40+ YEARS of Drag Racing History! The "BRANDED RAT" 55 Chevy

East Tennessee drag racing legend Don Cox started racing in the 1970's with a 1955 Chevrolet that he bought for $125. What started as a daily driver turned into an occasional trip to the drag strip, and that turned into a drag racing obsession. He never stopped racing his '55 Chevy, even as the drag racing world changed around him. He stayed true to the car that started it all for him. During the 1980's the Branded Rat evolved from a gasser-style drag car into a low slung bracket racer with a custom tube chassis. In 2017, Don crashed the car severely at Huntsville Dragway, destroying the original steel body. He replaced the body and repainted the car just like it was for all those years, including hand lettering and artwork by the same guy who painted the original car (Howard Horn). Don also stayed with a one piece flip front end. Even though this car was all modern by the time we shot this video, it still carried that history along with it.
Unfortunately, Don Cox passed away last fall. He was at the drag strip, doing what he loves. The Branded Rat lives on, and made a memorial pass down Don's home track of Knoxville Dragway to pay tribute to the local legend.
#55chevy #dragracing #chevrolet

[@bryancohn9406]

I love how this cherished race car is like an old hammer, the heads been replaced a few times, the handles been replaced a few times but it’s the same old hammer. A racing life well lived.

[@loribrown3764]

Love this tribute to Don and his beloved "Rat". Thank you for making this and sharing it!

[@rona1144]

Great tribute and story.

[@HotRodHoarder]

Thanks for watching Ron!

[@Geezer1320]

Some guys are just winners. Love stories like this.

[@amadeo_serrano]

Almost 92K subscribers! Let's get him over the 100K mark by liking, sharing and subscribing!!

[@HotRodHoarder]

Thank you for your continued support!

[@amadeo_serrano]

@@HotRodHoarder A pleasure. I have, at times, been accused of talking too much so it is a pleasure to be doing it constructively for a change. 😂

[@davidmills8780]

Well done tribute. Thank you for sharing his story.

[@HotRodHoarder]

Thank you David!

[@bigblockkings1031]

Great story 👏 I'm glad Don got to live his life the way he wanted. He will be missed by many.

[@davidbacon2403]

Thanks for this tribute to him. He is missed.

[@cowfrank]

Great job on the video My God you did that like a high dollar documentary

[@HotRodHoarder]

Glad you enjoyed it! Thank you!

[@stevehilliard1495]

Good to see a history video again. God bless you and yours 😊

[@HotRodHoarder]

Yes sir, thank you Steve!

[@davida.p.9911]

Very cool car with a cool history! Love that artwork! R.I.P. Don 💐

[@HotRodHoarder]

Thanks for watching David!

[@jackperry9369]

Rip sir thanks for all you did for the sport see ya at the great track in the sky 😊 wow what a story love nostalgic drag stuff

[@kennydemartini2169]

As a painter, I think the paint and bodywork on that car is beautiful. I like the stance before the tube chassis.... R.I.P. Don.

[@HotRodHoarder]

For sure, the older setup is my favorite.

[@chriswaltersstuff]

Awesome tribute! I’ve seen this car many times over the years at big bracket races. I was there the day he wrecked at Huntsville, it was cool to see him to get it fixed and race again. Rip Don.

[@rayrayadkins6178]

Thank you so much for the story about that car I really enjoy stories and tales about old cars like that

[@HotRodHoarder]

I love this stuff too. Hope to do more old drag car stories in the future.

[@jwv81]

RIP Mr. Cox. I always loved that car and seen it race many many times. Thank you Tommy for this video.

[@HotRodHoarder]

I enjoyed putting this video together…just wish I could’ve gotten to know Don a little better.

[@tonyt8805]

RIP Mr Cox 🙏🏾 🙏🏾 🙏🏾
What a beautiful car!!!
Love the color, stance, art\graphics, and everything
else about this car. 💯

[@michaelcoger4626]

The legend of the car will live on in another way. The doors from the wreck are being repaired and going on a 55 being built as a gasser.

[@gilbertledesma7529]

Rip Don i was born in 1955 and always love 55 chevys

[@terrygrover6440]

Nice tribute we also lost my friends father at the race track in English Town it's such a shock when people just pass away suddenly like that 😞 he was well loved to he owned Suttons speed shop in nj thanks for sharing your story and the car

[@styrenerelics]

Very nice tribute video sir. It's great when someone will save his pass like he did on this car. I believe it will continue to be saved as well.

