Following the article posted last Thursday (15th June) describing the British Drag Racing Hall of Fame Grand Auction and Sale of Drag Racing and Hot Rod memorabilia taking place at the BDRHoF’s pitside marquee over Dragstalgia weekend, 5th-7th July. We present all the Lot descriptions below.
How does the auction work?
See an item at the BDRHoF’s pitside marquee that takes your fancy, then write your bid on the bid sheet for the item at any time and raise it as often as you want if you find someone else outbidding you. The Auction runs on Friday from 2pm to 5pm and on Saturday from 10am, closing at 5pm when successful bidders will be notified by text. Winners can pay for and collect their items up to 6pm that day or on Sunday till 4pm.
There will be No Auction on Sunday but the Sale of memorabilia will continue on all three days. Credit card payments are accepted for Auction and Sale purchases.
As well as the Grand Auction and Sale of Drag Racing and Hot Rod memorabilia, there will be a unique display of Competitor Protection Gear harking back to the earliest days of British Drag Racing.
Lot 1 – Lippencote for President hat signed by Bob ‘Floyd’ Muravez
To hide his career from his father, one of the greatest drag racers of all time and friend of the BDRHoF Bob Muravez, assumed the name of Floyd Lippencott Jr as he drove the Top Gas double engine Freight Train dragster to some classic wins – but no way he could he outrun the truth. Now in a fictious world Floyd’s up for President and you too could join the presidential race with this signed ‘Lippencote for President’ cap. Bob Muravez will be at Dragstalgia
Lot 2 – Freight Train T Shirt (Large) Signed by Bob ‘Floyd Lippencote’ Muravez
Throughout its racing career the 60s dual engine Freight Train Top Gas Dragster was the number 1-rated slingshot in the nation. In the annals of drag racing history, few cars evoke those same nostalgic feelings the legendary train of John Peters and Nye Frank had created. Now with this limited-edition T-shirt you could own a piece of signed drag racing history signed by the man Floyd.
Lot 3 – Hot Wheels Lee Johnson Volvo P1800 Gasser
Winner of the 2021 Hot Wheels ™ Legends Tour, Lee Johnstone and his family had restored this 1969 Volvo P1800 complete with its supercharged big block Chevy 454 V8 engine immortalised in this 1:64th scale diecast replica model. A must for any Hot Wheels collector.
Lot 4 – Hot Wheels Ramchargers ’65 Dodge Coronet AFX
The Hot Wheels ’65 Dodge Coronet was first released in the 2009 Dragstrip Demons series. One of the most popular AFX racers was the Ramchargers and its distinctive drag racing livery which back in the day appeared of Top Fuellers and Funny Cars of the 60s and 70s. Scaled down to 1:64th scale this replica comes with its unopened blister pack and special art worked backing card. This is 1 in a series of 5 from the rereleased Demons Drag Strip series.
Lot 5 – Brand New 1970s Commuter Dragster Poster (125cm x 47cm)
This poster of BDRHoF member Tony Densham at the wheel of Santa Pod Raceway’s iconic ‘The Commuter’ dragster was first released in the very early 70s by PACE International. Poster is one of two in the series (the other being Bill Weichelt’s Asmodeus/Dos Palmas dragster) which back in the day could be bought at any high street card shop or from Santa Pod’s Dick’s Place. The poster hasn’t been mounted or framed in any shape or form and looks it the same condition as it did when first purchased for just 70p!
Lot 6 – Limited edition framed Al’s Gasser print signed by Al O’Connor
This limited-edition lithograph print of Al’s Gasser was released in the mid-90s by artist D.L. Robbins. There were no airbrush techniques involved. Just straight forward pen and ink. Framed and signed by the artist and BDRHoF member Al O’Connor the print itself (no.67/500) measures 23cm x 33cm and is worthy of a place on any drag racing fans wall!
Lot 7 – Framed original Showtime Funny Car pencil print signed by artist Tony Parsons and John Spuffard
Produced in the early 90s by artist Tony Parsons features John Spuffard’s Showtime Pontiac Trans Am Funny Car. Print was originally made available from the Drag Racing Nuts guys at Santa Pod. Signed by Tony and ‘Spuff – The Magic Drag Man’ himself. This is 1 of 200 prints produced.
Lot 8 – Framed Poster of Turner Racing’s NetCall Telecom Top Alcohol Dragster
Based on a photo of multiple European Top Methanol champion Rob Turner captured racing in America by commentator and former Top Fuel racer Darryl Bradford the poster was commission by Turner Racing and sponsors NetCall Telecom in the late nineties. Size is A2 and framed.
