Don Garlits - 1964 426 Hemi build CACKLEFEST Swamp Rat 8

During the work on HEMI: A History of Chrysler's Iconic V-8 in Competition, I had a chance to spend a day with Don Garlits as he put together a cackle engine for the 2014 season. Providentially, this was going into the replica of Swamp Rat 8, the first Garlits dragster to use the 426 engine architecture. As you will see, the results could not have been better....

[@marvindejaynes9981]

In the day it was common to see "Big" in a white t-shirt covered in Kendall motor oil pulling bearings between rounds and then signing autographs. The NHRA would not even be on the map without Don Garlits.

[@mirrorblue100]

That was the Golden Age. Money has killed it.

[@toyman81]

@@mirrorblue100 No Truer words were ever written.

[@jacjac270]

I'll never forget in 68 at a National,Big Daddy gave me a broken blower belt which I still have.He made a 5 yr. old into a future racer.I hit the strip every weekend!Thanks Big Daddy!

[@roadrunner4404]

Garlits is my all time favorite Fuel racer. A True innovator every year he raced.

[@brushcountry6361]

Foxfire Woodturning RJ He can tune a fuel motor like no one’s business. He’s the best ever.

[@spartacus8661]

thank you

[@marcanglin7127]

This man has forgotten more about engineering than most engineers will ever know, IMHO.

[@The55nomad]

Entirely self taught. Pushed holes in the envelope where others followed.

[@ronaldvankuyk908]

I know garlits when he became airborne at blackbush first british dragraces great balls of fire keep at it ronadam

[@johnbecay6887]

when i was 12 years old, Don Garlits was my hero...and guess what? He still is.

[@donaldheitger6731]

Me too,he's my hero too.

[@topfuel1985]

Nitro god

[@ThomasDeLello]

Go to the museum in Ocala... I did, twice...!

[@paulolson734]

First year I went to the California Hot Rod Reunion- I think it was maybe the second one they ran, I had my family with me. Little kids who had no idea who all of my heroes were, many in attendance. So our tickets included admission to a kind of meet and greet at the hotel ballroom. Couple of hundred people milling around, I recognized a few. We sat down at an empty table for a few minutes and who sits down with us? Yep. Big Daddy himself. Exchanged greetings and I asked him if he would autograph my kid's tickets. Sure, no problem. Just the nicest, most laid back person. You would never know of his prowess with Chrysler Hemis or skills behind the wheel or titanic struggles with NHRA over the years or the innovations he made. No giant ego. Just a regular guy. Still a great memory. My son still remembers, too. Daughter was too young to know. Wife knew of him and was impressed.

[@70stunes71]

Amazing man that did so much for Chrysler Corporation and for top fuel drag racing. The Chrysler Hemi... The best in its time

[@Slugg-O]

See his hand on the motor at 5:46. Most would assume he's getting a feel for how the engine is running, and maybe so, but I'd bet everything I have that "Big" can feel in his fingers and and see in his mind every part in that running engine. The man is a legend for a reason and nobody can read a motor like him. Incredible racer, innovator, and great person. I saw him race several times and he was never lost on the track or in the pits. He knew instinctively what to do at every moment - and STILL does. .

[@elducko1951]

I'm 68 yrs old and Garlits is STILL my hero!!

[@captainflatbed.7927]

The fact he completely understands every element of an engine and how to manipulate each and Avery advantage and make it all hold together long enough to make weekend complete, this is what sets him on another lever and mastering a trade it’s crazy the power they were getting out of those “home designed and built” monsters Legendary

[@paulmokidespaul5347]

Thank you Big Daddy

[@lastup4170]

In 1968 or so at a National, my enthusiastic 10 year old self approached the man for an autograph. It was a highlight of my life I still cherish to this day.

[@davidrossetti1061]

Went to his museum right off the exit in Ocala and the sign said " drag racing museum 1/4 mile =>" was I the only one to see the humor in that?

[@brushcountry6361]

Surprised he didn’t say 1320 feet.

[@scuttlebuttgarage9134]

Builder, tuner and driver. Who today in the sport can accept that kind of credit. It's very entertaining to listen to Don and Shirley and Jungle Pam talk about the sport, the corporations and the attitude of the NHRA today.