[@Sleeperdude]

Very cool story

[@HotRodHoarder]

Hope to get back into a good routine of doing these videos.

[@annmarierudolph2291]

Beautiful workmanship Love Drag Racing can't get enough
RIP God Bless you ❤️🙏😢 great American motor sport
hope his dream is kept alive hope to hear more about this beautiful drag car in the future ❤

[@jackperry9369]

By the way I forgot to mention you're definitely becoming one of my favorite channels on RUclips keep it up thumbs up sir

[@HotRodHoarder]

I appreciate that! Thanks for watching!

[@1pieman]

God Speed Mr Don that was a great story up until you said he passed at least he was doing what he loved where he loved to be 🙏 👍👍

[@lonniem9728]

Very cool video 👍

[@HotRodHoarder]

Thanks for watching Lonnie!

[@jonathanlynn9819]

Don Cox was a fine man , talked to him at 411 drag strip alot

[@Josh-hr5mc]

Underrated RUclipsr, love the content coming from Chattanooga, TN

[@HotRodHoarder]

Thank you!

[@craigtittsworth9440]

Another GREAT Story!!

[@doug81337]

Cool story & nice memorial!

[@HotRodHoarder]

Thanks Doug!

[@aronmills8653]

Mate, what a sad ending. I wasn't expecting you saying he suddenly past, I was looking forward to the interview with him talking about his car.

[@HotRodHoarder]

I had full intentions of putting this video together last summer but time got away from me. I’ve had a couple other situations like that where I’ve waited too long. Sad situation.

[@stevefaltis8989]

Thanks, man, best one yet!

[@HotRodHoarder]

Glad you liked it! Thanks!

[@JA-sm9zf]

Wow - that’s an insane 55 - thanks for sharing !!! A lot of hard work.

[@HotRodHoarder]

Thank you for watching!

[@gregleenyit]

It's always an interesting, incredibile story with you. Thanks

[@philhunt3908]

Amazing car and a amazing driver rip don

[@johnp.2696]

Don was a great guy!

[@HotRodHoarder]

Yes sir, just wish I had gotten to know him better.

[@johnp.2696]

@@HotRodHoarder I had known him for years. Done some work for me once. Good honest guy.

[@mc2whls]

Nice Tribute!

[@karenthomson9749]

Cool car.

[@HotRodHoarder]

Thank you for watching Karen!

[@douggregoryHOTMotorsports]

Well done.

[@HotRodHoarder]

Thank you sir!

[@garyncherylrussell5671]

I remember when this happened. Thanks for the video..this is why I subscribe.

[@HotRodHoarder]

Thank you for watching and subscribing!

[@dantomlinson4407]

Nice!! Thanks!

[@tommycook9620]

HELL YEA BADASS

[@HotRodHoarder]

Thanks for watching Tommy!

[@Darrin_Wyatt]

If you're going to go, mine as well go doing what you love. Race in peace, Don.

[@FourSpeedFilms]

Awesome

[@chrisguerra355]

Rest in peace, sir.

[@joshhuffine4522]

Very cool 🐐

[@HotRodHoarder]

Thanks for watching!

[@TheLukaCeeChannel]

Well Done.

[@HotRodHoarder]

Thank you for watching!

[@mikek7283]

Nice.

[@HotRodHoarder]

Thanks!

[@SparePartsGarage]

Don’t everyone love a 55 chevy!

[@dannybenfield1164]

One cool looking 55 hot rod

[@HotRodHoarder]

Definitely had “the look”!

[@THROTTLEPOWER]

RIP Don

[@HotRodHoarder]

Thanks for watching!

[@mikek7283]

R.I.P Mr Cox

[@HotRodHoarder]

Thanks for watching Mike.

[@JoseLuis-xb7ou]

Waooo q maquina👍

[@markmoire2058]

Have seen that car for many years will missit

[@knothuntersart]

👍💯

[@kepjames333]

😇😇😇😇😇😇😇😇😇😇😇😇😇😇😇

[@billbraski2175]

Lots of people dying suddenly..

[@west4057]

that car is not the same, body is gone, original racing suspension gone, whole new car.