Garlits not just raced his cars but built them tube by tube and engine piece by engine piece. Tuned them, too. And all done in a part of the country (Florida) that didn't have the advantages of working and developing cars in the more active West Coast racing scene. For that I consider him to be the greatest drag racer of all time. There will never be pro drag racer who has pioneered so much and done everything in regard to building, driving and campaigning a car.
I feel the same way my man! To me he is a bigger than life legend. He was hands on and a fearless pioneer. I met Big in the pits as a little tike at New England dragway back in the late sixtys and I'll never forget him and how gracious and cool he was to me , my sister and dad.❤
@@Crosley3251 He was tough like the Intimidator I think! He took this sport very seriously and if you worked for him don't screw anything up or else! I have an old tape of diamond p sports and during one of his races, he was ready to launch and a drive line came loose , not a happy man! 😖
I had the great fortune of meeting Mr. Garlits back in the 80's. I was honored. He was very nice and just a normal guy when we spoke. And he gave me an autograph, which is one of my most prized possessions today. Thank you Mr. Garlits for the many, many years of excitement you brought into my life. You are truly the King of Drag Racing.
When I was a kid, he gave me a used slick at the Gator Nationals in 1987. Hank Endres randomly gave me one in Columbus the year before so the next spring as a naive young boy, I just asked him if he had a used one that I can have. So they cut the sidewall and gave it to me. Im not sure where those slicks are now, but Im pretty sure that my mom got rid of them when I moved out and I left them in their garage. I wish I still had them.
I was in the pits at Tucson and Phoenix most races early to mid 80's.. My boss had a rear engine gas dragster, it ran good. A Econo Dragster was the class. I met all the big name racers in the 80's. Don and Shirley were both really class acts.. The Snake and the Mongoose both classy legends, but Big Daddy ruled.
Deep down inside the young Don Garlits fire was burning, 60 + years of being on the cutting edge. Thrilling fans all around the world, giving a minute here and minute there. Signing an autograph, taking a picture, what a legacy. This may not be the original car. BUT it’s sure as heck the original Swap Rat Mr. Garlits. Seeing the smile says it all😊 It’s good to be the King 👍
This is the original from the late 60's. It was found and completely restored and is now kept at the Garlits Museum. It was also the first to hit 240 MPH.
Do you you really want a 91 year old person racing that thing. Honestly it would probably kill him from lack of reflexes, mental clarity, etc. That seamed like it was enough activity for him.@@thecollectoronthecorner7061
@@Shopsmith10er Well thank you . I didn't know that . All I remember was Dons flywheel explosion that broke his car in half and took part of his foot . He later came out with a tear engine car and the rest is history . Thanks for the heads up .
@Shopsmith10er Oh yeah, you are correct. But Garlits was the first one who perfected it, and the first one that won with it. Which is why you never hear of what's his name.....
Don always said few other guys built rear engine cars. He was first to get it down track straight. Honest man right there. Gives credit where credit is due💪✌️👌👏
@@Shopsmith10er Thanks for the info . I saw on TV and I knew how slingshots were built . Your feet around the bell housing and the seat slightly behind the diff. I was worried about Don . If I remember right he lost some toes.
I went there with my sister. She was a drag racing devotee. I had been in radio and did commercials for local drag strip now closed. The swamp rat would come to Tri-City Dragway. I did a couple of the spots for him. He had a grin from ear to ear. He then proceeded to give my sister and I a good four hour tour talking about each car and races. He was a gruff nasty old dude when at the strip. He was just focused then.
It never goes away no matter how old you are, I got into cars and drag racing when I was around 10 now at 60 when I get in my Shelby GT500 and fire her up I still feel the same excitement I felt the first time I raced, feeling all that power in your hands, feeling the vibration as your hand grips the shifter and then the excitement as you release the clutch and feel yourself being pulled back into your seat, I'll keep on doing it till I can't drive no more.
I get the same feeling when I take my '68 Camaro for a drive. As soon as I get outside the city limits, I'll wind her up a bit and bang some gears. Long gone are the days I would dump the clutch and see how long of a set of black marks she'd leave. My reflexes aren't what they used to be, so my burnouts are shorter and in first gear only now. If she gets squirrely, I lift.
@@kennydemartini2169 yes I understand what you mean, awhile back my son and I replaced the entire front suspension on my 08 Shelby, we replaced the k-member and radiator support with all tubular parts, it took 100+ lbs off the front and took us the whole weekend to do the job, on one test drive I left a little and immediately felt it sway towards the curb, maybe in my younger years I would've kept going and straightened her out but this time I just let off the gas , right now I'm teaching my son how to drive manual transmission so he can drive my car someday.
@@hermanguzman1460 I remember those days of riding it out until the car went straight again. I also remember the time I dumped the clutch and the car got sideways. I grabbed second gear and the car went around on me. It jumped the curb sideways, knocked the rear tire off the wheel and popped the clutch linkage off from the body flex. I was left sitting in a yard facing the street with a flat tire and no clutch pedal. I started the car in second gear and limped it to my shop. I'm too old for that stuff now... I'll be signing the car over to my son on his thirtieth birthday. Hopefully he'll have a little more sense than I did.
