I like to thank you Brian for some of the best automotive videos, and narration I haven't heard in over two decades. Your style and mannerism is nothing short of exceptional. You provide a listener with both visual and verbal information. You can't find anywhere else on You Tube. Especially when it comes to automotive racing history. From the early days of circle track drag racing and automotive Hot Rodding. You are helping to keep it a live with your in-depth research. No other site on You Tube compares to yours. I was born in the early fifties, and blessed to grow up in the sixties. I became an auto mechanic and a Hor Rod enthusiast. I worked for thirty five years in the field. Became a certified master technician even taught a few apprentice along the way. Loved working on cars, military vehicles. I even did twenty five years and two overseas tours in conflict zones with the US Army. I'm now 71 and when I can I drive commercial semi tractor trailers. Sorry for such a long message but you're like a friend to me now. Keep up the great work your doing educating the younger generation. Plus helping us old time relive and see some fun history. Sincerely CWO Shook US Army Retired
CWO Shook, thank you for your service. Beyond that, thank you for these sincere and kind words. I’m glad people enjoy this stuff as much as I like making it. These cars and people are still amazing and inspiring, all these years later.
Now THAT is an honor I’ll take. I used to listen to Paul Harvey with my dad every day at lunch time when I worked with he and my grandfather at the family pallet and box company as a kid. Fond, fond, memories.
This all happened in my teen tears, I couldn't wait for the issues of Hot Rod magazine with speed week coverage to come. The early years of hot rodding were led by men of great intellect and practical knowledge. Thank you for your channel, it brings back so many good memories, and some dark ones too.
I'm an automotive history buff , your videos never dissapoint !!! The " Attempt 1 " engine would have been based on a 331 ci using the really small port heads. That is amazing that he got that to 430 ci way back then . And lets not forget that all of the early Chryslers were 2 bolt main production passenger car engines.
THE Mike Collins? Command Module Pilot for Apollo 11? Only one on that flight,that just orbited, while Buzz and Neil went to the moon. Only one still alive. steve
@@steveskouson9620 lol , my aunt saw him at the Smithsonian and got a signed photo for me back in the late 70's . He wrote '" To the real Mike Collins From Mike Collins ".
@@Mike_Collins392 During that mission, he was the most alone than anyone ever was. The 2 closest guys were, Neil and Buzz. Side note, I recently heard that my father had Ed White (and I think Gus) over to dinner. Don't know where Roger was. 1966 or earlier.
The engine that powered the last run was a 300” Windsor poly block with hemi heads constructed by an Orange County racer who continued to race on the salt until last year when passed away. Yes the engine “blew up” and indeed sever the oxygen line that fed Bobs mask. The fire was intense because of the lack of any easy way to get out of the engine area. Bobs wife blamed the engine builder for Bobs death and not the oxygen. The following year holes were required in the engine compartments of any vehicles that allowed belly pans and is still there today. One again Brian thank you for another great story…
James, first off, thank you for this detailed account. Obviously you are a seasoned Bonneville racer. That’s a tough thing to read but I understand. Thank you for the clarity and depth here.
Brian, I can’t imagine how many hours you spend investigating each historical event, vehicle and all of the talented individuals involved. I know we all appreciate your efforts to enrich the knowledge of enthusiasts and gear heads worldwide. Bravo.
R.I.P. Bob Herta. can't think of a better driver or car to put the spotlight on. There's a hundred other HotRods and racecars just as deserving, so I hope you keep checking them off like this. 10 out of 10. (Plus there's an Avanti in the background at 9:48 . I love me an Avanti)
Jonathan, thank you. I have a list a mile long and I sure want to. I am really thankful for people like you that have interest in this stuff. The exploration of these stories is my favorite thing.
Brian, you have an incredible treasure trove of hot-rodding, drag racing knowledge stuffed in your head! Thank you for sharing your passion with us all. I get so much enjoyment from each and every installment. I can't wait to see what you've got in the can.
I am not a race car fan (my father collected antique mostly convertible American made classics, i was with him in 1966 when he found and bought a 27 Chrysler two door side mouts runn8ng boards with a "power from the factory" convertible top that he had restored) but you have made a race car fan. Your voice is FM excellent but your info is world class. Thank you
Next best thing is that Brian includes shots of magazine covers and articles from back in the day. I'm quite sure that I poured over those same mags as a youngster! Today they still provide the same inspiration of "hey, I can do that!" Love these stories Brian!
The bright side of winter and no drag racing, is we get Lohnes to tell us about the history of fast cars and the people who built them. The voice of NHRA, Summit Racing, Drag Week, and Hot Rod History right here for all to experience and learn from.
