Living Nightmares: EJ Potter's Allison V12 Powered Drag Strip Behemoths

Everyone knows EJ Potter from his globally death defying antics atop a series of Chevy V8 powered motorcycles known as the Widow Maker. But did you know about his automotive exploits on the drag strip?
Potter built a pair of insane Allison V-12 powered cars known as Nightmare One and Nightmare Too. These machines were incredible and both were relatively short lived especially as compared to the Widow Maker motorcycles. Imagine traveling nearly 150mph in these things?!
One blew up and nearly burned EJ out of the sport and the other was a car so innovative that it has features used in top fuel dragsters and funny cars today.
Here's a comprehensive look back at Nightmare One and Too, machines that blew away crowds, journalists, and even EJ "The Michigan Madman" Potter himself. Enjoy!

[@westernstateswaterreplenis4612]

I spoke to EJ a number times around 2006 when I bought his book. He would waffle on a bit and it was absolutely fascinating listening to him. The guy had had one of the most brilliant engineering minds and was way ahead of his time. It sounded like; rather than BS and talk about what he was going to do, he would just do it then talk about it and show what he had done. I owned one of his dynamometers and it was pretty interesting the way it was built. I am truly lucky to have come across him in my lifetime. If most people did 10% of what this guy did, they would be very satisfied. He was a true legend and the nicest person as well. Thank you for the video.

[@brianlohnes3079]

His best quote involved Evel Knievel. “He got paid to say he was going to do stuff. I got paid for actually doing stuff.”

[@georgesmith5185]

He also made a pulling tractor that he used to run locally here in midmichigan. It also had an Allison engine. Once when at a tractor pull, he took off with the sled in tow, and by the time he shut it down, he had left the end of the course and was across the street still pulling the weight sled. He was a legend here from Ithaca Michigan

[@anthonyrichard461]

I think I saw one of his tractor pull builds back in the 80's. Loud as hell with open short exhaust pipe facing up. Remember it knocking the dust off of the arena it was in.

[@stoveboltlvr3798]

He must've had balls of steel to straddle that V8 bike and hang on. Much like the nitro Harleys today. That's just insane to me!

[@nhmtrhd]

@@stoveboltlvr3798 It sure can’t be easy keeping her vertical & strait riding on a pool of molten rubber! And surprisingly he didn’t mind swapping from 4 wheels to two wheels. I guess what ever it took to keep the funds flowing…. I’m glad I saw him run his bike a few times. I true legend like Gartlits 👍

[@customkey]

I was there for the Allison v12 Plymouth run at Atco. The car was white with a blue top and the body looked like he'd grabbed it out of the junkyard, EJ sitting in the backseat. He takes off with tires smoking and achieves great speed but doesn't stop at the end of the track and crashes mightily into the tree stump barricade that was not visible from the pits or the grandstands, old red Cadillac ambulance takes off for the crash site. After a long period of drama while waiting, the ambulance returns slowly back up the track with EJ standing on top in a victorious stance, waving his hands in the air, the sign of a true showman. We didn't know he was in pain, he didn't convey that to his fans and I don't think anyone who was there that day will forget that show, EJ was a master showman.

[@catshotfourone7951]

Four or five years ago American Pickers found 2 of his V8 bikes Widowmaker and Bloody Mary, both were purchased for 45k with the promise of putting them in a museum they also showed a video clip of EJ doing an exhibition run from 1999.

[@farmcentralohio]

That's how I first learned of Mr. Potter

[@mikeskidmore6754]

@@farmcentralohio The announcers at the Tractor Pulls told about E.j.'s drag bikes.. I didn't know any more about them until I got his book .. I was born in 1961 .. Just a kid in the Motorcycle days.

[@michaelszczys8316]

I watch videos of the coolest ever 57 Chevy- the ' shitbox of doom ' and imagine once upon a time it driving a bunch of kids to the lake. E.J.s Dart wagon would be the opposite, a car that was once 2000 horsepower drag machine achieving 150mph now a stocker driving a bunch of kids to the lake.

[@mikeskidmore6754]

@@michaelszczys8316 My Cousin bought a new '56 Chevy with the 265 CI dual 4 barrel solid Lifter cam High Compression Corvette engine in it.. He is 88 years old now his Twin Brother just passed away .

