Ladies Man

Don Prudhomme explaining the intricacies of his trophy winning fuel dragster to a trio of shapely bombshells who have absolutely no interest in drag racing.

Surfside Pre-Fab

What better way to make the scene at your ultramodern beach pad than in a 1959 Oldsmobile 98 Convertible ?

Drag Bunny

Mini skirt, go go boots and a tough
1968 Cobra Jet.

The total performance package.

Just What The Doctor Ordered

Professional dance instructor Gaspar Ronda began drag racing after his doctor suggested he take up a hobby. Gas, as he was known at the strip, successfully raced an assortment of Ford's finest throughout the 1960's, culminating with these nitro burning funny cars.

Perhaps not exactly the remedy the doctor had in mind ?

Not For Highway Use

The Ford Motor Company issued the following piece of corporate claptrap, just in case prospective owners were unsure whether the 1965 A/FX Mustang was suitable to take their elderly parents to church on Sunday.

“A 1965 Mustang automobile to be used in drag strip events sold to the individual for the sum of one dollar… It is further understood that said 1965 Mustang automobile will be used for drag strip racing only, and shall not be used as a passenger car on public highways. Accordingly we make no warranty whatsoever either express or implied, including any warranty of fitness or merchantability in connection of the sale of this vehicle to you.”

Hawaiian Shirts And Hemis

Rat Trap is another quarter mile monster that ticks all the right boxes.
Aloha.

No Future

I have discovered the secret as to why modern automobiles are so insipid. The answer lies in this photograph of the 1958 Ford La Galaxie. Nobody was interested in the future.
John Citizen was far too busy inspecting Ford's Skyliner. As fascinating as a retractable hardtop may have been, I know exactly where my attention would have been focused.

Super Duper Super Stock

I love the fact that in the 1970's a Super Stock champion could also double as a character from an episode of Scooby Doo.

Pit Stop #1

Some hot rods are right on the money.
This happens to be one of them.

Artistry In Aluminium

There was a time in the not so distant past, before drag racing was contaminated by the vapid corporate dollar, that aesthetics were every bit as important as speed. Top Fuel dragsters from the mid 1960's, their handformed aluminium skins uninterrupted by monotonous advertising propaganda, were as beautiful a creation that ever burned up the quarter mile.

Jewel Of The Orient

If the devil rode a motorcycle it would undoubtedly have been the Honda RC 166. This Oriental masterpiece annihilated the competition to win 10 out of 10 races in its first season in 1966 and clinch the world title for Honda. The almost miniature size of the motorcycle, with its 250cc 6 cylinder motor, belied its top speed of over 150 mph. At 18,000 rpm the ear splitting howl emitted from its six megaphone exhausts was enough to terrify small children and send senior citizens into cardiac arrest.

Perhaps Honda should have named it the
RC 666.

Look Into My Eyes

Relax.
Look into my eyes.
You are feeling sleepy. Very sleepy.
You are feeling powerless.
You are now under my control.
When I snap my fingers you will buy a 1966 Ford Fairlane.

Bizarre Dragsters

A selection of weird dragsters from the mid sixties. How did this madness occur with such conventional hairstyles ?

The Wild Ride

Pure Hell.
Was there ever a more
appropriately named machine ?
Chaos reigned supreme whenever Pure Hell hit the dragstrip with its frenzied, tyre smoking quarter mile runs into the fires of damnation.

They just don't make 'em like they used to.

Less Is More

Here is an outstanding exercise in restraint. It is entirely possible for a hot rod to evoke a menacing presence without the addition of superstitious imagery and unnecessary frippery. Devoid of superfluous lowbrow ornamentation, this vehicle displays an absolute understanding of the hot rod aesthetic.
Stunning.

El Sargento Furia

The world needs more Mexican comics.

Standard Equipment

In 1959, fins not seatbelts, were standard equipment on American automobiles.

Brucia Pista

"Kids ! Finally your papa agrees. Sputafuoco is an irresistible toy."

"Spitfire, the giant Hot Wheels, the fastest and most perfect in the world."

For more highly entertaining translations from the world of Italian Hot Wheels visit:
http://www.grantoros.com/

Frankie The Frogman

I couldn't resist this great advertisement from Popular Mechanics. Will the scuba club ever resurface ?

Chicks Dig Dodges

Miss Deora.

Men In White

White was once the preferred colour for competitors at the dragstrip.

Jack Chrisman, devoid of interminable embroidered hype, cuts a dashing pose with his 1964 Mercury Comet.

Rockabilly - The Naked Truth

" ..... where talent doesn't count as much as a good press and a C-note under the table. The acetate arena where a long-playing bum can sing gibberish and coin a fortune."

Top Secret

WARNING !!!
After reading the official manual forget everything that you have just read.

Simian Of The Stratosphere

"This is Mission Control.
Prepare for lift off."

Wagons Ho !

How did the once flamboyant station wagon decompose into the nebulous people movers that litter today's highways ? Sit back and enjoy a selection of fine images, courtesy of those clever folks at Mercury, from a time before style was eradicated completely.