Lot 9 – Framed limited edition print – Showtime Funny Car ‘Night Launch’
Captured at the 1998 European Finals by former Eurodragster.com editor Andy ‘Tog’ Rogers this stunning A2 size print of ‘Wild Bill’ Sherratt’s Night Launch at the wheel of the ‘Showtime’ Dodge Avenger Funny Car in full flaming anger! If you look hard enough you can see the whites of Bill’s eyes. A great conversation piece for your wall!
Lot 10 – Framed Showtime Funny Car print
John Spuffard became a prolific Funny Car racer behind the wheel of this mid nineties ‘Showtime’ Pontiac Trans Am, one of the most successful and feared Funny cars contesting the British championship. Although the photograph is of unknown origin it would still look cool on your wall!
Lot 11 – Framed Castrol RAC National Drag Racing Championship programme
This is one of many programmes produced in 1973 by the National Drag Racing Club in association with championship sponsors Castrol featuring black and white artwork of BDHoF member Clive Skilton’s Revolution 2 dragster against Castrol’s familiar red and green. Meets were held at Wroughton, Fulbeck, Silverstone, Long Marston and Blackbushe. These, and many other programmes are very collectible items.
Lot 12 – Framed 1964 1st International Drag Festival programme
Iconic to this year’s celebrations is this framed copy of the 1st Drag Festival programme. This 32 page programme covered all 6 events which started and ended at Blackbushe. The cover features the slingshot rail of ‘Stellings & Hampshire (Red Stamp Car) AA/FD of Larry Stellings, a dragster made famous in the movie ‘Bikini Beach’ burning out in the foreground of this picture taken at the famous Lions Drag Strip in California. A super item to grace any mancave wall.
Lot 13 – Tales from the Drag Strip with Don Garlits book
Tales from the Drag Stripwith ‘Big Daddy’ is a personal account of the many memorable experiences encountered by BDRHoF member Don Garlits who has lived through in his half-century of nitro fuelled excitement. Written with motorsports commentator Bill Stephens with a forward by Top Fuel rival and friend Shirley ‘Cha Cha’ Muldowney, Big Daddy recounts many humorous and touching moments in America’s quickest and fastest motorsports in this 208-page paperback book.
Lot 14 – Lucas Oil T-Shirt, Can Cooler & Lanyard
Look cool this year in this latest Lucas Oil T-Shirt while drinking your favourite beverage from a Lucas Oil Can Cooler while displaying your track pass on a Lucas Oil Lanyard. Everyone’s doing it…!
Lot 15 – Racing Through Life by Carl Olson book
Written by one of the most respected ambassadors from international drag racing this autobiography follows Carl Olson through his introduction to the intense post World War II Southern California hot rodding and drag racing culture, as he chases his dreams of being a race car driver. Fascinated by extreme horsepower and speed, he began his quest by doing menial chores for local race teams, eventually emerging as a champion Top Fuel racer and team owner which eventually led him to a career in motorsport management and motorsport safety. Written for his grandchildren during the Covid 19 pandemic, this 668 page soft back edition will keep you absorbed for hours. BDRHoF member Carl Olson has also signed this edition.
Lot 16 – Mooneyes 2023 Bonneville Save The Salt T-Shirt
We’ve got your back courtesy of Mooneyes Speed Equipment & Custom Accessories. Here’s your chance to grab yourself the official Mooneyes 2023 Bonneville T-shirt produced for the 75th anniversary Speedweek. Printed on a large 100% cotton T with their bold and iconic Mooneyes logo on the front and black ‘Save The Salt’ text printed on the left sleeve. Go with MOON.
Lot 17 – Ida Zetterstrom/Rune Fjeld Motorsport Crew Shirt
Look cool at this year’s European Finals in this official Ida Zetterstrom Drag Racing/Rune Fjeld Motorsport crew shirt featuring all the team’s official sponsorship partner logos printed in white on a large black with red highlights shirt.
Lot 18 – Moon Lamp
Courtesy of Mooneyes Speed Equipment & Custom Accessories you could have in your own home a limited-edition lamp hand spun from aluminium and assembled in California at their Santa Fe Springs headquarters. A great item for any drag racers or hot rodders mancave!
Lot 19 – Framed Roger Gorringe print of Sammy Miller’s Vanishing Point Funny Car
Captured by BDRHoF member Roger Gorringe this stunning black & white full action trackside print was taken by Roger in the late 70s at Santa Pod from one of Sammy’s many visits to the UK. Sammy, the greatest rocket exponent ever on four wheels, has also signed the print making this a unique item for your living room wall or mancave!