I love seeing all the innovation people came up with back in those days! Using parts they could find and doing amazing things with what they had! Keep the stories coming! Thanks 👍
Of the countless YT videos I've viewed over the years, this one by far resonated with me the strongest! Why? As a kid in the 1960s I was a neighbor of the Herdas in Portola Valley, just a block a way. @ Brian Lohnes: This was an outstanding production piece, as you did extremely well with the personal details about the man, where he lived, his family, and the sordid saga surrounding Bob's death. Or, myself as a kid back then, would respectfully address him as "Mister Herda." I recall Mr. Herda as a quiet and reserved individual, a person of few words. Socially, if crossing paths with him he would say "Hello!" But that was about the extent of his socializing from what I recall as a youngster back then. Many decades later, myself reflecting back now as an adult, Mr. Herda was a very focused person with working on his Streamliner. The trailer he used for transporting his Streamliner was parked in a vacant lot across the street from his house. It was fun playing 'teeter-totter' on it, much to the annoyance of Mrs. Herda, who, from her front door, would yell at us kids to get off of it. Mr. Herda also used that same vacant lot to store two V12 aircraft engines on another trailer. The engines could have been military surplus, as from what I can recall from military photos years later, the engines may have been from the P51 Mustang. Mr. Herda was wise with living in Portola Valley in the 1950s ~ '60s, as aside from the upscale areas of Alpine Hills and Westridge, the neighborhood we lived in, Brookside Park, was a rural suburb consisting of affordable houses consisting of blue-collar workers with a sprinkling of professionals and engineers, such as Mr. Herda, and others that worked at Hewlett-Packard (HP). My dad bought into the neighborhood in the mid-1950s so he could raise a dozen chickens; as the property lots were more spacious than what were found in the nearby cities . . . along with the lack of restrictions one could do on their own property. And being out "in the sticks," the houses in the neighborhood were lower priced than what was found in Menlo Park or Palo Alto. Part of the lower-priced structure, in that particular Portola Valley neighborhood, was due to half the streets were paved, the other half, gravel. The Herda family lived on a gravel-strewn lane. But, My! How things have changed in that Portola Valley neighborhood from then to now . . . as now all the streets are paved. Houses that sold for less than $20K in 1955 can now fetch a million-and-a half, or higher, nowadays. Yet, the streets are still very narrow; no sidewalks; the drainage system inadequate with open ditches; with overhead power lines on deteriorating wood poles; and not a street light to be had. Brian Lohnes: I appreciated the details you went into surrounding Mr. Herda's tragic death, as Vintage Motorsports Magazine from 2012 had scant details; with completely omitting the aspect of Mr. Herda using pure oxygen in his breathing apparatus. That aspect of him using pure oxygen had everyone mystified at the time of the tragedy. The elevation of the Bonneville Salt Flats being at around 4,200 feet (1,280 meters) didn't seem high enough for the need to breathe pure oxygen. I saw the 999 B Streamliner at the Harrah's Automotive Collection in Reno, Nevada, back in the 1980s prior to the collection being sold-off. Remarkable seeing this video, knowing that many decades ago I was only a two-minute walk away from the Herda residence with the heralded 999-B Streamliner. BTW: The Markley Brothers had their class winning # 360-D Lakester as my parents backyard neighbor at the same time Mr. Herda was operating his Streamliner. Which brought to mind about an example how forgiving the neighborhood was back in that era: In the days prior to leaving for Bonneville, with the Markley Brothers and crew pressed for time to complete the prep work on the Lakester, they would have late-night to early morning work sessions with music radio blaring, as my parents could faintly hear it in their bedroom. Never a complaint from my parents or the surrounding neighbors about that noise, but the spaciousness of the property lots the houses were on did help with the outdoor noise issue.
Another perfectly done racing history lesson . Really appreciate all the reserch you put into your vids. When i saw that oxygen tank in the engine bay i thought that was a bad place for that....turned out it was. For a car that was so done right and was very successful it makes reason stare why the tank was where it was ...
Man, I can’t imagine the time you put into researching for these videos. You are doing more to keep hot rodding history alive than anyone, and I hope you know how appreciated it is. Thank you for doing this, and doing it so well.
what a great story. i'm so glad this wasn't lost to history. these guys were mechanical geniuses, esp bob herda. unbelievable what they were able to accomplish with this awesome machine.
what a timeless beuti of a build...!...all by hand & all in his own garage...!..good find Brian...well done..!..r.i.p Bob Herda...amagin if he had lived longer...?...briliant guy...!
Wow l’m just so happy that you tell the whole story so we get to know the man behind one of those great cars from the salt flats and just how hard he worked for perfection. It’s those lessons learned that makes all of this just that much safer now. Thanks Brian for doing justice to Bobs memory.
Brian, i"m 65 years old and a lover of all things mechanical [and a mechanic]. I remember a HOT ROD story between 1974 and 1979[?] of a story of the Sadd,teague [i think another person also ,but not sure] black 32 hiboy roadster. It cemented my love for anything fast and especially the salt flats [or dirt] The artical was amazing.I can't find it but with your extensive knowledge I'm hoping you can find and use this in a future installment .I know this format is not based on request but hopefully all subscribers can benefit,thanks!
Such an amazing story. Tells the stories of both high & low. The way you have inspirational & tragic words in the same story, Brian Lohnes, is unmeasurable. I'd like to see & hear a story of a bloke on two wheels, Burt Munro. Every salt lake story you tell, makes me want to get in my turd & drive to our next meet.. Our meet happens to be Lake Gairdner.
Wow! I have long dreamed of getting there someday. Freiburger has gone and has told me the stories of the true adventure it is to get to that place. Thank you very much for watching and your kind words!
@brianlohnes3079 stoked you replied. It's approx 160km of outback roads turning off from the the Eyre Hwy at a place called Iron Knob. Yes. That's its actual name. Mind you... That turn off is also over 4hrs from the nearest major airport.. I'd happily call it an adventure.
