlo a la pista de Salinas y cuándo hablamos con el era una persona humilde y muy respetuosos. Un verdadero caballero. Larga vida al campeón. Dios los bendiga 🙏.
I love this was originally sponsored by the Central Hoosier Chevy Dealers. Bob kicked a LOT of GM and Mopar ass in his day. He proved the 351 Cleveland was the greatest small block ever made and GM/Mopar had no answer for that so they whined to NHRA to change to 500c.i. engines which they were all ready to go with leaving Bob behind the curve....but he caught up and still won It only takes 1 Ford to beat 100 Chevys. Bob proved that year in and year out. R.I.P. Bob
Mr. Glidden reminds me of my late Father...grew up on a farm, could fix anything, ended up becoming an Engineer at Cape Kennedy in the middle of the space race years...helped me fix and rebuild any number of motorcycle and car engines when I was a teen boy and was a great father and role model...RIP Mr. Glidden and Pop.
Bob Glidden was the BEST! He carried the Ford Banner in Pro Stock for years. He was one of a kind and he will be missed by his family and his fans too! Rest In Peace Bob Glidden.
GOD Bless you Mr. Glidden, you are a very special person to me. I have followed you for many years, Bob you are my very favorite racer. I am a die hard Ford man. Thank you for the many years you gave to this sport.
Bob was an absolute gentleman...reminds me of my grandfather who just passed away this past halloween just a grass roots guy who got into cars and racing from fixing taxis for his father as a young boy...wish I could of been around this era of racing...always gonna bleed blue
that make a wish story just touched my heart, I've always admired Bob but after that story I can't explain how he made me feel God bless you Bob and your family
Humble man achieved greatness, and never thought of himself but a simple man. Thank you Bob Glidden for inspiring me and everyone to appreciate what we have you are the greatest pro stock driver of all time
I met Bob and Billy Glidden in the 90’s at different race tracks in Phoenix. Billy was successfully competing in the NMRA at the time. Bob was at the NHRA March race. Both were very approachable and friendly. They took the time to chat a bit then posed for a picture. A true class act. Bob and Billy - Thanks so much for the wonderful memories!
Mr. Bob Glidden YOU are the reason for a lot of my HAPPY JOYOUS moments. I wish your Family health and prosperity as long as your generations may go on.
Mr Bob Glidden was the man. This story is Cool 😎. Much love n peace to all the Glidden family. May he be fast racing up in the drag strips in heaven. RIP Bob.
@@badass6.0powerstroke10 We know what he meant & he wasn't referring to her as a guy! Although I'll bet she could hold her own,when it came to working on his cars! ❤
@@jeffwiggins1893 True. At least Edsel was good to him. According to Bob he was kind to him. Nowadays Ford is heavily into racing sponsorship, cruel and ironic. Bob dominated and still came close to having to quit several times
For the Gliddens to get a verbal commitment to develope a new engine for ford. And a new 3 year contract for doing the new motor. And then being told screw you by who ever made that 3 year commitment to Bob. Dam I'd be pissed off for sure. That was disappointing to hear that happen to them. After all the glory the Gliddens had brought to Ford. Gliddens should have made deals like all NFL players make. Big money.
I simply cannot believe Ford suits would do a. Dirty lowlife thing like that to Bob and family after what they did for Ford I have heard that they did basically the same thing to Smokey Yumikic for his work on the Cleveland engine 😳 😐 😒
He was a wonderful guy. I was very fortunate to have met him & got his autograph at the Spring Nats in Columbus in 1990. He signed every autograph with his signature, and the word "Thanks".
I came from New Zealand to see him and Bill Elliott at their finest. Both won. I still have the dollar bill Bob signed for me in '87; it lives in a glass box with a model of his T-bird. Words can't describe how great he was !!
