11 replies to this topic

[Tmeranda]

Any idea when he first started to race this 4 engine dragster?

[TooTall]

First mention I find is July 23, 1961 at San Fernando Drag Strip. I used to drive by his shop all the time in the '60s and '70s.

Cheers,
Kurt O.

[buckaluck]

It never raced it only was allowed to do exhibition runs solo. Mid to late 60's.

Buck

[helioseism]

The Showboat, as it was known, was never raced, as NHRA thought it was too dangerous. Built in 1961, it performed only exhibition runs.

Link

[buckaluck]

It never raced it only was allowed to do exhibition runs solo. Mid to late 60's.

Buck

It looks like the first car was in the early 60's but he built one called the wagon master in the mid 60's.
Here is a good link with lots of pictures back in the day.

http://speedhunters....seum-gt-gt.aspx

[helioseism]

Here's a neat picture of Ivo and Prudhomme pushing the car.

Link

edit to add I see that this picture is also in the great article Mike has linked to.

Edited by helioseism, 20 November 2011 - 18:01.

[arttidesco]

It looks like the first car was in the early 60's but he built one called the wagon master in the mid 60's.
Here is a good link with lots of pictures back in the day.

http://speedhunters....seum-gt-gt.aspx

Showboat was turned into Wagonmaster when it was owned by Tom McCourry in 1965.

In 2005 rather than trash Wagonmaster TV Tommy Ivo convinced owners of the America’s Car Collection Museum being planned in Winnemucca, Nevada, who own Wagonmaster, to build a replica of Showboat so that visitors can see both vehicles for the first time side by side in all their splendour.

[Big Jim]

I actually sat in that car when I was about 11 or 12 years old. I was visiting my big sister in Cincinnati, Ohio. Tommy and his four engined dragster were on exhibition at a local Buick dealer. Yeah, I know..big deal. But, at the time it was a big deal for me.

[arttidesco]

I actually sat in that car when I was about 11 or 12 years old. I was visiting my big sister in Cincinnati, Ohio. Tommy and his four engined dragster were on exhibition at a local Buick dealer. Yeah, I know..big deal. But, at the time it was a big deal for me.

Sounds like a great new thread cars I have sat in

If I'd sat in Wagonmaster aged 12 I probably would not have slept for a week either

[E1pix]

Sounds like a great new thread cars I have sat in

If I'd sat in Wagonmaster aged 12 I probably would not have slept for a week either

Cool thread and links, Guys!

Artti, I think that is a great thread idea! Anything that has everyone recollecting our best memories is always awesome... and sometimes in short supply.

[Tmeranda]

I actually sat in that car when I was about 11 or 12 years old. I was visiting my big sister in Cincinnati, Ohio. Tommy and his four engined dragster were on exhibition at a local Buick dealer. Yeah, I know..big deal. But, at the time it was a big deal for me.

Saw the car at the same dealership in Cincinnati. Small world isn't it.

[Cynic2]

Saw the car at the same dealership in Cincinnati. Small world isn't it.

And to make it just slightly smaller, I worked (briefly) for a Buick dealer in Cincinnati in 1961 or so. As I recall it was on Gilbert Avenue -- was that the same dealership?