"Mr. 4 Speed" Episode 2: The Sox & Martin Years - A Documentary on the Life of Herb McCandless 

Why would anyone give this a thumbs down. I grew up in this era, what a great time to be a teenager.

Turn the North Carolina stock car boys loose in drag racing and you have Sox and Martin.. What history and what a story

Herb McCandless is such a class act!

I was running time trails one Friday night at my local strip the now-defunct Englishtown Raceway Park at Englishtown N.J., It had to be 64-65 as I was running my 64 Falcon Sprint, Sox and Martin were just starting to get well known, I pull into my staging lane and out of the corner of my eye I saw a Sox and Martin Plymouth pull in the other, I got so nervous of course I red-lighted and I'll always remember the Plymouths taillights just getting more and more distant. Won't have missed it for nothing even with the red light. Good times!

Mid sixties through mid seventies is when I was into drag racing as a spectator. Love it. Thanks for the memories

I can’t even express how much I enjoyed that and the tremendous respect I have for Mr. McCandless!! I was a 10 year old boy in 1972 so I came into my love of drag racing during the heyday of Pro Stock! Thanks so much!!

Herb is a "Class Act". Miss the golden years of innovation. When hard work paid big dividends.

Man what a life and what a time. This is a documentary that needed to be told. Thank you!

Fantastic documentary. Those were the good old days of drag racing. Thanks

Just talked to him at Carlisle. An experience I'll never forget. He is one of the finest!

I am 43 years old. I grew up reading old car magazines that featured legends like Ronnie Sox, Dick Landy, Herb McCandless, Grumpy Jenkins, etc. My personal ride is a 1968 Barracuda fastback powered by a rowdy 400 based 512 stroker with Trick Flow heads, a big hydraulic roller cam, all backed by an A833 4 speed manual. 👍

Met Herb's son a few times back then through a friend of mine. I worked in HVAC in Cary NC with Buddy Martin's son for a few months .Another friend of mine, Fred, and myself, were running his 66 Barracuda fastback and winning at Piedmont Dragway in NC. I was under the hood adjusting the distributor to advance timing when Ronnie Sox came over to tell us "Sure is running good boys!" Best compliment I ever got IMO. Back when Ronnie had the Hemi Colt, he was trying it out for the first time at Peidmont and flipped over backwards at the tree. I and a couple other people helped him get out as the car had flipped over backwards (wheelstand from hell) and ended up landing on it's passenger side. Before that, Ronnie lived behind a friend of mine in Greensboro when he first got the Colt and was figuring out the wiring (it was newly obtained and still stock) in the process of stripping it down to make into a racecar when he first got it. My friend used to get mad at him because the noise kept his daughter awake at night. LOL Boy those were the days for sure.. RIP Ronnie Sox. You always had my utmost respect.

Mc Candless Performance built me a couple hot street motors when Kenny L was doing the machine shop work for them always amazed me how down to earth Herb and Mary were great people that treated everybody with respect and kindness ! Top notch guy for sure !

This is positively the best video I've watched in years. Herb is a legend!!!

These are among the BEST DAMNED videos of the Herb McCandless / Sox & Martin era. I was there whenever the team was at Englishtown, N.J. ....Met and spent some time with Ronnie Sox and Herb McCandless. Two absolute gentlemen. Never had dinner with any of them, but I tried...These videos make me feel so good about the "good old days" I have tears in my eyes....Thank you McCandless Antique Auto for the videos. You should be proud of Herb and his contributions to our sport. I thank God that I was the age to really appreciate what was going on. ( And my knowledge of the street Hemi in our Road Runner) .......THANK YOU,THANK YOU, THANK YOU ! !

Awesome , When cars actually looked like what you could buy , When I shot expert a Marine Corps boot camp I had that same grin on the inside , awesome 😎 Thanks McCandless Antique Auto

Great documentary!!!

I have had the privilege of meeting and talking to Herb. A first class racer and a true gentleman.

Absolutely stunning! I'm a big fan of Sox & Martin. Herb McCandless is definitely one of the best drag racers of all time. I like the original shots of the documentary. Thank you so much for this fantastic video! I proudly add to my playlist.

The best of the best Sox and Martin and Herb mcandless.

Oh how I love Pro Stock cars talk about horsepower gypsies LOL this is great I love it. !!!!!!!!

This is the era of drag racing that I grew up on. Herb McCandless and Sox and Martin were my heroes and the reason that I am still Mopar today. I remember seeing these cars at Bristol and thinking that I just had to have one. My first car was a 73 Duster

What a great documentary . My father was a street racer in the same era and he used to borrow my grandmothers car on the weekends and race it all over the place . He would tell me these stories about a drag racer (Herb) winning races all over with a 4 speed and he just had to have one . He borrowed my grandmothers column shift automatic car one Friday and when he came back Sunday night she had 4 speed Hurst shifter in between the seats . My grandfather and grandmother were furious but my dad being the salesman that he is managed to talk his way out of trouble . My dad is almost 80 this year and has two Chevelles , 71 Bronco , and a Corvette that are all 4 speed cars . It was really interesting to learn so much about a man that influenced my dads decisions in driving and I would like to think in life also . What a classy , genuine , motivated , and just straight up guy Herb McCandless is . Thanks for making this awesome film .