@@kennydemartini2169 my son just turned 18 so I'm planning on turning over the car once he passes his driving test and gets his license but only I the condition he learns how to handle the car, I have 2 mustangs shelbys a 08 and a 09 one for each son, I have other cars they can practice on until they learn how to drive better, I started driving at 15 and by the time I was in high school I already had my first car and was drag racing in the streets, when I think back now I can't imagine how I would've been if I was able to have the same cars I have today, sometimes I get enough satisfaction just sitting in my garage and enjoying a beer while listening to music and looking at both cars parked there, all the memories and wild rides I had when I was young all come back, still there's always that time when I need to climb in and start them up.
Big Daddy Getting a little long in the tooth, but probably still got more going on in his head then people half his age. Old school know how learned in the school of hard knocks. Always willing to say hi and shake hands with the fans.
I was lucky enough to see Don and many others at the Winter Nationals in Fremont Ca in1973 and it was one of the high points in my life. The Mongoose, the Snake, Jungle Jim and many more.
a real life hero, I met Don and his dear wife at their Ocala Museum many, many years ago, such an unassuming gentleman, still so enthusiastic about the sport. At the time he was planning to build his electric dragster and aiming for the first 200mph electric run. Big Daddy - truly Drag Racings Golden era, so pleased to follow it and live through it - I salute you Don
Loved Em at Speedway Edmonton! Never forget you! Thanks! Got the picture you strong start , too much traction, went into the grass! Got back on it and Won! Miss you!
My Dad drove Pro Stock & Funny Cars in the early to late 1960s before he went to Vietnam. I got to sit in BIG DADDY's Lap and do a burnout nothing like it in the world it was one of the #1 highlights of my life. I would stand behind the Christmas tree in a fireman's jacket and helmet with face shield and watch them go down the track and having rubber from the tires hitting me so much fun BIGLOVE to Don Garlits he is the BIG DADDY of the drag strip. I still have all the shirts and hats he autograft for me he is the greatest of all times.
Big Daddy looking good at 91 !.....first guy to go 200 back in 1964! Tried to be the first to go 200 in an electric dragster and came up a little short and a little late. He learned the hard way it was safer to put the engine behind you instead of in front of you in those 'slingshot' dragsters.
Hello Don' It's Pete in UK. Thank you sir, that was magnificent. I had the immense pleasure and privilege of meeting you in 1964, at the 1st International Drag Festival. I think it was this car I saw you with too. My mother had not long died but you and your fine competitors gave me compassion and encouragement that kept me alive. I genuinely believe that. God bless you.
Don was one of my heroes when I was a kid. Later I raced for 10 years in the mid 80's to 90's Super Comp out of div. 5 in Denver. So at National Events I had occasion to speak with him a number of times. What a wonderful Christian man. One time asked him why every year he had a different group of young guys on his team. Unlike the big guys who had full blown tractor trailers and pro crews and chiefs. Don showed up towing his Chaparral trailer. He replied "I want to give these kids a chance to do something great and I don't like breaking bad habits". Well done Don. God Bless.
Im 66, and I remember building the Swamp Rat model as a kid, Big Daddy was the absolute bomb for so many years. Sitting in the car with that engine blowing flames way too close for comfort, its just how they did it.
@@gordbaker896 Yeah, thanks for the clarification. My point is- you can hear the whine of the blower since the engine itself isn't nearly as deafening as a newer 426-based fuel engine.
@@SolamenteVees First of all a blower and supercharger are one in the same, and it's not a "newer" 426 because this is not a G1 392. This is a G3 392, AKA newer than a 426
This man had me mesmerized as a kid in the 80's along with Kenny Bernstein, Don Prudhomme , John Force, Joe Amato and Dale Armstrong and also Buddy Ingersol with his turbo Buicks. Cant forget Don's Aero dragster and the controversy at the time. Shirley Muldowney, Warren Johnson, Bob Glidden..........ALL LEGENDS!
Passed by thunder valley at midnight one night, saw the lights on. Pulled in and lord behold Big Daddy Garlits doing burn outs in Swamp Rat. Was a tuner night i suppose, wasn't but 50 people , and Big Daddy smoking tires in the night.
Got to meet Garlits and his crew at Bonneville, UT in the mid/late 70's. They were the most incredible people. We actually helped out in their pit. Best moments ever. Your the king "Big Daddy"!!
Oh man, that sure takes me back! Those were amazing days on the ol' 1/4 mile, for me, OCIR. I remember seeing Don, Dave Beebe and the rest. I loved the old open face helmets and fireproof masks with the round breathers they wore, just phenomenal times. Willy's were everywhere, the Little Red Wagon, the Backup Pickup, yeah, I'm pretty old!
GO BIG DADDY GO, I first saw you @ Detroit Drag Way, when I was 12 years old , Back in the 60's, I am glad that you are still around and in a Race Car, Cousin Figel
The best that ever was, ever will be, is wanting to take that beast down the quarter mile. Look! Sitting behind those slicks and a “Time Bomb!” With a small cage!