Lot 20 – Nitro Knights Mad Dog Drag Racing poster
Ideal for framing this 36” x 24” poster by legendary artist Kenny Youngblood captures the mid-sixties way of life; fire belching slingshot, girls and drive-ins. Dedicated to racer Frank Hawley this bold and beautiful poster would look ace on your wall knowing that ‘Blood Did It’.
Lot 21 – Wild & Wooly Willys poster
This large format black & white poster commissioned by longtime drag racing photographers Bob McClurg and Jeff Alhadeff features some of the sport’s most iconic and celebrated Willys Gassers ever to grace a drag strip. All the big names are there; KS Pitman, Stone Woods & Cook, Ohio George Montgomery, Big John Mazmanian and more feature. Ideal for framing and we’re sure a much sought after item for any Willys fans mancave!
Lot 22 – GM Evolution of Horsepower poster
This stunning and highly detailed poster was first made available at the 2006 SEMA Show and is extremely RARE and hard to find. Featuring a variety of notable milestone vehicles and engines from GM divisions Chevrolet, Cadillac, Buick, Oldsmobile, and Pontiac from 1949 thru 2007. The right side of the poster highlights 2007 models and is a chronological sequence of engines with their horsepower and torque ratings along the bottom of the poster measuring 24″ x 36″.
Lot 23 – Set of 3 Historic British Drag Racing Cassette tapes
Re-issued in the mid-seventies by Taylor Startup Internationals Quartermile Machine ‘Dragfest’ was first produced as a stereo LP by Stanley Schofield Productions and is their account of the 1st British International Drag Festival of 1964 with scripted and voice over commentary by BDRHoF member Gerry Belton. Hear sounds of the American and British dragsters and classic motorcycles. The second tape in the Quartermile Machine collection comes from the 1975 Supernationals featuring many legendary stars and machines from Santa Pod. The third cassette features the rocket attempts of Sammy Miller’s Vanishing Point at the 1979 Internationals and with Texan Funny Car legends Gene Snow and Ray Beadle taking on the best in European Funny Car. Voice over on these two tapes provided by former Santa Pod commentator Brian Taylor.
Lot 24 – Petersen’s History of Drag Racing book
Taken from the pages of Petersen Publishing titles Hot Rod and Car Craft the History of Drag Racing takes you back to the beginnings of the sport as told by Don Garlits, Wally Parks, Tommy Ivo and other pioneers all interlinked with over 500 wild action photographs in period black & white and colour. All the big names, stars cars and exhibition machines are featured in this 160 page soft bound A4 size book. A great addition to any drag racing fans library.
Lot 25 – Bob McClurg’s Fire Nitro Rubber & Smoke book
Dedicated and autographed to friend and trackside colleague Roger Gorringe author Bob McClurg shares many of his photographic memories from the safe wall of some of the sports well known drag strips. Through extensive photo captions he tells the stories of the cars, the racers, and the events that made drag racing such a great sport. McClurg shares his recollections of top racers along with detailed insights into the incredibly cool machinery captured within 160 pages and over 300 colour and black and white photos.
Lot 26 – Bob McClurg’s Digger, Funnies, Gassers & Altered book
Dedicated and autographed to friend and trackside colleague Roger Gorringe author Bob McClurg looks at the 60’s from its grass roots era to its full-blown professional motorsport. Along the way, it created some of the most exciting racing and race cars ever built. An accomplished magazine writer and photographer, Bob McClurg is best known for his drag racing images of the 60s and 70s. With more than 350 colour and black and white photos, this book is an exciting visual history of the Golden Age of drag racing packed into 204 pages including 248 colour & 128 black and white photos.
Lot 27 – Drag Racing Funny Cars of the 1960s photo archive
In the 1960s funny cars captured the fans with tremendous smoky burnouts and gigantic wheelstands, they were so unpredictable. Photographer Lou Hart has created a photo archive of the finest that has ever graced a drag strip. Many raced for Saturday night bragging rights, but many raced for a living – today they are legends of the sport, several of which have contributed information to this 128 page soft bound book.