Wow, sinply amazing. I kept having to pause and stare at the photos to look at all the details. The craftmanship is incredible, and that is clear to see even through the fuzzy old pictures on my dirty cracked phone screen lol. Thanks for another excellent video
I was just coming of age in 69, and my eyes may have glanced over a write-up on this creation of beauty a time or two. Interesting they put a Cammer in it. A perfect engine for a near perfect car.
Terrific piece! I began reading HOT ROD in 1956 when it was mostly monotone dark green print. I still recall articles on this car, however I was never aware about the 02 bottle in the engine bay till your article. Gas welding 5 or six tube chrome moly junctions and keeping everything straight and plumb is an art, best done with silicon bronze filler. Herda was a fine craftsman in the league of Phil Remington. Changing gears, so to speak, I have often thought of the need for a piece on the Jr. Stock builders of the ‘60’s, who gave birth to a new level of creativity and innovative philosophy in drag racing, driven by their need to go faster and unable to just buy parts and bolt them on. Joe Hrudka, Wayne Jesel, Joe Lunati, etc. brought “blueprinting”, valve train and lubrication tech to the fore showcasing techniques that became commonplace in all classes of drag racing. Few are aware that “super trick” stuff started with stockers. Thanks again.
This by far is my favorite of your episodes, and most likely will remain there for a long, long time. For reasons that the this day I still cannot explain I was drawn to Land Speed Racing. I think part of it is because there are interludes by the Small Guys into the greatness that is Land Speed Racing. At the time when I was enamored with Land Speed Racing it was the end of the 1960's and the dawn of the 1970's. Though my dream of playing in the NFL was dashed by a concussion I was very much drawn to all things mechanical. I did wind up with a degree and long career in Mechanical Engineering. It may be that part of what captured my attention is the Bob Herda also was a Mechanical Engineer. However I think that he and the various crews that worked on this car did so with their own minds and hands, even piloting the car. I still treasure an observation by my neighbor. He told me one day that he enjoyed watching me work, coming up against challenge after challenge. He told me that if I couldn't find the tool that I needed to get the job done, I simply made the tool that I needed. To me that speaks volumes. Anyway, I thank you for this most excellent episode. Yes, I did save it as a Favorite.
This is an amazing story. I thank you for sharing it. He was an amazingly smart guy and someone we can all be inspired by for sure. I am truly glad you enjoy this stuff!
CRUSHING IT Man!!!! What a great story! Being from Palo Alto and growing up in area where these guys stomped brought me great joy! I sure wish we were doing stuff like this in Silicon Valley! This is serious GUY stuff! Cheers from Santa Cruz and please keep em comin
Awesome. My great uncle used to race a '32 highboy at Bonneville. I've been around drag racing since early 1970's and would love to get out there sometime.
I was a 15-year-old Course Steward staffing the 1-Mile marker (unheard of in the present day) when Bob made his final pass. He was given a solid push for about a quarter-mile before he began to pull away from the push truck and ease into the throttle. As he approached my station, I had little to report over the headset except, “Car 9-99 at the 1-Mile, looking good.” These updates of the car continuing to perform flawlessly echoed over the comms as the miles passed until I heard my father, Elmo Gillette, announce, “Herda shutting down at the 5-Mile, looking good.” Elmo, who would later revolutionize Land Speed Racing by implementing multiple courses, was operating the ambulance at the 5-Mile for my great-aunt Emily Gillette. A few moments later, I heard him say, “Chute out for 999.” After several minutes, he came back on the comms, stating he was going to “... check on Herda.” Bob was dead when Dad arrived. One of the advanced safety features Bob had included in the car’s design was a fusible link that, when melted by high heat, shut off the fuel and deployed the parachute. Bob’s left hand, still on the wheel, had been enough to gradually pull the car off the course, giving the appearance of a normal run. It was a small billow of smoke rising above the heatwaves that made my father decide to check on Bob. The following year, Elmo would once again be the first person on the scene of the Motion I crash while I, then a 16-year-old crew member, waited to help Noel Black from the car at the 9-Mile marker. In 1978, I would drive The Redhead Streamliner into the Bonneville 200 MPH Club.
Brian, you have a true gift, your voice and your dedication to hot rodding and racing history. Thank you for sharing your voice and your passion with us all. Another amazing racing history video!!
Brian, thanks for another great story. The research, pictures, writing, voice, and execution of each video is top notch. Hopefully your 50,000+ subscribers will grow. Great to see this car and it's history that has been given new life through this video. Without This content many of these great cars and people would be forgotten to time.
As always Brian really nice piece of hot rodding history. I enjoyed this story very much. I agree with the reasons you gave about how Bob Herda and the team achieved their goals - doing it on their own terms without corporate sponsors. Keep up the good work!
The history of Hiller Helicopters is a fascinating history by itself! I recommend reading about them and what that company and the man himself was able to accomplish its truly amazing!
I didn’t want to make the video any longer but his time there lines up with the CIA’s involvement during the spy satellite project. As the lead engineer, I bet he was on that project!
