Silent Screams: The Weird And Fast Air Powered Dragsters of 1962/63

[@joshmonroe2562]

Never wanna hear about drag racing from anyone other than this fella!! Amazes me we're lucky enough to get this for free!!!

[@williambarry8015]

Hes got plenty of experience in drag.

[@terryatpi]

He has a Casey Kasem sound going for him.

[@ovalwingnut]

ⒶⒼⓇⒺⒺⒹ! ⒽⒺ ⒾⓈ ⓉⒽⒺ "ⒽⓄⓉⓇⓄⒹ ⓌⒽⒾⓈⓅⒺⓇⒺⓇ"

[@600wheel]

It is a surprise it’s on youtube and not motortrend

[@ovalwingnut]

@@terryatpi Somebody just dated themselves (but yeah.. you nailed it:)

[@elantric]

Trivia. I Worked for Garrett Airesearch in 1976, and similar turbines were modified with igniters and Hydrozine fuel to power target drone aircraft for US Airforce

[@jamesgeorge4874]

Hydrazine

[@Mercmad]

If the explosive didn't kill the targets,the hydrazine would.

[@bendeleted9155]

​@@jamesgeorge4874no need to do that. Thanks

[@PastorJamesGillespie]

[@PastorJamesGillespie]

P.S. I lived in Tucson during that period sold the newspaper, appeared on local TV kgun and k o l d and never heard a thing about this

[@martymorse2]

Thanks Brian for never letting the subject of the history of drag racing get boring.

[@Charles-qq7vf]

Man, that is awesome! I live here in Phoenix, about 4 miles from Garrett Air Research's H.Q. Where the three engineers came up with idea to do this? Simple. There was literally hundreds of hot rodders working there, from janitors on up to top engineers! I know of at least twenty guys that made their careers there, from the fifties and sixties on. One of my current hot rod client's, who I am building a '40 two door sedan for, was an engine builder there, building these starter motors. 'Nother little neat bit of Garrett stuff. About 15 years ago, another client/friend had retired out of Garrett, was moving to Port Angeles, Washington. Charlie asked me if I needed a nut and bolt bin? HECK YES! "Get your engine hoist out..." An hour later, here comes Charlie with his truck loaded with a Garrett nut and bolt bin - 5' wide, 4' tall and 4' deep, LOADED with aerospace hardware, probably from Steve's ( my '40 Ford client) engine shop! Subsequently, if ya really look, my little '60s style T-Bucket, The Bucket Of Ugly, is held together largely by Aerospace hardware, featuring a small space ship orbiting a planet on the bolt heads. Garrett was damned good about selling it's surplus to their employees, quite inexpensively, when it's use was discontinued. Last thing. In the last year or two of his life, Red Greth and I became fairly close, initially talking back and forth about the possible loan of a nose mold from one of the Speed Sport cars. I laughed, because part of the deal become just talking and laughing, talking about drag racing of course, but just as quickly 130 year old adobe homes and such. I did actually ask about the compressed air Dragster, once... Red grumbled, and said that was a story for another time. I don't think that deal ended well. Tomorrow, on my way out to a client, I have to go to Valley Spring, which is about a block from Dave's shop address. I'll roll past and see if anything remains at that address.

[@BillCohron]

Brian is one of those people who have the gift of a voice that was destined for storytelling. A true master of the art, he is also a master at his level of research. I could listen to these stories all day and never get tired of them. In fact, on the occasional rainy day, I have! Thank you, Brian, for bringing these amazing drivers, teams, cars, and stories to those of us who were too young to be there, but really appreciate the history. You are a hero in my book.

[@prestonbrown1460]

I absolutely love his stories!

[@roadskare63]

Yep!!, Brian gives ALL the info prequel and sequel WITHOUT running too long or boring us!!

[@TheOsfania]

You got something sticky on your lip.

[@gordbarr3118]

Another amazing story of drag racing history, thanks Brian!

[@KELVIN4TOR]

Man knows how tell a story :)

[@randytaylor1258]

​@@williambarry8015 ???

[@ASDasdSDsadASD-nc7lf]

Foolish, uneducated, dullard Brian Lohnes said that the car is "motivated" by air...

[@Ray56z]

Just when you think you knew a lot about motorsports, along comes Brian with something you never imagined. Thanks!!