My favorite driver...built a Maverick 4 door Super Stock at 18 because of Glidden. Met him at Nationals (Indy), SportsNationals (Bowling Green), Gators (Gainsville), Englishtown NJ...Bob always encouraged me, even helped me Carb rebuild in Bowling Green in 74.
I first saw him race his pinto back in 1973. Followed him and NHRA until he retired. Watched him win several times. After being part of that underdog team and watching him overcome the army of GM cars was funny. I enjoyed it and spoke with Bob several times. Maybe there's a Bob Glidden drag racing school up in heaven. I guess i will have to stop sinning.
I got my first car around 1982-83 and discovered hot rodding, street racing and nhra prostock. Glidden was my idol and role model. We had one of the only 2 Ford powered dragsters racing at our local bracket track. I even got a job at a mechanic job at a local Ford dealer because of him. My life turned out so good. God bless you Bob and I sure miss seeing you at the track.
The man himself, Bob Glidden. Was fortunate enough to see Bob race many times. In the pits, Rusty would tell me, treat it like your car! Great people the Gliddens. I would come by and asked to see Bob, come on down he's testing at the track. I have a love/hate relationship with Ford because he was the man that put Ford in the spotlight in drag racing. A momentous accomplishment considering the GM hordes out there. Ford would outpoint GM because Bob would qualify number number one, set both ends of the record and win the event. Incredible. Yet Ford pulled the carpet out. That's loyalty for you. Those were the days when Pro Stockers looked like real cars, not the funny car bodies now. Is anything more beautiful than the red Motorcraft Tbird? I was lucky enough to see Bob's last win and the fans almost leveled the place. Bob was the best and always will be. Remember, no one ever dies that lives in the hearts of others!
If you are talking 79-80. The whiners that couldn't beat Bob's Cleveland powered cars got NHRA to up the cubic inch rule to 500. This left Ford with nothing to compete with so they pulled out leaving Bob with no sponsor...didn't take Ford long to see the error in their thinking though as they had an engine master racing for them and Bob eventually caught up and passed everyone again.
What other racer has that history......nobody. Amazing racing life. The recollection of the Make-a-Wish boy who got to go to Denver....that meant so much to him. We miss you Bob!
I used to watch the races on ESPN and Bob Glidden was my favorite racer..I loved it everytime he beat Warren Johnson! Warren Johnson was such a poor loser. When interviewed , Bob Glidden was always such a super nice guy.
God bless you and your family .a true legend .as a fan seen 1972.i fell in love with the Glidden an Allen pinto I first seen it at Ohio valley drag strip louisville.ky I was 16 years old Bob Glidden is my hero never will be a nicer man harder worker .an family. I still have ton of souvenir from races all over the states.thank you Bob Glidden an family . The John s Hornback family your were are vacation thanks for the short talk's
I remember when he had that wreck,.. at the finish line,... the first thing he did,.. when he got out of the car,... was cover up the engine intake manifold with his racing jacket,,... SMART MAN,... lotta knowledge there........
Back then I was a dedicated Chevy guy but Glidden won my respect. It's a shame Lee Shepherd was killed testing because he and Bob would have had so many more epic duals.
My condolences to the Glidden family. Bob was my hero not because he was the best but because the family was integral of his career. When ever I went to a race I always went straight to the Glidden pits. I would watch the comradeship between them. RIP Bob.
I remember at a race it was unbearably hot and I was feeling REALLY sick. I was thinking I'd die. Then Etta Glidden came by our pit and offered salt pills to everyone. That was it! I was just having salt depletion/heat stroke, not a heart attack. So Etta taught me a lesson I remember and use to this day. When it's really hot I eat something salty. Thanks Etta!
Can't tell you how much respect I have for him and family. Met them early on a race day in the pits, taking pics of his car & trailer , he invited us to join his pits and his family. We met and talked for a good while,, but he thanked us several times , that we give them the ability to do what they love. Need more like him.
