TopFuel@Lions
Nitro Member
- Joined
- May 9, 2019
- Messages
- 643
- Age
- 66
Here are my top 5 early Funny Cars and why, caution, this is not a re-post, lol. In no order.
Doug Thorley's "Doug's Headers" Corvair of 1967. This Gary Slusser tuned beast had some kind of year. The car looked great with it's tinted dark windows and a very unique paint scheme. Had such a great stance and looked fast. The car stunned many in the summer of 67 at the west coast tracks, some thought his times in the summer at Lions were bogus, they were not, Pappy got ticked at the popcorn clock accusations and from what I recall Pappy helped Thorley go to Indy and win over a stellar field, whipping cam dude Joe Lunati in the final. Then Doug had a awesome fall and early winter in So Cal with great performances including the first and very intense Manufacturers race. Got to sit in the car at Lions.
Pete Seaton's "Seatons Shaker" Corvair. This Michigan car was a crowd pleaser as it put on a "real" show when in town. The car also had just a bitchen paint job that was perfect for the era, fast looking. The car ran hard no doubt due to the driving of Terry Hedrick. The car came alive after Del Heinert departed the seat and they added a supercharger. (not a blower people) Hedrick was such a animal with the car and how Pete did not cringe or could afford Hedrick's animal driving was something. The huge wheelie he did at Lions and Irwindale and the great performance at O.C.I.R. during the Manufacturers race, winning all 3 of his rounds. great car with those blue tinted windows.
Jack Christman and that sweet candy apple red looking Kendall GT-1 Comet. Another car that was serious every time Jack suited up in that very silver fire suit with very white night time flames coming out of those "weedburner" headers. Went to Indy in 67 and stunned the S/XS field with that 7.67 that was best of the year up to that point. That car was gorgeous, fast, well prepared, and very feared thru out the nation.
Al Vanderwoude's very cool "Flying Dutchman" Dodge Dart. Another car of that time period with a fabulous paint scheme. That car maybe was the burn out king of smoke in late 66 and all of 67. Al would get that Hemi fired up, pull up about 15 feet of so from the line and from a stand still, just bury the throttle with smoke consuming the drivers compartment and even billowing out the front wheel wells. One night at a 8-car match race at Beeline it was warm and still out, the smoke never dissipated from the car before the run. Car had a cool rake to it, lot's of flames and put on a good show for the fans.
Norm Krause and the "Mr. Norms" Dodge Charger of 1967. Easily one of the top 5 performers of all in 67. This Gary Dyer driven beast was a serious threat whenever it was unloaded off the ramp truck. The car would E.T. and MPH with any car in the country. Fall performances in California up and down the state confirmed this car was a player. This Charger was not a "boat" like the 66 versions of this brand. Another car that so impressed at the 1st Manufacturers meet. The car would do great smoky burnouts and left the line so strong.
TopFuel@Lions
The anti-reposter,lol
Doug Thorley's "Doug's Headers" Corvair of 1967. This Gary Slusser tuned beast had some kind of year. The car looked great with it's tinted dark windows and a very unique paint scheme. Had such a great stance and looked fast. The car stunned many in the summer of 67 at the west coast tracks, some thought his times in the summer at Lions were bogus, they were not, Pappy got ticked at the popcorn clock accusations and from what I recall Pappy helped Thorley go to Indy and win over a stellar field, whipping cam dude Joe Lunati in the final. Then Doug had a awesome fall and early winter in So Cal with great performances including the first and very intense Manufacturers race. Got to sit in the car at Lions.
Pete Seaton's "Seatons Shaker" Corvair. This Michigan car was a crowd pleaser as it put on a "real" show when in town. The car also had just a bitchen paint job that was perfect for the era, fast looking. The car ran hard no doubt due to the driving of Terry Hedrick. The car came alive after Del Heinert departed the seat and they added a supercharger. (not a blower people) Hedrick was such a animal with the car and how Pete did not cringe or could afford Hedrick's animal driving was something. The huge wheelie he did at Lions and Irwindale and the great performance at O.C.I.R. during the Manufacturers race, winning all 3 of his rounds. great car with those blue tinted windows.
Jack Christman and that sweet candy apple red looking Kendall GT-1 Comet. Another car that was serious every time Jack suited up in that very silver fire suit with very white night time flames coming out of those "weedburner" headers. Went to Indy in 67 and stunned the S/XS field with that 7.67 that was best of the year up to that point. That car was gorgeous, fast, well prepared, and very feared thru out the nation.
Al Vanderwoude's very cool "Flying Dutchman" Dodge Dart. Another car of that time period with a fabulous paint scheme. That car maybe was the burn out king of smoke in late 66 and all of 67. Al would get that Hemi fired up, pull up about 15 feet of so from the line and from a stand still, just bury the throttle with smoke consuming the drivers compartment and even billowing out the front wheel wells. One night at a 8-car match race at Beeline it was warm and still out, the smoke never dissipated from the car before the run. Car had a cool rake to it, lot's of flames and put on a good show for the fans.
Norm Krause and the "Mr. Norms" Dodge Charger of 1967. Easily one of the top 5 performers of all in 67. This Gary Dyer driven beast was a serious threat whenever it was unloaded off the ramp truck. The car would E.T. and MPH with any car in the country. Fall performances in California up and down the state confirmed this car was a player. This Charger was not a "boat" like the 66 versions of this brand. Another car that so impressed at the 1st Manufacturers meet. The car would do great smoky burnouts and left the line so strong.
TopFuel@Lions
The anti-reposter,lol
