Hemi Under Glass Last Ride

After 39 years at the wheel of one of the most famous and unusual cars in drag racing, the Hemi Under Glass, Bob Riggle decided to hang it up.
We were there to capture the last runs of this iconic car and the driver who thrilled crowds at drag strips all over the country.

[@IronDruids]

Nah, the last ride was with Leno.

[@homefront3162]

phuk leno

[@gregguenthner3059]

When he rolled it.

[@NavinJohnson_thethird]

Yep. That was an awkward moment.

[@wesfrazier5739]

Jay pissed his britches. Now that was funny

[@stefankoch9379]

Anyone know if he repaired the car after the "Leno Incident"?

[@bouncingshot]

He drove that thing for 50 years then rolled it on leno's show. Atleast the engine of it was alright.

[@markbeech3455]

Tóth Arnold that car got fixed

[@peterhargreaves1190]

111

[@mustangmadd3172]

@Mybusinessnoturs no need to be a little bitch

[@zaceryhammond1144]

That car only did the show wasn’t the actual car

[@MrTorgueFlight]

These cars are a real piece of drag racing history and they mean a lot to those of us who grew up around this sport. Great video! Thanks for posting this.

[@1AAuto]

Thank you for posting this video.Nice trip down memory lane.

[@KreigsMarine2]

I am so glad my dad, who grew up loving sprint car racing and drag racing, took me to many, many races when I was growing up. i have met many famous drivers, thank you dad!!

[@KingRoseArchives]

Nice memories for sure.

[@thevmanvj]

I saw Bob Riggle and the HHUG for the first time at Orange County Int'l Raceway in the summer of 1968....I was 6 yrs old. Thank you Bob so many wonderful memories and for being the showman that you are. Long live the HHUG.... And long live its legend!

[@tomriggle3217]

That's a pretty cool car you got to love those old Mopar

[@williamperson367]

I bought a 1965 Dodge Dart from Bob, at his house in Chino Valley Arizona ! ! !

[@gochanny]

William Person upload a video of it

[@markhager4508]

I had the honor of performing with Bob at Cordova Dragway back in the 90’s! I had no idea Bob was that CRAZY!!! The ride alongs in the bed of the wheelstanders’ was awesome!!!! A great showman!

[@jonlundbergsr9131]

So ... it's springtime 1965 in Madison Heights, MI (a Detroit suburb). Out of a garage rolls the yet-to-be-completed Hurst Hemi Under Glass with Bill Shrewsberry at the wheel for a drivetrain and driver fit test. Bill drives the car around the parking lot a bit and then about 300 feet down a nearby paved entrance alley. He turns around to drive back and notices that the next door high school has a face in every window gawking at the car! AN AUDIENCE! He stops, builds pressure against the torque converter then stands on it! The front end comes way up and the bloody high school EMPTIES!! That, dear folks, was the first-ever wheelstanding pass of the HHUG and I was there to see it.

[@KingRoseArchives]

Jon Lundberg Sr Thanks for sharing this moment in automotive history. Much appreciated. A time when cars were able to get pulses racing.

[@josephcottone9033]

THAT'S WHEN CARS Were CARS

[@nicetna2010]

Jon Lundberg Sr Having just read that gave me goosebumps. Really cool, doesn't get much better than that.

[@carstuff2744]

Joseph Cottone true

[@torcher78]

bitchen!

[@HazardSports]

Great video! A shame what happened to the car on Jay Leno's show!

[@giants29100]

Great way to retire it though.

[@scottgolden2766]

Jay probably paid for the repair

[@26doodlebug]

@@RWWarner3608 lol damn relax the car is already repaired. He took a chance and wrecked. Not the first time either. Chill, no need for all that name calling

[@tunercars3]

@@RWWarner3608 9th copy of the car your comment is retarded

[@Chance-ry1hq]

Wesley Warner Some anger issues?😂

[@riceski]

You brought and still bring great times. I remember as a boy -= I am 61 now - how cool this car and you were. It was really a scary ride back then. I have been in a wheel standing car and they are really a controlled wreck. Even with brake/steering they are a very unpredictable ride. Thanks for the great memories.

[@wildestcowboy2668]

Gary Wayne you may have been in a small block Chevy or Ford but a HEMI was all about throttle. Big daddy Dom tried to blow a 426 up and couldn't

[@TheAbbfan]

I have been a fan since the car first came out. Had the honor and pleasure of meeting and spending several minutes talking with Bob Riggle a few years back at Atlanta Dragway. He is a true gentleman. I wish him well in his retirement. Thanks for posting this video. Like htrdcarnut said, I would have paid to watch this.

