Front Engine Dragster ABANDONED in the Woods + HEMI in the Barn! 

1 million views! Thank you so much for the views, the kind words and support!

What a wonderful story, thank you. I'm a 71 year old Brit who read Hot Rod magazine every month back in the 60s. About ten years ago I flew over to watch a Shuttle launch. A couple of days later, I drove up to Ocala and was honoured to meet Big Daddy and his lovely wife Pat, in their amazing museum.

Man the guys that raced these cars from this period were really fearless....I could not imagine going 150+ mph in that car. Awesome story.

Can't imagine a finer living tribute to Jim with the car he built and loved.

You did a great thing for that man and his family. I have great respect for you.

Well done, you did Right by Jim in his declining days and at the same time reminded people it’s not all about the money. All the best.

So awesome you saved that dragster and saved Jim's story. Great job.

Wonderful story, I'm sure it meant the world to him to see his car back together. You did a great thing for him, and for automotive history as well. Thank you!

My grandpa use to race the front engine dragsters his name was larry leetz . Still finding drag racing parts going through the garage a lot of hemi parts.

What a brilliant story, I'm so glad the old boy got to see it again

Somehow, it's more impressive when someone like Jim, with limited means, uses his wits and resourcefulness to literally create something from next to nothing. It's good to see people like him and their work appreciated and recorded for posterity. They epitomize what America was, and should still be about. Real car people understand and recognize talent like his. I see that sort of recognition when I go to the local Caffeine and Octane car meet, where on a good day there will be 300 cars shown. And it's telling that some of the cars that get the most attention aren't the Lambos, Porsches, or Ferraris. Or not even the prefect Hemi Charger. It's often something that may be low-budget that some kid cobbled together, like the Miata with an LS engine swap, or some kid's old Toyota wagon with a cammed up, carbureted 4 he just got on the road. Or the guy who actually drove his amphibious armored vehicle to the show. Or the guy who showed up in a really slick late 50's Dodge Power Wagon with a Cummins 4-cylinder Diesel engine conversion that he did. There's a recognition that anybody with deep pockets can pay someone to do any manner of upgrades, but it takes real talent to do it all yourself like this guy Jim and his brother did. Thanks for taking the time and effort to save this car and tell it and it's owner's story.

I teach my students the value of spending time with the elderly-this video is a perfect example of things I talk about. Thank you for preserving this story-in the archives, on the pages of Hot Rod Magazine, he will live forever.

When Jim was born they didn’t break the mould it was kept and used on you You sir are a true gentleman Myself I am into bikes but that was a fitting tribute to a true back garden engineer Far to few left Respect

The picture of him with the car and trophy made me almost cry

Hit hard I’m from Chattanooga Tn and I’ve heard a lot about this dragster and glad someone has brought history back! Rest his soul 🙏🏼

Wow! Awesome story! This man was in the thick of it when drag racing was a new thing! R.I.P

This actually brought tears to my eyes when you had the car back at the farm taking pictures, and again with the photo of him and the car late in the video.

Thank you for sharing Jim's story. Got a little choked up watching this one.

You did a great job on this story and the photos. My brother was a drag racer also and at the height of his racing career he sadly died from a freak surgery. Johnny Ray McPeake. He was a organ donor and the man that got his heart now tours with the race car for organ donation awareness. Thank you!

RIP (Race In Paradise) Jim ...those engine mounts!! (Absolutely brilliant old school solution) Truly Loved watching this ❤ ...thank you for the effort in sharing Jims story and restoring that awesome dragster...may she race again someday

you guys should try fabricating a running version of Jim's dragster as close to the original as possible. and leave the original as is for show

I remember in the 60's my brother and I were going to build a dragster. We had the frame lined up but that was it. It would have been a front engine design. My Dad was an excellent mechanic and loved cars so we asked if he would help. I believe he would have but probably realized he would have to foot the bill on much of it so he said, "I will help but you have to fund it." We then looked at our fiances and realized we could not afford to finish the project. I was 14 my brother was 16 years old. I have the love for cars that my Dad had and now own a 1937 Plymouth. I wish my Dad were alive to see it. I am now 66 years old. The lesson? Don't give up on your dreams, You never know when they will come true.

Very cool! Especially taking the car back to show Jim and taking his picture.

This kind of stuff makes me extremely proud to be an American & appreciate the small stuff.

Such a cool cool Story I grew up In the 60’s and 70’s Men like Jim were hometown legends

Thanks for sharing this story,I feel like I got to know a little about a man I never met-RIP Jim

Thank you all involved, Jim's story needed to be told and the days gone by remembered. The part of our past that needs to be told so we remember all the work and time spent again thank you 👍

It reminds me of an old coyote road runner episode where the coyote builds a dragster from a junkyard :)

Thank you for saving a piece of Americana!! This type dragster was the start of our 300mph passes!! This is a wonderful gift to Jim!! You are a special historian!! I have a Hot Rod edition of my Birthday from 1964!!! It’s in my blood too!!!