This is one of drag racing greats, and a great Floridian that we all are proud how he has represented our state. He will always be known as the greatest builder and record breaking racer ever! God Bless you Don Garlets, Swamp Rat!
A teenager from the 60’s am I. Don Garlits was my hero. Never missed a Hot Rod magazine. Went straight to any article on Don Garlits! Thank you Mr Garlits for all the enjoyment you gave me 🙏🏻
Back late 70's Big Daddy shows up at U.S.Nationals driving a Dodge pickup with a camper on top pulling a small homemade trailer in a sea of tractor trailers rigs, his crew was Art Malone and his wife, went out and won whole thing. Thanks for the memories Big Daddy.
God bless Don Garlits and Chrysler. Garlits was first to supercharge and nitro the hemi, which is still the foundation of today’s top fuelers. “Ground breaking” is so understated. Formulas change, but the building blocks remain. Met him first at Lyons, along with Bill ‘Maverick’ Golden. Been fevered ever since.
When I was a kid he lived in our neighborhood in Newark California and every time we would hear him fire up the dragster in the garage all the kids would come running 🤩🫨🤯🤫😂
Thank God I was alive to meet this legend. I was very very young back in the late sixtys when I was at New England dragway with my Dad and Sister. We went into the pits and met Big Daddy working feverishly on his dragster with his crew before the next round of eliminations. My sister got close to Bigs car and he said to her, hop in if you like! She bashfully declined but he was awesome offering that and I'll never forget the thrill of hearing his car pop and thunder the ground. Big Daddy is so friggin awesome and it's hard to believe this guy is like ninety now. Crazy how time flys .
Thanks for the very excellent show Big I always enjoyed watching and chatting with you. I even saw you when you visited Bonneville Salt Flats when I was with Al Teague and his wife and team. We chatted I was with STAGE V ENGINEERING at the time around 1990 and before. God bless.
We visited his museum several years ago. It was just past Thanksgiving so they had some Christmas items in the gift shop. We bought some things and were checking out. When I looked up Big Daddy himself was bagging up our stuff. I was in disbelief. I turned to my wife and asked if she knew who this was. He reached across and shook her hand introducing himself. He simply said “Hello Ma’am, I’m Don Garlits”. Always a legend and considering his success and contributions to drag racing, the greatest of all time…ever.
When I was a kid, he gave me a used slick at the Gator Nationals in 1987. Hank Endres randomly gave me one in Columbus the year before, so the next spring as a naive young boy, I just asked him if he had a used one that I can have. He said 'sure' and rolled one out for me. Im pretty sure that my mom got rid of them when I moved out in the 90s and left them in their garage...they take up a lot of space lol. I wish I had appreciated them more, or at least Garlits slick, and kept it.
I went to his museum in Florida quite a few years ago. I Was In Awe. Also there was 2 fresh looking heavy black stripes on the pavement. Gee could it have been "Rubber" ? So very glad I went .
I met Don Garlits at Dragway 42 in Warren, Ohio when I was 14 in 1972 and bought a "Pit Pass" with admission. Stood right next to him, he was ultra friendly with the public, nicest guy you would ever want to meet.
I was only 10 & 11, but my Uncle and I took a cooler and drove four hours to the Indy Nationals in 64 & 65. We slept in the car so we could afford the pit passes. Big Daddy Don Garlits and the Swamp Rat were there both times. So was Grumpy Jenkins, Jungle Jim, The Ram Chargers, Little Red Wagon and Linda Vahn The Golden Girl. What great, tiring and satisfying weekends those were. Now I’m bald and look like him. Haha
A 👍to you too...Sir! Thanx for the "Cacklefest"! 🤠 I'm at least 20 yrs younger & I couldn't climb in & out of that thing, like you're doing at 91 or 92. 😊
Lions Drag Strip Long Beach California!! Yes on the “tears memories and joy “. I can almost smell the Nitro in the warm summer night , the blaring sound of that motor, the yelling crowd… all long gone but a memory remains that sill brings “chill bumps “ . Love it all… something an electric car will never do !!
Don is the kewlest of koolness. what a great sportsman. I was fortunate enough to Don and Shirley Muldowny destroyed the drag strip in Kansas City. Don prudom in his Pepsi challenge. Fun days! 😮😮
Back in the day we all sat on the jersey barriare at the track edge getting drunk and watching races. We brought tents and stayed the whole weekend at Seattle international raceway😊
Meet Mr.Garlits when I was 13 years old in Salt Lake City .with his 1st rear engine dragster. One of my greatest days as a child. Talked to him for about 20 minutes
I watch Don garlits from the 1967 Lions drag strip down in Wilmington we used to drive down from Lancaster that was before they had scatter Shields on the flywheel clutch assembly come up through the floorboard and took his foot off I was there I was 12 years old and now I'm 68
Saw big race several times at Orlando Speed World in the late 70’s and early ‘80s at the old “Turkey Trots”. He was always accessible, always teaching, but most of all, always gracious. He is drag racing’s Babe Ruth.