@4:21They even changed the shape of the rear fin. Its shape is masterful in the aesthetical sense at least. Sad end, but so glad the car survives. Another killer video! (oops, maybe not the best choice of words) 😁
DAM Brain I absolutely love your videos. They just get better and better and better. Thank you very much for the time and effort you put into these videos. I learn tons of stuff from everyone. 😮😮😮
man, i really am loving this channel. one of the gems of youtube. the narration, research and presentation are all very professional. ken burns should take notes. ;)
If there was an encyclopedia of drag racing and hot rodding, they’d use your channel to write half of it. And it would be the best half. I’d love a “History Of” series, where you go through different defunct and current Motorsport sanctioning bodies and series. Trans am, IHRA, AHRA, etc.
Always superb content here, and Brian makes even things less interesting to me very interesting. I was a child in those years but I always loved the look of streamliners even if it was drag racing which held my biggest interest. During WW2 high altitude airplane crews used pure oxygen for breathing until fuselage pressurization became a thing at the end. Likely it was his aircraft background which drove Bob to do the same for his car, probably considering smoke and fumes instead of fire being the problem. Being a gas welder, Bob had to be aware of the dangers which makes it hard to understand why he did that when normal pressurized air would have been good enough.
Yesterday I was thinking about a doc on land speed cars, they're so beautiful and unique but don't know about the powertrains and voila, Thank you! Looks like the Mercedes W125 Rekordwagen that went 271mph on autobahn
Very interesting, I loosely followed this at the time. Never had a hankering to follow suit, death was too great a possibility made poignant by Bob Herda’s final run. Thanks for this story, I love your voice.
I'd love to hear a history on Diesel Power Challenge. It was my magazine days introduction to high power street diesels, Brian Lohns, and the editors at Diesel Power Mag. And with the magnificent announcing, I 1st heard tell of the Millers shop in the cornfields of Ohio! What a story to tell!
The best thing about Brian's channel is that I can give it a thumbs up before I watch the video
I do my best with these and I am happy you like ‘em!!
Same. I like the vids..then skip the adds. Pay2play.
@@brianlohnes3079 the reason you get these compliments is because you earn them
Read this as I was adding my thumb. Don’t think I’ve ever not finished one
@@alanquintus2069 yep me too
Brian, You are absolutely the voice of the Hotrod History!!!-John
That’s very generous of you to say. I am just a guy fascinated by it like you!
@@brianlohnes3079 Thanks Brian!! I am proud to be a part of that group..-John
@@Biokemist-o3k me too
I like to thank you Brian for some of the best automotive videos, and narration I haven't heard in over two decades.
Your style and mannerism is nothing short of exceptional. You provide a listener with both visual and verbal information. You can't find anywhere else on You Tube. Especially when it comes to automotive racing history. From the early days of circle track drag racing and automotive Hot Rodding. You are helping to keep it a live with your in-depth research. No other site on You Tube compares to yours. I was born in the early fifties, and blessed to grow up in the sixties. I became an auto mechanic and a Hor Rod enthusiast. I worked for thirty five years in the field. Became a certified master technician even taught a few apprentice along the way. Loved working on cars, military vehicles. I even did twenty five years and two overseas tours in conflict zones with the US Army. I'm now 71 and when I can I drive commercial semi tractor trailers. Sorry for such a long message but you're like a friend to me now. Keep up the great work your doing educating the younger generation. Plus helping us old time relive and see some fun history.
Sincerely CWO Shook US Army Retired
CWO Shook, thank you for your service. Beyond that, thank you for these sincere and kind words. I’m glad people enjoy this stuff as much as I like making it. These cars and people are still amazing and inspiring, all these years later.
Brian and his narrations are the Paul Harvey's "The Rest of the Story" of the racing world. Thanks again Brian.
Now THAT is an honor I’ll take. I used to listen to Paul Harvey with my dad every day at lunch time when I worked with he and my grandfather at the family pallet and box company as a kid. Fond, fond, memories.
@@brianlohnes3079 well deserved praise Brian
@@brianlohnes3079 Yes, Brian us THAT good.
steve
Them Bonneville people are some amazing gearheads. RIP Herda 🙏
It may have ended sadly/ tragically, but he lived his life to the fullest. Most just go through the motions year after year. Keep them coming, B! 😊✌️
This all happened in my teen tears, I couldn't wait for the issues of Hot Rod magazine with speed week coverage to come. The early years of hot rodding were led by men of great intellect and practical knowledge. Thank you for your channel, it brings back so many good memories, and some dark ones too.
I'm an automotive history buff , your videos never dissapoint !!! The " Attempt 1 " engine would have been based on a 331 ci using the really small port heads. That is amazing that he got that to 430 ci way back then . And lets not forget that all of the early Chryslers were 2 bolt main production passenger car engines.
Mike, great call and thank you for checking this stuff out. Love your input!
Brilliant storytelling! Keep it up! Thank you.
THE Mike Collins? Command Module Pilot for
Apollo 11? Only one on that flight,that just orbited,
while Buzz and Neil went to the moon. Only one
still alive.
steve
@@steveskouson9620 lol , my aunt saw him at the Smithsonian and got a signed photo for me back in the late 70's . He wrote '" To the real Mike Collins From Mike Collins ".
@@Mike_Collins392 During that mission, he was the most alone
than anyone ever was. The 2 closest guys were, Neil and Buzz.