[@ekim000]

One of my all time heroes. The balls and imagination of the man!

[@lovedadonald.]

Jeez this guy had balls the size of bowling balls ! Fearless to say the very least. I've never heard of him and I certainly appreciate you sharing his story.

[@resynthesizer4565]

We need more people like this in the world

[@Alex420DT]

My dad lived just down the road from EJ in Ithaca Michigan. My dad was a teenager then and always looked up to EJ. He used to tell me stories of hanging out and watching him work on stuff.

[@allareasindex7984]

I read about Potter in a motorcycle magazine in the 1960’s. It said he started the V8 bike on the line with a center stand holding the rear wheel off the ground. No clutch, just revved it up with the wheel spinning an inch above the pavement, then rolled it forward off the stand! The front brake would get cooked every few runs, but he said he didn’t care because he bought a barrel full of them, used. Respect for his massive bravery, but I’m totally impressed by the fact that he engineered and built it all too.

[@DavidSmith-ze2wi]

As a young Brit at the time I first read about the " Michigan Madman" in Hot Rod Magazine pictured sitting on his v eight motorcycle. One of my life's heroes. Sad to hear he's no longer with us with his wild machines and burning prodigious amounts of fuel. Great guy.

[@barath4545]

This guy is AMAZING! I cannot come up with anyone this engineering/maker like as a person today, everybody just gathers stuff nowadays, rather than make it from scratch. And he made stuff with zero autocad, zero 3d printing and all that - Impressive!

[@benjamintresham9649]

Thank you so much for the story. I have 25 years of mopar magazine and I live in Australia. I tell this story and most people think I’m full of shit. Great bloke with BALLS Thank you

[@user-ds1ey7yw2o]

As a kid I watched EJ's "Double Ugly" Twin Allison Pulling Tractor in action many times at Berrien County Youth Fair in the early 80s. Looked like a monster that crawled out of a WWII Aviation Junkyard. LOUD as hell and always erupting fire that lit the place up. I have so much respect for him. Fearless and Smart. Love EJ's quote - "IGNORANCE IS A POWERFUL TOOL IF APPLIED AT THE RIGHT TIME, EVEN USUALLY SURPASSING KNOWLEDGE"

[@brianlohnes3079]

A legend among legends!!!

[@GL-xz3xk]

Needed a wagon to also carry his ginormous pair of balls down the strip. Absolutely tickled that the wagon got made back into a daily. Great vid and insight into one of drag racing’s pioneers

[@zippityzbrake]

The alcohol dipped gloves... God damn that's a legendary story on its own. Glad he had a good keeper in the passenger seat. In his shoes I would've ducked out!! Even with the best moral support right next to me!

[@brianlohnes3079]

A man among men!

[@michaeljones3827]

Brian, thank you for this series, and for THIS pod. Being from Michigan, I saw all of EJ's creations. Not only was he crazy, and a great showman, he was just a nice guy, very down to earth. Once again, thank you so much.

[@4trialsin]

Saw his pulling tractor when I was a kid. Amazing. Pulling was an awesome homegrown sport then

[@Perfer-gw6ir]

I remember that picture of that 3000 HP wagon when I was very young. We are talking about 1964-1967 timeframe. I was born in 1954, but my brother was four years older, so he was into cars and so was I.

[@shawng7902]

ok that story of leaving the hospital just stopped me dead in my tracks. I gotta share that with everyone I know right now! That dude is 100% made differently than anyone I've known.

[@michaelszczys8316]

Never saw any of his cars but I did have the pleasure of witnessing E.J.Potter in action back in about 1971 in Detroit. He got his big block Chevy bike started, set it up on rear stand in neutral, put a blowtorch on the back tire to heat it up. had a smoke, when his smoke was done he put his helmet on, moved the torch, put in gear, revved it up and kicked it off the stand careening across all the lanes of the strip. If that wasn't enough he came back down the center and into the pits at about 80mph. The never was anyone even remotely close to drag strip exhibitions than the Michigan Madman.