Yes he had his own shop and farm in Ocala, Marion county, Florida. You can see it driving down or up I-75. Don G. had the dirt tracks in Florida, Daytona and Gator nationals speedway which was popular in the 60's. I knew a guy who went to engineering school in Gainesville and made his tuition money racing a VW in the quarter-mile pit betting back in the 1960's. Real smart guy went on to be a printing sales engineer for technical equipment and did some stuff for Donzi boats to make a custom cologne in the 1980's. There were many home garage/engineering/mechanic folks in Florida.
NEVER thought I'd see him in the seat of one of 'Those' again after the BIG Wreck back in the '60s. After that wreck he built the Very First 'Rear engined' dragster.
Oh man! Love that nitro sound! When I was a little boy in the '60's this is what a rail dragster looked and sounded like. And Don Garlits was the man to beat. But you can see why the drivers position was moved to in front of the engine. If you blew the engine or rear end, it ended up in your lap.
Garlits not just raced his cars but built them tube by tube and engine piece by engine piece. Tuned them, too. And all done in a part of the country (Florida) that didn't have the advantages of working and developing cars in the more active West Coast racing scene. For that I consider him to be the greatest drag racer of all time. There will never be pro drag racer who has pioneered so much and done everything in regard to building, driving and campaigning a car.
😊👍 him and that old truck driver from California will forever be etched in the minds of millions of race fans 😊 !
Absolutely agree!
Check out his museum in Ocala, it’s special.
My dad has a memorial brick at the museum right at the front door. My father partied with don a lot back in the day, rip pop. Don is the real deal.
Don is the Top Fuel G.O.A.T.
A legend among legends! There have been many greats over the years but Big Daddy will always be the greatest!
He was the SOUTHERN THREAT - that put the West Coast boys on NOTICE !!!
LONG LIVE THE KING
Absolutely only one BIG DADDY
A smile. Is what I have on. I can't muster the words for this man. And the inspiration he still is to this day
I feel the same way my man! To me he is a bigger than life legend. He was hands on and a fearless pioneer. I met Big in the pits as a little tike at New England dragway back in the late sixtys and I'll never forget him and how gracious and cool he was to me , my sister and dad.❤
Well said 😀
Almost 92 years old & still enjoying his cars! The man is a legend in his own right!
The greatest of all time! Calmly sitting there, no respirator, no tears, no fears. A fierce competitor, a brilliant car builder and a good man.
Big Daddy was a good man and a bastard as well . Anyone in the drag racing sport will understand . I don't mean bastard in a bad way either.
@@Crosley3251 He was tough like the Intimidator I think! He took this sport very seriously and if you worked for him don't screw anything up or else! I have an old tape of diamond p sports and during one of his races, he was ready to launch and a drive line came loose , not a happy man! 😖
I have great respect for this man !!!!
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I had the great fortune of meeting Mr. Garlits back in the 80's. I was honored. He was very nice and just a normal guy when we spoke. And he gave me an autograph, which is one of my most prized possessions today. Thank you Mr. Garlits for the many, many years of excitement you brought into my life. You are truly the King of Drag Racing.
When I was a kid, he gave me a used slick at the Gator Nationals in 1987. Hank Endres randomly gave me one in Columbus the year before so the next spring as a naive young boy, I just asked him if he had a used one that I can have. So they cut the sidewall and gave it to me.
Im not sure where those slicks are now, but Im pretty sure that my mom got rid of them when I moved out and I left them in their garage. I wish I still had them.
I was in the pits at Tucson and Phoenix most races early to mid 80's.. My boss had a rear engine gas dragster, it ran good. A Econo Dragster was the class. I met all the big name racers in the 80's. Don and Shirley were both really class acts.. The Snake and the Mongoose both classy legends, but Big Daddy ruled.
Deep down inside the young Don Garlits fire was burning, 60 + years of being on the cutting edge. Thrilling fans all around the world, giving a minute here and minute there. Signing an autograph, taking a picture, what a legacy. This may not be the original car. BUT it’s sure as heck the original Swap Rat Mr. Garlits. Seeing the smile says it all😊 It’s good to be the King 👍
Obviously most are unaware of how Don Garlits was trying to make racing about the welfare of the racers. ie AHRA IHRA>
This is the original from the late 60's. It was found and completely restored and is now kept at the Garlits Museum. It was also the first to hit 240 MPH.
Big Daddy looks calm and ready to handle it. Glad to see him enjoying life again, losing his wife has been hard on him.
90+ years old and still climbing in and out of race cars. Never stop moving extends life.
Pit crew forgot his pants 😂
You know Don wanted to hit the burnout box and run a pass!
Idk about that. He almost got killed in these front engine death traps a few times. Those things are scary to even look at
You know he wanted to hit down the track ..
WOODBURN, SIR
If he comes to George Rays he can race it. Wildcat strip not very many rules very laid back.