[@leemiracle6840]

I was born and raised in Arizona and never heard about any of this, thanks for bringing it to light. Cool stuff.

[@flagmichael]

I never heard about it on Wallace and Ladmo (formerly It's Wallace!)

[@leemiracle6840]

@@flagmichael Gerald probably kept it quiet.

[@JamesFolkers]

@@flagmichaelLOL!!

[@BobSakamoto]

As someone who once was in the position of researching to get an racing article correct, I am hugely impressed that you were able to find the information it took to do this video. And then you presented it clearly and concisely. Great job!

[@JamesG-k5f]

Once the combustor was installed it ceased to be an air powered car. That's essentially a jet turbine powered car.

[@gregs7519]

It was only pre-heating the air. It was not fueling the turbines in any way.

[@JamesG-k5f]

@gregs7519 it was igniting the fuel like a turbo anti lag.

[@brianhaygood183]

​@@gregs7519heating the air is all any engine does, essentially.

[@Doesitmatter_01]

​@@JamesG-k5f That means hot air balloons and steam engines are also just jet engines. Context matters.

[@royb.1441]

That was AWESOME!!! Was not expecting low 8s. Please do one on piston engines boosted via compressed air like you mentioned! Love your work Brian and thank for presenting it in such a wonderful way.

[@Jonathan.D]

Imagine what it could have done if it had some moden tires.

[@filanfyretracker]

I wonder if anyone in racing ever attempted to blow LOX right into the intake of a drag engine. I have no clue how you would safely manage it but I just wonder if its been done, Added benefit if it was done right after the supercharger it would rapidly cool the air. (for non space people LOX is Liquid Oxygen, Usually only used as oxidizer in a liquid fueled rocket engine)

[@paradiselost9946]

@@filanfyretracker KABOOM. thats all that happens. raw oxidiser. no matter how high the octane rating is, its just detonating uncontrollably. then other parts of the engine start finding they like burning as well... NOS has 2/3rds nitrogen... damps things down a bit. engines dont run on fuel. they run on AIR. its about heating that air to increase its pressure. the fuel is a convenient way of heating air.

[@lqr824]

@@paradiselost9946 There's got to be some lower compression ratio that would work, and you can make it a diesel too.

[@lqr824]

@@filanfyretracker You wouldn't need a supercharger. The supercharger just compresses the intake air, right? The air (or oxygen) in the tank is already compressed.

[@landiahillfarm6590]

I've said it before and I'll say it again... these are some of the best, most professionally done historical drag racing videos anywhere! You are amazing. Great story this episode, I am too young to have known about this one but I sure would have loved to have seen it in anger. Early in the video you mention the possibility of doing a piece on the compressed air fed supercharger cars, I would definitely love to see that. Thank you again, I look forward to these every time!!!

[@keithshoffner1287]

Brian loves his craft and the sport of drag racing even more, we're very lucky. Thank you Brian.

[@mgbchuck6527]

Pure ingenuity! I thought I knew about most weird/semi-successful drag stuff (knew about the M/T ICE-compressed air attempt), never heard about this stuff tough. Thanks Brian!, amazing

[@randytaylor1258]

Another winner, Brian! You've taken a newspaper "what's that beast?" photo and turned into a real story. Hearing it run was really the icing on the cake. Thanks!

[@ScottWM54]

Brian, love this stuff...so much interesting history you just dont realize.....you really have to dig. Keep up the great work.

[@YeahJustMe]

Outstanding as usual. Also, nice to hear a story involving one of the legendary teams of the '50s/'60s.

[@prestonbrown1460]

Just when you think you know a lot of drag racing history, this shows up and is amazing to learn about! Keep up the great work!

[@farmerkevin]

Loved this deep dive into drag racing weirdness. Great voice too. Keep them coming.

[@walter2990]

Way back in about 1966, my grandfather had a machine shop and another guy was his "partner". Bob Kafka was his name, and he was an inventor and his day job was working at Martin Merrietta in Orlando. He designed and built a compressed air piston engined cart that actually worked pretty good. I was "working" in that shop as a machinst apprentice at the age of 10. Bob designed and built many odd devices (he was a , but I thought that he was a fabulous guy, who also owned and drove a Studebaker Hawk that was painted with blue machinist paint, and I thought it was the wildest color and he drove it like he stole it! He always encouraged me to design my many 10 yo ideas. RIP Mr. Kafka!

