1968 Dodge Charger R/T | Scott Crawford
1968 Dodge Charger R/T - Fastest Car in the Valley?
"Fastest car in the valley", that was the rumor. ;-)
I took the Charger to the car wash yesterday. Some guy in a new pickup pulls up and asks me "want to race?" So I'm like, well, probably not up a mountain or in the dirt. He smiles and says, remember me, I used to drive a 1971 Chevelle SS, yellow, black stripes 454 - 4 speed. It comes back to me in an instant.
This is the same guy in high school that used to challenge me to a race nearly every time he'd put a new part on his Chevelle. Off we'd go to Highway 27, just outside of town, stage up, and the first one to the 45 mph sign was the winner. His Chevelle was screaming fast, as were most of the cars that I raced on that highway. But I always had the one thing they didn't. Traction.
I'd hook up on the launch and my opponents would go up in smoke deep into first gear, which would give me about a car length. I was always able to hold them off past that crazy sign. Never lost once. Undoubtedly got lucky occasionally, but a win is a win.
Most Saturday nights you'd eventually find us at the local Sambo's restaurant, drinking 25¢ coffee and recounting the nights misadventures. That's when a challenger to the throne would come in and say "hey!, I hear you're the one to beat around here". We'd all jump in our cars, head to the highway, and settle the score. It was surreal in the best possible way.
During our quick visit, "Mr. Chevelle" even shared he was just talking to someone a few weeks ago about how he and I used to race all the time.
His always co-pilot Jim, used to tell me how he'd "shined the rear bumper up real nice, so I can see my reflection as they blow my doors off". Just get in the car Jim. ;-)
Too much fun!
It was great seeing Jerry and meeting his grandson. Don't think I've seen him in 25 years.
1968 Dodge Charger R/T - Fastest Car in the Valley?
"Fastest car in the valley", that was the rumor. ;-)
I took the Charger to the car wash yesterday. Some guy in a new pickup pulls up and asks me "want to race?" So I'm like, well, probably not up a mountain or in the dirt. He smiles and says, remember me, I used to drive a 1971 Chevelle SS, yellow, black stripes 454 - 4 speed. It comes back to me in an instant.
This is the same guy in high school that used to challenge me to a race nearly every time he'd put a new part on his Chevelle. Off we'd go to Highway 27, just outside of town, stage up, and the first one to the 45 mph sign was the winner. His Chevelle was screaming fast, as were most of the cars that I raced on that highway. But I always had the one thing they didn't. Traction.
I'd hook up on the launch and my opponents would go up in smoke deep into first gear, which would give me about a car length. I was always able to hold them off past that crazy sign. Never lost once. Undoubtedly got lucky occasionally, but a win is a win.
Most Saturday nights you'd eventually find us at the local Sambo's restaurant, drinking 25¢ coffee and recounting the nights misadventures. That's when a challenger to the throne would come in and say "hey!, I hear you're the one to beat around here". We'd all jump in our cars, head to the highway, and settle the score. It was surreal in the best possible way.
During our quick visit, "Mr. Chevelle" even shared he was just talking to someone a few weeks ago about how he and I used to race all the time.
His always co-pilot Jim, used to tell me how he'd "shined the rear bumper up real nice, so I can see my reflection as they blow my doors off". Just get in the car Jim. ;-)
Too much fun!
It was great seeing Jerry and meeting his grandson. Don't think I've seen him in 25 years.