The Cotton Picker: Mythbusting, History, and the specs on a NASCAR great's freakshow drag car

When NASCAR banned the Hemi in 1965, Chrysler went berserk. They pulled all their factory support from the series and took their most prominent and famous drivers drag racing. Richard Petty hit the strip in a series of Barracudas built at the Petty race shop, but David Pearson? He was on a different program.
Pearson and his car owner/crew chief Cotton Owens were handed a Dodge skunkworks built, 1965 Dart station wagon. The car had an injected 426 Hemi in the back and it was built as the sister car to another freaky drag racing machine of the time.
In this video we tell the story, explore the history, and debunk the myths about the famed Cotton Picker of David Pearson and Cotton Owens. A short but interesting chapter in drag racing history.

[@SteveMagnante]

Hi Brian, great story on the Cotton Picker. I saw a car very much like the Mr. Violent Dart wagon run at Lebanon Valley dragway Mopar Day in 1988 or 1989. It had a one piece 1966 Dart fiberglass flip nose, a carbureted tunnel ram 426 Hemi, huge slicks, a 4-link / Dana 60 rear suspension, a blue and silver paint scheme with body graphics spelling Power Wagon with a dozen modern speed equipment stickers, spindle mount Halibrand front mags and a driver position in the back seat area. The plexiglass windshield was cut for Hilborn ram tubes but served the tunnel ram on this car. It pulled nice, clean 1 foot wheel stands, and my single photo of the car in action shows a 10.6 dial in. Yes, it was being bracket raced. I'll bet the Power Wagon Dart was the Mr. Violent car after subsequent owners. Does anybody have more to offer on the Power Wagon Dart wagon? Once again Brian, you've posted another excellent video. -Steve Magnante

[@brianlohnes3079]

Steve, this is amazing clarification and thank you!! I biffed it hard on the Mr Violent image used here. I THINK my story is right but the car you describe here is SURELY the one and not the one I showed. Doh!

[@jamestone265]

This doesn’t make sense unless the car was converted to a front engine and a complete Valiant rear body was grafted on. The Dodge had completely different tail lights. Is the restored car in the collection a rear engine and no 4 bar?

[@CycolacFan]

Came here to comment that there surely were different cars, thought surely no one would have put all that effort into making its body and rear axle position closer to stock. 🙂

[@SteveMagnante]

Hi Brian, I have a color print of the Power Wagon Dart wagon. I can shoot a digital cell phone camera picture of the color print and email it to you for your consideration. I'm semi clueless with computer stuff like how to get the picture onto your website. On other stuff, I recently discovered a 1961 Impala Super Sport bubble top, 4-speed hulk in the Massachusetts woods. It's a real 1961 Impala Super Sport, of which 456 were built. The original 348 is long gone but the aluminum case T10 4-speed is still under the floor. The original Stewart Warner under dash tachometer is still in place. The car was black with a red interior. To Chevy SS fans, this is a major discovery. I'll be shooting a Junkyard Crawl video on this car soon. Thanks for replying to me. -Steve Magnante

[@brianlohnes3079]

What an epic find!!

[@QuartZ_9]

I know I’ve said this before Brian, but these videos are so amazing to myself as a non American, and these last few have come in such quick succession that it’s like xmas has arrived early 😂 I think anyway, never had xmas as a child growing up so I’m still learning how it works as a 37 year old. Edit: I love the people in these comments, so much love and extra info that just fuels my passion and curiosity, this channel is quickly becoming a safe haven for myself 😅

[@stephenmiller5023]

I was 6 years old in ‘66 and probably saw this car race at various Southern California tracks with my Dad & next door neighbor and his two sons as we went drag racing with them . Jim had a 392 blown Chrysler short wheelbase dragster that we trailered on an open “ T-trailer “ behind a ‘57 Willys wagon with 312 T-bird engine swapped in as I recall . I’m just short of 65 now and my dad is still alive at almost 95 himself & we still marvel at some of the KZbin videos that pop up here from time to time as they are truly time capsules into an Era that probably will never be re-lived . Thanks for sharing this one & I’ll have to share it with him .😎👍

[@CardinalLover-c7f]

My favorite part of you making these videos is I get to watch them! Thank You Brian!