Side note, I recently heard that my father had Ed White (and I think
Gus) over to dinner. Don't know where Roger was. 1966 or earlier.
The engine that powered the last run was a 300” Windsor poly block with hemi heads constructed by an Orange County racer who continued to race on the salt until last year when passed away. Yes the engine “blew up” and indeed sever the oxygen line that fed Bobs mask. The fire was intense because of the lack of any easy way to get out of the engine area. Bobs wife blamed the engine builder for Bobs death and not the oxygen. The following year holes were required in the engine compartments of any vehicles that allowed belly pans and is still there today. One again Brian thank you for another great story…
James, first off, thank you for this detailed account. Obviously you are a seasoned Bonneville racer. That’s a tough thing to read but I understand. Thank you for the clarity and depth here.
Brian, I can’t imagine how many hours you spend investigating each historical event, vehicle and all of the talented individuals involved. I know we all appreciate your efforts to enrich the knowledge of enthusiasts and gear heads worldwide. Bravo.
When I watch these videos I am constantly reminded how simple I really am
R.I.P. Bob Herta. can't think of a better driver or car to put the spotlight on.
There's a hundred other HotRods and racecars just as deserving, so I hope you keep checking them off like this.
10 out of 10. (Plus there's an Avanti in the background at 9:48 . I love me an Avanti)
Jonathan, thank you. I have a list a mile long and I sure want to. I am really thankful for people like you that have interest in this stuff.
The exploration of these stories is my favorite thing.
The best automotive documentary channel on the planet! No other comes close! Thanks Brian!
Dang Neal, thank you!!
Thank you for sharing this amazing story, Bob Herta was a true genius
Brian, you have an incredible treasure trove of hot-rodding, drag racing knowledge stuffed in your head! Thank you for sharing your passion with us all. I get so much enjoyment from each and every installment.
I can't wait to see what you've got in the can.
Thanks Bradley! Sincerely appreciate you taking your time to watch.
Another great Video, Brian... Fascinating story!!
Many thanks and I appreciate you watching!
GAS WELDED!?!?!? As a former welder all I can say is DAMN😳That man is patient.
You ain’t kidding!
I am not a race car fan (my father collected antique mostly convertible American made classics, i was with him in 1966 when he found and bought a 27 Chrysler two door side mouts runn8ng boards with a "power from the factory" convertible top that he had restored) but you have made a race car fan. Your voice is FM excellent but your info is world class. Thank you
Dale, firstly thanks for sharing that story and secondly, thank you for giving these stories a shot! Glad you enjoy them!
Next best thing is that Brian includes shots of magazine covers and articles from back in the day. I'm quite sure that I poured over those same mags as a youngster! Today they still provide the same inspiration of "hey, I can do that!" Love these stories Brian!
Yet another outstanding video from Brian. Well done! Best content available anywhere. Please keep em coming.
Thanks for watching and following along on this adventure!!!!!
The bright side of winter and no drag racing, is we get Lohnes to tell us about the history of fast cars and the people who built them. The voice of NHRA, Summit Racing, Drag Week, and Hot Rod History right here for all to experience and learn from.
Thanks for watching Thumpr and I know you are wrenchin like crazy in the cold!
@@brianlohnes3079 its kinda warm today, above freezing which is nice. I plan to meet you at a drag and drive in the near future.
I thoroughly enjoyed this story apart from the very end. Such a beautifully styled and engineered car. Perfectly presented too. 10/10
I so wish that the disaster had not happened and that Herda was able to achieve his 400mph dream.
Lohnes you're killing it! History of tunnel rams would be cool!
A good one! Ralph Ridgeway, baby!
@@brianlohnes3079 ridge runner 🤘
@@brianlohnes3079 the ridge runner 🤘
Thank you, Brian, for your contribution to our sport and lives.
I love seeing all the innovation people came up with back in those days! Using parts they could find and doing amazing things with what they had! Keep the stories coming! Thanks 👍
Creativity and skills were off the charts.
Of the countless YT videos I've viewed over the years, this one by far resonated with me the strongest! Why? As a kid in the 1960s I was a neighbor of the Herdas in Portola Valley, just a block a way.
@ Brian Lohnes: This was an outstanding production piece, as you did extremely well with the personal details about the man, where he lived, his family, and the sordid saga surrounding Bob's death. Or, myself as a kid back then, would respectfully address him as "Mister Herda."
I recall Mr. Herda as a quiet and reserved individual, a person of few words. Socially, if crossing paths with him he would say "Hello!" But that was about the extent of his socializing from what I recall as a youngster back then.
Many decades later, myself reflecting back now as an adult, Mr. Herda was a very focused person with working on his Streamliner.
The trailer he used for transporting his Streamliner was parked in a vacant lot across the street from his house. It was fun playing 'teeter-totter' on it, much to the annoyance of Mrs. Herda, who, from her front door, would yell at us kids to get off of it.
Mr. Herda also used that same vacant lot to store two V12 aircraft engines on another trailer. The engines could have been military surplus, as from what I can recall from military photos years later, the engines may have been from the P51 Mustang.