[@hjets5387]

I remember seeing him at Atco with the Chevy Motorcycle. I remember a magazine article with a v-12 in the back of a Dodge Dart wagon.

[@vehdynam]

That was great ! I knew of EJ and his bike exploits. I saw him at at a tractor pull here in Ontario with his Allison powered behemoth. It was crude but very interesting and was called "Double Ugly". Many , many thanks Brian ; greatly appreciated.

[@danw1955]

AHHHHH!! Yes!!!! I remember that tractor when I was going to tractor pulls in the late 70's and early 80's! The double ugly was exactly that, and it was a coin toss if it would start at most events, but when it did, MAN, did it put on a show!!🤣😄👍👍

[@gregorygolden1296]

Michigan Madman sure fits the bill. This guy was one smart and BRAVE man. Only in America......

[@brianlohnes3079]

Amen to that!

[@johnhart125]

Seen his bike run a couple times and once looked it over and spoke with him, an interesting, intelligent guy with a real enthusiasm and belief in what he was doing

[@tonyforrester5072]

Amazing this man could walk with balls that big

[@realmaindrianpace]

I've never heard of this guy, but I think he might be my spirit animal.

[@brianlohnes3079]

Haha all of ours!

[@KanjoNights]

Two uploads in one week? Damn, Brian's putting in that overtime! Nicely done as always man. Such a gem of a story

[@brianlohnes3079]

Ha! Thank you

[@tonysimpkins8135]

I knew him,I spent a day out at his farm asking all kinds of questions. Then I spotted a huge crankshaft in his living room, I said that looks like an Allison crank, EJ eyes lit up, then he ran off to his bedroom and came back with a photo album. Inside this photo album was racks and racks of v 12 engines. I said where was this taken? He said, Russia, he said they where world war two engines the Russia used in tanks trucks and planes.The engines would run on gas, diesel kerosene and alcohol. I said EJ, your going to build another pulling tractor aren't you, He said yep. Right after that he was diagnosed with altimeter. I was glad I spent that time with him.

[@petem6291]

Brian, I read E.J. Potters book and one thing he wrote that changed the way I looked at things in the mechanical world (My Day Job ) what he said was to always do your own research. And that statement has helped me fix more things efficiently and diagnose more problems correctly ...

[@robertwoodliff2536]

Great story of a great man ..... thank you ...

[@brianlohnes3079]

Thank YOU!

[@RonNorman-qu4qz]

Truly hands down one of the most brilliant designers I have ever seen😮

[@guyh.4121]

E.J. “The Michigan Mad Man “ Potter was quite the innovator.

[@twiggss4344]

I love all of the wacky things people did with those v12 Allisons.

[@SoylentGamer]

And the brits think they're all that cuz one guy made a Merlin car

[@davidjohnson8474]

Geeze! I wish it was still around! Would be way cool to see!

[@williesweetjr8713]

So this is the man that spawned the legend of the Allison powered home built car in several cities i lived in including Nashville. Great article.

[@bobcote1375]

I remember my dad telling me stories about EJ Potter back in the day when I was a kid. Being that I am from Michigan Michigan. The story is pretty cool. Great job, Brian.

[@crazyoilfieldmechanic3195]

ABSOLUTELY THE BEST if not only video chronicling the accomplishments of EJ Potter that there is !!! Thanks for making it 👍

[@robertholland9331]

I saw him a couple times @ US 131 dragway in Martin Michigan in the 60’s…amazing to watch…

[@Axial_Andrew]

The man, the myth...the legend... The Michigan Madman...🤟

[@JackWebb713]

What an amazing man. Had never heard of him. Thank you for a great time.

[@kevinbresnahan3394]

What a guy! Fantastic story, wish we still had that scene now. Thanks.

[@TurboDog73TX]

I'd known about E.J since I was a kid reading Hot Rod mag in the 70’s, and am still in awe of just how tallented, and badass He was today, as I was when I first saw pictures of Him on his bike when I was 8 or so Years old. A true legend.

