HISTORIC Camaro Funny Car REUNITED with Previous Owner (RARE Footage Inside)
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- Опубликовано: 15 сен 2024
- We bought this old chassis because of the wheels, but found out that it had CRAZY history in Illinois. Believe it or not WE SOLD THIS CAR! But it went to a great home. We sold it to one of the car's previous owners, and his history with the car goes back to when he was a teenager. He had the opportunity to buy a turn-key nitro burning funny car when he was only 16. Nope, he wasn't a rich kid...just happened to be at the right place at the right time to buy a beautiful, candy apple red Camaro funny car with a blown and injected big block Chevy engine. Sure, he was in WAY over his head, but this car sparked his obsession with funny cars. He went on to own 88 funny cars later in life, but this is the first (and last) one.
This car was SELDOM SEEN. It did not run at very many national events and wasn't photographed very much. Thanks to lots of digging, we were able to find pictures and videos of the car's original configuration when it was called the "Panasonic Playmate". Then, it was sold and renamed the "Intruder", then sold to Mandy Holder who completely rebuilt the car and renamed it "Old Iron Sides". This car had a distinct chassis and body setup. It had rectangular frame rails (outlawed by NHRA), a steel rear body section that tilted rearward like regular funny car, and a stretched fiberglass front end that tipped forward. The car evolved through the years and was eventually shortened to a stock-ish wheelbase. The car somehow made its way from Chicago to North Georgia where it sat in a junkyard for many years. Luckily, the historic funny car chassis will now live on.
#hotrodhoarders #dragracing #history
I want to thank Tommy Lee and his dad for finding the car an selling it to me...
The restoration is going to be fun...
Were still collecting parts and replacing some of the frame rails, were really hoping to locate the original body, if not we'll used the fiberglass version.
Thanks to everyone for the great comments.
Thank you Bob! I'm still hoping we can track down that old body...that would be the ultimate find to complete the package.
Awesome story. Congratulations on the reconnection.
Great you found it and got it back, now you can go to bed at night and dream about it just like the sixteen year old kid.
Did he give you the original front end and wheels for the car?
This has to be the best story on an old drag car I have ever heard. Congrats on having it back and I cannot wait to see the progress up to the finished car . Absolutely awesome . Please post updates .
Young fella must of had the most laid back parents ever. Teenager with a nitro funny car.
He said his dad wasn't too thrilled with the situation. But yeah....kinda crazy!
Love that a 16 year old kid, riding the school bus buys a 7 second drag car!
Kinda crazy!
That doesn’t have the means or knowledge on how to keep the engine internals looking like such rather, than a bunch of pieces that use to look like a rotating assembly.
If you think about it, not many individuals can even secure a ladder, or a bicycle when transporting them much less an individual that is only sixteen years of age knowing how to strap the drum of fuel down much less strapping the vehicle down for transport to the track!
However, got to love that American can do attitude full of will and determination still going strong some fifties years later!
Totally Awesome!!
@port nut Too much soy milk.
Can't get it unless you ask 👍
@port nut .
Now that's a true story that's stranger than fiction. He should rename the car Boomerang because no matter what it seems to come back to him.
Nice...
Cant wait to see it when its back together......please please keep us updated on this story and car.......its touching to hear the story of the car and how he got it back all these yrs later and what it still means to him after all these yrs.....
Yes sir, I'll keep you guys updated.
Where the hell do you get these awesome story's weekly? You must do nothing but research all week long. My hats off to you sir, thanks for another wonderful story.
I've been collecting information and researching these things for years. I eventually get to a point where I feel comfortable piecing the story together. It's definitely a challenge to put this stuff together on a weekly basis.
Hey HRH, do you ever sell anything? I'm wondering if you can do a guy a favor, well actually my last resort. I'm running L60 14"s from the 70's, Firestone Super Sports, on my 71 Javelin/AMX 401 4-SPD. PRAYING
@@stevealimorong Have you looked into Coker Tires?
@@accobra5631 yes, they don't.
Love stories like this, and fair play for doing a good deal on it for him. Keep us posted with any updates on it.
Thank you for watching Andy, I'll be sure to keep everyone updated.
@@HotRodHoarder Did the car ever race at US30 Dragstrip? I thought I've seen it there.
Hands down the best "my first car" story of all time......ever! LOL!
YES! Bob wins that contest hands down.
