The car above was used by Charlie Hogan to terrorize the streets in
Tampa and St. Pete in the mid-fifties and recently the car was restored by Charlie's
son and Don Garlits at Garlits restoration facilities on the museum grounds.
Powered by an unusual Lincoln V-12 engine. This was the fastest car in the area
until Don Garlits came along and put Florida on the speed map.
Many of the old time racers from the early years were there and the lies were
flying fast and furious. I saw many people there that I hadn't seen in 35 years,
since the days of the Golden Triangle
dragstrip in Oldsmar. Don Garlits was interviewing Ed Pantley and talking
about how the starting systems have changed from the days that had a hand flagger
and how he would intimidate the flagger. I was that flagger!
Many great memories .....
Don Garlits has an absolutely fantastic museum complex and home here in Ocala,
Florida and he opened up the facilities to his old time friends and foes for
this 4th of July1996 Racers Reunion. We were able to tour the museum facilities
and we will give you some teasers views. If you travel down interstate 75 in
Florida, do yourself a favor and come see this fabulous drag racing museum and
you will be amazed at what Don has assembled for your pleasure.
In the first portion of the museum is almost all of the cars that Don raced
in his career. Starting with the Swamp
Rats. Many other famous dragsters are there such as the Mooneyes cars, the Speed
Sport Special, the Bean Bandit,
Jocko's Porting Service Special and
too many others to mention, but you can spend many delightful hours looking
at cars, dragsters, engines and auto related items from the early days.
A new building, dedicated to the parents of Don and Pat Garlits, contains many
fine examples of restored automobiles. Most people don't realize that Don is
a fine automotive restorer and the quality of his work is apparent at the museum.
Inducted into the Don Garlits
Museum was the "Israeli Rocket" owned by the Paul Shapiro, which was
one of the original rear engined dragsters. In beautiful condition the car was
an interesting set-up and original in concept. Garlits has really amassed a
treasure of the important drag machines for display in his museum. It is amazing
that so many of these machines survived, and it is a pleasure to stroll through
the museum and see all the famous cars on display.
Don was quite busy, but my wife Nancy and I had a chance to spend some time
with Pat Garlits, and we were both impressed with how nice and gracious she
is and how welcome she made us feel. Everything that you have ever read about
Don and his accomplishments, Pat was there beside him every step of the way.
I remember that the last time I saw Pat, she was driving the push truck to start
Don on the strip at the Golden Triangle dragstrip. Now she is a grandma, and
still doing it all with class and dignity.
Thanks to Don and Pat Garlits for a wonderful day and a chance to relive some
fine memories with the people that made them happen!