[@IowaBudgetRCBashers]

I miss all the Allison v12 powered stuff that was involved in all forms of racing all the way up into the mid 90’s.. EJ Was a Legend

[@ranr44]

I had the chance to talk to EJ in 63/64 at Samsula / Spruce creek during Daytona Speed Weeks. He told me about the tug boat clutch and not being able to see on the big end because of the tire smoke. He had some pretty thick glasses so he maybe couldn't very well any way! At that time Florida had plenty of ex Army practice strips near all the main air bases and with probably a lot of surplus search lights made for good night drags. During Speed Weeks a lot of drag racers would come down for the Nascar races and bring their drag cars, so Florida had their version of the Winternationals Aways had a lot of cars. A few years later I went to Lakeland Raceway for the drag races and EJ was there with his his jet trike. Unfortunatly he crashed before I got there to see him run.

[@popeyeman69]

An awesome history lesson for sure Brian! You always have the best stories!

[@brianlohnes3079]

Thanks for watching them!

[@popeyeman69]

@@brianlohnes3079 I have been for quite a while.

[@PigParts]

I met EJ at Santa Pod while on his UK tour, considering his exploits I found him friendly and modest. He cost me a fortune in rear tyres as I had smoke the tyres on my motorbikes at traffic lights copying my hero. Happy days

[@martymorse2]

Another great story about the true fabricators who are the foundation of motorsports in the US. I recently read Warren Johnson's book and like Potter, Warren made do with what he had on hand or was available from the local junk yard. Thanks Brian for continuing to bring back so many memories of my 1960-date infatuation with sanctioned or legal Drag Racing. Your recent videos are more a testament to a generation that was taught Industrial Arts in High School than the everyone must go to College route. I taught at a major Big Ten University for almost 25 years and the only Industrial Arts I saw being taught were in our Ag, Industrial Design Departments or those few Mechanical Engineering students who took part in some of the human powered and electric vehicles that were done above and beyond their daily class load. Cat and John Deere now have a place on our campus so maybe it's a move in the direction to prepare more University students to work in their Illinois plants or in their Athens, Georgia plants where Cat's newest domestic plant is located.

[@brianlohnes3079]

Thanks for being an educator!!

[@CarsandCats]

Do they even have shop class in high school anymore or has it been replaced by Gender Studies?

[@ramblerdave1339]

That wouldn't be Moo U, would it?

[@qibble455]

I really enjoy these stories:)

[@ronw59]

Thank you for this, Brian. I had seen EJ make passes on his motorcycle at St. Thomas Dragway here in Ontario, Canada and much later heard he was into tractor pulling. But I didn't know anything about his Allison powered cars, so this video was very educational to say the least. I find all of your videos most interesting, so please keep them coming. Once again, thank you very much.

[@brianlohnes3079]

Awesome! Glad you got some info from watching!

[@jamesschoonover5068]

Great ! Love EJ Potter! Thanks, never knew he did cars with Allisons!! WOW!

[@nitroamerica1024]

Yes!!! The Michigan Madman! To see those cars in person must have been something.

[@ronfox5519]

For what its worth- My dad shot film sometime in the 60s at the dragstrip of the Grattan Raceway in Grattan Michigan. It was a practice day and most of the film was of an open wheel dragster with an Allison in it. Might have been a four wheel drive. The driver was from the area somewhere, but i don't remember his name. I think the grand rapids press did a few stories on that car through the years.

[@brianlohnes3079]

Sounds like Lee Pendleton!

[@ronfox5519]

@@brianlohnes3079 Wow. Thank you. Do you have any vids on him?

[@packhams4]

The world needs more people like EJ, he was beyonnnnd 'legendary' - 'Michigan Madman' was the perfect nickname! Loved the bit about his wife using the Dodge as her shopping runabout afterwards, classic!

[@elmermitchell8265]

This is new to me,loved it! Thanks for sharing your videos.

[@brianlohnes3079]

Glad you learned about a legend!

[@elmermitchell8265]

@@brianlohnes3079 I knew about his bikes but never heard of his cars before.

[@othgmark1]

Great job about a great racer. Legendary, thank you.

[@mikecurtis2585]

Wow I love hearing these stories! Keep them coming!!!

[@brianlohnes3079]

Thanks for watching them!

[@TheAussie1970]

Just think of E.J and Smokey Yunick sitting down for a beer together and seeing what they would come up with....