As always another GREAT story! The face on the 16 year old lifting the covers off that car would have been priceless!!! Loved the footage of the car running at the now a bunch of houses at the old Detroit Dragway! Brings back some memories going there as a kid.
Thanks Mr. Rob! I do wish there were some pictures of this thing sitting in that garage. Would've been cool to see that.
My high school english teacher made a comment to me back when i was a teenage gear head.....cause she herself was a fellow gear head she said " We are america's first recyclers because of our gift of making rusty metal roar back to life "
That's awesome!
Very cool story and car!! It must be an honor to have been a part of this car's history. 👍😎 Thank you for sharing!
I love it when something like this just falls into place. Pretty much meant to be...and yes, I'm so glad to have been a part of it!
Great episode, Tommy! I'm an adimin on the Martin US131 Dragway facebook group and one of the most asked questions in the group is, "I wonder where that car is now?" There are countless old drag cars out there with people wondering what happend to them, and I'm one of them too. I"m glad that I was able to help you out with the history of the Hobo B/Altered car with my photo from Indy. You do a great job with your channel! Thanks!
John
Thank you John! I'm still working up the nerve to do a video on the Hobo B/Altered car. It's gonna be pretty extensive.
Member of a FB group, "The Glory Days of Drag Racing". One day in 2014 I see a post from someone looking for the history on a FED he has purchased. I was almost jumping up and down, I owned that car in the mid-70s! Mechanically, it was unchanged, had my engine and trans. Original California top-fuel car, Woody Gilmour chassis. I ran it as a C/ED, rear engine cars had taken over by then. Obviously, your video touched me in a big way.
Wow that's awesome! Facebook is pretty powerful for researching old drag cars. I use it pretty much every day.
That is just amazing. If he doesn't do anything but put a rolling chase and body on it with the paint scheme it will be a conversation piece from that hell wouldn't have. Awesome job good for you and him. LOVE IT MAN.
Thanks for sharing this. I was a youngster back in the heyday of drag racing and remember seeing F/C's of this era, fond memories! Thanks again for keeping memories alive 👍
That's awesome Charles, thank you for watching!
16 Years Old, Just too Kool...Once your bit by that Drag Racing Bug it never goes away-----It may fade for a time or two but it always comes back
It would be cool to get someone to video the restoration of this car he would have many people following along. Such a great story growing up in this era brings back memories the funny cars seemed to just fade away, thanks for sharing.
Yeah, I wish I was a little closer...I'd go check in from time to time.
Totally unbelievable Story Bob Gibson I have heard of him back in the 60s and your Story and some of my Memory's of Cars I have Had Just Make me Cry Keep up the Great Investigations of the Past, Thank you so much.
Thank you for watching Garry!
Fantastic job of bringing another one back, can't wait to see kit again in it's glory. Thanx
Thank you for watching!
Great story! There is nothing much there above scrap value without the story. Add the story and its priceless!
For sure, the story makes all the difference!
Just a great story! Thanks for staying with the trail on this one and sharing here. And, thanks for the pics and old video of Detroit Dragway. Gone now but not forgotten by some of us who grew up going there to watch Funny Cars run.
Thank you for watching Bob!
Tommy Lee, love your stories I was born in 61 and grew up loving gasser's, I would love to show you some pics of my 66 Dodge d100 gasser, 440 tunnel ram with dual Holley carbs the hole 9 yards, jack
Thank you Jack! I'd love to see the gasser, send me an email at byrdrods@yahoo.com.
Id like to see that truck as well.
Mopar or no car
I've seen some of your stuff before, but this is a story that finally made me subscribe. You helped to share so much amazing history about this car's life and Bob's story is a dream come true for anyone who has owned a car that changed their lives. I sure hope you are able to help Bob document and possibly show the car as it gets restored here on RUclips. Keep up the great content.
In the 60s I went to Irwindale raceway and saw a " funny car" . A mustang called " phony pony". I had a extended hood just like the camero. Bring back memories. Thanks
Very cool! I love the old long nose funny cars.
What a cool story. Don't tell me. Not only did he show up with a short bed pickup truck. But I bet he also had $500 in his pocket. Really enjoyed the video. Thanks for sharing it with us.
As a matter of fact, he did!
@@HotRodHoarder i sure hope you gave the man the front end and wheels too????
Just when I think you found the coolest old stuff ever, you out do yourself. Fantastic story and episode . Thanks brother.
Thank you for the kind words Mikey!
Man! I hope we get to see it finished! Great story and good job kid!