In 1970 I was 11 yo and we spent the weekends at Detroit dragway, but had been going since 68 when we moved up north for work. Being a Mopar family I still remember the excitement around the Pro stock and Super Stock cars. As a young kid the drivers were more than happy to say hi and answer some silly question in the pits. I don't actually remember talking to him but I do remember talking to the Sox snd Martin team. I can still remember hearing, on my little transistor radio, Sunday, Sunday, Sunday

This has got to be one of the best documentaries and Herb McCandless has to be one of the most upstanding Men I've ever had the pleasure of listening to ! To race for the world renowned Sox and Martin team !! REALLY !! It doesn't get any better than that I'm my book !

The last scene is against Bob Ingles 69 Camaro at New York National Speedway, Long Island. We knew there was little hope of winning that race, but Bob did cut a light which caused momentary excitement for us! This is a great program about a great racer and team, nice job.

Excellent video!

Thank you , lotta great memories👍🏁😀

He was the reason I bought a new 1972 Demon !!! Over 50 years ago & I still own it. !!! 👍

Iam addicted to these videos. I lived an seen these guys run. I was young. But was an stil a mopar guy. Sad though.. Ronnie. Bill. An dyno gone. Treasure these interviews

Very cool, glad I got to see drag racing in the 60s and 70s before the NHRA ruined it. Now I don't even watch it anymore ,thanks for the nice documentary ,one of the best things I've seen for a while! I saw Sox and Martin's roadshow at a Chrysler- Plymouth dealer in the early seventies, still have the 71 Cuda handout card, had it autographed by Ronnie Sox.

Great doc! I love this era of drag racing.

Great story and learned a lot about Herb McCandless. I've met him at several shows and he's one of the nicest people out there. He loves to talk cars and gladly answers any questions about the hobby.

I’ve met Herb and several events over the years and he’s a class act. Great video

Herb was one Hell of a driver,& a mechanical Genius

Outstanding Documentary.

Thanks for the memories and thanks for the insights! Way beyond incredible.

What an incredible story!!! 😎

Bought my first race parts from Herb Great guy miss him PS Herb loved the small block 340 and ol could he make em sing If he only knew how many fords and Chevy's we emberresed on Saturday night street racing with parts from MCcandless I see him smiling now Thanks Herb Most of his parts were sold to Hensley performance and his legisy continues

Awesome! This brings back so many memories

I remember going to NHRA races with my dad in the 1980's as a boy. I remember going to NHRA events in the 90's as a teenager. Truly, the end of an era. If you look at Nationals today, they barely fill the stands. Not that I was ever a fan, but NASCAR isn't much better. Generations come in and go out. Popular interests change.

Such a great champion his museum is going to be great !

The Golden era of drag racing...where 'Win on Sunday, sell on Monday' prevailed. Look at the stands, .....FULL ....people could relate them to the cars they drove or aspire to drive! Not tube framed massaged resemblence of a car! Herb is still a gentleman and can remember most of his runs....unbeliveable! Cars had names back then ....and real parts sponsors ...not write offs from obscure companies that no one cares about! People would rather see 9 second factory appearing cars than 6 sec. pro-mods with doors!

70's drag racing was the best ! Thank you for the great show !

Excellent presentation! I knew they were good but I didn't know they were that good. I remember my dad taking me to the Pelion, SC drag strip when I was a youngster in the late 1960s and watching the Sox & Martin car run a match race. I was so impressed. I don't even remember who Ronnie was racing that night. I was a drag racing fan from that time on.

Part two is also going on my Facebook page thank you this is totally nostalgic! From San Diego California!

What an awesome video collection!!

Herb, I grew up with Gary Ostrich, his dad Chuck had the Plymouth dealership in town. You've brought back a lot of fond memories, thanks!!!!!!

The stories the laughs, 33 years old I never knew the feeling of this time. But I feel it in my soul. I was born in the wrong era

This is such a JOY to watch. Thank you for making this and uploading it!

Absolutely love the technical details of the Demon. 👍👍. Brilliant!

Excellent Story. Love those MOPARS.

Great episode! Fascinating details on how starting in the early 70's, Pro Stockers evolved away from fast Super Stocks into the slow Funny Cars they eventually became.

Herb ever great man Mr four speed

Fantastic production! Thanks to all

@5:10 did ya'll notice what was written on the rear rocker - "No where to run,, Don't wanna hide!" Ohh hell YEAH!!