Lot 28 – Drag Racing Funny Cars of the 1970s photo archive
See the cars raced by many of the legendary names in drag racing, including Don Prudhomme, Tom McEuen and Jim Dunn. The authors, Lou Hart and Wallace A. Wyss have included action shots, as well as detailed “in the pits” shots. Photographs show various makes and models of cars that have been reconstructed as Funny Cars, plus everything from Stock to Modified Camaros, Mustangs, Javelins, Dodge Chargers, and Firebirds, to oddball exhibition cars. Loads of nostalgia packed into 128 pages of soft bound pleasure.
Lot 29 – Vintage & Historic Drag Racers book
Researched by Robert Genat this soft bound publication features the history making Dragsters, Funny Cars and more of the best vintage drag racers of the late 1950s and 1960s! Genat describes each car’s race history and their well-known drivers and tuners of the era. See Don Garlits’ Swamp Rat 1, and many others. Super Stock drag racing of the 1960s is covered extensively, most notably the radically altered stock bodied vehicles that would forever change the face of drag racing. 96 pages of colour and black & white will keep you quiet for ages.
Lot 30 – Petersen’s Best of Hot Rod book
HOT ROD – the iconic American magazine. The Best of chronicles some of the publications best photographs and articles from the world of hot rodding, drag racing and speed records since the late 1940s. This 190 page soft back also covers the development of the hot rod with a variety of customized and high-performance cars ever conceived on four wheels. A fantastic and rare collector’s edition that could grace any enthusiast bookshelf!
Lot 31 – Drag Racing Handbook
Produced by Santa Pod Raceway in 1970 the Drag Racing Handbook was a 48 page A5 glossy booklet featuring British racer, car and bike profiles, facts and figures, a quick history of the NHRA Nationals and American drag racer and land speed record racer Mickey Thompson with period pictures and adverts. A great addition to any fans collection.
Lot 32 – 1976 Drag Racing Calendar by Adsell
Produced by Adsell this large format calendar featured lots of action shots captured at by Simon Adsell, Tony Freeney, BDRHoF member Lawie Gatehouse and Bob Massey while on location at NDRC on-tour meets and at Santa Pod. Swedish photographer Bo Bertilsson also contributed images taken at Mantorp Park. Featuring 8 double sided full colour pages (one of which features picture descriptions) features 2 to 6 images on one page, was ‘back in the day’ a must for any drag racing fans office wall or workshop.
Lot 33 – 1977 Drag Racing Calendar by Adsell
Produced by Adsell this large format calendar featured lots of action shots captured at by Simon Adsell, Tony Freeney, BDRHoF member Lawie Gatehouse and Bob Massey while on location at NDRC on-tour meets and at Santa Pod. Swedish photographer Bo Bertilsson also contributed images taken at Mantorp Park. Featuring 8 double sided full colour pages (one of which features picture descriptions) features 2 to 6 images on one page, was ‘back in the day’ a must for any drag racing fans office wall or workshop.
Lot 34 – Original Kenny Youngblood Cartoon drawing
Kenny Youngblood is one of America’s prolific automotive artists and graphic designers. Kenny’s love for drag racing also led him to building his own slingshot dragsters as well as racing them in the late sixties. Now he does a lot of personal appearance which is where BDRHoF member Roger Gorringe picked up this one-off cartoon of a Top Fuel Dragster racing across London Bridge to the sound of Big Ben at the 2001 SEMA Show.
Lot 35 – Original Kenny Youngblood Cartoon drawing
Kenny Youngblood is one of America’s prolific automotive artists and graphic designers. Kenny’s love for drag racing also led him to building his own slingshot dragsters as well as racing them in the late sixties. Now he does a lot of personal appearance which is where BDRHoF member Roger Gorringe picked up this one-off cartoon of a wild looking and fire breathin’ Plymouth GTX dedicated to Roger.
Lot 36 – Funny Car Hero Posters ’65-’68, ’68- ’73, ’72- ‘78
Esteemed drag racing photographer and friend of the BDRHoF Bob McClurg produced a series of black & white posters called Funn Car Heroes depicting some of the greatest Funny Cars to ever race down an American drag strip. Names like Ramchargers, Jungle Jim, Blue Max, Tom & Jerry, USA-1 and many more feature covering the years 1965 to 1978 in 3 A2 size posters offered as one lot.
Lot 37 – Paul Whitehouse Painting of Commuter
Although a little bit before his first visit to Santa Pod in 1973 Paul has captured the flowing lines of this iconic late sixties (1968) dragster ‘The Commuter’ driven by BDRHoF member Tony Densham. Against the backdrop of the Pod’s white tower and the infamous Double Diamond advertising board Paul’s painting captures both the moment and the period that made this dragster one of the most photographed race cars back then, and it’s from a picture in Nick Pettitt’s book British Drag Racing The Early Years which inspired Paul to create this unique painting. The painting itself measures 519mm x 380mm (20” x 15”) and is Gouache on art board.