[@jbramblett]

The Hemi Under Glass was and is a drag racing icon. It was part of the golden age of the sport . Great video.

[@marksolarz3756]

Very Cool! Back when just about every county had a drag strip! High school kids would come to school with there times written in white on there windshields,........anybody else?

[@THRILLERBILL1]

I CAN REMEMBER SEEING IT RUN NOW IM GETTIN OLD, WANT TO GO BACK TO THEM DAYS

[@johnnywilson1616]

It's the Bob Riggle's of this life that make it so worth while! Bless his heart and God speed!

[@Carolyn665]

Saw this at Connecticut Dragway. Had several other wheelstanders that day. L.A.Dart, Little Red Wagon, Back-up Pickup and the Hell On Wheels Tank. (Fiberglass bodied replica of an M-60 tank) Great show. Thanks to Frank Maratta.

[@HighlanderNorth1]

Apparently he didn't retire.

[@ws678ta]

We have seen Bobs Hemi Under Glass many times at Fremont Raceway in Fremont ,Calif. from early 70's on up. Lil Red Wagon, Blue Max, Don Garlits Swamp Rat , the whole gang. I did my first trip down the quarter mile in 1974 with my 1970 Roadrunner, barely 18 yrs old.. Truly the good ole days.

[@markholmgren3697]

I put a rear window from a 68 Baracuda into the hood of my 68 Charger backwards with the open arch of the glass to the rear so you could see the 440 with long cross ram manifolds, Thanks for the inspiration

[@scottkolar7374]

RIP Bob. Glad to call you a friend.

[@theace27]

Bob Riggle bar non is my favorite Drag Racer of all time!!! Bob and the Hurst Hemi Under Glass are GOD!!! You couldn't meet a nicer guy or see a cooler car. I can remember when I first met Bob him telling me and my Dad about him riding in the Back up Pick up. Finally getting to see that was awesome!! In my opinion Bob is/was the greatest showman in racing. Thanks for posting this.

[@richdiscoveries]

From what I understand there's a new car with a new driver since that roll with Jay Leno. Not even sure how this popped into my feed, but I'm happy it did. Thank you for sharing this with us

[@johnzuggster6718]

What a treasure of a man and machine thanks to you and the crew.

[@allpointhd]

Thanks very much for this wonderful video! This brings back such nice memories, I used to love this car when I was 10-15 years old. I built the model back then.

[@fernhoppertimberworks8037]

One of my favorite plastic model cars when I was 10 years old was the 1968 Hurst hemi underglass cuda . I am now 61 years old .and it is still my favorite.

[@eversotm]

Great video. In 90s we saw him in Wisconsin. Hours after he ran, rain was coming and most fans were gone. He saw my friend and I drooling over the car and he says: "Hey guys, wanna help me push her into the trailer?" We did. Got to touch the last Hemi Under Glass. Great memory.

[@211skip]

Great memories of the late 60s and early 70s........Thanks for the post.........

[@jwyche]

Has to be one of the best drag racing videos of all time. I first saw the car as a high school senior in 1966. That was a great time for cars.

[@diabel1969]

I've had the pleasure of seeing this man run the "Hemi Under Glass" on two occasions. Thank you for sharing this!

[@massholejeff]

I remember being a huge fan of "Hemi Under Glass" since being a kid watching him ride at New England Drag Way. So cool to see the footage of these legends. Boston Strangler, Snake Army, Jungle Jim ... all tops in my book as well. Thanks for uploading this!!!!!!!!!!!

[@josephrapoza6453]

What a great guy... HE IS THE HEMI UNDER GLASS.. The man the myth the legend. ....

[@TheGG794]

I remember the original Hurst Hemi Under Glass when It came to Hawaii sometime in 1965 or 1966 when it was still driven by Wild Bill Shrewsberry.If I'm not mistaken,Linda Vaughn(Miss Hurst) also made an appearance.This was at Hawaii Raceway Park,which closed in 2006.

[@davidburns8662]

This car will be talked about for ever. It helped turned me into a "Morpar Or No car", guy. My best friend Mark had an older brother who had a formula S 1966' Cuda with a 273 short stroking, screaming small block! I never understood why they didn't run a Cuda in the Trans- Am racing series back then. They could have sold so many more Cudas if they had gone road racing with the little 273. It would have been a holy terror on a road course!

[@KingRoseArchives]

Never thought of a Barracuda as a road racer but they were great looking cars. Thanks for sharing.