Such an awesome and amazing story! Hope to hear more on the car as Bob gets it put back together. Thank you for all the work you put in to get that car home.
Thanks D! I'll be sure to keep everyone updated.
Bless you heart bud , For helping the old dude get his first car back. That touches me deep in my soul. I hope you realize what that had to mean to him.Im 59 years old and I would give anything to get my first car back. Which was a 64 plymouth Belveders two door coupe. With 4 speed. I was so proud of that car. THIS WAS ONE OF THE BEST CAR STORIES IV SEEN IN A LONG TIME. GOOD WORK. BROTHER. 😁😁😁😁😁😁🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏
Thank you for the kind words Dale!
My god this story is amazing and I am so grateful that people like yourself are around to keep the greatest sport ever well preserved. Thank you for the great videos and cannot wait to see the next gem or gems you come across. AWESOME WORK !!!
Thank you for the kind words!
Another great old drag car story! Thank You for all the work you put into these stories.
Thank you for watching Doug!
You do an awesome job on the history and preserving of racing.
Great story hope Bob gets it going. Would love some updates on the progress.
I appreciate you hanging on to the history! A lot of memories to me, I'm 64 and working on a 92 GMC Sonoma it's old school with a Twist
I absolutly LOVE this channel. It is so cool what you and your dad are doing to help preserve the history of the sport. And these videos are really well done and enjoyable. I got to buy me a SHIRT!!
Thank you for the support!
What a great story 👍 love seeing vintage funny car’s brought back to the way they were raced
Thank you for watching!
Very well presented and says something about you as well. I'm not a drag car person but I can understand how someone would want a second chance at owning something they built themselves.
Thank you for the kind words Morgan!
Wow-way to stay on the hunt for the history. Awesome-thanks for sharing.
- Juan in Virginia
Thank you Juan, I love digging for this stuff.
Hey Bob, Ted Hogan here in Colorado, if this is the same Bob Gibson that I knew from the 80's who moved back to Springfield, I knew you had a lot of cars but I didn't think you went this far back! good luck on the restoration!
Hey Ted, hows it going.... man it's been awhile. Message me on Facebook
@@bobgibson8601 Hey Bob it's me, I tried the FB deal to find you , couldn't but anyway I'm good, still in the Firearms business, Hoganweapons.com, doing some machine shop work, no Drag Racing stuff, everybody I know is out or gone. How about you? still out there? when I see Wilkerson on TV I always remember that you know him and wonder if you're still involved in some capacity? anyway if you're good at FB pages I'm on, hit me up!
I'll try to get ahold of you, great to hear from you.
Always a treat when your vids pop up. Thanks for the Hot Rod history.
Thank you Jon!
Such an amazing story, thank you for your time and effort
Thank you for watching!
I too love these old stories, awesome old car. thanks
Thank you for watching Carl!
I just think it's cool that you find these old gas heaters and old race cars that I used to see when I was a kid in the seventies
We love digging this stuff up!
Great story, you have a talent retelling history, thank you.
Thank you for the kind words Mark!
Wonderful story . I love the funny cars from the mid 60s to the early 70s.
Thanks for watching Steve!
Really Kool story Tommy, Bob is a wealth of information and just a really nice guy.. The Car with the 2 piece Camaro body n the Candy Apple Red Paint reminds you alot of the Original Pisano Bros FC they campaigned in 66 n 67.
Yes sir, Bob is carrying around a lot of knowledge in his back pocket. He's been around the block! Definitely a cool guy to know.
This is absolutely a amazing story !
To know a 16 year old kid/young man was able to get this is crazy. The owner then must have seen something special in him as a 16 year old to just sale it to him. Awesome story and look forward to many more from u.
Great story and ending,Keep up the good work man!
Thank you Chris!
I have been following you now for a few months, I love your stories, I love Camaro’s and loved this story, keep up the great work, I’m going to order a shirt and hoodie,
Thanks for watching Bill and thanks for the support!
What a great story ! So cool that he got to buy it back. I hope he got it for $500 !
Thanks for watching Erik! Inflation did its thing, but he didn't have to give much more than 500.
Love the story $500 for a funny car what a score,good luck to Bob hope to see it in the future. Cheers
It's a wild story for sure! I enjoyed hearing Bob give me all the details of his transaction and his times with the car. Pretty awesome stuff!