[@kurtfoulke5130]

It just keeps getting better ! Drag racing stories involving some of my favorite NASCAR stars 👍

[@chucksgarage7165]

I’d heard about Petty going drag racing but not Pearson. I always learn something from your videos. Awesome content.

[@shanew.williams]

Love the in depth on Cotton's final win as a driver ! There's nothing wrong with learning/correcting one's work by hearing from those older, or especially someone who "was there". Don't know much about the Drags, my life contacts are mostly from stock cars. On "very" good authority...Cotton indeed built the mill for his namesake wagon. (He routinely would set a new stock car Hemi on the dyno at 7K RPM before leaving the empty shop for lunch & when he returned to to find the motor still going strong (as expected!) it's "ready".

[@Southernstar-RINO]

In the 80’s I remember a rear engine van that came to Australia from the USA. My father took me to see it, it was called the knottsberry farm van. There was also a rear engine Perkins pacer (sorry if I got that wrong it wasn’t a car that was ever sold in Australia) they did wheelies down the strip 1/4 mile and my father told me the driver has control with brake steering on the rear and he was looking thru a hole cut in the floor to see where he was going with the nose in the air. It has magnesium blocks on the wheelie bar so it was throwing sparks too. Have you done a video on this van? That would bring back memories. The knottsberry farm wheelstand van. 🚚🫡

[@extragoogleaccount6061]

might be a dumb question...but the other one wasn't an Amc Pacer, was it? A rear engine drag Amc Pacer would kinda be hilarious. Awesome story btw, thanks for sharing.

[@gordocarbo]

Crazy huh? Men had balls of steel in those days. Imagine some skinny jeaned manbun wearing wimp trying to even turn the steering wheel? haha

[@WilliamRich-gs1lj]

The Berry Wagon sponsered by Knotts Berry Farm in California, driven by Wild Bill Shrewsberry was the wheelstander. It was a yellow and orange1930s Ford Model a Panel truck body. The car he traveled with may have been the wheelstander know as The Hemi Under Glass, as they did a lot of exabition apperences back in the day. Bill later built a 64 Dodge Dart with giant angleed strips called the LA Dart.

[@paul-s3o1y]

The Knotts Berry Farm stagecoach van was legendary back in the 80s and early 90s. I’m in California and it was doing match racing out here all the time. I think they were based in California. They would book a show alongside a couple of nitro cars on a summer weekend holiday

[@Southernstar-RINO]

@@extragoogleaccount6061 that’s it. It was a car brand that never was in Australia. I looked up a picture and that’s it.

[@georgedennison3338]

A lot of the unique & eye catching stories of drag racing in my childhood must have had an influence on me & why I fell in love w/ 57 210 wagon... and still love the oddball wagons the most. That's like 2 Lohnes vids in about a week; that's early Christmas to me. Thanks, Brian. Always enjoy your well researched looks back. I saw a short flash of a door slammer w/ the Garlits name on it, did I also see a glimpse in another vid recently? That could be an interesting look back if there's much about Don's non-dragster cars. (Assuming there was a Don in front of the '...rlits' I saw.) GeoD

[@mattwhaley9917]

Love all of Cotton Owens' story, he was gem of a racer, and will always be a legend. Great vid, always enjoy the stories you tell.

[@DarrenShaw-ev5tb]

Can hardly wait for the next History Lesson ! - Thanx Brian

[@Biokemist-o3k]

Your voice and these videos are absolutely fantastic!!..I had no idea about the history of the Cotton picker or the extent of the Hemi ban..Thank you for sharing such awesome content Brian...-John

[@gordocarbo]

Love this stuff!! born in 68 so I had to go to the library and check out any car/racing books I could get my hand on. Here my parents thought I was SO studious!