[@bobjohnson1587]

"Morpar"!

[@jeffleblanc8850]

The best car ever got me to love drag racing wen he started with his 65 or 66 barracuda then up graded with new style 67 to 69 barracuda it was my first model Bob a lengend along with maverick my favourite car as a kid got me to love mopar awesome chair

[@larrysynak]

The U.S. 30 wheel stand footage blows me away as I was 10 years old at the time and at the drag strip that day for the first time ever. I loved drag racing in my youth and after hearing the Jan Gabriel commercial for this show on WLS had begged my parents to take me that Sunday in 67' We almost turned around when we got there and found out the grandstand side admission was $5 per person. Great mom and dad that they were we went in and spent the day. I was in racing heaven.

[@popples4973]

Great video, good times back then. 👍🏼

[@orr1956]

1.Rockingham,NC early 70's 2.Garlits-Jenkins-HHUG-Hell on Wheels, pit passes. 3.Standing at the fence a mere few feet away 4.Nitro in the face. 5.Still hav all the pictures. 6.Priceless!!! For a 17 year old = Highlight of the Vacation!!!.

[@johnstoffel5885]

I saw this legend in 1968 in Springfield, Illinois

[@bjpru66]

I saw the first run of this car at Johnsville Naval Air Station.I was stationed there at the time. Hurst Perfomance was located right the street and the base comander let George Hurst use the air strip on the weekends to test the car. Hurst was ex navy! We had drag races on the air strip on the weekends as the air strip was inactive on wkends. This was crazy for the time and I will never forget this car!

[@MrUltraworld]

As a little kid in the late 60's I was this car at New York National Drag Strip on Long Island. It made a huge impression on me.

[@kylepirko9251]

What do you mean he USED to be a wild and crazy guy? He's 80 years old and he's still rolling that car!

[@3bar]

You have just witnessed the definition of cool.

[@michaelgautreaux3168]

Super, can't be beat! Many thanx

[@Longmiestr]

I saw the Hurst Hemi under glass in, if I remember the correct year, it was 1966 at The World Finals in Tulsa Oklahoma. I was 13 years old and my dad took me to the track Saturday morning see qualifying. When we went in to the track I ran up to the fence and screamed to my Dad, "look Dad it's the Hurst Hemi under glass! I loved the wheel standers. I saw the Little Red Wagon there several times.

[@JonEvans818]

That's soo awesome. It sucks it got totaled.

[@chapie9]

Seen this car 3 times, and loved it every time. THIS CAR SHOULD NEVER BE RETIRED.

[@erics9754]

He retired it by destroying it in a rollover and his skills have gone due to old age and maybe a mental disability.

[@thesurveyor2235]

First time I saw it was in Seattle in 1974. I was 10 still remember it like it was yesterday!

[@tertessa]

what a perfect rocking chair..

[@LiveByItHD]

I loved this show of power, I saw it in Idaho and built several models of it in my youth. Those were the days.

[@tejastiger61]

This is one more thing that made being born in the 1961's GREAT ! In 1969 the 'HEMI under GLASS" and the 'LITTLE REd WAGON" ruled ! As did the "Snake & Mongoose" show...aka Hot Wheels. God Bless Bob Riggle a wonderful person and a GREAT AMERICAN ! Thanks for the wonderful memories ... He did it for LOVE not money .....

[@flyingcatsofthesalishsea.]

yup he is a great guy! Staying power! Thanks Bob for all the memories!

[@danf321]

WOW, seeing the Hemi Under Glass, the Little Red Wagon and the LA Dart bring me back to my days in College when I went to many drag meets and saw all of the wheel standers. This was a great piece of history.

[@superbmediacontentcreator]

I remeber all this from growing up but never got to see this car. I actually bought a 1961 Ford van becuse I love the Little Red Wagon and so forth. It's sad to see the era end and that another genertaion hasen't seen fit to take over.

[@candorguy]

Present day nostalgia at its best! Thumbs up!

[@sableliger327]

One of the most iconic Hemis in drag racing history, along with the "Little Red Wagon" and the "LA Dart".

[@Dierwolf2000]

what an amazing way to end a truly awe inspiring drag career. hope the sunset treats you well Mr. Riggle!

[@jzero32]

What a cool video and awesome memories brought back to mind. These guys were real hot rodders , listening to the stories from the actual drivers is mind blowing ! It's great hearing from the rodders that actually know what they are talking about !!!!!!!!!! American history 101 !

[@holeeshietpyro4072]

wild west of drag racing exhibition, awesome golden years of experimental entertainment

[@BucketWheat]

The Rocking Chair made out of a set of Headers is GREAT!!