Another Legend reunited with what he once owned , it doesn't get much better than that for sure 💯 , most people would not have taken so much time to research and complete such a Awesome car and history , great job brother 👍💯👋🏁
Thank you for the kind words! I love doing this stuff!
Awesome story about this car thank you for sharing this with me ! I love learning about this old dragsters ! Take care , stay safe and healthy with whatever you maybe doing next ! Doing well here in Kansas .
Thanks for the continued support Steve!
@@HotRodHoarder You're welcome !
Awesome! I currently run a 67 Camaro FC (same body you had). Thanks for the amazing video about Bob!!! Hope to see you at the track this year!
Awesome, hope you have a great racing season!
Another great story. I wonder if this car when first built ran at US 30 Dragstrip in Gary,In. Very close to Berwyn.
since it was built in Berwyn,Il. I saw later in the video where it was run at Byron so it just makes me wonder. If youre on facebook you may want to check out US 30 Dragstrip Indiana. Lots of fantastic photos and videos from the 60's and 70's and rumors of old cars still in garages since the strip closed in 1984. I was always an asphalt roundy round guy but had many friends hang out at 30 back then. BTW Byron Dragway is now for sale....bummer. Look forward to your videos.
I dug around on the US 30 Facebook group and several other groups that cover that area...couldn't find very many pictures of this car. Luckily, Bob helped me round up a few photos. As always, I'll continue digging for pictures and video footage of this car, just like all the others that I document...it never ends haha.
@@HotRodHoarder I shared the video to the 30 site so maybe something will come up.
FWIW $500 in 1972 would be $3,300 today :)
Your videos remind me of the 70s hot rod magazines for some reason. Always fascinating, please more old drag cars and gassers oh and more funny cars too!
Love every word of the story, thanks.
Thank you for your continued support Darrell!
Keep up great work Tommy Lee,Love the stories of the cars and people
Thank you Jerome, I appreciate the support!
I'm going to show this to my uncle. We live an hour so away south of Springfield and he used to drag race back in those days. I bet he might remember this car
That's awesome!
Gave thumbs up when you posted it but didn’t have time to watch. It’s Saturday morning and I have watched the video now, I wish I could do two thumbs up 👍🏻👍🏻😎
Haha thank you for the continued support Steve!
You’re right I’m covering something old and unusable could be a dream for somebody to get it back that’s awesome that you did that brought probably a lot of life back to that guy good job love the story keep it up be safe .. Rock on
Thanks Gregg!
What a killer story...thanks for sharing...
Thank you for watching Patrick!
I have a similar story I’m restoring an old 67 Camaro funny car that was campaigned by Bobby wood out of Birmingham Alabama...Also a few other old drag cars
Oh wow! Bobby Wood had some WILD cars back in the day. I'd love to hear more about what you have going on. My email is byrdrods@yahoo.com.
This is my favorite time in drag racing history, best looking cars not like today's where everything looks the same and the grills are just a sticker.
For sure, the cars REALLY had personality back then.
Please keep your subs informed on the build....would love to see it....piece of history there.
Will do!
Glad he is getting his car back. Looked like a nice car back in the day.
Definitely a nice piece, especially when Mandy Holder revamped it.
Another great great story . You're doing a fantastic job . Keep going .
Thank you for the continued support Joe!
Awesome video and story! Did he also buy back the original front wheels?👍
Thank you David, we haven't locked in a deal on the front wheels yet. I do believe he wants them though.
Great storytelling. Thank you. I hope Bob Gibson has a RUclips channel!
Been driving all over Roane and Morgan County today. Been dying to get home and watch this.
Really live your videos, absolutfly love that a 16 year old , was able to buy this car! So cool he's restoring it!!
Your doing a great job keeping racing history alive great video!
Thank you Keith!
Love Your Video’s but this is the best story of one car, and an earliest Funny Car of them All !!! WoW 🤪
I started going to Niagara Dragstrip in August 1968 at the age of 13
Seeing this brings back memory’s
Thank You
Thank you Michael!
Its a beutiful story and you just move through it. Well done.
Thank you for watching Craig!
Just love this show,just the best,all the best from Australia 🇦🇺
Thank you for the support!
Awesome story on another cool piece of history . 👍
Thank you for watching!
Unreal I have got to the point I just hit the thumbs up before I even watch the video thank you for such great content keep them coming
Thank you!
