I watched Dyno Don race at many California strips in the 60's, I finally had the pleasure of meeting him at the first California Hot rod Reunion at Bakersfield's Famoso drag strip, he was standing alone, no one seemed to know who he was, I introduced myself and explained that I was a big fan, to my surprise he took me over to his trailer and showed me his new '62 white Chevy bubble top that he said would run in th 9's. A wonderful man and experience I'll always remember. Rest in peace.
Racing then were cars sold at your local dealership. 427 side oilers with dual quads found in the big Galaxy 500. Boss 429 SOHC Mustang. 428 Cobra Jet Mach 1 Mustangs. 1969 Boss 302 Mustang. Cars that were for sale setting on lots waiting for the person who watched these FX factory backed Ford teams at their local race track. A true win on Sunday, sale on Monday. Amazing cars that now sell for thousands over what they sold for many years ago. I was fortunate enough to own a then new 1969 428 CJ Mach 1 that cost me just over $3600.. My first new car that I've never forgotten. I've own several Mustangs through the years, but none were as special as that Mach 1. Thanks for sharing videos of these magnificent cars.
I have a magazine with his brand new 1965 Super Cyclone, 427 SOHC with Weber carbs on it. The car with old hard slicks on it ran in the 9s right off the trailer.
I remember seeing the dyno man at ocir what a great cars that he had especially the late 70s Mustang that was one I like the best thank you for this great job of all these photographs of the Dyno Don thank you .
In 79 / 80 I worked for Dave and Karen Smith, a shop called Precissioned Speed in Anaheim CA. Dyno Don had a shop next door. I used to laugh my ass off listening to all the chevy vs ford stuff. These dudes really knew their stuff, cool job for an 18 year old kid.
Do remember in a small town in SC in `64 when all the talk was about a 427 Comet doing a wheelie at the main intersection and it had Don Nicholson Tuned painted on its side. There was a group of drag racers there that had money to burn and they'd always talk about having the engine blue printed and letting Don Nicholson tune it, it very well could've been him at that intersection.
When Dyno Don was running out of Nalley Chevrolet a buddy and I would play hooky and hang around the dyno shop. The race cars were there and some of the customer cars were pretty wild also.
"OUTSTANDING" Video you put together here...… "DYNO DON" was one of my "FORD HERO'S"..... I'd Like To See A Video Like This One Put together of "BOB GLIDDEN", and also "RONNIE SOX"..... Thank You …...… …."Skip"...………….
Late in Don's career, he was buying '64 Ford Fairlanes to put all aluminum Ford 460 500+ hp engines into them and call them "Lightning Bolts." They were to be street legal too. He only competed two though before his mental health deteriorated. One of those cars is in this video.
Amazing man. More than once, he gave me some advice on how to improve my drag racing skills and car. I won 231 races with that car and three NHRA class championships with it. I still have that car, it's still street legal, and I still race it at a nearby NHRA track once in awhile. It also still has "Thanks Dyno Don and Earl Wade" on it.
@@thomasleclair7418 A few different classes. Pure stock, E/G, E/MP, D/S, and AA/FF cars. One of my former NHRA AA/FF cars is at Don Garlits Museum in Ocala FL on display.
I helped that old fart work on that yellow Pinto with a arm in a cast , I was 13 maybe 14 at Jackson Dragstrip / Carolina Dragway ! In Aiken County SC The House of Hook ! 🥊
I watched Dyno Don race at many California strips in the 60's, I finally had the pleasure of meeting him at the first California Hot rod Reunion at Bakersfield's Famoso drag strip, he was standing alone, no one seemed to know who he was, I introduced myself and explained that I was a big fan, to my surprise he took me over to his trailer and showed me his new '62 white Chevy bubble top that he said would run in th 9's. A wonderful man and experience I'll always remember. Rest in peace.
Racing then were cars sold at your local dealership. 427 side oilers with dual quads found in the big Galaxy 500. Boss 429 SOHC Mustang. 428 Cobra Jet Mach 1 Mustangs. 1969 Boss 302 Mustang. Cars that were for sale setting on lots waiting for the person who watched these FX factory backed Ford teams at their local race track. A true win on Sunday, sale on Monday. Amazing cars that now sell for thousands over what they sold for many years ago. I was fortunate enough to own a then new 1969 428 CJ Mach 1 that cost me just over $3600.. My first new car that I've never forgotten. I've own several Mustangs through the years, but none were as special as that Mach 1. Thanks for sharing videos of these magnificent cars.