Do you you really want a 91 year old person racing that thing. Honestly it would probably kill him from lack of reflexes, mental clarity, etc. That seamed like it was enough activity for him.@@thecollectoronthecorner7061
He also built the first rear engine dragster after the clutch explosion that took part of his foot off . Legend .
@@Shopsmith10er Well thank you . I didn't know that . All I remember was Dons flywheel explosion that broke his car in half and took part of his foot . He later came out with a tear engine car and the rest is history . Thanks for the heads up .
@Shopsmith10er Oh yeah, you are correct. But Garlits was the first one who perfected it, and the first one that won with it. Which is why you never hear of what's his name.....
Don always said few other guys built rear engine cars. He was first to get it down track straight. Honest man right there. Gives credit where credit is due💪✌️👌👏
Garlit's front engined Swamp Rat 13 broke in half March 8, 1970 at Lions Drag strip.
@@Shopsmith10er Thanks for the info . I saw on TV and I knew how slingshots were built . Your feet around the bell housing and the seat slightly behind the diff. I was worried about Don . If I remember right he lost some toes.
I'm sure a lot of people wouldn't understand why I would tear up listening to the Hemi idle while see Big Daddy setting in it again. Oh well.
👍🏼 legendary 👍🏼 and 91 years old
Right there with you.
Oh I do man. All the way
Get you some menopause pills, you'll be ok
Chills down my spine
That was cool.. Warms the ticker..
What a nice guy Big Daddy is, too..
Watch those flames... This old engine is running perfect..!
S'mores , anyone?
One of the most important men in racing history. Visit his museum near Ocala Florida it’s fabulous 😊
I live just up the road from the museum
I went there with my sister. She was a drag racing devotee. I had been in radio and did commercials for local drag strip now closed. The swamp rat would come to Tri-City Dragway. I did a couple of the spots for him. He had a grin from ear to ear. He then proceeded to give my sister and I a good four hour tour talking about each car and races. He was a gruff nasty old dude when at the strip. He was just focused then.
It never goes away no matter how old you are, I got into cars and drag racing when I was around 10 now at 60 when I get in my Shelby GT500 and fire her up I still feel the same excitement I felt the first time I raced, feeling all that power in your hands, feeling the vibration as your hand grips the shifter and then the excitement as you release the clutch and feel yourself being pulled back into your seat, I'll keep on doing it till I can't drive no more.
I get the same feeling when I take my '68 Camaro for a drive. As soon as I get outside the city limits, I'll wind her up a bit and bang some gears. Long gone are the days I would dump the clutch and see how long of a set of black marks she'd leave. My reflexes aren't what they used to be, so my burnouts are shorter and in first gear only now. If she gets squirrely, I lift.
@@kennydemartini2169 yes I understand what you mean, awhile back my son and I replaced the entire front suspension on my 08 Shelby, we replaced the k-member and radiator support with all tubular parts, it took 100+ lbs off the front and took us the whole weekend to do the job, on one test drive I left a little and immediately felt it sway towards the curb, maybe in my younger years I would've kept going and straightened her out but this time I just let off the gas , right now I'm teaching my son how to drive manual transmission so he can drive my car someday.
@@hermanguzman1460 I remember those days of riding it out until the car went straight again. I also remember the time I dumped the clutch and the car got sideways. I grabbed second gear and the car went around on me. It jumped the curb sideways, knocked the rear tire off the wheel and popped the clutch linkage off from the body flex. I was left sitting in a yard facing the street with a flat tire and no clutch pedal. I started the car in second gear and limped it to my shop. I'm too old for that stuff now... I'll be signing the car over to my son on his thirtieth birthday. Hopefully he'll have a little more sense than I did.
@@kennydemartini2169 my son just turned 18 so I'm planning on turning over the car once he passes his driving test and gets his license but only I the condition he learns how to handle the car, I have 2 mustangs shelbys a 08 and a 09 one for each son, I have other cars they can practice on until they learn how to drive better, I started driving at 15 and by the time I was in high school I already had my first car and was drag racing in the streets, when I think back now I can't imagine how I would've been if I was able to have the same cars I have today, sometimes I get enough satisfaction just sitting in my garage and enjoying a beer while listening to music and looking at both cars parked there, all the memories and wild rides I had when I was young all come back, still there's always that time when I need to climb in and start them up.
I got that feeling when I had my first go-cart ride when I was a kid. That power in my hands got me. I'm 74yo now, I never for got that feeling.
He's the G.O.A.T.! A car builder, engine builder, fabricator, innovator, driver, owner, and a mentor. Truly a great man, and a legend in his own time!
I am 71 and remember watching Mr. Garlits at Detroit Dragway in 1967. What a glorious time for drag racing and muscle cars.
Big Daddy
Getting a little long in the tooth, but probably still got more going on in his head then people half his age. Old school know how learned in the school of hard knocks.
Always willing to say hi and shake hands with the fans.
I was lucky enough to see Don and many others at the Winter Nationals in Fremont Ca in1973 and it was one of the high points in my life. The Mongoose, the Snake, Jungle Jim and many more.