[@Cliffswanson]

Hey Brian, I started hounding the magazine racks for drag racing stories in about 1964 at age 14-15. I was totally into the pictures and stories and I remember seeing some of the wacked out mods that led to today's Funny Cars. I don't specifically remember anything about the Cotton Picker but I sure remember the excitement of the era and my fascination with it. Thanks for being the documentarian!

[@nzsaltflatsracer8054]

13:48 That appears to be a different wagon with a stock wheel location & a front engine under the dash.

[@ryurc3033]

I noticed that too. No altered wheel base.

[@garyallowayjralloway2126]

Please keep up the good work

[@THROTTLEPOWER]

I agree Gary

[@frequentflyer56]

Thank you reviving memories from the glory days. Always fun and fascinating watching your videos. Many cudos to you for the personal touch of doing your own narration rather than some piss poor narration program.

[@mikecurtis2585]

These are always some of my favorite stories from Drag Racing history!

[@brodywalker8579]

Great way to start the day at work. Thanks for the videos and knowledge as usual Brian!

[@giggiddy]

Brilliantly done as usual Brian. You kill these videos!

[@macsmotorcitygarage5787]

I got to see the Dodge Charger make what must have been its maiden runs at Toledo Dragway in 1965. I was 11 years old. It was common knowledge around the area that Branster and Howell built the Cotton Picker. I was able to talk to Howell again recently shortly before he passed away.

[@SkunkieDesignsElectronics]

Mr Violent doesn't look like the same car, the rear wheels are much further forward.

[@todddenio3200]

I agree

[@jakengle]

And it doesn't seem to have the firewall between the front and old rear seats.

[@benwaterman5985]

Look at front fenders,66'dart,, or alot of work to get it to fit specs for wheel base,but,i digress. Regardless,still my favorite time of drag racing!!!!!❤

[@brianlohnes3079]

You are 100% right. Working to determine if Weiler did a second wagon or if he simply never had the Picker.

[@manitoba-op4jx]

@@brianlohnes3079 you're awesome dude

[@michaelmartinez1345]

Great Story!!! Those were very interesting times for both drag racing and Stock car racing.... Good Job Brian !!!! Today is: 11/27/24

[@proracer382d]

My man coming through with the late night uploads for the night shift workers!

[@Scot-p1v]

As a longroof aficionado, I heartily endorse this content. Thanks once again for your research and excellent delivery

[@FredrickDouglass007]

Fastest man in Hailey! FMIH here 1st! Thanks for the videos Brian!

[@brianlohnes3079]

Dang, low ET!

[@vehdynam]

I had heard of the Cotton Picker " and now I now the rest of the story ". Many thanks.

[@shafferjoe1962]

Brian, you are one my favorite story tellers. I love how you put the stories together and keep us glued for next part of the story to come. This is an awesome car and great story. Be blessed brother

[@kurtpoblenz2741]

Excellent content!!! Love hearing about all these cars & drivers 🤘🏻🤘🏻👍🏻

[@TheGforcead]

I love this video, but the Mr.Violent is a different car, side windows are taller, the headlights are flat on sides where cotton picker are round. The Cotton picker looks like it has chopped top and Mr.Violent has no chop. I don't think it's the same car. I could be wrong and it"s some photo trick, they are similar as it would be unlikely two car's be mid engine wagons. Great story.

[@brianlohnes3079]

You are 100% right! I totally jacked that part up.

[@ronw59]

@@brianlohnes3079 Yeah, like none of the rest of us have or would ever do that, Brian! As always, great content. Thank you.

[@TheGforcead]

@brianlohnes3079 I still appreciate you, I was born 1964 and started reading hot rod 1970, I never seen either of those wagons. I remember the four wheel drive twin engine cars.el darados? You have some interesting stuff. Love the videos!

[@mikebaker9574]

Awesome again!!!!!!!! Thank you Brian Lohnes!!

[@RobertBranstner-le4zv]

That was great! I enjoyed hearing about my dad (Dick Branstner). Thank you.