[@joshjablonicky171]

The 426 is the best engine ever. I worked at a high performance engine shop that Delt mostly with mopars. They were so fun to build and then we got to put them on the dyno it was nothing like 426 big block an open headers.

[@321gates]

Hmm, while high maintenance, many say that the 427 cammer was better. Ed Pink included.

[@MrCharger6980]

Don sure know how to build them! "Anyone can build a chevy but it takes a real man to build a HEMI!" Thanks you Mr. Garlits for all that you have done for Mopar and your fans!

[@lgokie891]

He's an intense man. You can tell he's in his element even at his older age when he's putting it all together and tuning it!

[@dmeemd7787]

This video makes me so happy! So glad I got to see this in person!!

[@alanhyde1261]

Wow, I could listen to him all day.

[@drumminsonlive9199]

When I was a kid you didn’t talk about drag racing without the name Don Garlits being a part of the conversation and he was who we wanted to be like when we grew up he was and is a great American Hero.

[@tencz57]

My Hero . When i was a kid i followed 'Big Daddy' like he was an addiction . !! Now he live's just down the road from me . Makes me feel good just driving by his home & shop . Big Daddy ,Don Garlits .!!

[@chrisedward7659]

I bought the model car kit when I was just a kid of this car and after all these years to get to watch him work on it it just brings back memories God bless Big Daddy

[@derrickmalone3129]

In the early 70s my bedroom was wallpapered with pictures of this man's machines! This brings back so many memories!

[@scottweatherman3266]

I love the old style lapping in the valve seats.

[@shanehnorman]

Only just came across this and had to tip my hat to this pioneer. In 1958, aged 12, I must have been one of the first Brits to become fascinated by US hot-rodding and drag racing. I got my father - somehow - to buy me a subscription to Hot Rod Magazine and soaked up everything I read, including the ads, writers' by-lines, photo credits, etc. Big Daddy Don Garlits and his Swamp Rat fuellers were at the pinnacle of my hero podium. Good to see he still looks fit and well, still tipping the nitro can.

[@peterbellwood5412]

Hi Shane . Sounds very similar to me . Met Don in '64 , along with Tony Nancy and by far the majority of my drag-racing heroes . Pete .

[@mroptical1982]

Dan Garlits is always and still the Man and the King of Drag Racing I was lucky to see him run in person many times before he retired Take Care and good health Big Daddy

[@donniewhite9674]

he is trully a legend in his own right. i raised up watching him. he is one of the greatest drag racers of all time

[@rustyd2745]

I sent Garlits 5 early hemis to him years ago. Pulled a bunch of favours, got them down to him from Nova Scotia (no small feat in itself) with the understanding he gets to keep 4 for free, and build one for me and send it back. Never got anything back from him. Thanks Don!!

[@garymcaleer6112]

As a kid in elementary school, back in the 60's, my very first book report was Don Garlits' "King Of The Dragsters." He won my heart ever since.

[@79tazman]

I would give anything to go back to the early 60's and live to see all the Dodge and Plymouth Max Wedge cars and all the slingshot dragsters running the late 50's Hemi's that's the drag racing I think it the best racing there was back when anyone can run a drag car

[@ThomasDeLello]

I have listened to dozens of Garlits interviews and I have noticed something... He always talks about his machinery but he never talks about his driving skills.

[@roadrunner4404]

Anyone who has seen his Streamliner Blowover wheelie knows that man can drive.

[@NitroModelsAndComics]

When he said 50 degrees of spark timing I nearly fell off the seat! GeezLooweez! That is a buttload of advance. But it liked it. Chrysler sure knows what they are doing. Large Father you are the LEGEND!

[@dirtthunder1638]

Don is still this 47 year oil kids hero!

[@phineasrumson3116]

And this 62 year old's as well!

[@jeffdemarcus160]

The only time I have stood in line for a autograph was for Big Daddy.

[@tomlea3713]

Who would thumbs down the Big Daddy? He was at the Iola Old Car Show in 2015 with one of his Swamp Rats, wasn't this one though. Awesome to see him still wrenching and doing his thing like the old timers did it! Very cool!

