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This page features shots of some
of the cars that were at ground zero of what became the funny
car phenomenon of the late 60's. Some were very cool, some very
crude, all innovative and all pre 1969. Some are already on WDIFL
but not in this quality.
This may be stretching it but
Bill Thomas's altered wheel base "Retribution II" 1965
Nova with Dick Harrell driving was a clear sign of things to
come.
On the cutting edge of what would
later be tagged "funny cars" was Jack Chrisman seen
here testing a new chassis at Irwindale in 1966.
Another ground zero car was Don
Kirby's Corvette Auto Parts BB/A in 1965. Kirby on the left watches
as Pat Foster gets strapped in. It was Foster's first "door
car" ride.
"When Scrima and I had Exhibition
Engineering in the mid to late sixties, Don Kirby and I became
good friends because he painted some of our clients stuff. Don
had the Corvette Auto Parts coupe that I think his brother Bud
drove some. Don contracted John Garrison to build a stroked 427
BB Chev. engine for that car. The car was horrid, short, high,
rectangular tube frame, straight front axle, much like the 'Gassers'
of the day. I loved Garrison and agreed to drive it when they
got the new engine in it. It was a genuine 'Kill yer' self kit'
as Olin would say! I made about five attempts to get her down
through there with very scary results. I told Kirby, no more,
that's it." Pat Foster
Dick Harrell really hit
the big time in this super clean 1966 Chevy II.
Maynard Rupp in the Detroit based
"Chevoom" rear engine Malibu SS at Pomona in 1966.
Just one of the many odd aka funny cars during the classes genesis.
Joining "Chevoom" in
the odd department was the Plymouth Dealers mid-engine 1966 Barracuda
driven by Tom McEwen. It had become the "Flying Fish"
soon after the in 1965 when it took flight on the top end of
Lions and rolled nearly another 1/4 mile.
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