I saw them at Texas Motorplex fall Nats one morning as the sun was coming up, it was around 1989 and He had a new Ford Probe with AR Shotgun hemi, nice folks.
Bob and Etta were staying at the same hotel I was during the '89 or '90 Summernationals in Englishtown. A fire alarm went off at around 1:00 or 2:00 am. All of us are standing around in the parking lot of the hotel waiting for the fire department to give us the "all clear". Bob is signing autographs for kids and adults! What an example of a fine human being! Rip Bob
Bob Glidden was my hero growing up. When I was a kid at Maple grove PA. he was always so friendly and welcoming to everyone.
I saw him sign autographs in the staging lanes ! His quiet confidence and humility are sorely missed .
Bob is still my hero .
With him FORD always stood for First On Race Day. He was a winner.
When I was a young man in my early 20s I would drive by his house/shop in Whiteland Indiana (I lived 8 miles away) hoping for a glimpse of his cars outside. I caught it a few times. I have a poster of his Chief Auto Parts Thunderbird that's been hanging in my garage for 35 years. I had lunch next to him and his wife at ChiChi's in Greenwood Indiana. He didn't know me but I spotted him as soon as I sat down. I was 99% sure it was him. I asked our server what the name was on his credit card. She said, "I can't tell you that" I asked her, "if I guess it will you tell me if I'm right?" She agreed. I said, Bob Glidden? She said, "no, it is Robert Glidden" Lol. RIP Mr. Glidden. Thanks for giving us Ford fans someone to be proud of.
One of the most humble, kindest racers I ever had the pleasure of meeting at a drag strip. May he rest in peace.
My hero growing up carrying the Ford banner for all of us. I still can't believe he's gone ... one incredible human being.
El mejor corredor de PRO stock de la historia sin lugar a dudas . Cuando vino a Puerto Rico fui a verlo a la pista de Salinas y cuándo hablamos con el era una persona humilde y muy respetuosos. Un verdadero caballero. Larga vida al campeón. Dios los bendiga 🙏.
My hero too!!!!
I love this was originally sponsored by the Central Hoosier Chevy Dealers. Bob kicked a LOT of GM and Mopar ass in his day. He proved the 351 Cleveland was the greatest small block ever made and GM/Mopar had no answer for that so they whined to NHRA to change to 500c.i. engines which they were all ready to go with leaving Bob behind the curve....but he caught up and still won
It only takes 1 Ford to beat 100 Chevys. Bob proved that year in and year out. R.I.P. Bob
A special man. A humble man. God Bless you Bob Glidden.
This video brought a smile to my face, tears and then more smiles,. Thanks for sharing.
Tuff as nails, dedicated, humble, genuine, caring and gave all us Ford fans the Greatest American Hero EVER !!
just a hard working self made man.Ford man all the way, you showed them what Fords could really do.R.I.P.
Mr. Glidden reminds me of my late Father...grew up on a farm, could fix anything, ended up becoming an Engineer at Cape Kennedy in the middle of the space race years...helped me fix and rebuild any number of motorcycle and car engines when I was a teen boy and was a great father and role model...RIP Mr. Glidden and Pop.
The only time my dad would ever root for a ford was when Gliddon was racing.
Bob Glidden was the BEST! He carried the Ford Banner in Pro Stock for years. He was one of a kind and he will be missed by his family and his fans too! Rest In Peace Bob Glidden.
except for 79
What a Memorial. ,I had the privilege to watch this history growing up.
GOD Bless you Mr. Glidden, you are a very special person to me. I have followed you for many years, Bob you are my very favorite racer. I am a die hard Ford man. Thank you for the many years you gave to this sport.
Bob was an absolute gentleman...reminds me of my grandfather who just passed away this past halloween just a grass roots guy who got into cars and racing from fixing taxis for his father as a young boy...wish I could of been around this era of racing...always gonna bleed blue
RIP Bob, my favorite Drag Racer of all time...