Lot 38 – Two posters signed by Alex Xydias
Triton Poster – This is a recreation poster of a 1950 Autoweek magazine advert issued by Triton Oils in celebration of Alex Xydias and Dean Batchelors record breaking times on the Bonneville Salt Flats for factory-built engines using Triton Oil by 76 Union in the So-Cal boys streamliner.
NASCAR Speed Week poster – Back in the fifties NASCAR sponsored an expo at the Armoury at Daytona Beach. At the show one of the cars on display was the So-Cal boys Special which back then was the fastest car ever built in America timed at 210.986 mph.
Lot 39 – Pure Hell Redline Oils Fuel Altered T-Shirt
Missed out on owning a Pure Hell Racing #1 AA/Fuel Altered T-Shirt! Well now’s your chance with this X-Large 100% cotton T featuring a 5-colour graphic of Rich Guasco’s famous altered Pure Hell along with the teams racing partner Redline Oils.
Lot 40 – Signed TV Tommy Ivo Poster
TV Tommy Ivo, a member of the visiting American Drag Racing Team way back in 1964 for the International Drag Festivals recently celebrated 30 years of drag racing and 19 years as a movie actor with this A2 size poster depicting all of Tommy’s Dragsters, Funny Cars and Jet Cars (36 in total). He was the ultimate drag racing showman.
Lot 41 – Ed Pink – The Old Master autographed book
Ed Pink: The Remarkable Life and Times of Racing’s Most Versatile Engine Builder is packed with motorsport history, pictures and behind the scenes, first-hand accounts of Ed’s seven decades of building high performance racing engines. From drag racing’s golden era to IMSA sports cars to Indy cars, Pink built championship-winning engines for racing’s top teams. Now you can read the whole story in this signed 264 page autobiographical non-technical hardback book.
Lot 42 – Parachute from Fireforce 3 Jet Funny Car
One of the most vital stopping aids to be found on any dragster is the parachute! This one has been attached to and has stopped the fire breathin’ ‘FireForce 3’ Chevy Lumina Jet Funny Car of jet ace Martin Hill from 0-290 mph in the blink of an eye at Santa Pod Raceway. Fully displayed this would make for an interesting conversation piece on any home or mancave wall.
Lot 43 – Original Gary Page Firesuit
Want to own a piece of drag racing history as worn by one of British drag racing prolific racers Gary Page and member of the BDRHoF. Well now here’s your chance. Although outdated and beyond certification Gary’s suit was commissioned by Kendall Oils we believe in the 2000s when he drove for Mark & Jackie Hawkins in British Funny Car Championship. Truly a great piece of drag racing history.
Lot 44 – Hot Wheels Snake & Mongoose ’72 Plymouth Cuda & Duster Funny Car 2-piece set
Since the sports mega deal sponsorship in the early seventies with American toy giant Mattel The Snake & The Mongoose Funny Cars of Don Prudhomme and Tom McEwen are the most sought after Hot Wheels cars since first release in 1971. Manufactured from the original tooling these recreations are recent releases from the 1:64 scale Hot Wheels Premium Car Culture 2022 series with one addition: rear rubber tires. A great item with its backing board artwork and unopened blister pack.
Lot 45 – 32 Ford book by Tony Thacker
In 1931, Henry Ford famously announced that his company would produce an eight-cylinder car, if only because its competitors were building fours and sixes. The result, introduced in 1932, was Ford Motor Company’s first V8-powered car. The Deuce was a design and technological milestone that would become the quintessential hot rod platform. Arriving just in time for the Deuces 75th anniversary, this is the story of that 32 Ford written and signed by BDRHoF Gala announcer Tony Thacker. This spectacular soft back edition, for vintage-car enthusiasts and hot rodders alike, also includes a foreword by Edsel B. Ford II, grandson of the Deuces principal stylist.
Lot 46 – Santa Pod Tribute Poster
First released as a Lancaster flypast over Santa Pod with all the noise, history and the magnificence this classy warbird brings to the masses, Motoring Artist Ian Guy decided to go one step further by adding two purely inspired fictional slingshots to bring even more drama and excitement to what is already a significant rendition of one of the RAF’s iconic and majestic planes piloted by our forefathers protecting our hallowed ground and runways too eventually go racin’. A superb piece of art that will grace any fans wall.