Absolutely legendary! This doco should be featured on mainstream channels as such as Netflix. A fantastic humble success story. Reminds me of Don Garlits 'Close Calls'.

A great story in the triumphs, trials & tribulations of going on the road to race these cars!!! Just amazing how much dedication these people had!!!

I love the gold foil or whatever it is they use for writing the names of the car/sponsor. Idk why but that Sox and Martin car curved a lot of my lifes path but I still haven't painted a car and used whatever they use for the gold on the car.

I have really enjoyed this documentary !!!

At 33:48, turning the master cylinder around to get it out of the engine compartment was genius.

That was amazing! And What a memory! Fascinating story thanks for a wonderful documentary

Doctor: "Ummmm.... Mrs. McCandless, you should be giving little Herb formula, not motor oil in his bottle" Mom: "But that's all he'll drink"

What a Fantastic story, classy bunch of men. Man those ole Hemis were true beast's.

Wonderful and informative....Herb what a classy guy!

WOW. What great people. What great work ethic. What great characters these guys are.

Episode #2,, settled back in my seat with a favorite beverage and ready for a fun video. Thank YOU McCandless Antique Auto!!

Excellent video. Thanks for the memories, and for posting.

That man is a BADASS! my dream car is a 71 Hemi Cuda! He took those to the limit for a paycheck! I loved this as a "Mopar" guy. He is AWESOME!

I don't know if you read these comments Herb however it's a small world... You fixed the Pedal ratio for me because of a clutch issue in my Duster. And you sold me one of your first sets of W5's. That was around 1990. And I ended up in the Printing industry as a career..... Who woulda thunk lol.....

I met Herb at a local Chrysler dealer once. He had his car here on display at the dealer. I happened by on my motorcycle just as they were unloading the car off the transporter. A small crowd quickly gathered and all of us got to see the engine and he started it up so we could hear the motor. I stayed for awhile and he let me sit in the car with him. He cranked it up and what thrill to feel the energy of the motor and have him explain the workings of it. He did a mini burnout and I was amazed at the acceleration--even if it was only for twenty feet!! He told us he would sometimes put a ten dollar bill on the dash--launch the car and while he was in first gear--if the rider could grab the ten---it was theirs. According to him--no one was ever able to lean into the acceleration and grab the ten!! What a thrill that was!

I wished I was there with you guys. Great history.

LEGEND! Had to subscribe, so many epic cars that I would kill to just stand next to once!

I seen them when I was a kid at Spartanburg dragway....so many memories

This is so fantastic! Thanks McCandless Antique Auto for posting this awesome series.. (former owner of several A bodies and other Mopar).. This is a big deal for me to see this .. Thanks so much DMAX

Would make a good movie.

These guys were total pioneers in stock car racing.

Man did we love being behind the starting line up in the trees watching at the Lakeland dragstrip right outside Memphis in those days!

When I was a senior in high school in south Pomona in the mid sixties, Sox and Martin brought their car to the school. As a hardcore "car guy" I was ecstatic. Later I watched them race at the Wintern ationals.

Fantastic! Great job Brian and crew, and especially Herb! The behind the scenes stuff is great and some of the footage and pics I’ve never seen before too! Great, great, history!

Very cool, really enjoyed!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

What a class act @14:50. I loved the good ole days of drag racing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Awesome documentary! Thanks for sharing this!

Best years of my life today's generation will never experience anyone like this

Wonderful stuff. So sad how NHRA killed Sox & Martin with the rules. And they still do it today.

It really was a good time.

wow! very very good , great documentary. Thank you!

That was a great video production and a great story. Being a teenager in the 60's it was a thrill to see Sox & Martin when they came to So. Cal. Thanks for the memories!!

GREAT video, and very interesting thinking on how they built the car. Well done!

Watched every video! One hit after the next! Love it! Keep them coming!

Another fantastic video keep it up

Great story.

Chrysler engineers said "Y'all don't need us, you got this figured out." 👍👍👍

Drag racing and just racing is almost dead in New Jersey it's just unbelievable racing used to be everything in New Jersey one track left thank goodness.

It was a little bit emotional to learn Buddy had to leave the team, the days of Sox and Martin were left a part of drag racing history.

I was at the 70 summer nationals at York and remember his red-lighting. There was a LOT of great drivers there, and I was betting on Herb to win over Landy.

So adding length to the clutch pedal gave it more leverage, makes sense. Not taking away from Herb's ability it takes a lot of luck also to win that much.

I can't believe Molman & Hoody entertained a Mopar at all, they would probably have said, if it ain't blue oval, it's invisible .. So I guess an invisible car went thru the acid dip and spray foam lol

This was when pro stock was great to watch 😊

Those guys were geniuses back then! Then on top of the smarts they use the most powerful motor known to man!