I remember Bob Glidden ... he and Etta are icons of Americana.
There is NO ONE in our sport who can ever equal Bob Glidden...RIP and bless Etta and the boys.
There would be , almost..his son Billy.
This is a great story told me some things I didn't know. Men like Bob Glidden will always be missed.
that make a wish story just touched my heart, I've always admired Bob but after that story I can't explain how he made me feel God bless you Bob and your family
,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,wow,,,,,,his deep emotion ,,,shook me,,,,,,,,,Great heart of a man..............................
Bob Glidden was one of probably one of the best drag racers that I can remember as a kid growing up
Humble man achieved greatness, and never thought of himself but a simple man. Thank you Bob Glidden for inspiring me and everyone to appreciate what we have you are the greatest pro stock driver of all time
Rest in peace Bob thank you for everything especially being a Ford guy you made me smile you're a humble man ..God be with you
God Bless the Glidden Family. A true Champion Family.
Damn, Bob Glidden, now that was a Racer! RIP and thanks for the memories.
Seeing Bob touched by the Make A Wish kid was telling. A heart as big as all outdoors. We were never worthy of you Bob.
Simply The Best, Great Man, loved watching him, God Bless
I met Bob and Billy Glidden in the 90’s at different race tracks in Phoenix. Billy was successfully competing in the NMRA at the time. Bob was at the NHRA March race. Both were very approachable and friendly. They took the time to chat a bit then posed for a picture. A true class act. Bob and Billy - Thanks so much for the wonderful memories!
Bob , you were the Greatest !!!
RIp BOB.. Thanks for the memories....
Mr. Bob Glidden YOU are the reason for a lot of my HAPPY JOYOUS moments.
I wish your Family health and prosperity as long as your generations may go on.
Truly one of the best.
Thank you for the memories Bob, you are one of the best. Miss those days
R.I.P Bob Glidden. godspeed
Well said. 👌
Props, the work ethic of that guy was unbelievable. Major thrasher until it's right.
RIP Bob, thank you for all the entertainment!
Mr Bob Glidden was the man. This story is Cool 😎. Much love n peace to all the Glidden family.
May he be fast racing up in the drag strips in heaven.
RIP Bob.
Bob and Dyno Don the two greatest Ford men of all time.
In drag racing....
One of my favorite drivers, and a super nice guy,and soo was Etta....RIP Bob.
Etta wasn't a guy. She was a super nice lady.
@@badass6.0powerstroke10 We know what he meant & he wasn't referring to her as a guy! Although I'll bet she could hold her own,when it came to working on his cars! ❤
@@badass6.0powerstroke10 Still is.
@@stealthbomber2127 That is correct.
Bob Glidden was not just a great man, he was an angel on earth.
You can bet Bob, Ronnie Sox and Grumpy Jenkins are racing on a smooth track in perfect conditions in heaven with all of the other gearheads!!
Thank You to all the Glidden family for giving us Ford fans someone to cheer for at Bristol Tennessee Thank You, Tony T.
Ever notice how ford just screwed him over so many times
@@jeffwiggins1893 True. At least Edsel was good to him. According to Bob he was kind to him. Nowadays Ford is heavily into racing sponsorship, cruel and ironic. Bob dominated and still came close to having to quit several times
For the Gliddens to get a verbal commitment to develope a new engine for ford. And a new 3 year contract for doing the new motor. And then being told screw you by who ever made that 3 year commitment to Bob. Dam I'd be pissed off for sure. That was disappointing to hear that happen to them. After all the glory the Gliddens had brought to Ford. Gliddens should have made deals like all NFL players make. Big money.
I simply cannot believe Ford suits would do a. Dirty lowlife thing like that to Bob and family after what they did for Ford I have heard that they did basically the same thing to Smokey Yumikic for his work on the Cleveland engine 😳 😐 😒
He was the best bar none. He took names and kicked butt.