[@bigunone]

My dad got Popular Mechanics magazine in the 60s, I remember reading a story "On Fire at 200 MPH" is was about Garlets having an engine fire on the track and how his wife had bought him a leather jacket to wear because he was going so fast, until then he just wore a T shirt because of the jacket instead of having burns over 50% of his body all he had were burns on his hands and where his mask and helmet didn't cover

[@SuperAmin1950]

Yeah, great audio; it certainly got my attention. I gotta' get over to Ocala, and this museum.

[@robertlloyd7167]

Awesome video! My condolences to the 23 lost souls who didn't like it.

[@phineasrumson3116]

I watched this legend since I was 12; 49 years later, I'm still in awe of him!

[@theprofessorfate6184]

This guy did what few have done in history. He cobuilt the car , tuned , wrenched and drove.

[@yarpos]

you mean like nearly every Sportsman class car?

[@theprofessorfate6184]

@@yarpos Yeah, except in Top Fuel, not exactly Sportsman class

[@stevethomas760]

Stopped at the Museum a few months ago. Asked about Don "he's doing well, still working on his E Dragster". The only thing that would made the day better would have been to meet the man.

[@robhargis6980]

I've been to his museum twice. On my second visit I was lucky enough to meet him and had the pleasure of taking a few pics with him. What he has done for drag racing and for Mopar gives me a sense of pride that is indescribable.

[@stevethomas760]

@@robhargis6980 Envious of you meeting him. That was what I was fishing for. Certainly a legend in drag racing

[@peterbellwood5412]

I had the privilege of meeting 'Big Daddy' Don and most of my drag-racing heroes in '64 and '65 . My friend took photos of me meeting them and I must have lost them when I became homeless many years ago . Wish I still had them .

[@robertforrest9021]

Have had the pleasure to meet Don and tour his shop in Ocala,then got a chance again to see him inside the track at the 2014 GatorNationals. Great experience bar none

[@larryhullinger4141]

Love that night time shot at the end You can see the headers glowing red

[@sprngrdave]

Thank God for Big Daddy Don Garlits.. A Gentleman & a Class Act. I also remember seeing him as a youngster at U.S.30 Dragstrip. In Indiana. What a Great & Humble Man

[@kcav5374]

I'm now 70 years old, been a drag racing fan for most of my years. My older brother & I met Don Garlits at a Detroit Dragway Reunion at Milan Dragway in Milan, Mi. He'd brought Swamp Rat VIII and we both heard him tell this story and others that day. They talked about possibly firing up that car and I am mad at myself that I did not ask Don if he'd help my live out a bit of a fantasy I had since a young teenager when I really wanted to drive a Top Fuel Dragster. I wanted to ask him if I could possibly sit inside the car if he did in fact start it up, I'd forgotten ; "If you never ask, the answer is always NO!" SMDH 🙄

[@WernerGampert]

Don keep Up your good Work,stay healthy and god bless you.

[@brentlittle8075]

Handled that bad boy like it was a walk in the park,just a great person.

[@shermanholbrook9649]

Iv seen him at least 20 times an there will never be another DON GARLETS

[@peterbellwood5412]

Or another Don Garlits !

[@cecilnoriega7276]

It amazes me how the drivers sat in these old dragsters. On top of the axles! They had to be very dangerous , being behind the engine?

[@bigunone]

This is why he championed the rear engine

[@peterbellwood5412]

@@bigunone He lost half his foot in a clutch explosion .

[@bigunone]

@@peterbellwood5412 Tell me something I don't know, I remember reading about it when it happened

[@jeffwoods9666]

I want a blower engine bad . I messed with MSD and had a old Mallory uni light but I never had anything that made power . Had a 13:1 383 stroker with a roller cam was about it . Someday . Love the old story’s Don can’t wait to get to Ocala again

[@comradeyuri8492]

Those really were the days, I remember them well ! Today it's the big $$$ boys rebuilding the engine after each run .....

[@mikerobinson2026]

At 4:03 turn your volume down quick or you'll be scraping yourself off the ceiling like i had to. The sound balance between narration and the car running is terrible.

[@therealmaxspeedster]

Truth....Luckily I had my headphones off trying to check the volume so I could properly hear Don speak. Headphones turned into loudspeakers @4:03 :)

[@blaketabb9300]

Saw this 5 seconds too late.

