GMP 1:18 Scale Diecast Dragster Series

"TV Tommy" Ivo

Motorsports Hall of Famer, TV Tommy Ivo built his most famous car. The four Buick engine powered dragster “Showboat”, in 1961. It was the next progression in the evolution of multi engine cars that Ivo gained fame for innovating. After NHRA banned the use of nitro methane as a racing fuel to gasoline only in 1957 to 1963, Ivo went from a single Buick engine dragster, to two Buick's in one dragster. Immediately this car broke all the existing records. Logic dictated that the power to weight ration would become even better, if the engines were once again doubled to four. But just prior to the first race on the car, NHRA feared that if four engines became a trend, the guardrails couldn't contain a car in a crash. Therefore, no more than two engines were allowed to run in competition, making the Showboat an exhibition car only. But Ivo's troubles weren't over yet. While filming a series called “Margie” in 1961/62, the studio banned him from driving. Don Prudhomme, Ivo's buddy who had cut his teeth in drag racing, accompanying Tommy as his crew on the 1960 nation wide tour, was hired to take over the driving chores, which was his first professional driving job. By the time the series was over, the nitro ban had been lifted and Ivo moved on in his 36 car career, to the blown fuel dragsters ranks.

Tommy Ivo played a major role in drag racing’s formative years. He set the early standard for showmanship in the straight-line sport with his glass-enclosed transporter and multiple-engine dragsters. A fierce and skilled competitor, Ivo focused his career not on sanctioned series, but upon the mainstay of the era – one-on-one challenges with the sports biggest names. He went on to become one of the most popular and successful match racers in history. For these accomplishments and more Ivo will be inducted into the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America in August of 2005.

Along with being featured at the 1961 US Nationals, the Ivo "4" was one of the stars in "Bikini Beach".

Ivo and Prudhomme in 1962

Clear Plastic Display Cases for the 1320INC and GMP diecast cars.
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