[@youropionmattersnot]

Those guys are far and few between. Extinct these days. You were blessed.

[@walter2990]

@youropionmattersnot Yes, I was blessed to have had both of those men teaching me the ways of a machine shop! I inherited the machine shop equipment, and I've been slowly shutting it down due to health and age.

[@AEON.]

Kafka - as in Kafka pinstriping? I got an entire collection of Kafka pinstriping brushes

[@AEON.]

@@youropionmattersnot isnt kafka still alive? I've talked to him on facebook before or is it his son or something that does the pinstriping and has the kafka line of pinstriping stuff?

[@walter2990]

@AEON. I'm pretty sure that the Bob Kafka that I knew way back then passed away sometime in the early 90's.

[@jefferypitts343]

This is gold!, never in 63 years,have I seen or heard of ,fantastic info.

[@cjespers]

Yes! Yet another outstanding video from Brian. Well done. Thanks for all you do for us gear heads.

[@jw6422]

I had no idea. Thanks for that interesting bit of drag history. Learned something new today. Crazy innovative stuff back in the day. I can see why it didn't last too long though.

[@brute32]

Truly incredible this channel has shown up on my feed. This channel is quickly becoming a favorite

[@fanwoodwatcher3873]

Splendid video. Air power was commonplace for locomotion, tackling gas laws. PV=NRT- expansion means cooling. Navier- Stokes and entropy equations- add combustion. Totally fascinating. Love it.

[@davidmccrory5604]

This is just the best channel ! So cool .... l always knew the 50s and 60s were the golden age but to learn in detail and about the oddities is just awesome. Look forward to the next instalment ❤

[@oaktadopbok665]

What an amazing story - I never heard of these cars. You are indeed a good historian!

[@eaofdeath187]

I love your coverage of the weird and wonderful machines that have been run over the years.

[@revvyhevvy]

Wow!! Your storytelling skills are on another level...the pauses and the mono-tone delivery belie the absolute wild and wicked subject matter! And to think this seemed like a marketing(?) exercise for Airesearch!! The growth of their bottom line had to be off the charts! Until 95K rpm exposed metallurgy issues and sabotaged the whole exercise! Thanks, Brian!

[@brianlohnes3079]

Totally wild stuff and a full on mechanical adventure!

[@flymachine]

I’m surprised no one invented a pull-back spring car, such was the enthusiasm and out the box thinking around this sport in the early days, it seems we don’t do anything like these guys did, all our technology is tested, consumerist, and finely honed before it gets applied nowadays😢 Great story I was mesmerised!

[@TheDirtFighter]

What a fantastic slice of history! Thank you for the content

[@davedavies6518]

Great job! I have heard about air powered cars, but I had never heard of air powered dragsters. What a great job explaining the whole thing start to finish. I great piece of racing history that you brought to light.

[@Biokemist-o3k]

Super awesome video my friend!! Thank you for sharing these wonderful stories with us!!!

[@randym7511]

I can't even thank you enough for this video! What an excellent, well presented, and well researched documentary! I was there in the early and mid-'60's when drag racing was just beginning to (pardon the pun) pick up speed (they had yet to crack the 200 mph barrier). This project has totally escaped my knowledge until now! It also gave me insight into Garrett Air Research. I'm a pilot who is acquainted with the Garrett TPE-331 turbine engines (think Aero Commander 690 and such) and had no idea that they were involved with drag racing! Good stuff!!!

[@zodarian6705]

Fantastic video! Absolutely fascinating. Can you imagine the adrenaline rush one of the drivers from back then would get driving one of these top fuel dragsters today?! And the post race interview would be amazing😂

[@orionbennett776]

Hailing from Arizona, I had never heard about this. My father even briefly worked for Air Research in Phoenix. Though he was not of racing mentality, so at 13 in 1963 I wasn't going to make it to any race track, until I could drive myself. As amazed as I am about the air powered dragster, in racing ... it could set records, but would never take over the sport. In the same manner as electric, might set records ... but will never become mainstay. This story reminded me of watching the Indianapolis 500 back in 1967. They featured the STP turbine car ... 'Revolutionary ... a boon to racing!' I was almost 17 so couldn't attend the race in Indianapolis, but the next best thing, I watched it at the old FOX theater, in downtown Phoenix, on the big screen ... a satellite feed, they called 'Closed Circuit TV'. The turbine car was fast ... it beat the shit out of all the cars on the track ... it was I think in the lead by over a lap faster than 2nd place ... until a cheap part broke, and it coasted to a DNF. The car was fast, it was revolutionary, but watching it race SUCKED. It was quiet, and boring. AND that children, is the reason why electric cars even if they WERE cleaner than gas ... will never win the hearts of REAL auto enthusiasts. Mic drop!