This is great Tommy Lee. Your effort to bring this to life again for Jim and his family is truly amazing. What a great thing to do and share with the world!

I'm glad RU-vid brought me here. Such a great story. I just want to know who's cutting onions?

You were able to add some living to the end of Joe’s life. Great story and touching tribute. Thanks for sharing this.

For us old folks that remember the days watching the junkyard drag cars at the local drag strip are great memories. The drag strips are now housing developments and most of the guys that built and raced the jalopies are gone as well. Thanks to the younger people who are trying to preserve the history before it is gone. You and your crew made special memories for his daughters that probably weren't around when he did this.

Awesome ... to have resurrected such a piece of History to once again be viewed by it's original builder during his final days. His silence had to be so emotional for him to be ready to go in Peace. You are a very Honorable Young Man....:)

wow... what a find......totally awesome....i hope you bring it back to life

Thank You for preserving that History . Another little piece of History that not too many people know about : Back in 1963 when I was a student at John Burroughs High School in Burbank, California ; while in Auto Shop Class , I got the job of doing all of the Welding on Tommy Ivo's "Lil' Red Rail" . Tommy lived just a couple of blocks away and brought the frame parts to the School to have it welded , and since I was the best Welder in the Class , I got the job . If you ever get to see the "Lil' Red Rail" up close , look at the frame in the lower right side of the Cockpit - I signed my initials "W.D.C." in weld , on the lower tube . < Walter D. Cosdon >

Too often the owner passes before they get to see it. I was so glad to hear he got to see it. And that photo of him next to it is just the icing on the cake.

Great American story of ingenuity, dedication, and perseverance. So well photographed and produced, Bravo!

I'm late to the thread, but from an old gray beard who lived at the 1/5th mile (long drive on a short track) Islip Speedway in NY, just want to thank you for an amazing tribute to a great racing legacy and his work, and as much, to a young man and his family who hold tight to and document the history and even more, bring great joy to our heroes of the 50s and 60s who laid the foundation of this great community and sport. The love and respect for the folks and their history is and sets the foundation of how life should be cherished and lived. God Bless all ... let's take care of each other, on and off the strip and oval. Very best to all. 42 Jack.

One of the tenderest and loving stories I have ever seen or heard of in my 75 years of living. Thank you so much for sharing this timeless victory of a real winner in the World of Drag Racing. Thank you!

Auto racing is such an important part of our American heritage. Thank you so much for your efforts to save this wonderful piece of History!

Kudos to you man, you are doing a tremendous service to automotive history by chronicling these stories. Thank You so much.

I didn't get to see the Hot Rod article, but this video was very well done and from the heart. My Grandfather, Uncle and Father built these old sling shot and the newer 70's style dragsters from my grandfathers garage in the 50's through the late 60's, maybe to early 70's. It was so cool to see all the machines in the shop running, the frames being built, rear ends cut down and other parts that they made by hand, go together, like a puzzle before my eyes. For me from age 6 thru 10, it was the coolest thing I could watch, seeing my family put them together. The best part was hearing it fire up in our home garage and see my dad run it down our neighborhood street at 100 or so mph. Then turn around at the end and hard run it back, doing test runs before the weekend of racing. Those old 331, 354, 392 Hemi engines were a sight to see and hear, all decked out with injectors and 8-71 blowers... zoomies sounded awesome too ! Their Speed Shop was Straightway Engineering, out of Willoughby, Ohio. That reminds me, I need to go visit my Uncle Martin, he's the only one left from those great times. Thanks for the video and memories.

HAHAH...this video is AWESOME!!!....the back story is amazing!!, and the back story and the man ....JIM, the man behind this find is the best part!!....i am NOT a gearhead, but an enthusiast for the old 50's....60's drag cars, and i tell ya, this vid brought me to tears...... You went WAAY beyond, and brought a pile of rust to a thing of beauty that all car freaks can say "oooooooooooooooooooooooooooHHH"........thank you for the vid...and thank you for making an old dragger feel important, as they all REALLY are! I never saw the Hot Rod article......but saw THIS article here on RU-vid, and thank you again for putting Jim's story on here!!

Thank you for sharing Jims story. Your right, men like him dont exsist much anymore. Im glad i clicked on this video and got to hear his story.