He was a wonderful guy. I was very fortunate to have met him & got his autograph at the Spring Nats in Columbus in 1990. He signed every autograph with his signature, and the word "Thanks".
I came from New Zealand to see him and Bill Elliott at their finest. Both won. I still have the dollar bill Bob signed for me in '87; it lives in a glass box with a model of his T-bird. Words can't describe how great he was !!
My favorite driver...built a Maverick 4 door Super Stock at 18 because of Glidden. Met him at Nationals (Indy), SportsNationals (Bowling Green), Gators (Gainsville), Englishtown NJ...Bob always encouraged me, even helped me Carb rebuild in Bowling Green in 74.
God bless grass root racers that are gentlemen! He truly is one!
Bob was a Class Act ! You were the best in my book , My drag racing hero, Thanks for the memories, R.I.H.P.Bob Glidden🙏👍🏁🏁🏁
Doing what you love, live life to the fullest. RIP.
I first saw him race his pinto back in 1973. Followed him and NHRA until he retired. Watched him win several times. After being part of that underdog team and watching him overcome the army of GM cars was funny. I enjoyed it and spoke with Bob several times. Maybe there's a Bob Glidden drag racing school up in heaven. I guess i will have to stop sinning.
Rest in peace Bob , always been your fan , town boys racing Syracuse ny
I got my first car around 1982-83 and discovered hot rodding, street racing and nhra prostock. Glidden was my idol and role model. We had one of the only 2 Ford powered dragsters racing at our local bracket track. I even got a job at a mechanic job at a local Ford dealer because of him. My life turned out so good. God bless you Bob and I sure miss seeing you at the track.
The man himself, Bob Glidden. Was fortunate enough to see Bob race many times. In the pits, Rusty would tell me, treat it like your car! Great people the Gliddens. I would come by and asked to see Bob, come on down he's testing at the track. I have a love/hate relationship with Ford because he was the man that put Ford in the spotlight in drag racing. A momentous accomplishment considering the GM hordes out there. Ford would outpoint GM because Bob would qualify number number one, set both ends of the record and win the event. Incredible. Yet Ford pulled the carpet out. That's loyalty for you. Those were the days when Pro Stockers looked like real cars, not the funny car bodies now. Is anything more beautiful than the red Motorcraft Tbird? I was lucky enough to see Bob's last win and the fans almost leveled the place. Bob was the best and always will be. Remember, no one ever dies that lives in the hearts of others!
If you are talking 79-80. The whiners that couldn't beat Bob's Cleveland powered cars got NHRA to up the cubic inch rule to 500. This left Ford with nothing to compete with so they pulled out leaving Bob with no sponsor...didn't take Ford long to see the error in their thinking though as they had an engine master racing for them and Bob eventually caught up and passed everyone again.
Prostock was the hardest to win. Well done Bob Glidden. You will be missed.
Woke up this morning it snowed made the land white
Praise God
What other racer has that history......nobody. Amazing racing life. The recollection of the Make-a-Wish boy who got to go to Denver....that meant so much to him. We miss you Bob!
Thank you so much for posting this touching & informative video!,"maddog"will never be forgotten, RIP MR.Glidden.
Bob..........The BEST ALL TIME !!!
He was a good man, Thanks for all the memories at Firebird Raceway RIP
I used to watch the races on ESPN and Bob Glidden was my favorite racer..I loved it everytime he beat Warren Johnson! Warren Johnson was such a poor loser. When interviewed , Bob Glidden was always such a super nice guy.
I'm a lifelong Mopar guy but Bob Glidden was my favorite driver.
Thankyou Mr Glidden,you were my hero and the best Ford Pro Stock racer in the world !!
+++ R.I.P. Bob Glidden. +++
i love bob glidden at the time i had a ford mustang it was slow but it was a ford
Thank you Bob for what you did. There will never be another one like you R.I.P Bob.