Mr. Herda was wise with living in Portola Valley in the 1950s ~ '60s, as aside from the upscale areas of Alpine Hills and Westridge, the neighborhood we lived in, Brookside Park, was a rural suburb consisting of affordable houses consisting of blue-collar workers with a sprinkling of professionals and engineers, such as Mr. Herda, and others that worked at Hewlett-Packard (HP). My dad bought into the neighborhood in the mid-1950s so he could raise a dozen chickens; as the property lots were more spacious than what were found in the nearby cities . . . along with the lack of restrictions one could do on their own property. And being out "in the sticks," the houses in the neighborhood were lower priced than what was found in Menlo Park or Palo Alto. Part of the lower-priced structure, in that particular Portola Valley neighborhood, was due to half the streets were paved, the other half, gravel. The Herda family lived on a gravel-strewn lane.
But, My! How things have changed in that Portola Valley neighborhood from then to now . . . as now all the streets are paved.
Houses that sold for less than $20K in 1955 can now fetch a million-and-a half, or higher, nowadays. Yet, the streets are still very narrow; no sidewalks; the drainage system inadequate with open ditches; with overhead power lines on deteriorating wood poles; and not a street light to be had.
Brian Lohnes: I appreciated the details you went into surrounding Mr. Herda's tragic death, as Vintage Motorsports Magazine from 2012 had scant details; with completely omitting the aspect of Mr. Herda using pure oxygen in his breathing apparatus. That aspect of him using pure oxygen had everyone mystified at the time of the tragedy. The elevation of the Bonneville Salt Flats being at around 4,200 feet (1,280 meters) didn't seem high enough for the need to breathe pure oxygen.
I saw the 999 B Streamliner at the Harrah's Automotive Collection in Reno, Nevada, back in the 1980s prior to the collection being sold-off.
Remarkable seeing this video, knowing that many decades ago I was only a two-minute walk away from the Herda residence with the heralded 999-B Streamliner.
BTW: The Markley Brothers had their class winning # 360-D Lakester as my parents backyard neighbor at the same time Mr. Herda was operating his Streamliner.
Which brought to mind about an example how forgiving the neighborhood was back in that era:
In the days prior to leaving for Bonneville, with the Markley Brothers and crew pressed for time to complete the prep work on the Lakester, they would have late-night to early morning work sessions with music radio blaring, as my parents could faintly hear it in their bedroom. Never a complaint from my parents or the surrounding neighbors about that noise, but the spaciousness of the property lots the houses were on did help with the outdoor noise issue.
Another perfectly done racing history lesson . Really appreciate all the reserch you put into your vids. When i saw that oxygen tank in the engine bay i thought that was a bad place for that....turned out it was. For a car that was so done right and was very successful it makes reason stare why the tank was where it was ...
Man, I can’t imagine the time you put into researching for these videos. You are doing more to keep hot rodding history alive than anyone, and I hope you know how appreciated it is. Thank you for doing this, and doing it so well.
what a great story. i'm so glad this wasn't lost to history. these guys were mechanical geniuses, esp bob herda. unbelievable what they were able to accomplish with this awesome machine.
Thanks for all you do for our Hobby Brian, you rock! Hey fellow gearheads 🤙
Thank YOU for being a part of it!!
Brian, this 67 yr old gearhead loves how you bring history to life. Always a thumbs up Sir. Well done.
Jeff, I am sincerely happy you feel that way!
what a timeless beuti of a build...!...all by hand & all in his own garage...!..good find Brian...well done..!..r.i.p Bob Herda...amagin if he had lived longer...?...briliant guy...!
I love the video camera data logger. Great stuff!
Another awesome Video Brian! Thank You from Buffalo NY!
Thanks for checking in from cold Buffalo! Not much better a couple hundred miles south but hey, I do like the winter
Wow l’m just so happy that you tell the whole story so we get to know the man behind one of those great cars from the salt flats and just how hard he worked for perfection. It’s those lessons learned that makes all of this just that much safer now. Thanks Brian for doing justice to Bobs memory.
That was one hell of a tribute, sir.
A beautiful and meticulously engineered machine, I love these vintage pre-turbine streamlines.
R.i.p herda and fly fast through the galaxies forever.what a great story. I love this history, he was the ultimate goat!!!
I love this channel!!! What a legend, Bob was!
And I am thankful for that!
As always, THANK YOU BRIAN! Always killer videos!
How do you manage to get a 54 year old grouch like me choked up so often dude.! This stories of your making are amazing Brian.
These stories with the tough endings always get me as well. Wish it had turned out differently.
Thank you Brian, ima get the coffee started..... hi from N.W. Orygun
Two cups down here in Oak Grove!
Brian, i"m 65 years old and a lover of all things mechanical [and a mechanic]. I remember a HOT ROD story between 1974 and 1979[?] of a story of the Sadd,teague [i think another person also ,but not sure] black 32 hiboy roadster. It cemented my love for anything fast and especially the salt flats [or dirt] The artical was amazing.I can't find it but with your extensive knowledge I'm hoping you can find and use this in a future installment .I know this format is not based on request but hopefully all subscribers can benefit,thanks!
Such an amazing story. Tells the stories of both high & low.
The way you have inspirational & tragic words in the same story, Brian Lohnes, is unmeasurable.
I'd like to see & hear a story of a bloke on two wheels, Burt Munro.
Every salt lake story you tell, makes me want to get in my turd & drive to our next meet..
