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MarineCombatEngineer

(15,922 posts)
Sat Sep 6, 2025, 12:15 AM Sep 6

In keeping with my refusal to engage in politics,

who here are old enough to remember Wild Bill Shrewsbury, the famous 1/4 mile wheel stander?

20 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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In keeping with my refusal to engage in politics, (Original Post) MarineCombatEngineer Sep 6 OP
Before my time, i'm afraid n/t gay texan Sep 6 #1
In the late '60's and early '70's, there were several 1/4 wheel standers at NHRA sponsored events, MarineCombatEngineer Sep 6 #2
I remember both of those Oeditpus Rex Sep 6 #4
There were several wheel standers at the time, MarineCombatEngineer Sep 6 #7
Oh, I was thinking 'Hemi Under Glass' Oeditpus Rex Sep 6 #9
In the mid-60s, my friend from 2 doors over was Bob Riggle's nephew... GReedDiamond Sep 7 #16
Fond memories for us gearheads,... Wuddles440 Sep 6 #3
I'm old enough, all right, soldierant Sep 6 #5
Yep. OldBaldy1701E Sep 6 #6
Yes, Funny Cars and Top Fuel were my passion back in the day, MarineCombatEngineer Sep 6 #8
I am not aware of any around here. OldBaldy1701E Sep 7 #17
And don't forget 'The Mongoose' Oeditpus Rex Sep 6 #10
Tom, "The Mongoose" McEwen!!! MarineCombatEngineer Sep 6 #11
Yeah, I think that Steve guy Oeditpus Rex Sep 6 #12
It is soooo nice being able to talk to fellow gearheads here on DU without the politics. MarineCombatEngineer Sep 6 #13
Good for your choice. But as a non-whatever-gearhead-is, I'm without your valuable UTUSN Sep 6 #14
I feel your frustrations, MarineCombatEngineer Sep 6 #15
'Gearhead': Oeditpus Rex Sep 7 #20
I remember that. OldBaldy1701E Sep 7 #19
I did not forget. OldBaldy1701E Sep 7 #18

MarineCombatEngineer

(15,922 posts)
2. In the late '60's and early '70's, there were several 1/4 wheel standers at NHRA sponsored events,
Sat Sep 6, 2025, 12:36 AM
Sep 6

like the Little Red Wagon:


and several others.
It was a thrill to watch these dragsters go down the 1/4 mile on their back wheels true and straight.

Oeditpus Rex

(42,716 posts)
4. I remember both of those
Sat Sep 6, 2025, 12:47 PM
Sep 6

The cool thing with Hemi Under Glass was, "Which way is it going?"

Loved that cab-forward style of pickup, too. Besides the Dodge, Ford had the Econoline, Chevy the Corvair pickup with the deep bed, and of course Volkswagen had one. Were there any others?

MarineCombatEngineer

(15,922 posts)
7. There were several wheel standers at the time,
Sat Sep 6, 2025, 06:45 PM
Sep 6

here's a video of Bob Riggle's last run with Hemi Under Glass:

GReedDiamond

(5,478 posts)
16. In the mid-60s, my friend from 2 doors over was Bob Riggle's nephew...
Sun Sep 7, 2025, 01:24 AM
Sep 7

...my friend's dad was Bob's brother.

I lived in a town about 60 miles directly south of Chicago.

Whenever The Hemi Under Glass was making an appearance at US 30 drag strip, he'd come to our town and park the rig carrying the car in their driveway.

Next day, I'd ride with my friend, his dad and Bob to the drag strip, and we'd hang out in the pits with Bob and the crew.

One time the car performed at the Great Lakes Naval Air Station, and we also saw the Blue Angels put on their show. Pretty cool when you're 10 or 11 years old!

Side note: Bob Riggle was the first "celebrity" I ever met. Since then, I have worked for many celebrities (starting with Madonna) from music, movies and tv shows, but that's another discussion.

Wuddles440

(1,832 posts)
3. Fond memories for us gearheads,...
Sat Sep 6, 2025, 09:11 AM
Sep 6

and personally two of my favorites in the Little Red Wagon and Hemi Under Glass. Thanks for posting!

soldierant

(8,938 posts)
5. I'm old enough, all right,
Sat Sep 6, 2025, 05:43 PM
Sep 6

but in the late sixties and early seventies that was not anything I was paying attention to, so no, I do't remember.

MarineCombatEngineer

(15,922 posts)
8. Yes, Funny Cars and Top Fuel were my passion back in the day,
Sat Sep 6, 2025, 06:50 PM
Sep 6

I still love drag racing, but don't attend NHRA events much anymore, just too damn busy.

Oeditpus Rex

(42,716 posts)
10. And don't forget 'The Mongoose'
Sat Sep 6, 2025, 09:03 PM
Sep 6

Tom Mc Ewen.

Wonder how many times they punched off in the finals of an event.

MarineCombatEngineer

(15,922 posts)
11. Tom, "The Mongoose" McEwen!!!
Sat Sep 6, 2025, 10:35 PM
Sep 6

And lest we forget, the First Lady of Drag Racing,
Shirley, Cha Cha, Muldowney.
When she split with Connie Kalitta, she abhorred the title of Cha Cha.



Oeditpus Rex

(42,716 posts)
12. Yeah, I think that Steve guy
Sat Sep 6, 2025, 10:56 PM
Sep 6

who announced every NHRA and AHRA event for like 50 years (or, so it seemed) hung that on her. And then sponsors hashad her posing for ads and posters in pink hot pants and the like.

MarineCombatEngineer

(15,922 posts)
13. It is soooo nice being able to talk to fellow gearheads here on DU without the politics.
Sat Sep 6, 2025, 11:04 PM
Sep 6

It makes for a nice change of pace.

UTUSN

(75,638 posts)
14. Good for your choice. But as a non-whatever-gearhead-is, I'm without your valuable
Sat Sep 6, 2025, 11:28 PM
Sep 6

reactions in politics. But no second-guessing pressure here.




MarineCombatEngineer

(15,922 posts)
15. I feel your frustrations,
Sat Sep 6, 2025, 11:32 PM
Sep 6

but I've just grown tired of the discord in politics today and, at my age, I don't need the aggravation in my life, I just celebrated my 78th birthday yesterday and am satisfied with my choice for threads on DU............for now.
Peace out
Dan.

Oeditpus Rex

(42,716 posts)
20. 'Gearhead':
Sun Sep 7, 2025, 05:43 PM
Sep 7

An automotive enthusiast who's into high performance and works on their own cars, not just to repair them but doing stuff that increases horsepower and speed.

OldBaldy1701E

(9,036 posts)
19. I remember that.
Sun Sep 7, 2025, 09:40 AM
Sep 7

She did not like being called 'Cha-Cha' and I seem to recall one time where she let someone have it verbally because he was trying to get her an autograph but he kept yelling at her, "Hey Cha-Cha!"

I remember my mother making us wear ear protection and making my dad promise not to let us go down near the 'pits'.

We didn't and he did. LOL.

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