Scary I remember those days 60/70s. Now at 68 thank God I still remember them, hopefully till I'm dead.
You ain't gonna die
I have a magazine with his brand new 1965 Super Cyclone, 427 SOHC with Weber carbs on it. The car with old hard slicks on it ran in the 9s right off the trailer.
V8s mounted with weber carbs look fantastic.
7 grand shifts
Don Nicolson and Bob Glidden, two great Ford guys R.I.P.
Very true.
RIP
Ford Racing
Shepherd gave them a go
Thank You for the memories
Don was a friend
Always treat me Platinum
I remember seeing the dyno man at ocir what a great cars that he had especially the late 70s Mustang that was one I like the best thank you for this great job
of all these photographs of the
Dyno Don thank you .
That Dyno Don Maverick is my favorite. i Like them all
Fantastic pictures, audio and video. Even better than the last! A great read from a great author. A MUST for any Drag Racing fan.
In 79 / 80 I worked for Dave and Karen Smith, a shop called Precissioned Speed in Anaheim CA. Dyno Don had a shop next door. I used to laugh my ass off listening to all the chevy vs ford stuff. These dudes really knew their stuff, cool job for an 18 year old kid.
Do remember in a small town in SC in `64 when all the talk was about a 427 Comet doing a wheelie at the main intersection and it had Don Nicholson Tuned painted on its side. There was a group of drag racers there that had money to burn and they'd always talk about having the engine blue printed and letting Don Nicholson tune it, it very well could've been him at that intersection.
When Dyno Don was running out of Nalley Chevrolet a buddy and I would play hooky and hang around the dyno shop. The race cars were there and some of the customer cars were pretty wild also.
"OUTSTANDING" Video you put together here...… "DYNO DON" was one of my "FORD HERO'S"..... I'd Like To See A Video Like This One Put together of "BOB GLIDDEN", and also "RONNIE SOX"..... Thank You …...… …."Skip"...………….
Very cool video. My grandfather, Dave McGrane was his crewman.
Loved that '68 Eliminator Cougar.
I see ya nigga
Late in Don's career, he was buying '64 Ford Fairlanes to put all aluminum Ford 460 500+ hp engines into them and call them "Lightning Bolts." They were to be street legal too. He only competed two though before his mental health deteriorated. One of those cars is in this video.
Don Nicholson Don Nicholson was a no BS guy . He came to race and race he did . I had the pleasure of losing too many times .
Amazing man. More than once, he gave me some advice on how to improve my drag racing skills and car. I won 231 races with that car and three NHRA class championships with it. I still have that car, it's still street legal, and I still race it at a nearby NHRA track once in awhile. It also still has "Thanks Dyno Don and Earl Wade" on it.
what car and class did you compete........................
@@thomasleclair7418 '57 Ford custom 2 dr sedan, E/Gas, E/MP, a Vega body AA/FF car, and a 1969 Boss 302 pure stock Mustang.
@@thomasleclair7418 A few different classes. Pure stock, E/G, E/MP, D/S, and AA/FF cars. One of my former NHRA AA/FF cars is at Don Garlits Museum in Ocala FL on display.
Great video! Tight and concise. Good summary of dyno and that era.
Dyno Don won more NHRA match races than anybody in NHRA history.
Nothing like some Sandy Nelson on the drums...😄👍🇺🇸
Bending his drumsticks
I saw him run at Bowling Green Ky in the early 60s. He sure could shift a four speed. It was either a 61 or 62 Chevy. I cant remember which.
Probably the one I remember most was to beat the rules he built a 4 door Maverick for Pro Stock
WRONG! That was Gapp & Roush, not Dyno Don Nicholson.
Started his career in a Chevy and ended in a Ford can't blame him the Fords of the 1960's were killer
Awesome 😎
,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,thank you..................have the book......wish I met the man...................
I helped that old fart work on that yellow Pinto with a arm in a cast , I was 13 maybe 14 at Jackson Dragstrip / Carolina Dragway ! In Aiken County SC The House of Hook ! 🥊
I was at Pomona in 87 who was the guy that had 454 yellow old coupe with a 4 speed it was the winter nationals
Saw grudge matches in Omaha, like '73. I think the Nicholson car was piloted by Ken Dondero? Too fun.
Very goood!
Sandy Nelson?
Running on all cylinders!
Like to have on looking all nostalgic
Why the campy music. Just narrate it and have the sounds of the cars.