Mr.Glidden and Billy his son are the heros of not only Ford fans but inspire others as a family And Mrs.Etta all hoosier legends.
There aren’t racers like Bob anymore especially in the Pro classes.
RIP Bob, many memories as a fan thru more than half of my life. Greatest memories at Maplegrove Raceway! Never forget!
Definitely be missed greatest driver ever.
God bless you and your family .a true legend .as a fan seen 1972.i fell in love with the Glidden an Allen pinto I first seen it at Ohio valley drag strip louisville.ky I was 16 years old Bob Glidden is my hero never will be a nicer man harder worker .an family. I still have ton of souvenir from races all over the states.thank you Bob Glidden an family . The John s Hornback family your were are vacation thanks for the short talk's
I followed the Gliddens there complete Carrera I follow Billy now .have health problems .thanks for the memories. Can't put price on that .God bless
Thanks for this video a real feel good story.
I remember when he had that wreck,.. at the finish line,... the first thing he did,.. when he got out of the car,... was cover up the engine intake manifold with his racing jacket,,... SMART MAN,... lotta knowledge there........
Bob will always be my hero!!! God Bless
Bob Glidden and Mark Martin always gave the ford guys something to fight back with against the chevy guys lol
Back then I was a dedicated Chevy guy but Glidden won my respect. It's a shame Lee Shepherd was killed testing because he and Bob would have had so many more epic duals.
Shepard died up at Ardmore testing
Won,t be forgotten. R.I.P/
My condolences to the Glidden family. Bob was my hero not because he was the best but because the family was integral of his career. When ever I went to a race I always went straight to the Glidden pits. I would watch the comradeship between them. RIP Bob.
I treasure the the times I watched Gliddens race in person.
They truly were pioneers and really did us blue oval guy's proud.
RIP legend ..
Thanks Bob, from a Ford family.
God rest your soul Mr Glidden. May heaven be a race track!
I remember at a race it was unbearably hot and I was feeling REALLY sick. I was thinking I'd die. Then Etta Glidden came by our pit and offered salt pills to everyone. That was it! I was just having salt depletion/heat stroke, not a heart attack. So Etta taught me a lesson I remember and use to this day. When it's really hot I eat something salty. Thanks Etta!
Godspeed Mr Glidden on the blacktop beyond
Thank you Mr. Glidden! The Legend Lives on!
He has and always will be one of the greatest drivers and builders
Such a brilliant awesome man!! Shame on Ford for cutting his career short😞
Can't tell you how much respect I have for him and family. Met them early on a race day in the pits, taking pics of his car & trailer , he invited us to join his pits and his family. We met and talked for a good while,, but he thanked us several times , that we give them the ability to do what they love. Need more like him.
My Dad worked for him several times when I was little.
WOW! AWESOME!! ALOHA! BOB, & THE GLIDDEN FAMILY
I'm sure God has a special placed reserved for Bob in Heaven. There will never be a Gentleman as great as Bob Glidden. Never!
Agreed - great man I am betting he will be recognized in heaven.
And I already think that him and Lee Shepard are having match races up at the drag strip in Heaven.
Awesome person who was so lucky to have such a beautiful wonderful wife thanks for sharing this with us Bob is a very awasom person and his wife
Bob was my favorite along with Dyno Don Nicholson
I saw them at Texas Motorplex fall Nats one morning as the sun was coming up, it was around 1989 and He had a new Ford Probe with AR Shotgun hemi, nice folks.
Bob Glidden was My man back in the day why because he drove what i drove except i drive F-150 and 250 ford trucks . , love to watch him on TV .
I met both of them at Milan MI in the mid 80's both are very nice humble people!! R.I.P. and Godspeed BOB !!!
7:38 I love that picture! Godspeed Bob.
Bob Glidden was /is my Hero!!! Love you Sir,, Rest In Peace
Bob Glidden
Thanks for sharing this. Such a great heart. Thanks Bob.