Our meet happens to be Lake Gairdner.
Wow! I have long dreamed of getting there someday. Freiburger has gone and has told me the stories of the true adventure it is to get to that place.
Thank you very much for watching and your kind words!
@brianlohnes3079 stoked you replied.
It's approx 160km of outback roads turning off from the the Eyre Hwy at a place called Iron Knob.
Yes. That's its actual name.
Mind you... That turn off is also over 4hrs from the nearest major airport..
I'd happily call it an adventure.
Thank you Brian, I so love the sport of land speed racing, and you are hitting all the high spots....
Wow, sinply amazing. I kept having to pause and stare at the photos to look at all the details. The craftmanship is incredible, and that is clear to see even through the fuzzy old pictures on my dirty cracked phone screen lol. Thanks for another excellent video
I was just coming of age in 69, and my eyes may have glanced over a write-up on this creation of beauty a time or two. Interesting they put a Cammer in it. A perfect engine for a near perfect car.
Absolutely amazing and tragic at the same time. Thank you for another well research and presented piece of history.
Terrific piece! I began reading HOT ROD in 1956 when it was mostly monotone dark green print. I still recall articles on this car, however I was never aware about the 02 bottle in the engine bay till your article. Gas welding 5 or six tube chrome moly junctions and keeping everything straight and plumb is an art, best done with silicon bronze filler. Herda was a fine craftsman in the league of Phil Remington.
Changing gears, so to speak, I have often thought of the need for a piece on the Jr. Stock builders of the ‘60’s, who gave birth to a new level of creativity and innovative philosophy in drag racing, driven by their need to go faster and unable to just buy parts and bolt them on. Joe Hrudka, Wayne Jesel, Joe Lunati, etc. brought “blueprinting”, valve train and lubrication tech to the fore showcasing techniques that became commonplace in all classes of drag racing. Few are aware that “super trick” stuff started with stockers. Thanks again.
Great story about a great car/team. Bummer ending but it NEEDED to be told.--------Thanks Brian
Thanks Brian for the research effort necessary to produce these videos.
Best Wishes to You and Your Family.
Richard, thanks for watching and my best to you and yours as well!
This by far is my favorite of your episodes, and most likely will remain there for a long, long time.
For reasons that the this day I still cannot explain I was drawn to Land Speed Racing. I think part of it is because there are interludes by the Small Guys into the greatness that is Land Speed Racing.
At the time when I was enamored with Land Speed Racing it was the end of the 1960's and the dawn of the 1970's. Though my dream of playing in the NFL was dashed by a concussion I was very much drawn to all things mechanical. I did wind up with a degree and long career in Mechanical Engineering.
It may be that part of what captured my attention is the Bob Herda also was a Mechanical Engineer. However I think that he and the various crews that worked on this car did so with their own minds and hands, even piloting the car.
I still treasure an observation by my neighbor. He told me one day that he enjoyed watching me work, coming up against challenge after challenge. He told me that if I couldn't find the tool that I needed to get the job done, I simply made the tool that I needed. To me that speaks volumes.
Anyway, I thank you for this most excellent episode. Yes, I did save it as a Favorite.
This is an amazing story. I thank you for sharing it. He was an amazingly smart guy and someone we can all be inspired by for sure. I am truly glad you enjoy this stuff!
Thanks once more for a respectful narration on automotive history. As you provide each time, it was well researched and insightful.
Outstanding research and narration, Brian.
Thanks a million for watching and sharing this positivity!!
CRUSHING IT Man!!!! What a great story! Being from Palo Alto and growing up in area where these guys stomped brought me great joy! I sure wish we were doing stuff like this in Silicon Valley! This is serious GUY stuff! Cheers from Santa Cruz and please keep em comin
Awesome. My great uncle used to race a '32 highboy at Bonneville. I've been around drag racing since early 1970's and would love to get out there sometime.
I was a 15-year-old Course Steward staffing the 1-Mile marker (unheard of in the present day) when Bob made his final pass. He was given a solid push for about a quarter-mile before he began to pull away from the push truck and ease into the throttle. As he approached my station, I had little to report over the headset except, “Car 9-99 at the 1-Mile, looking good.” These updates of the car continuing to perform flawlessly echoed over the comms as the miles passed until I heard my father, Elmo Gillette, announce, “Herda shutting down at the 5-Mile, looking good.” Elmo, who would later revolutionize Land Speed Racing by implementing multiple courses, was operating the ambulance at the 5-Mile for my great-aunt Emily Gillette. A few moments later, I heard him say, “Chute out for 999.” After several minutes, he came back on the comms, stating he was going to “... check on Herda.”
Bob was dead when Dad arrived.
One of the advanced safety features Bob had included in the car’s design was a fusible link that, when melted by high heat, shut off the fuel and deployed the parachute. Bob’s left hand, still on the wheel, had been enough to gradually pull the car off the course, giving the appearance of a normal run. It was a small billow of smoke rising above the heatwaves that made my father decide to check on Bob.
The following year, Elmo would once again be the first person on the scene of the Motion I crash while I, then a 16-year-old crew member, waited to help Noel Black from the car at the 9-Mile marker.
In 1978, I would drive The Redhead Streamliner into the Bonneville 200 MPH Club.