[@bendeleted9155]

BOOM! Oh, right. Mic drop, but I mean my car's battery just exploded! 💥🔥

[@CharlesCrane-nk7dp]

D pp.

[@Scot-p1v]

Eh, electric cars have their place in my opinion. I’m casually looking for an EV/hybrid for shopping/Dr appointments when I retire: they’re great for short trips-especially pure EV if you don’t do many miles and live in a humid climate which contaminates gas over time. But, I’ll keep my ICE Roadster until I can no longer tolerate the knee pain from the clutch. Because you’re right: the motor noise is visceral. My sister’s electric SUV does 0-60 in 3.8 sec, and my Roadster does only 5.2-but guess which one causes me to smile and even chortle.

[@ronv6637]

If you have never been to Indy 500 it was a spectacle not to be missed( now not much more than a superspeedway spec car exhibition). In it's time it was the unofficial X prize( show off your idea on Sunday to sell on Monday with a big prize at the end of the race. Without massive Corporate interference). Besides being the largest 1day sporting event in the World. It was the biggest party I have ever witnessed with up to 500,000 attendees. It would easily be a life changing event for a young person.

[@numlockkilla]

Simply amazing. I had ideas like this when i was 9 with a garden tractor. My dad said and i quote, son its been done before and people died, your not dieing for this idea, lets do something else. My dad died in march. He grew up wondering about this exact thing. Now there is a video. Man 6 months to late.

[@georgedennison3338]

You keep outdoing your best; thanks, Brian.

[@markmonroe7330]

Excellent presentation. Thank you. Some really great stuff.

[@mikebaker9574]

Brian,i can't thank you enough for your effort and this channel!!!!!

[@BIBSTERSrepairshop]

This and a video coming from David friberger in the same night what a early treat for the weekend great video!

[@joshwokojance3790]

I read an article about these in Car Craft or Hot Rod when I was a teen in the mid 90s. I don’t remember much but the story was they were banned from racing when one of the turbines blew up and they found pieces of the turbine was found a few feet below the track. You’re video is so much better than the article. I remember that it only had small grainy black and white pictures. I was sitting in Saturday detention (most likely if I’m remembering correctly) studying the pictures trying to figure out what I was looking at. This is the first thing I’ve seen since then about these two cars. Thank you so much for posting this. I was wondering if they were real or a figment of my imagination.. Edit to add: subbed and liked!

[@saturnfivehynrgrc581]

I don't know how successful CAS (Compressed Air Supercharging) has been but I've always liked that technology/concept. I believe their test car (69 Camaro) was quick. Great stuff Brian, love it.

[@chrislowery185]

I saw the CAS car a few weeks ago at the new Flying H dragstrip near KC. It is a very cool deal.

[@scottsevers6194]

❤❤❤ Thank you from an old school Aussie Drag Racing fan

[@JerGol]

A fascinating drag racing history! Thanks for your efforts in researching and presenting this out to the rest of us.

[@rodfrost5051]

Legend! I grew up around a couple Old rigs with air starters and air systems on rigs always wondered if there was a way to do something cool. I now feel a little valadated

[@Vexation4632]

A video version of every Hot Rod magazine I had stuck in my school pee-chee all through the late 60's-70's. Thank you for the channel. You've got another subscriber!

[@jeffreylynch3203]

Hey Brian. I grew up in Dedham, racing at NED and even more important, Art Johnson’s in Norwood, Jolly Cholly’s in North Attleboro,, the Southern Artery, hanging out at 7E’s in Quincy. My friend Ed O’Keefe from Holbrook and I are still doing all stuff cars. Just wanted to let you know we really enjoy your history segments. Being 73 I have a million stories myself, but they aren’t relatable to many of the newer generations. I was an engineer for GM, and I spent time teaching at the GM Training Center in Dedham, yadda, yadda. Keep up the good work.