That was at Beech Bend Raceway Park! One of the coolest tracks around, with covered grandstands on both sides🤙✌️🔥
Bet that really captured the blast when fuel cars made a pass with those covered grandstands😳
a real life hero, I met Don and his dear wife at their Ocala Museum many, many years ago, such an unassuming gentleman, still so enthusiastic about the sport. At the time he was planning to build his electric dragster and aiming for the first 200mph electric run. Big Daddy - truly Drag Racings Golden era, so pleased to follow it and live through it - I salute you Don
When I was driving truck I use 2see museum on us 75 OCALA, FL OF THE HIGHWAY SALUTE BIG DADDY 😊
Loved Em at Speedway Edmonton! Never forget you! Thanks! Got the picture you strong start , too much traction, went into the grass! Got back on it and Won! Miss you!
My Dad drove Pro Stock & Funny Cars in the early to late 1960s before he went to Vietnam. I got to sit in BIG DADDY's Lap and do a burnout nothing like it in the world it was one of the #1 highlights of my life. I would stand behind the Christmas tree in a fireman's jacket and helmet with face shield and watch them go down the track and having rubber from the tires hitting me so much fun BIGLOVE to Don Garlits he is the BIG DADDY of the drag strip. I still have all the shirts and hats he autograft for me he is the greatest of all times.
Big Daddy looking good at 91 !.....first guy to go 200 back in 1964!
Tried to be the first to go 200 in an electric dragster and came up a little short and a little late. He learned the hard way it was safer to put the engine behind you instead of in front of you in those 'slingshot' dragsters.
Hello Don' It's Pete in UK. Thank you sir, that was magnificent. I had the immense pleasure and privilege of meeting you in 1964, at the 1st International Drag Festival. I think it was this car I saw you with too. My mother had not long died but you and your fine competitors gave me compassion and encouragement that kept me alive. I genuinely believe that. God bless you.
Don was one of my heroes when I was a kid. Later I raced for 10 years in the mid 80's to 90's Super Comp out of div. 5 in Denver. So at National Events I had occasion to speak with him a number of times. What a wonderful Christian man. One time asked him why every year he had a different group of young guys on his team. Unlike the big guys who had full blown tractor trailers and pro crews and chiefs. Don showed up towing his Chaparral trailer. He replied "I want to give these kids a chance to do something great and I don't like breaking bad habits". Well done Don. God Bless.
Im 66, and I remember building the Swamp Rat model as a kid, Big Daddy was the absolute bomb for so many years.
Sitting in the car with that engine blowing flames way too close for comfort, its just how they did it.
I'm 57 and I built one to
65 here, me to, loved building those 60’s and early 70’s drag racing Revell models, great fond memories indeed…the good ol days when life was fun!
Back in 1959 you could buy a blueprinted and balanced stroker kit from the Don Garlits Speed Shop. It turned a 283 block into a 352 cube engine.
❤ The nicest family you ever have the pleasure to meet. From a Big fan 😎😎😀 GOD bless 🙏🙏🙏 you And your family
Thats the most BEAUTIFUL sound in the world, with the Worlds GREATEST Top Fuel driver behind the wheel!
I love this setup.. you can actually hear the supercharger just like on the "old" 392 Hemi.
It's a Blower.
@@gordbaker896 Yeah, thanks for the clarification. My point is- you can hear the whine of the blower since the engine itself isn't nearly as deafening as a newer 426-based fuel engine.
@@gordbaker896 Terminology🤣I wonder why he's only firing 8 sparkplugs with 16 plug heads??
Usually the both fire at the same time in each cylinder.@@rrwr4035
@@SolamenteVees First of all a blower and supercharger are one in the same, and it's not a "newer" 426 because this is not a G1 392. This is a G3 392, AKA newer than a 426
This man had me mesmerized as a kid in the 80's along with Kenny Bernstein, Don Prudhomme , John Force, Joe Amato and Dale Armstrong and also Buddy Ingersol with his turbo Buicks. Cant forget Don's Aero dragster and the controversy at the time. Shirley Muldowney, Warren Johnson, Bob Glidden..........ALL LEGENDS!
Lion’s drag strip, Long Beach, CA!
91 yrs.old.
BIG DADDY.
Yep That is so cool.
Fastest 91yr young man out there!
@@davidblankenship2720 92
Passed by thunder valley at midnight one night, saw the lights on.
Pulled in and lord behold Big Daddy Garlits doing burn outs in Swamp Rat.
Was a tuner night i suppose, wasn't but 50 people , and Big Daddy smoking tires in the night.
Got to meet Garlits and his crew at Bonneville, UT in the mid/late 70's. They were the most incredible people. We actually helped out in their pit. Best moments ever. Your the king "Big Daddy"!!
Oh man, that sure takes me back! Those were amazing days on the ol' 1/4 mile, for me, OCIR. I remember seeing Don, Dave Beebe and the rest. I loved the old open face helmets and fireproof masks with the round breathers they wore, just phenomenal times. Willy's were everywhere, the Little Red Wagon, the Backup Pickup, yeah, I'm pretty old!
indisputable legend
All that was missing was the silver fire proof gas mask. LOL
GO BIG DADDY GO, I first saw you @ Detroit Drag Way, when I was 12 years old , Back in the 60's, I am glad that you are still around and in a Race Car, Cousin Figel
The Man The Myth The Legend!! My Child Hood!! Rock on Big Daddy Don! Thank You! Sounded Perfect!