[@rodneyharouff5739]

everything you do is great man! thanks!

[@CycolacFan]

Thanks for all the details and clarification on this car. I’d previously only ever seen one photo and presumed with the rear engine it was based around a Corvair! 😂

[@UncleVom]

The Cotton Picker reminded me of EJ Potter's Nightmare Too, an Allison powered Dart Wagon. Those were wild times.

[@louislepage5111]

Great content as always, thank you 😊

[@JamesSmith-mz9ec]

Great vid, pretty cool seeing the Phillip Morris mascot in the pill box hat near he end at the trophy presentation, I had a 65 Dart wagon in the late 70's with a 273, should have never sold that great little grocery getter!

[@brianlohnes3079]

The Phillip Morris guy is definitely an eye catcher!

[@af4od02]

Thanks Brian! Another great episode. At 6:25 the newspaper clip mentions the infamous dragstrip at Covington, Ga.

[@neilgoldstrom6312]

WHAT A GREAT VID!!!!!!! love the history!!!!!!!

[@chrispile3878]

Awesome story, Brian!

[@saturnfivehynrgrc581]

Love it... Have a good Thanksgiving Brian.

[@briansenecal3071]

Enjoyed the history lesson, THX👍

[@papasmodelcarroom8450]

Another AWESOME AWESOME AWESOME VIDEO 😮😮😮 Thank you 😊 much

[@davidfrost801]

I really enjoy your content!

[@louisnuse3953]

Thanks, great content brings back memories of articles read as a young gearhead

[@theschultz-ster]

I know nothing of this era, but what you tell me. Im okay with that. Thank you for another one!

[@theschultz-ster]

A screen play of "60s drag racing" by Mr. Lohnes would be a blockbuster!!!!

[@garethjones4742]

I'm a nerd. I'm into cars at all but I love your vids as a history nerd who loves a good story. Cheers mate.

[@brianlohnes3079]

Well, dang. This rules. Thanks for giving me a shot and thanks for these kind words!

[@jamieturner401]

Fantastic Story Brian, keep 'em comin'! 😊

[@andyr8636]

Awesome work Brian. I'm in NC, familiar with this "era" of the hemi outlawed by France, and I have a stack of old ssdi and hotrod magazines about 5ft tall I'd love to get into the hands of you historians to preserve the data of the day

[@JesseMadaffari]

Awesome job (as usual) Thanks.

[@jakengle]

Love the historical content!

[@westies1962]

That was quite interesting! I've never heard of The Cotton Picker until seeing this video.

[@genelappe]

Too cool. Love these stories

[@bobmuir8232]

He’s right the wagon shows the end is not the same car!!!

[@brianlohnes3079]

100% on me. Working to see if Weiler did a second wagon or if he ever had the Picker at all!

[@gafrers]

Always interesting to learn about a motorsport and cars i'm 100% ignorant about. Always quality Thank You

[@THROTTLEPOWER]

Very cool, great vid!!!!!!! 👍🏁🏁👍

[@denniscarroll7696]

Well, Brian, I've been watching for some time now, so it's time to subscribe. ...you always have the good 💩!

[@brianlohnes3079]

Thank you!!!!

[@robmeadows3114]

Cotton Owens win in that race proved his skill set in that situation regardless of the competition.. He was really, really good in that arena.

[@dukecraig2402]

Brian, you gotta do a video on the late great Max Balchowski and his legendary race car Old Yeller II.

[@QuartZ_9]

Yes please! I can’t get enough of this!

[@dukecraig2402]

@QuartZ_9 Here on KZbin enter "The Max Balchowski Story", there's a documentary from an old Speedvision show called Behind The Headlights where they did an episode in him, it's an absolutely incredible story, aside from home building a race car that tore up Ferrari's and every other high end European car thrown at it Max was Hollywood's go to guy for setting up cars for stunts, he did the Mustang's and Charger's for the legendary 1968 Steve McQueen movie Bullitt and the Challengers for the 1971 classic Vanishing Point along with too many other movie cars to list, he also did some of the stunt driving in those movies. Watch that documentary, it's fantastic but I want Brian to do a video on him because it'd be even better, he's THE MAN when it comes to making videos about American performance.