[@DakarRaider]

Dedham, MA "muscle car guy" here! Little younger than you (54) but spend a fair amount of time at NED when I can. So hard to find good shops and knowledgeable folks around here these days.

[@kentwright5346]

Brian, This video is absolutely perfect! A story well told! Thank you for your work on it!

[@danweyant4909]

Excellent presentation. Thorough and not boring in the least. Very well done.

[@AtZero138]

Absolutely Amazing feature... Thanks for efforts to bring us this .. Cheers from Orange County California 🇺🇸

[@theknifedude1881]

Thank you for the Trip to Yesteryear! I ran my mother’s’59 Plymouth Fury Station Wagon to a Best of 2nd in E Automatic @ the San Fernando Drag Strip in Southern California in 1963 or’64. Thanks again.

[@johnnijssen8590]

Thank you for your research and for putting these videos together. Like you, I remember hearing some of these stories but I didn't know the background.

[@thesquirrelchroniclesakare7808]

I love this history lesson Brian . Thank you sir !

[@SmokeStack-yk3kz]

Thanks for putting context to all the pictures I have seen of these cars! Absolutely insane that they where power by air

[@ryurc3033]

I really thought it was going to be about the compressed air "supercharger" Watched a video from the guy who originally started n.o.s. Can't wait for that video too.

[@shareurtube]

Brian this has to be one of the most interesting stories I have had to discover by chance. The technology and innovation of this project was incredible. Sad to hear they gave up on it. Maybe in the future someone will surprise us and come up with something like this project. Thanks again.

[@Rev22-21]

If only they had had kevlar shielding back then...😮 Not too unlike what happened to Don Garlet and losing part of his foot from an exploding clutch....which as a result birthed the front driver cockpit for rails back in the day. What at first looked odd.....now is normal.😅 Good content and well done sir.

[@alexclements5631]

I met Mr. Red Greth once, ( 2000-2001 ? ) humble and appreciated that people remembered him ! He was there with the Speed Sport . They say , never met your heroes! Every early drag racer I’ve met has disproved this saying, everyone of them were great ! Sadly, so few are left ! I miss my heroes , their company , stories and knowledge!

[@mikecurtis2585]

Wow that's was some amazing history! Love hearing all the history of drag racing!!!!

[@JackF99]

It's amazing they could turn an air starter into a combusting gas turbine without completely redesigning the turbine section to handle the hot gases.

[@Justmeeeeeeeeeeee]

Very nice vid dude 👍 I think that's something I liked about olden days, they used to try things to see if it worked, as opposed to today when you have to prove something works before even trying. Olden days were so full of surprises because they just went and did it, today just seems like a massive stalemate with not much happening lol.

[@michaelmartinez1345]

A very interesting story!!! I never was aware this concept existed until thisepisode!!! Thank You for oresenting this Bryan!!!

[@AntonHoward-mx9sb]

More superb 1/4 mile lunacy again Brian, great stuff. I don't know if you ever cover drag bikes, but one interesting subject would be Ag McPhails Jade Warrior which I saw run as a kid in the 80s in the UK. that was a pretty wild and effective machine.

[@p24hrsmith]

I thought I knew about all the odd and weird Propulsion engines used in cars but this is a new one on me thank you

[@jubu3136]

Your videos never cease to amaze. Unique content ive never heard of before, researched and presented impeccably. Cheers from nz

[@76629online]

This is wild. I don't know how I never heard of these two cars before. Thanks for making this video! Fantastic!

[@CarsandCats]

Great video, Brian! Thanks for the extra video footage, it really helps get the story across and I hope you do it more in the future.

[@dastrayer63]

Another great video Brian. Thank you for sharing.

[@edminas3159]

Excellent research and information. Thank you Brian

[@strykerentllc]

Brian, as each episode is unveiled you simply outdo yourself. Thinking the go-kart episode was awesome, this one eclipses it by leaps and bounds. Keep doing these as they'll be enjoyed for as long as the internet and yootoob are functioning. Oh and we enjoyed your cohosting drag week. The colorful commentary coupled with your knowledge of the sport is always top notch. Cheers!

[@zoeyshoots]

Fantastic post!! We need to preserve the sport.. videos like this are inspiring! 🏁👍

[@jamesschoonover5068]

Thanks Brian, very cool! Glad to hear about it.