[@d.r.h8602]

Saw him and Don race at Connecticut Dragway back in the day...awesome.

[@delord1619]

Tony Nancy, custom interior genius and TF pilot was once asked about how much Ign lead he ran in his Top Fuel car, and his answer was, "Three inches." "??!?" He used an old wooden school-room ruler, rolled the number one piston up until he had three inches from the top of the piston (at the ring land) to the corner of the bore and the cylinder deck, then he would lock down the Mag and put the head back on. He did win quite a bit back then. BTW... those approx' 3" = roughly 60 deg's.

[@MartyMcFlyV]

Incredible all the things he did.Don is a big Trekkie too.

[@waynewilliams8554]

In 2014 I donated a load old drag racing parts, including one of his round back 1960 chassis to him and he told me about this. He was so sick and tired of trying to make the 426 run, his intention was to blow it up. It took the other guys quite a while to figure out what he was doing!!

[@MilesCobbett]

Hot Rod Magazine co put out a paperback book in 1965 that had Keith Black looking in a spark plug hole on Dons Dragster. I was the 12 year old kid in the photo looking over Keiths shoulder :) I was in the pits because my older brothers ran a Jr. FUEL dragster

[@matthewjohnson2495]

He’s been on fire,upside down,backwards faster than anybody you know

[@paulroggemann1017]

Fond memories of seeing you race in MONTGOMERY NY back in the early 1960's,along with the ALLISON BROS, and TOMMY IVO.

[@jamescox6077]

sweet music to my ears

[@kenneymitchell1186]

Drag racing #1 hero!

[@4406bbldb]

I saw him race at Detroit Dragway in 63 or 64 anyhow he had swamprat 5 and was racing the jet monster 2 out of three. Funny trap speeds were just over 200 mph IF I remember correctly. I ran into him at his museum and we had a great chat. You know he never had a beer sponsor? He thought Alcohol belonged in engines not in drivers.

[@josecortez5213]

You had me "Compression ratios"

[@dave0mary]

So much science in NHRA today - necessary indeed. But, Big Daddy was a true "pull up the boot straps" kinda guy.

[@ericheine2414]

Thanks man. Big Daddy Don Garlits and the Snake Prudhomme these men were drag racing. Everyone knew they were the guys to beat. You had to build a car as good as theirs and then make it better. Iron American Dream. On KZbin. Share it. Take a ride across the promised land. Keith Black, Donovan?

[@jesvans]

Don is Da Man ! i met him at Route66 in 99, he was selling his wares. i bought a few things, and then got him to sign a few of my things. he seems kinda bummed = i guess he thought i was going to resell those things, but no, i still have them all.

[@djjones2723]

G.O.A.T

[@bigman55434]

Awesome video, other than it seems some volume leveling between the commentary and the engine running.

[@2x4barrels40]

I was looking for the numbers he gave in 1973. In the 60`s got kicked out of science class when reading about the first 200 mph pass.Yea he was talking about how the ZOOME headers helped him do it . Big Daddy will always be my hero.

[@larrythorbeck9385]

You are the man.!!!!!!!

[@drbenmccullough2608]

Nonthing is better then the smell of nitro in the morning

[@lw216316]

warning - if you turn vol up enough to hear Don, when he cranks up the hemi it will burst your ear drums

[@ztwntyn8]

I very much enjoyed his thoughts on timing. When he first mentioned it, I though that part was edited from the video.

[@ztwntyn8]

Oh and night time nitro was a thoughtful touch at the end.

[@michaeltaylor8835]

Godfather of the quarter mile

[@leonardoaruca1]

Big Daddy Don garlits definitely a legend My favorite dragster And the Blue Max mustang funny car Also my favorite funny car I washed them both race at Hollywood sportatorium Hollywood Florida those were the good old days

[@theronfarrer8974]

I had a model of that car when I was a Kid

[@vppnbrent]

What a genius.

[@sofalugger]

Absolutely Brilliant. . . . Wotta Boy!!! ....

[@mikeeygauthier2959]

First racer to put a wing on a racing car!

[@scottwest1813]

Awesome video!

