My friend Paul was in town from Los Angeles recently and one of his main missions was to look for any of the new Mattel Hotwheels Dragstrip Demons that he was missing.  Paul got into these little diecast beauties when his friends son Ziggy showed him one about 6 months ago.  I must admit I was a bit surprised that Paul was into collecting anything called Dragster Demons, much less Hotwheels toy cars.  But once he showed me the Hotwheels site and filled me in with the details I could see what he was talking about.  It really brought me back as I was an avid collector as a lad.

Though the name of the series, Dragster Demons, may suggest some dark, spaced out dragster on steroids that turns into a demon transformer they are actually quite tame.  In fact, they are mini replicas of super stock and funny cars that existed in the NHRA circuit back in the 60’s and 70’s.  Each tiny decal is meticulously added by hand, the wheels are real rubber, and they are true diecast cars without an ounce of plastic.  Once you hold one you can see and feel the quality.  This limited edition series has around 30 models so far with my favorites being the more super stock cars of the 1960’s.

Dave Strickler’s ‘65 Dodge Coronet A/FX

“Dandy” Dick Landy’s ‘65 Dodge Coronet A/FX

Don Prudhomme’s ‘70 Plymouth Baracuda

The Wilshire Shaker ‘63 Chevy Nova

If you are into vintage stock and funny cars here are a few links to check out:

60’s Funny Cars & 70’s Funny Cars has loads of great shots.

Hot Rod has a great article on a man living his dream of having a 1963 Chevy Nova. Photos are sweet.

Jungle Pam is a terrific site dedicated to Jim Liberman “Jungle Jim” arguably the greatest showman in drag racing history.  Be sure to check out “Pix of Pam.” I bet all the wrenches loved her.

Water Winter Wonderland has a pretty interesting section on old dragstrips and what they looked like then and now.

Jalopy Journal has a never ending thread featuring photo after photo of 60’s mopar stock and super stock dragsters.

My late grandparents, “Pops and Gran” who lived in East TN for most of their lives, started going to the Kentucky Derby in the early 60’s.   I suspect they went every year up until they were too old to go.  I think 1988 was probably their last year.  They were so great together, so in love.  I never witnessed a harsh word spoken between them.  I miss them dearly, particularly today, as this was their special event each year.  Because they were long term attendees they also had sweet seats.  We kept them in the family for a few years, but as we all moved and lives changed, we had to give them up.  One of the straw hats Pops used to wear to the Derby is below.  He gave it to me during one of our summer vacations to their house in the 80’s.  It’s been a trusty companion to the Boundary Waters, Europe, on all sorts of camping adventures and to the Santa Anita race track in CA.  I hope to bring it back to the Kentucky Derby one of these days.

Hunter S. Thomson’s classic Kentucky Derby piece from 1970