[@bradinch1563]

you do a great job with these videos, thank you

[@DaleStone-d2q]

I got to see the "Air-Car" run once (after we waited and waited and waited), but I've always thought it was at one of the strips in west Phoenix. It was definitely the one with the round bottles, and I remember it being so disappointing that after the long wait, it sorta whooshed by with some chain drive noise mixed in, and that was it. But, I was still impressed!

[@brianlohnes3079]

Wow! And your report certainly lines up with Greth’s impression that the lack of noise wouldn’t endear this thing to the drag racing populace.

[@1955canuck]

@@brianlohnes3079 And nothing's changed with the advent of EVs. I don't care how fast a Tesla Model S Plaid is, I'm not interested in watching one race.

[@georgeadams8230]

I had a chance to talk to Red about this deal, it was an interesting conversation.

[@randal_gibbons]

My dad used to take me to the drags starting when I was 5 back in the late sixties. We went to Lyons and OCIR. I loved it.

[@masonl.8859]

You’re a great story teller! We appreciate what you’re doing!

[@toddricketts9498]

Thanks Brian, I had never heard of these systems, great job

[@briantomcollins]

This is one of my favorite YT channels by far... this and Hot Rod Hoarder. Love the history you guys dig up. Great stuff...

[@cheltboy]

I had no idea that this air powered dragster existed. Very informative!

[@brunonikodemski2420]

Garrett AiResearch provided our company with the "electric motors" used on the Lunar Roving Vehicles, which went to the Moon. They also did high speed electrical drives, including motors used for Uranium separation. We were GM.

[@joequillun7790]

As Artie Johnson would say, "Very Interesting". Being in the jet engine proffession for 50 yrs, and an avid drag racing fan, this video caught my eye. And even tho I'll always favor the gasoline engine, this one had my curiousity peaked. I'm impressed with the technitions involved...but the car didn't excite me. But thanks for posting.

[@Westsideautomotive]

Wow that was amazing Brian. Great story telling as always

[@kevwills858]

Superb research .. never become complacent and punch out mediocre stuff, you're channel sets you far from average .. 👍👍

[@lanternsown3525]

Cool! those were truly some wild rides I love it when Gear Heads and Engineers com togather and do stunts like this.

[@charlieromeo7663]

Great video as per the usual, Brian. Thanks for doing what you do.

[@apancher]

A friend of mine sent me this link, and I'm glad he did! Your style of explanation and storytelling is awesome! I just subscribed, and am excited to go back through everything else you've done.

[@brianlohnes3079]

Thank you and thanks to you pal!

[@ronw59]

It will be a journey worth taking, I can assure you.

[@maikok787]

I was a motorcycle drag racer and did some announcing at p.i.r. but couldnt hold a candle to Brian's masterful drag history stories.

[@rcdrags]

Thank you Brian for producing such great content.

[@inglisspeedco.6008]

Thanks for the video Brian, Speed Sport also campaigned a front engine dragster the year after with a starter turbine on the crankshaft of a traditional fueler! The boys were always up to something! Lol I shot you a message over on Facebook as a thank you from the Speed Sport family.

[@vehdynam]

Now that is most unusual and interesting. Man and his machines ...... Many thanks Professor Lohnes.

[@johnzuck6163]

Thanks Brian, I enjoyed this drag racing history.. I never knew this existed

[@sparty94]

very well done brian, i've never heard about compressed air drag racing.

[@danw1955]

Very cool stuff! I've heard rumors of these, but never got to see one in action, or any kind of documentary on them until now! I was a kid of the '70s, so I got to see a lot of 'firsts' in the racing world, plus competed in a few 'bracket' races myself with a modded 1962 Ford Fairlane with a big block Mercury engine. Fun times..😄👍👍👍

[@spencerhughes3670]

Always love these videos-thanks buddy.

[@brianlohnes3079]

Thanks for watching!

[@zackzittel7683]

First time seeing your channel, excellent content.

[@jameskelly8506]

I used to race at DM AFB when I was a kid. I did some work for Fisher and Greth, both great guys. Red died last year.

[@richardlincoln8438]

Thank You Brian for the time and effort You spent on research and production of these very informative videos. Best Wishes to You and Your Family.