[@paulwhite6250]

Rapid Bob Riggle was a hero in my younger years.

[@smokiethelo]

loved this car as a kid.. still do as an adult

[@bfdahl70]

WOW, that was cool, Bob, I always loved to see you when you came up to Hinckleys Dodge in Salt Lake City! having worked there for 9yrs it almost seemed as if you were a part time employee when you showed. Everyone always commented on how friendly you were. 3 generations of my family thank you!

[@embassyhotel]

My Dad is 68 yrs & is a HUGE MOPAR MAN which i'am also,Nothing beats a dam Mopar man.My Dad has had some wicked Mopars such as a 1969 Plymouth GTX 440 Super Commando,2 1971 Plymouth Roadrunners with 383 Magnums & here's one he wish he really kept a 1971 Hemi Cuda.Now he has a super rare 1975 Dodge Dart Hang Ten with a 360.& i have a 1971 Duster 340 4-speed,But my Dad has told me some wild stories about when he was young & dragging down the back county roads for pink slips,never lost either.

[@Jake-ty4bs]

as a kid growing up the hemi under glass the la dart the back up pickup were only two streets down from my parent's home. bob riggle had a shop that sold speedway mini bike's. oh the good old day's

[@gunnyu.s.m.c8606]

hell yeah! ever so sweet! I grew up watching this car my compliments sir

[@tiresqweeler]

Never get enough of watching this vid!...That is one cool car!

[@spikey2740]

You don't know what the secret is? They love it, that's why. Although I never saw it run in person (only videos), I'm one of them. Thanks for everything.

[@Psychomotors]

Simply an AWESOME video and I love the rocking chair,lol.

[@ChopperGreg]

I gotta say this video kinda brought a tear to my eye. I loved seeing the HUG as a little kid at pomona. WE LOVE YOU BOB!!!

[@wallybell3255]

Long Live Bob Riggle ...Thanks...

[@BoilerBloodline]

It’s crazy how long this wheelstander has been around. The first time I saw the Hemi Under Glass was at or near 1979 running against the Little Red Wagon in either Indianapolis or U.S. 30 Drag Strip near Gary, IN. Talk about getting a 5 - 7 year old kid immediately interested in racing. Such an amazing and seed planting attraction the wheel standers are.

[@sherbuy]

I loved my 65 Barracuda V-8, great car, no problems, very comfortable.

[@robkal56]

This in one of the coolest car vids on KZbin, hands down! This guy was crazy. Surprising he's still with us. Can you think of a better job than this? Thanks for putting it up, mrpitv.

[@DeborahCooper-gu2ng]

What a sweet man, consumate professional.

[@Thedude3297]

He never did rope off that car. My dad took me to Englishtown Raceway Park in the late 90's for my first drag race and Mr. Riggle and the 68' fish was there. I remember being mesmerized by the car in the pits, just because of the Hemi being under the glass. Dad looked at me and said "Wait till he runs." I asked why? "Just wait son, trust me." That first run floored me and left an impression that has lasted for years. This man loved his trade and his fans. A true King of the Strip.

[@briangalien8187]

thanks for the memories mr. riggle!

[@precbsfender]

Originally built as a competitive FX car.. turned Wheel-stander.. Hats Off to Mr. Riggles for all those awesome quarter mile wheelies over the past years ...What a great showman.. We'll miss you ..

[@KingRoseArchives]

Since we shot our video he's been coming out of retirement periodically. A few weeks ago he appeared on Jay Leno's new show. The two of them almost wrecked the car.

[@precbsfender]

King Rose Archives They did wreck the car ,They rolled it over several times and the original body had to be replaced.

[@haljones5204]

Almost wreck car? What video did you see? The one I saw shows them rolling the car and totaling it!

[@ryan_poul757]

+hal jones It could have been repaired.. Just easier to get.another body

[@MrAbe51]

An American Icon . Even had the model when I was a kid!

