This is a childhood dream of mine. Growing up in the late 70’s watching drag racing on tv, I loved to see Shirley Muldowney race and win! Then the movie heart like a wheel came out, I saw it and I knew I wanted to build and have a front engine dragster! A few years ago, I attended an estate sale where there was a basket case front engine dragster that was period correct for my recreation on Shirley’s first dragster. I watched the movie numerous times, studied photos to get the correct parts and look, and did everything that I could do to make this “right”. The engine is an alcohol-burning 406 small block Chevy with correct Hilborn injection and a Mallory mini mag magneto. It also has a Powerglide transmission, Olds rear end with 4.56 gears, correct M&H Racemaster slicks, and 17 inch spoke front wheels with Avon Speedmaster tires. The decals on the body panels were figured out from photographs, measuring with other components on the car to get correct size.
While gathering parts I attended the US Nationals NHRA event in Indianapolis. Shirley was there signing autographs and I had to talk to her. I finally made it through the line and got to meet her. Of course, I was nervous, but I asked her if we could talk about something. She agreed, and I showed her pics of what I got at the estate sale and told her I’d like to build a replica of her first car. She looked at the photos and started to tell me about that car. She said her first car was built in her garage by her then husband Jack with a gas torch and brazing rods. She didn't know what happened to that chassis, but she said what I had was a very close resemblance to what hers was. She did say that she thought it was a neat idea, “do it, I’d like to see it” is the response I got. I was floored! Immediately I get home and started in.
Then, I got news that the local dragstrip was having their 65th anniversary and lo and behold, Shirley Muldowney was the Grand Marshall of the show! This was my chance, I had to get this car done to be at this show! I had 1 month… The chrome was still out, injection was still out, and the engine wasn’t even together. So, many late nights were spent working on this, getting the correct decals made, correct colors chosen, and spending a lot of time standing at the polisher. However, I got it done a couple days before the show. My dad came over so we could fire the engine and set everything correctly. We got the car fully functional and ready for the dragstrip. The cage was updated to pass inspection and it has a certified period correct parachute and seatbelt. I took the car to the show at the dragstrip with Shirley not knowing anything about it at all.
The promoter of the show knew about it and had it all arranged. Shirley got to the show and saw the car, then she looked at me and I told her, “I hope I did you proud.” She looked the car over, front to back. I got a lot of compliments from her, and we talked about the car and the history behind it. I spent quite a bit of time with her that day, which made building this so worth it. Later on in the year there was another car show that I attend ever year in Rochester Indiana. Lo and behold, Stacey David is the grand marshal! I had to be there with the dragster. I’ve watched so many episodes of Gearz and always liked what he did. Plus, I thought he liked the cool and unusual stuff. I won first place in the race car class, and he signed my trophy!