Holy Mackerel.
I’m 70 years old and my Dad was a Hot Rod Guy.
That story certainly was inspiring...especially to some guy named Teague.
What an amazing story.. and a tragic oversight.. Thank you for an amazing piece of journalism.. Blessings.
Albert, thank you for watching. It is a story for the ages.
@ Can you tell us where the streamliner ended up? It sounded like it might have been restored..
Brian, you have a true gift, your voice and your dedication to hot rodding and racing history.
Thank you for sharing your voice and your passion with us all. Another amazing racing history video!!
Hey Brian,I love salt! later Tuna.
Excellent presentation as always. Thanks
What a fantastic story! So well told in Brian's inimitable enthusiastic gear head style. As I've said in the past, Brian, thanks and don't stop!
Brian, thanks for another great story. The research, pictures, writing, voice, and execution of each video is top notch. Hopefully your 50,000+ subscribers will grow. Great to see this car and it's history that has been given new life through this video. Without This content many of these great cars and people would be forgotten to time.
As always Brian really nice piece of hot rodding history. I enjoyed this story very much. I agree with the reasons you gave about how Bob Herda and the team achieved their goals - doing it on their own terms without corporate sponsors. Keep up the good work!
Another fabulous story Brian! Please keep it up!
As always excellent research, and excellent storytelling by Brian Lohnes.
Another amazing article Brian, great job.
The history of Hiller Helicopters is a fascinating history by itself! I recommend reading about them and what that company and the man himself was able to accomplish its truly amazing!
I didn’t want to make the video any longer but his time there lines up with the CIA’s involvement during the spy satellite project. As the lead engineer, I bet he was on that project!
Another great 👍 episode, Brian..
Sad ending to a great feat of engineering & perseverance.
Nice way to honor all men involved 👍
Thanks for recognizing that. Always want to convey just how impressive this stuff was and is.
@4:21They even changed the shape of the rear fin.
Its shape is masterful in the aesthetical sense at least. Sad end, but so glad the car survives. Another killer video! (oops, maybe not the best choice of words) 😁
It truly evolved with time.
Bob was a real deal American. I miss the days of fellas like him.
Great video. I appreciate the time and effort it takes to make quality videos like this.
Incredible story. Im a San Jose native so that was really cool
Thank you for the video and the time and effort you have put into it
I think we can go ahead and say it: Attempt II was the best looking stream liner ever.
In my book, it sure was
Another awesome video Brian. Thanks for the history lesson!
Another well done video Brian, great research, great presentation and very interesting subject
Brian, you and frieburger should do a podcast together! That would be great for you two and the community would love that
We really should…
DAM Brain I absolutely love your videos. They just get better and better and better.
Thank you very much for the time and effort you put into these videos.
I learn tons of stuff from everyone. 😮😮😮
man, i really am loving this channel. one of the gems of youtube. the narration, research and presentation are all very professional. ken burns should take notes. ;)
Another welcome video Brian. I love your stuff. Having grown up in this era these stories bring back many fond memories. Many, many thanks.
Beautiful memorial.
Excellent! This is why I buy RUclips...
what a great man such a shame,RIP
Awesome video again sir thank you
🏁 Enjoyed!! 🏁
If there was an encyclopedia of drag racing and hot rodding, they’d use your channel to write half of it. And it would be the best half. I’d love a “History Of” series, where you go through different defunct and current Motorsport sanctioning bodies and series. Trans am, IHRA, AHRA, etc.
Always superb content here, and Brian makes even things less interesting to me very interesting. I was a child in those years but I always loved the look of streamliners even if it was drag racing which held my biggest interest.
During WW2 high altitude airplane crews used pure oxygen for breathing until fuselage pressurization became a thing at the end. Likely it was his aircraft background which drove Bob to do the same for his car, probably considering smoke and fumes instead of fire being the problem. Being a gas welder, Bob had to be aware of the dangers which makes it hard to understand why he did that when normal pressurized air would have been good enough.
Great context and observations here. Your perspective is one i didn’t consider. Thanks for sharing this.
One of the things I like about you Brian you study and give us the facts and truth
Always interested and educational. Keep up the good work!!!
Nice work Brian as always!!!
Appreciate you taking the time to watch!
Great story, thanks!
Yesterday I was thinking about a doc on land speed cars, they're so beautiful and unique but don't know about the powertrains and voila, Thank you!
Looks like the Mercedes W125 Rekordwagen that went 271mph on autobahn
Yes it does!!!!
How different the world was then. Great stuff my friend. Like button energized.
Thanks for that!!
Thank you sir!!
Brian you do damn good work son.
Great video as always!
I could picture your content in a nice hardcover book or graphic novel.
It would be cool, but dang that sounds like a lot of work!
Very interesting, I loosely followed this at the time. Never had a hankering to follow suit, death was too great a possibility made poignant by Bob Herda’s final run.
Thanks for this story, I love your voice.
Thank you for watching and enjoying the video, Don!
Thanks Brian, great story on an lconic car.
I'd love to hear a history on Diesel Power Challenge. It was my magazine days introduction to high power street diesels, Brian Lohns, and the editors at Diesel Power Mag. And with the magnificent announcing, I 1st heard tell of the Millers shop in the cornfields of Ohio! What a story to tell!