"Dyno" Don: The Cars And Career Of Dyno Don Nicholson

[@johnwilkerson2195]

Awesome 😎

[@etharp40]

I watched Don at Pomona Fairgrounds many times. One could count on a great contest when Don was involved.

[@thomasleclair7418]

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,thank you..................have the book......wish I met the man...................

[@fredrespess7475]

Thank You for the memories Don was a friend Always treat me Platinum

[@dennisholst4322]

I was at Pomona in 87 who was the guy that had 454 yellow old coupe with a 4 speed it was the winter nationals

[@garymeredith2441]

I remember seeing the dyno man at ocir what a great cars that he had especially the late 70s Mustang that was one I like the best thank you for this great job of all these photographs of the Dyno Don thank you .

[@moss8448]

Do remember in a small town in SC in `64 when all the talk was about a 427 Comet doing a wheelie at the main intersection and it had Don Nicholson Tuned painted on its side. There was a group of drag racers there that had money to burn and they'd always talk about having the engine blue printed and letting Don Nicholson tune it, it very well could've been him at that intersection.

[@daleostrom3613]

I have a magazine with his brand new 1965 Super Cyclone, 427 SOHC with Weber carbs on it. The car with old hard slicks on it ran in the 9s right off the trailer.

[@BastardX13]

V8s mounted with weber carbs look fantastic.

[@dennisholst4322]

7 grand shifts

[@Joe-uo9wv]

Scary I remember those days 60/70s. Now at 68 thank God I still remember them, hopefully till I'm dead.

[@dennisholst4322]

You ain't gonna die

[@olderthanyoucali8512]

I watched Dyno Don race at many California strips in the 60's, I finally had the pleasure of meeting him at the first California Hot rod Reunion at Bakersfield's Famoso drag strip, he was standing alone, no one seemed to know who he was, I introduced myself and explained that I was a big fan, to my surprise he took me over to his trailer and showed me his new '62 white Chevy bubble top that he said would run in th 9's. A wonderful man and experience I'll always remember. Rest in peace.

[@billysyms5761]

In 79 / 80 I worked for Dave and Karen Smith, a shop called Precissioned Speed in Anaheim CA. Dyno Don had a shop next door. I used to laugh my ass off listening to all the chevy vs ford stuff. These dudes really knew their stuff, cool job for an 18 year old kid.

[@hemi300c4]

Racing then were cars sold at your local dealership. 427 side oilers with dual quads found in the big Galaxy 500. Boss 429 SOHC Mustang. 428 Cobra Jet Mach 1 Mustangs. 1969 Boss 302 Mustang. Cars that were for sale setting on lots waiting for the person who watched these FX factory backed Ford teams at their local race track. A true win on Sunday, sale on Monday. Amazing cars that now sell for thousands over what they sold for many years ago. I was fortunate enough to own a then new 1969 428 CJ Mach 1 that cost me just over $3600.. My first new car that I've never forgotten. I've own several Mustangs through the years, but none were as special as that Mach 1. Thanks for sharing videos of these magnificent cars.

[@fredrichardson3767]

Running on all cylinders!

[@sergeantmasson3669]

Late in Don's career, he was buying '64 Ford Fairlanes to put all aluminum Ford 460 500+ hp engines into them and call them "Lightning Bolts." They were to be street legal too. He only competed two though before his mental health deteriorated. One of those cars is in this video.

[@sergeantmasson3669]

Dyno Don won more NHRA match races than anybody in NHRA history.

[@artvandelay0073]

Nothing like some Sandy Nelson on the drums...😄👍🇺🇸

[@dennisholst4322]

Bending his drumsticks

[@sergeantmasson3669]

Amazing man. More than once, he gave me some advice on how to improve my drag racing skills and car. I won 231 races with that car and three NHRA class championships with it. I still have that car, it's still street legal, and I still race it at a nearby NHRA track once in awhile. It also still has "Thanks Dyno Don and Earl Wade" on it.

[@thomasleclair7418]

what car and class did you compete........................

[@sergeantmasson3669]

@@thomasleclair7418 '57 Ford custom 2 dr sedan, E/Gas, E/MP, a Vega body AA/FF car, and a 1969 Boss 302 pure stock Mustang.

[@sergeantmasson3669]

@@thomasleclair7418 A few different classes. Pure stock, E/G, E/MP, D/S, and AA/FF cars. One of my former NHRA AA/FF cars is at Don Garlits Museum in Ocala FL on display.

[@toddbob55]

Started his career in a Chevy and ended in a Ford can't blame him the Fords of the 1960's were killer

[@shogunMR]

That Dyno Don Maverick is my favorite. i Like them all

[@BastardX13]

Great video! Tight and concise. Good summary of dyno and that era.

[@mikeburks9641]

Don Nicolson and Bob Glidden, two great Ford guys R.I.P.

[@PhilAVega]

Very true. RIP Ford Racing

[@dennisholst4322]

Shepherd gave them a go

[@buddythebulldog]

"OUTSTANDING" Video you put together here...… "DYNO DON" was one of my "FORD HERO'S"..... I'd Like To See A Video Like This One Put together of "BOB GLIDDEN", and also "RONNIE SOX"..... Thank You …...… …."Skip"...………….

[@grantellis3046]

Probably the one I remember most was to beat the rules he built a 4 door Maverick for Pro Stock

[@sergeantmasson3669]

WRONG! That was Gapp & Roush, not Dyno Don Nicholson.

[@donstewart368]

I saw him run at Bowling Green Ky in the early 60s. He sure could shift a four speed. It was either a 61 or 62 Chevy. I cant remember which.

[@joevald3]

Don Nicholson Don Nicholson was a no BS guy . He came to race and race he did . I had the pleasure of losing too many times .

[@starsandspit]

Fantastic pictures, audio and video. Even better than the last! A great read from a great author. A MUST for any Drag Racing fan.

[@Djnspt40]

Very cool video. My grandfather, Dave McGrane was his crewman.

[@hotwheel6663]

Loved that '68 Eliminator Cougar.

[@willgachassin7031]

I see ya nigga

[@BruceLee-xn3nn]

Like to have on looking all nostalgic

[@richardmcclain1420]

I helped that old fart work on that yellow Pinto with a arm in a cast , I was 13 maybe 14 at Jackson Dragstrip / Carolina Dragway ! In Aiken County SC The House of Hook ! 🥊

[@waylettauto973]

Sandy Nelson?

[@roadking99jokerst60]

Saw grudge matches in Omaha, like '73. I think the Nicholson car was piloted by Ken Dondero? Too fun.

[@richardmcree6992]

Very goood!

[@rchydrozz751]

Why the campy music. Just narrate it and have the sounds of the cars.