[@brianteal7898]

I saw EJ at on his motorcycle at Detroit Dragway back in the 60's. Man, what a rush! He pulled it up on the center stand using a pipe for leverage. He started the monster with it running just above idle then rocked forward and hit it. This was at night and all you could see were flames and smoke going down the track. He said he would give the bike to anyone who could hold it wide open all the way down the track. There were no takers. I also saw the original Little Red Wagon that night. Good times!

[@davidfrost801]

Drag racing is sight and sound for the senses, nothing like smoking the tires nearly the full length of the strip, I remember seeing him at Tulsa when I was a kid, great show !

[@AfroMyrdal]

You know it's a good day when it's a Lohnes upload-day! I don't think Ive ever heard a boring word come out of your mouth man, and stuff like this is pure gold. Thanks for blessing us with your wast knowledge! 🙏🏻🔥

[@brianlohnes3079]

Thank you for watching!!!

[@bearmarsh6579]

The legend that is EJ Potter...

[@RexCars1]

Amazing Story Brian.. Well Done .. Thank you

[@jameseastwood4984]

Fascinating content and outstanding delivery, loved it.

[@Whuffagowie]

He lost "Bloody Mary" at Onondaga Dragway in Michigan and had to bail out at 150 MPH. I helped him load her up on the trailer once, too. He was a nice guy and THE poster boy for Adrenalin junkies, wherever they are. R.I.P. E.J.!

[@barneypierce6811]

Great story & research. Thank you

[@mark-lj5dc]

another great video - thanks

[@troutbassncat3025]

GREAT Story, GREAT Presentation!

[@LaLaLand.Germany]

What a Guy! That kind of madness and commitment is inspiring! For him being in a fireball twice I think it´s fair to say he went to hell and back.

[@brianlohnes3079]

I agree!

[@jamesfmforce6790]

I met his brother and got to sit on the v8 bike. Keep in mind it was stack injected in your face. So the fuel reversion from the stacks would soak him while he rode. Balls of steel is an understatement. Rev it up kick it off the stand and burn it down the track. Wild man

[@brianlohnes3079]

100% insane stuff and he made it his living for a decade!

[@the-real-big-vic7359]

Man keep these weekly uplods going absolutely love these videos

[@vrm86gt]

Awesome ingenuity!

[@BazzaroRealm]

I’m grateful to have stumbled across your channel. These are truly great sir. I’ve already watched 3 😊. Thanks for your work.

[@brianlohnes3079]

I’m thankful and happy you like this stuff!!

[@ledoshuffle]

Wow . Dude was a badass

[@nickrider5220]

Life is so much better for having these free thinkers !

[@user-zn4ps9jb4z]

Thank you for these videos man.. I mean that from the bottom of my heart, my son loves them and so do i

[@scottpender143]

Been enjoying the hell out these Brian. Appreciate it.

[@brianlohnes3079]

Thanks for watching them!!

[@K-Effect]

Awesome! Thank you for the great storytelling!

[@brianlohnes3079]

Thanks for watching!!

[@cadmanchannel]

Another great video!!

[@michaelhalsall5684]

He converted to Dart wagon back into a road car after wildly modifying it and almost burning it up! I wonder if it still survives somewhere, it would be vey collectable if it still exists!

[@billrandell4641]

When I was a kid, my neighbor had a Henery J sitting outside, that was set up for an Allison..It had many Bonneville Salt Flats metal participation plaques attached to the Transmission tunnel. It was black with a long arm holding a giant eyeball on the side and a huge name "Hysteria" painted below it...Ford 9 inch rear end and Gasser style front..I've always wondered who built it and it's history...

[@flyingmerkel6]

EJ wins. Great story. How he survived is a mystery. Alcohol soaked gloves?

[@dwaynesullivan-qo2iz]

Another great video thanks

[@ericfredrickson5517]

I knew E.J. Potter: His teenage best friend was the son of my dad's friend, Cliff Wetzel, of Diltz-Wetzel Mfg, creator of the world's first fully automatic potato seed cutter, amongst other things. E.J. and Richard, Cliff's son, built a riding lawnmower out of a VW. Richard got a speeding ticket driving it into town to mow lawns. He was also the world's expert on Allison engine tuning. He taught himself Russian, so he could read the service manual for a Russian generator engine. He was a fascinating man. Sadly, he died a few years ago from Alzheimer's.