The best that ever was, ever will be, is wanting to take that beast down the quarter mile. Look! Sitting behind those slicks and a “Time Bomb!” With a small cage!
This is one of drag racing greats, and a great Floridian that we all are proud how he has represented our state. He will always be known as the greatest builder and record breaking racer ever! God Bless you Don Garlets, Swamp Rat!
Dude was a teenager during WW2 ... and a fountain of youth ever since.
Greatest of the greats
This man was legend when I was 10 years old, 70 now, and he's still showing his stuff. good run Don
The Man The Myth The Legend
I saw Don run the swamp rat in Atco NJ when I was 16.......turned me into a Motor Head.....75 now......he was a formidable racer.
This man is a true pioneer in Drag racing.designed the first rear engine dragster . Big daddy Don Garlets.
What a Legend!!! I’m 46 now but remember going to The Southern Nationals and seeing Big Daddy!!!! Always been a Fan and always will be.
A teenager from the 60’s am I. Don Garlits was my hero. Never missed a Hot Rod magazine. Went straight to any article on Don Garlits! Thank you Mr Garlits for all the enjoyment you gave me 🙏🏻
Back late 70's Big Daddy shows up at U.S.Nationals driving a Dodge pickup with a camper on top pulling a small homemade trailer in a sea of tractor trailers rigs, his crew was Art Malone and his wife, went out and won whole thing. Thanks for the memories Big Daddy.
God bless Don Garlits and Chrysler.
Garlits was first to supercharge and nitro the hemi, which is still the foundation of today’s top fuelers.
“Ground breaking” is so understated. Formulas change, but the building blocks remain.
Met him first at Lyons, along with Bill ‘Maverick’ Golden.
Been fevered ever since.
When I was a kid he lived in our neighborhood in Newark California and every time we would hear him fire up the dragster in the garage all the kids would come running 🤩🫨🤯🤫😂
Oh man...I near welled up in the eyes....then the fires dried em up! WOW...What a MAN!
I have many fond memories of watching this man at Detroit Dragway on Sunday’s. Always loved watching the Swamp Rat tearing up the strip.
One of the greatest ever! I was lucky enough to meet him a few years ago and he was just like talking to one of your best friends! Great Man!!!!!
👍🤠 Saw him race in Irwindale (before it was a brewery) wanna say mid to late 70’s. Had firery burnout in the garage.
That's so awesome
Are used to watch him race at the fremont drag strip
Love the way his cars engine sounds and shoots fire out the pipes
First drag race I ever went to 1963, Connecticut Dragway. Big Daddy was doing exhibition runs, saw Swamp Rat 1 go 187 in the 1/4; forever hooked…
Saw Big Daddy a couple of times at Blaney Drag Strip in the early to mid 70s..
Elgin, SC near Columbia..
Wonderful time.. those years.
Thank God I was alive to meet this legend. I was very very young back in the late sixtys when I was at New England dragway with my Dad and Sister. We went into the pits and met Big Daddy working feverishly on his dragster with his crew before the next round of eliminations. My sister got close to Bigs car and he said to her, hop in if you like! She bashfully declined but he was awesome offering that and I'll never forget the thrill of hearing his car pop and thunder the ground. Big Daddy is so friggin awesome and it's hard to believe this guy is like ninety now. Crazy how time flys .
Thanks for the very excellent show Big I always enjoyed watching and chatting with you. I even saw you when you visited Bonneville Salt Flats when I was with Al Teague and his wife and team. We chatted I was with STAGE V ENGINEERING at the time around 1990 and before. God bless.
Got that look in his eyes. Watch this. Great 👍. Big Daddy
We visited his museum several years ago. It was just past Thanksgiving so they had some Christmas items in the gift shop. We bought some things and were checking out. When I looked up Big Daddy himself was bagging up our stuff. I was in disbelief. I turned to my wife and asked if she knew who this was. He reached across and shook her hand introducing himself. He simply said “Hello Ma’am, I’m Don Garlits”. Always a legend and considering his success and contributions to drag racing, the greatest of all time…ever.
Big daddy is the GOAT hands down 🤠🤠🤠
That brings back the memories ! Thanks Don !!! 👍
Could have givin us at least one old fashion burn out ! Geeesh don !😂❤
When I was a kid, he gave me a used slick at the Gator Nationals in 1987. Hank Endres randomly gave me one in Columbus the year before, so the next spring as a naive young boy, I just asked him if he had a used one that I can have. He said 'sure' and rolled one out for me.
Im pretty sure that my mom got rid of them when I moved out in the 90s and left them in their garage...they take up a lot of space lol. I wish I had appreciated them more, or at least Garlits slick, and kept it.