Even if you don't make it a driver you should make it a runner

The photo of the car sitting in the gateway, facing the camera, with the cows behind it, that photo has been the background photo on my laptop and phone ever since the article came out. That article was the only reason i grabbed and bought the mag. I’ve got it put away in a safe place. That car is my whole reason that i bought this ratty old junk 331 Hemi for a lot more than it’s actually worth (i paid $100 for it, if that puts it into some perspective). The whole story on this car, and your story of your time with it and Mr. Jim. That’s what the history side of all of this is all about. It’s history to us, and to them it was a lifetime. I just can’t get over it, man

1989 While attending a Trade School in Waco Texas, Monty was a Class Mate i won't ever forget, he was a real go get'r and was so glad to call a friend, he went and found an old Don Garlet front engine frame, and we Built the first of 383 Stroke'r, back then, that was big Tech, the MC Solenoid for the Quad Four Barrel was the beginning of Emissions, OB1. I hope to see Monty one day again, he made an impression on me, being one of the best Mechanics ever!

OUTSTANDING! All I can say. We all knew a Jim or two back in the day, and so many are gone now. Thanks for preserving our history and the men who made it!

you have a heart of gold for doing that for Jim Smith

It’s funny I stumbled onto this video. In 1972-73 I used to hang out with Tommy Clayton whose dad owned half of Smith-Clayton Dodge back then. Denny George’s late brother-in-law; Albert Standifer was my best friend when he died in a car wreck. Denny and I worked at Oster Corp at the same time in ‘72-‘73. I used to race at Brainerd and Harriman in J Stock class with a ‘65 Pontiac LeMans. Thanks for this bit of nostalgia. I’ve lived in MS since the early ‘80s but I still think about those days on occasion. Good times back then! 😢

What u did for him was absolutely amazing God bless u man u made his day when he got to see the Dragster for the last time absolutely amazing

This might be the best video i have ever seen in my life.

Awesome story that there's some Grassroots history

I was born in 71 , and been a drag race fan in the uk from a very young age. All these guys back in the day were legends. Every one of them !!!! They should never be forgotten, for chasing a passion that still lives in us today. A great , heart warming story. Thank you. 😊

This video has touched my heart in a way I can not describe.... I got involved in drag racing at the age of 13 years old when my dad took me to Cecil County Dragway in Rising Sun Maryland. I fell in love with everything about drag racing from that day on. When I turned 16 my dad bought me a 1970 ss396 Elcamino... One of the first things we did was buy a set of slicks and went racing. The car ran 13's at that time. My dad and i weren't real happy with that so we put 4:56 gears in it a roller cam and lifters and did a ton of head work to the car. It eventually ran 11's... That car was my pride and joy and the time i spent with my father are some of the best days of my life. Thanks for posting this video...

I was able to watch Big Daddy, The Snake, Jungle Jim and Grumpy race at Island Dragway in Indepence Twp., NJ back in the day. I was there in 1964 when Garlits was the first to hit 200 mph. Man, I just love the smell of nitro in the morning, and afternoon and evening. :-) It was an amazing time in our history and I'm looking forward to your upload to see what you can do with this dragster that has been slightly woods modified. LOL Save the Wave.

Thank you for saving that beautiful dragster. What a great video. Was glad Jim got to see it one more time.

I've just come across your channel, and this is the first time I have seen this video. Just let me say there is a special spot at God's table for you. Jim would have loved that day, thankyou for making his last days so rewarding. The world should have more people like you in it. Uplifting.

Awesome story. Did anyone else notice the 67 fastback sinking in the ground. I wonder, how much do you know about the Ringgold Ga drag strip.

Vintage dragsters, the drivers and builders are awesome.

Great Story and video! Love these old drag cars

Nostalgia dragster with nostalgic build. Love how he built the car from junk and still ended up racing for 3 long seasons. Hard to find such ingenious builder today. 🙏🙏🙏

Your last few comments are so spot on,, drag racing for almost everyone is for spirit of automotive competition, the sights, the sounds, the smells, the pure adrenaline pumping excitement is what makes we humans dig deep into our wallets, work countless nights and weekends just for that ever so short lived burst of heart pounding acceleration, the G's mashing our bodys and heads hard into the seat,, nothing on this planet compares. It's called the LOVE of a sport

THANK YOU FOR TELLING US THIS GREAT HISTORY OF THE MAN AND HIS CREATION...KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK.

I've passed over this video several times over the last few months and finally, I decided to watch it, what a good idea! I'm very impressed in the way you presented the car and the owner and putting it together the way this gentleman would have wanted, along with telling his story. I decided to subscribe to your channel, I hope to see more of your work. Thank's for sharing.

The world needs more men like Jim and you. You're a good man. May Good Fortune always keep you in her shadow.

Hell of a story! Your so right the don'y make guys like Jim anymore. My Dad's name was Jim and I sure miss him! RIP to both Jim's!

What a fabulous story, thanks for sharing. I grew up in this era and spent countless days at Lions Drag Strip. I remember when the 8 second barrier was first achieved by dragsters. Eyes burning from nitro fuel, ears throbbing from the sound of the motors, and the smell of burnt rubber. Yes, those were the days.