[@QuartZ_9]

@@dukecraig2402Dude, thank you! I’m off to go look that up right now, as I said in my own comment earlier, I love this channel and the community, so much love and awesome info/stories. It’s honestly what’s getting me through these days!

[@mgbchuck6527]

thanks Mr. Lohnes

[@justacoupleofkids320]

Hey Brian, that Mr. Violent car appears to be front engined ( maybe with a bit of engine setback) and a standard Dart wagon, not the extended wheelbase car ( look at the relationship of the rear wheel opening to the back edge of the back door ) it also has all the rear glass. Love your stories.

[@brianlohnes3079]

Yeah, I totally whiffed on the Mr Violent deal. I think that was his second version of the car either that or I chased a bad lead! I didn’t let my eyes do their job. Good catch and thank you for watching.

[@Commander-McBragg]

I love these posts!

[@gumps1986]

Part of my dies a little when I hear, “in a private collection” knowing these legends will never make a trip down the strip again for younger generations to enjoy.

[@67steffo]

Can’t understand why Brian doesn’t have more followers on this channel?🧐 Excellent content and a voice and linguistic ability that makes up for all the AI crap voices here on YT!

[@barrycuda3769]

Ive got an old magazine that has some photos of this car, and Petty's Barracuda, its one of my favorite magazines it's a 1982/ 1983 ? HOT ROD special pictorial issue , its titled something like Drag racing Funny cars , has on the cover a 1971 ish Mustang funny car doing a flame burnout. Have you got that one? And wasnt there another Dart wagon ( maybe Valiant? ) drag car with an Allison v12 ? 🙂👍 from New Zealand.

[@cheapstreetr]

My Buddy Milton Mills (“Uncle Milty”)of Dallas Ga. (Orlando fla.) owned and campaigned this car for a few yrs. Mostly at south eastern/Dallas Dragstrip in Georgia back in the late 90’s. Powered by a big block mopar. He consequently sold it to the current owner. If you see photos of it ? It was baby blue with a grey panel. Had the spindal magnesium front rims and widened steel wheels with slicks. Ran high 6sec. Passes in the 1/8th mile. Had an updated 65 dart glass nose on it then.

[@IowaBudgetRCBashers]

Great info .. I always wondered if this car was still around.

[@brianbednar2994]

Thanks for your videos

[@SteveBliss-co3no]

So kool ,thanks brian 😊

[@iowa_don]

15:39 - "Call for Phillip Morris!" That little guy, Johnny Roventini, in the pillbox hat was the Phillip Morris spokesperson from 1933 to 1974.

[@sburns1535]

I like the content that you do

[@chassisresearchkid]

Jay Howell built every cool unconventional race EVER! RIP Jay.

[@spliffburger]

New upload! Let's fucking go!

[@thesquirrelchroniclesakare7808]

More cool stuff that I didn’t know 👍🏻

[@DuckyHunter812]

The Mr Violent car you pictured has the rear wheels in the stock location. I don't think that's the same car. Great job digging up the rest of the story though!

[@brianlohnes3079]

Thanks and you are 100% right. I followed a bad lead with that and didn’t catch myself!!!

[@WaverleyHilton]

Thank you from NZ❤

[@brianlohnes3079]

Thanks for being a fan of this stuff!

[@timrayburn2461]

Great job

[@ronnieboucherthecrystalcraftsm]

i had a wagon same as that = put a 318 fireball v8 disc brakes LSD power booster hard shocks and wide chromie`s - twin system extractors !

[@stang9660]

Cool story, I remember Bud runnin that car, US 30 York, Pa

[@bradinch1563]

ive always like to look of the corvair funnycars like malcolms ,thanks

[@brianlohnes3079]

That one with the injected motor is 🔥

[@toothrestorer6588]

This car would be canceled if it were built today

[@williambarry8015]

That was my first car cept mine was a valiant wagon.