I went to his museum in Florida quite a few years ago. I Was In Awe. Also there was 2 fresh looking heavy black stripes on the pavement. Gee could it have been "Rubber" ? So very glad I went .
i used to get hot rod magazine as a kid back in the 60's and this guy was always in them. the legend is still around.
The days of Don Garlit,Gene Snow and others 🇺🇸🗽🇺🇸👍
Thanks for sharing Good Stuff folks!!
The Vermonter
I met Don Garlits at Dragway 42 in Warren, Ohio when I was 14 in 1972 and bought a "Pit Pass" with admission. Stood right next to him, he was ultra friendly with the public, nicest guy you would ever want to meet.
I was only 10 & 11, but my Uncle and I took a cooler and drove four hours to the Indy Nationals in 64 & 65. We slept in the car so we could afford the pit passes. Big Daddy Don Garlits and the Swamp Rat were there both times. So was Grumpy Jenkins, Jungle Jim, The Ram Chargers, Little Red Wagon and Linda Vahn The Golden Girl. What great, tiring and satisfying weekends those were. Now I’m bald and look like him. Haha
A 👍to you too...Sir! Thanx for the "Cacklefest"! 🤠 I'm at least 20 yrs younger & I couldn't climb in & out of that thing, like you're doing at 91 or 92. 😊
Garlits sure seems to be in his happy spot in the cockpit of a top fuel dragster. Great video.
BIG is the GOAT.... Been to Ocala multiple times. Awesome place . If y'all ever get a chance to see the museum... GO , !!!
Lions Drag Strip Long Beach California!! Yes on the “tears memories and joy “. I can almost smell the Nitro in the warm summer night , the blaring sound of that motor, the yelling crowd… all long gone but a memory remains that sill brings “chill bumps “ . Love it all… something an electric car will never do !!
Big daddy was the legend among legends. A true pioneer in top fuel racing.
Don is the kewlest of koolness. what a great sportsman. I was fortunate enough to Don and Shirley Muldowny destroyed the drag strip in Kansas City. Don prudom in his Pepsi challenge. Fun days! 😮😮
Back in the day we all sat on the jersey barriare at the track edge getting drunk and watching races. We brought tents and stayed the whole weekend at Seattle international raceway😊
Meet Mr.Garlits when I was 13 years old in Salt Lake City .with his 1st rear engine dragster. One of my greatest days as a child. Talked to him for about 20 minutes
I met Don and Kenny Bernstein both at the 1984 Winternationals. I wouldn't trade those memories for anything.
I watch Don garlits from the 1967 Lions drag strip down in Wilmington we used to drive down from Lancaster that was before they had scatter Shields on the flywheel clutch assembly come up through the floorboard and took his foot off I was there I was 12 years old and now I'm 68
Going to visit his museum in late Oct or early Nov. The GOAT
Visit his museum in FL He even had a Hemi lawn mower! I remember seeing him "SUNDAY Detroit Dragway, BE THERE" Swamp Rat VI I think.
Met Don at his museum in Florida last year! He was so nice! What a legend!
Don, you were one of my heroes growing up around cars. So was Tommy Ivo, Don Prudhomme, Shirley Mulldowny 👍👍🇺🇸🇺🇸
I remember watching in Tulsa as he did an almost full pass wheel stand that was almost a record pass. Way back in the 80’s.
Saw big race several times at Orlando Speed World in the late 70’s and early ‘80s at the old “Turkey Trots”. He was always accessible, always teaching, but most of all, always gracious. He is drag racing’s Babe Ruth.
Yes he had his own shop and farm in Ocala, Marion county, Florida. You can see it driving down or up I-75.
Don G. had the dirt tracks in Florida, Daytona and Gator nationals speedway which was popular in the 60's.
I knew a guy who went to engineering school in Gainesville and made his tuition money racing a VW in the quarter-mile pit betting back in the 1960's.
Real smart guy went on to be a printing sales engineer for technical equipment and did some stuff for Donzi boats to make a custom cologne in the 1980's.
There were many home garage/engineering/mechanic folks in Florida.
I saw Garlits Race Don Prudome in the earlier 70's at Codova Drag Strip, Il. winning speed was 252 Mph 😅
NEVER thought I'd see him in the seat of one of 'Those' again after the BIG Wreck back in the '60s. After that wreck he built the Very First 'Rear engined' dragster.
When Big Daddy took the Hemi from his old tow car, and put it on a rail, history was made.
Big Daddy, 392 hammer head HEMI. IN a sling shot. Absolutely amazing
I got to meet and watch him race when I was a kid at Beeline Dragway in AZ. That started my love for drag racing.
A legend
I was very lucky to meet Big Daddy Don Garlits way back in 1977, it was by chance, at Englishtown Dragway.
To me Big Daddy is drag racing! Thanks for all the great Sunday races.
Oh man! Love that nitro sound! When I was a little boy in the '60's this is what a rail dragster looked and sounded like. And Don Garlits was the man to beat. But you can see why the drivers position was moved to in front of the engine. If you blew the engine or rear end, it ended up in your lap.