Wow, so surprised to see this, thank you for sharing! I never expected to see this car again. A gentleman named Tony Ley (if I remember right) drove Old Iron Sides for Mr Holder. Mr Holder passed away fairly young, in the early 1970s I believe. The late Mr Holder's sister owned the car after he passed, she and her sons lived down the street from me back in the 1970s. The car sat in their garage for several years after Mr Holder died. He had a cool old customized pickup truck also, I believe his body shop's name (Precision Auto Body, Springfield, IL) was painted on the side. Good luck in your search for the missing pieces, Mr Gibson.
Good morning, as always, you never disappoint with your awesome video's!! Please keep us posted on the resurrection of this car. God Bless!!
Thank you for the continued support Michael!
Luv ur videos...i really mean that....looking forward every week for another one !!
Thank you so much George, that means a lot!
Dude,
Love your vids.
Thanks!👍
Thank you for the kind words John!
Please do a follow up video. This is great!
I'm hoping to get updates from Bob's progress.
Man what a story love it my dad in late 70s earlyer 80 he got a 68 nova caged and quarter tubbed and a fresh black paint job factory ss big block 4speed car as a roller for $500 hella deal back in the day
Awesome story !! I live just an hour and half from Springfield IL hope to see at a local track sometime in the near future !!
Thank you for watching Bill!
The one that, popped his cherry. I think it's awesome when they find a good home. There is still a class for it. It seems money is better on the street.
I would imagine this will be more of a display car than a functional race car...but you never know. Bob can definitely make it happen!
Great story! Can’t wait for a follow-up!!!
Thank you for watching Rick!
I really like the 63 split window behind you in the beginning of the video. My uncle bought one new off the showroom floor in 63 and had it all the through my high school years in the late 80's. Amazing car.
Awesome story. Great to hear the words Beeline Drag way. The grounds are still there but they tore the tower down a few years ago. Its only a few miles away from where I live.
In the 80s i found a Camaro Funny car in a barn (yes a barn) in fairdale ky and just had to have it, I was 20 years old but my mother seen the want in my eyes and loaned me the money 1200.00. It was a basket case my mom about fell out of the chair when i brought it home, a lot more to the stories. The car was the KING RAT from the O'Neill brothers the guy i bought it from gave me the big wheel stand poster of it. me and my brother worked day and night to rebuild it. I put a small block and a glide in it, ran it some it was a lot of fun but a lot of work for someone with a very limited budget. It was yellow and called the glamours life (you know sheila E) I would like to know were it ended up I sold it to a a man in Pennsylvanian. keep your great stories coming.
WOW, that's pretty crazy! What an iconic car to pick up at such a young age. Very cool!
Great video, car, and story, thank you!
Thanks for watching Robert!
For me this ranks up there as of the best if not the best video yet.
Thank you for the kind words John, and thank you for the continued support!
Thanks another great story and drag car finding its way home always makes my day catch you next time !!!!
Thank you for watching Jim!
I think his stories on race cars is fantastic. Raced a 1965 B/MP Mustang fastback and a 1969 Corvette myself. Had the pleasure of spending a lot of time at Jim's Speed Emporium in Meriden, Ct in Jim's early years. Watched him race the 57 Ford, wheels tanner and his SOHC funny car. He was a genius.
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Alot of your videos are so touching for me. This one particular really brings bvb CV k memories about my father. He was and engine builder and drag racer. Thank you again for all your work. Keep them Coming
LOVE the history on automobiles racing included!
Thank you for your continued support!
Absolutely awesome! Some people out there really understand how attached a human being and a machine can become. The big thing is, over your lifetime, you gain more and more knowledge and perfect your abilities. Most of us when we are young, we don't have the money to stay ahead of the hobbies we have. Some of us change our carrier fields and some meet the girl of their dreams and completely change our lifestyle. Then we find our self nearing retirement or retired and craving for that first car we had or something from our younger days that we would love to get our hands on to restore it or make the changes to it that we wished we could do way back in the day.
You have really done a great thing here in my opinion. It doesn't even matter if Bob is ever able to complete his restoration, just that he has his car now and he can do or not do whatever he wants to with it.
Ed D
Thank you for the kind words Ed!
c
i can’t tell you how much i enjoy your videos and can’t wait to see the next update on this story.
Thank you Al!
Great Story.THX for Sharing.
Thank you for watching Dennis!
Nice story! I miss swap meets during covid because it seams like everything has a story and you meet such nice people there.
Oh yeah, I'm looking forward to more swap meets this year. Every vintage speed part has a story!