[@therealmaxspeedster]

What wonderful neighborhood does this man live in where he can idle a top fuel engine in his garage without-A: Setting off *every* car alarm within an 8th mile and-B: Generating a half dozen 911 calls within the 1st 30 secs ? :)

[@bbpetrov]

I am donald trump and the sound director of this video should be FIRED!

[@johnandersonjjr]

I had the model (kit) of that the only non stock type model I ever bought.The front engine “diggers “were the coolest.cackles ok but seems like a let down not to have a bit of a burnout too.

[@john90430]

This is absolutely awesome. Big Daddy is a master. But the audio; not so much. If I turn it up loud enough to hear him during the times he is sitting in the chair talking, when the video cuts to the engine running, I'm afraid I'll blow out my speakers!!

[@ericcorse]

Still the man

[@tec61]

In those day’s the KEITH BLACK HEMI’S RULED drag racing☝️☝️☝️

[@tommccallan8802]

We approached Don Garlits at the Bakersfield hot rod reunions years ago, he was sitting at his motorhome with the table out in front of it signing autographs. With his wife at his side. After he signed our autographs he talked to us for a half an hour. Occasionally checked on his wife for her well-being. Classy guy.

[@bobsmith1101]

Workin on your knees? My back! No jack stands?

[@ten8goa]

Where is Swamp Rat 62521??

[@Tommy_Mac]

I'm wondering if the shaking video was due to the shockwaves from the nitro or the cameraman crapping his pants...Don?

[@therealmaxspeedster]

Both :)

[@andynixon2820]

Super cool.

[@NeilLB7]

Why are we watching Garlits work on cylinder heads sideways?

[@VinceBearinger]

That was great

[@GERALD-lr3rz]

question for DON, I LIVE IN SAN DIEGO GROWING UP .And when i was 7 or 8 year old in around 1966 or 1967 my aunt DORIS SANTOS LIVE IN LEMON GROVE CALIFORNIA AND SHE WOULD PICK UP MYSELF AND BROTHER IN HER 1966 plymouth barracuda drive that car so fast that she would out run the cops chasing her.She told us little guys that she was good friend of BIG DADDY HIMself and that he modified her motor him SELF.I HAVE WONDER MY WHOLE SO FAR 65 YEARS IF THAT WAS A True story or not? .AND Don if you read this if you wouldnt mind saying yes or no that would really mean a whole lot to myself and Family. Thank you.

[@nickscaring2170]

One of the nations best role models Swamp Rat is a Eagle Scout

[@MrPappysCobra]

Great vid.

[@HEMISUPERBEE426]

AWESOME !

[@tec61]

SWAMP RAT IS STILL DA MAN👏👏👍☝️☝️

[@D...Charger]

I wonder how this car compared to the uk's Dennis priddles slingshot.

[@peteloomis8456]

I would say faster because he set a national record with it a few times & being drag racing was born & developed here in the USA unless Priddel was running on a sanctioned track with sanctioned built timers & sanctioned officials running everything as well as tech inspections he wouldn't have made any established records .

[@D...Charger]

@@peteloomis8456 oh ok.Although he could well of been the fastest in europe under different race body.

[@D...Charger]

@@peteloomis8456 just checked in 1975 he set the world record for the fastest ET.in a rear engine dragster.That info i got from the words of don garlits in the drag racers hall of fame.So a few years later in another dragster dennis was not only setting british and european records but he also set a world record.

[@bobfalfa76]

never see valve lapping like that anymore

[@yarpos]

materials science has come quite a way in recent decades

[@bobfalfa76]

@@yarpos With machines like the Serdi and modern valves, lapping isn't needed, it's obsolete. That being said, it still works and if a guy is feeling nostalgic, it'll make for a nice little Saturday.

[@joelewing4498]

Yeah, we were taught that way in auto shop in southern Arizona during my hi school years '69-'73. You'd put some blackish-grey lapping dust that was gently abrasive and work your 2 hands like you were building a fire using a rock and a piece of wood. So....they don't do that anymore?? lol

[@slit4659]

At 5:58....That's DONS RACING CHAIR.... Right out of Swamp Rat......

[@frankd8881]

What a Legend