[@user-cb3ti8qt1w]

Thanks Brian love the history

[@RandallSoong-pp7ih]

Madness and genius together with massive huevos!!

[@fourfortyroadrunner6701]

THANK you for this GREAT and well done video. I had no idea Potter had done some of this stuff

[@brianlohnes3079]

Glad you got something from it!!

[@codyalbright4137]

Another AWS video man thank you for your commitment to the hot rod and racing community plus keeping this history alive

[@brianlohnes3079]

Thanks for having an interest and watching!

[@micksterboone4517]

I knew about his bikes, but never the cars. Thanks.

[@brianlohnes3079]

And now you know!

[@MrJacksonBollock]

And that's a new subscriber you've got yourself. Fantastic, informative video,

[@brianlohnes3079]

Thank you!!!!

[@dirk013adfa]

Mr. Lohnes, I hope you are having an amazing day. Thank you for these great stories!!

[@brianlohnes3079]

Same to you!

[@farmhand6524]

Speechless💯💯💯💯 Also, magnificent documentation and presentation, thank you...

[@brianlohnes3079]

Thank you!!

[@leesherman100]

Ya got my vote!! Words are hard to come by when describing E.J. Awesome!! Five stars*****

[@kurtl6979]

“He wanted to be at the dealer when the mechanic opened the hood and wondered what the hell happened” .. Brilliant.

[@brianlohnes3079]

The best!

[@MiscRocketVideos]

My favorite part about this video is that it almost sounds like Brian is trying to sell me something. What is he selling? A crazy guy running a V8 motorcycle, Allyson 12's in both drag cars and pulling. Where the heck do I sign, as I'm buying what you're selling!!!! Great stuff, sir. Keep it coming!

[@brianlohnes3079]

Haha - Hey, the MadMan sells himself!

[@brianlohnes3079]

Hey, the ManMan sells himself!!

[@garyfeltman4482]

The Michigan Madman! Remember him well. A v8 in a motorcycle and he would smoke the rear tire down the track.

[@allareasindex7984]

One more thing I recall: he said some of the drag strip operators were “crooked as hell, especially down south,” LOL. They’d agree to his fee, say they’d have the money at the end of the night as the fees came in, then just disappeared without paying him. In some professions you gotta insist on getting paid up front or no show!

[@mgbchuck6527]

Mr. Potter was my #2 favorite exhibition driver (on motorcycle) only behind Capt. Jack McClure and his Rocket Kart. Saw both multiple times (lucky me!)

[@brianlohnes3079]

Two amazing guys!

[@CarsandCats]

I saw him a couple years ago and put up a KZbin video on my channel. He was pushing over 90 years old at the time!

[@Larpy1933]

Excellent video work here on a fascinating character. I read about his V8 motorcycle (in Hot Rod magazine IIRC) - apparently he bought off-the-shelf “warranted” automotive tires for it. After a race weekend he’d return the completely roached tire for a guaranteed replacement. Thanks for the vid. Very interesting and FULL of info I’d never known.

[@_JamesBrown]

Brian, I'm not on IG anymore because of the cancer of ads, but appreciate your KZbin presence. Love these videos going deep into the history of drag racing.

[@brianlohnes3079]

Thanks for watching it!

[@_JamesBrown]

Thanks Brian!

[@hugejohnson5011]

Wowza! I loved this video that gave me some insight into a fellow that I'm ashamed to admit that I knew barely anything about. I am a rabid motorcycle enthusiast, and worked at a specialty automobile dealership for 20 years, but that doesn't make me a know it all! As an aside, I really enjoyed your production and voice delivery of this video! Thanks for posting it!

[@brianlohnes3079]

Awesome and thank you! Glad you learned something from it!

[@papasmodelcarroom8450]

Great video as usual. This guy is freaking AWESOME 😮😮

[@brianlohnes3079]

Yes he was!

[@johntooth9294]

He came to Townsville , NTH QLD Australia in about the 70's with the Bike . What a showman..