Awesome history! Thanks for saving it and documenting the story.

I Applaud you sir , first for making the best memory in the world for Jim . going above and beyond in your efforts to preserve a part of drag racing history for many people, as well as Jim to enjoy. And I certainly hope that when your day comes, that someone like yourself steps up to make your dream and memory a reality as you did for Jim. may god bless you in all you do.

Thank you, 4, taking that car and visiting Jim. Glad u're girl got better.

Such a beautiful story, rest in paradise Jim, Thanks for building this piece of history, and thank you for sharing it with us. 🙏🏻

Thats a pretty awesome thing you did there!!! Thats what drag racing should be now!!

Boy did that get heavy. Jim Smith was a badass. Look at that young serious race face. 157mph in that DIY rail. People are so pussified today. Glad he lived a full long life and got to see the Hot Rod article. Special. Real good photography too.

What a heartwarming tribute to one of those brave determined men who made the sport of drag racing what it is today

Now finish and restore it in his memory to running condition since you got and put it on display somewhere in his honor with all the history you’ve been pricelessly been shared by him👍

Amazing story, MEN like him lay the foundation so we can be where we are today. Gives me a lot of motivation to finish my 69 camaro restoration project and not take anything for granted from that car and time. Thank you, Jim!

Hat's off to a youngster that respects history ! The world needs more people like you !

Every time I watch this video it brings tears to my eyes... Not just because it's a hot rod... It could be about a guy that built a boat ...or whatever...its about not letting an obstacle, like lack of money ,stop you from chasing your dream... Well done man...one of the best videos on RU-vid...

Great job Very well done. Keeping drag racing alive and telling the story of how it all started. Built not bought.

Wow I can't believe how much this dragster looks like my 1961 dragster!

An affecting and romantic story; thank you. As, very possibly, one of the UK's only subscribers to HRM in the early-'60s, I well remember seeing photographs in the magazine of cars just like this competing at the time. Of course, it was the Swamp Rats and Bounty Hunters that drew most of my attention, but I always loved to see these home-built machines, with their simple engineering and perfectly-balanced proportions. They are a tribute to the ingenuity, art, and enthusiasm that has so often characterised American motor sport.

Beautiful. Love the story & what you did for Jim & his family. 100% American made pride coming full circle.

Man this brings tears to your eyes. Has to be the best barn find story yet

Incredible story of Jim, the dragster is a part of history and a work or art, thanks for sharing the story 👍

Thanks for a really great story ,at 76 years old I have seen so many great stories lost and forgotten. These old timers can never be replaced but thanks to people like you,not forgotten!

People who never hot rodded or raced don’t understand the excitement, don’t understand how it seeps into your soul. The experience just embeds itself into you soul. Thats why allot of us reflect on it as one of the best experiences of our lives. Thanks for posting.

Truly a heart warming story. Thank you for what you did. Only in America.

back in the sixties there was a mild little guy in my neighborhood that ran an early 60's Mopar. he did a lot of fabrication in his garage. I particularly remember that he brought the rear axle forward and can still see the welds (in my memory) on the body panels where he cut out and moved the rear wheel openings to match the new axle location. he fired it up once a week to check his work, then loaded the car on the trailer and went racing. as far as i'm concerned, those were the glory days of racing. now it's all high dollar parts and cubic money. my personal car guy heroes are Max and Ina Balchowsky. he built a series of sports cars using buick engines and junkyard parts. google "old yeller" if interested. thanks for telling this story. jim and my old neighbor might have competed. on my liked list. I think my neighbor's name was Ronnie Dill (?) in Memphis Tn.

That has to be. One above the rest of videos I have seen on here. You should be pretty proud of your self. For being able to show some who have been forgotten and to do a very nice job of giving his family some a great closure. Great job

I have seen this in person many years back .. it was for sale //. I was young .. with no money 💰//. Still the same at 45 //. But great to see someone respect a America. Story ... nice

awesome brother you saved some history but from what i saw in the woods theres a lot more history out there

Great story that might have never been told. Keep up the good work!

Just an amazing story and video, it's truly awesome that another piece of drag racing history is saved and it's story told, it's so cool that Jim got to see it and hold that trophy with it again before he past, great stuff 👍

That was a amazing heartfelt story. Now, while I was watching this video gives me alot of respect to my brother, now knowing about his passion and him doing the things he does, and the way he does them!! Thanks

Great video and story of true spirit and engineering. These guys were built of iron and superman strength and determination. Rest easy Jim and thank you and his family for sharing a great story.

Thanks for bringing this to us

Wow. Might look like a bunch of rusted parts to some people but to me,.,,,, Man that is BEAUTIFUL.

That's what I like about your videos, they have meaning and soul and a purpose. Keep them coming.