[@SolamenteVees]

Brian- do you write your own copy? Thanks for another deep-dive!

[@brianlohnes3079]

Yes, I write all the scripts

[@geneva760]

CHEERS from AUSTRALIA

[@jparker785]

They said we can't come in. Wanna go drag racing again? 😁✌️

[@bumpedhishead636]

I think it is fun to consider that at that time, NASCAR top speeds could exceed 180 MPH - much faster than these drag cars - and then at the end of the straight, you had to turn left...

[@brianlohnes3079]

Also fun to consider they did it after multiple miles of acceleration on 2 mile banked ovals

[@gtpanoz]

How many completely different cars did Bud Faubel drove and owned in 1965?!? He had this car given to him and also the Turbo Honker which was previously talked about. Bound to been a very busy year.

[@brianlohnes3079]

The dude had a legit fleet

[@necydrivesdragsters]

I LOVE U UR THE GUY IN NHRA

[@brianlohnes3079]

Hey that is me and thanks!!

[@necydrivesdragsters]

@@brianlohnes3079 ur the real voice of nhra💞

[@parentsbasement7734]

3x's in a week!

[@stephenmiller5023]

Wasn’t there also a “ Melrose -Missile “ mid engine wagon similar to this one ?? I vaguely remember that one as well .. 🤔

[@MVPisME383]

Great video

[@jasonbirch1182]

Sorry brother. No way that Mr voilent is the same car.

[@brianlohnes3079]

You are 100% right! I jacked that part up. Looking to see if he did a second wagon or if he ever owned it in the first place

[@dazaspc]

Brian Any possability of upping the audio volume? Compared to other KZbin videos I heve this turned up flat out and It is very quiet. Cheers

[@brianlohnes3079]

Sorry about that! Will check levels on the next one!

[@silverstar4289]

If you compare the number of NASCAR races driven, and success in finishes,mDavid Pearson is the best

[@MilfordHeavenMercadoPach-im7jk]

Even the dragstrip had batmania as seen with 66 funny car mustang at 11:47 mark 😅.

[@clutchkicker392ison5]

I SOO wish we could read the articles u show us . :(

[@billlevassiur5891]

Great story.

[@gchampi2]

Ye Gods, Brian! Have you given up on sleeping, or summat? Or, is this a case of all the research being done during the season, script ready to go, pix & articles chosen, and all the separate bits just need to be put together & rendered? As for the video, great as ever. I knew bits of the story - mainly the NASCAR/Chrysler dispute, and that The King had gone Drag Racing, but the rest of the tale? 90% new to me, with the remaining 10% being stuff I was kind of aware of, but wrong in the details...

[@brianlohnes3079]

Thank you! List of concepts and subjects is long and I am motivated!!

[@terrypikaart4394]

The Cotton Picker and Mr Violent have different wheel bases. Same car? You can clearly see Mr Violent has rear wheels moved forward, looking like original location..

[@brianlohnes3079]

100% you are right, I whiffed on that one!

[@redtailhawk289]

I lived in Spartanburg SC. all my life. I personally knew Cotton and His pit crew. . I saw SMOKEY YUNIC. working on his Buick nail head in Cottons shop. Cotton had a different story about what happened to the Cotton PICKER. HE cut the frame in half and stored it in open shed out in the storage lot. The eng still had the tall fuel injectors with red rubber balls on top. it had a dana 60 rear end . push button 727 trans. I tried to buy it from Cotton. We went out side to look at it Cotton just stood there for a while turned to Me and said I know what You are going to do with it and I can't be responsible for You getting hurt on the street. I have known your Farther to long . Cotton would not change His mind or give any other explanation . So did Cotton keep the original. car or did He get it back after the other people raced it ? There is more to this story that dodge is not telling . Hint I helped Cotton take Dodge trucks apart that got dropped out of the ceiling on the commercials .