[@kellienicolebrooksschettin6598]

I took my 1970 Dodge SE to ADCO RACEWAY IN new jersey...being a pretty good mechanic I had put a Factory AAR cuda 727 auto trans with the original 2500rpm torque converter from the 6 pack cars...the motor blew so I had just put a good running industrial/ marine 318v8 back in the car and just had mienke build a special dual exhaust for the 70 340 hi po exhaust manifolds that were ad big as headers...but the the point and distributor were worn....but all together the car sounded great with the full hollow pipes and I mistakenly moved the turbo mufflers back to were the resonator should have been....I was warming the car up on the line and it's sounded really fast and so cool...folks were running up to the fence because of the sound,so I revved it more to get them over to watch more...ADCO has a pro tree,my first time,when the tree went off I nailed it. ....475 no electronics I beat the other car off the line by two and half cars....the points going south made the people think it was a mountain motor with a giant cam little did they know ,but they still love it about pulled the front wheels off...it was a perfect launch the fans loved it but when the points started to real hurt the speed about halfway got out so far the 77 Skylark was so slow coming but was coming...I was a duck ...I watched him in my mirrors the whole way and his dog barely caught me but did.....with some blistering times....hah hah...mine was 17.02....his was 16.70....blazing fast....when I got the time slip I was like this is not right I could moon walk backwards faster...and I can't moonwalk....thanks...what I was getting to was it don't matter its expected or not pull the front wheels off a little put it up and keep it up they are gonna love it because that's so cool,to see...hear about it is one thing...I think I heard about that backwards pick up one time and its cool to really see it that's crazy thinking....

[@freshwidow]

In 1966, I was 11 years old and I lived in Tinley Park, IL, 2 doors over from my house lived my friend, Tommy Riggle. His uncle was Bob Riggle, driver of the Hemi Under Glass, and whenever he was in the area for an event, he'd park his rig hauling the Hemi Under Glass in Tommy's driveway! I got to go to a couple of events with the Riggles - one I recall was at the Great Lakes Naval Air Station, and included a Blue Angels performance.Tommy, if you're out there and see this, gimme a holler! -Tim K

[@sueh4496]

Just to let you know Tim K, Sorry but Tommy has passed away.

[@rollofffrank2008]

Wow, Great video THANKS!

[@haroldd1963]

One of my favorite race cars..ever! Bob Riggle is a class act!

[@jk59640]

I met Bob when he owned the local Kawasaki dealership 30 years ago. He really is a great man. I hope I'm half as active as he is still today when I'm his age.

[@duckman195]

Great video. Tejastiger61 said being born in the 1961's was great...Being born in 1949 was pretty great too. I've seen this car, and lots of all the others. Been a drag racing fan since the 50's. Just heard the news 5-11-2012 another great Carroll Shelby has died today. RIP Cobra Man!!

[@stevenbean4219]

I've seen it run quite a few times I'll really miss it. I'd love to drive this thing awesome car even more impressive history.

[@Psychomotors]

Simply and AWESOME video and I love the rocking chair,lol.

[@maxiswooper]

Loved building the model car replica!

[@Mithrillion]

Love the sound of those roaring engines.

[@redram5150]

My dad’s first wife worked for Hurst and his Uncle, Charlie Handschuh, hand painted the lettering and Hurst logos on all the early Hemis Under Glass. He was a sign painter by trade, as well as an artist. Charlie was also hired to hand letter the Goldenrod; the vehicle which held the land speed record at one time

[@KingRoseArchives]

Thanks for sharing your story.

[@kiefferdavis3784]

1969 World Finals, Tulsa OK. Loved it.!!

[@kiefferdavis3784]

" Sneaky " Pete Robinson W/ AA/FD was Low E.T. With 427 SOHC. FORD.

[@rspaniel]

Great memories...thanks again...

[@640down]

Found this and it is great! I saw the car with injected 4speed in Amarillo waaaay back. It was fun to see but I remember most is the wonderful sound of that original hemi engine!

[@MoleDoesStuff]

Just saw one of the cars at the Gilmore Car Museum in Richland MI. She is still a beaut.

[@aaronmcconnell7358]

At 72 he was still running the car ,he took Jay leno for a ride and a grade change in the track cause a wheelhop. the car rolled , but bob and Jay both walked away, Jay cracking jokes and Bob swearing to rebuild.

[@ngml320]

Thank you Bob

[@MrFobob]

SAW THIS CAR RUN IN WEST PALM BEACH ND IT DID A 2 FOOT WHEELIE UNDER THE TOWER AND THE CROWD WENT WILD, VERY IMPRESSIVE.

[@skipbanks4fun]

@mrpitv thank you very much for putting up such a great video.Very much appreciated.I saw him back in the 70's at a strip in Salem, Ohio he rean against Wild Bill Shewsburrie in his whellie dart. Skip Banks

[@jimcampbell47]

Back in the 60's we had Bill Schrewsberry with a Hemi Under Glass. That was in Mansfield Ohio.

[@ooosoo8727]

He was one wild and crazy guy!

[@sradie]

What wonderful memories this brings back. It was a fun, fun time.