ANOTHER MILESTONE FOR BIG DADDY

Don Garlits supercharges the new 392 HEMI Crate Engine with a
vintage 6-71 blower and takes it back in time to power his historic
Swamp Rat XII dragster. The Mopar® Wynn's Charger commemorates
his long association with both Chrysler and Wynn's.
The new 392 HEMI Crate Engine is the latest chapter in Big Daddy's
long history with Chrysler, starting with the 331-cubic-inch FirePower
HEMI V8 he adopted in 1956. Then, fifty years ago, he upgraded to the
new 392 FirePower HEMI and started a long series of record-breaking
performances. In 1959 Garlits added the first supercharger to his 392,
and he never looked back. Even when Chevrolet and Ford came
knocking with fistfuls of dollars, Big Daddy stood firm. "I like my
Chryslers," he said. "Money wasn't always everything."
The new Mopar Wynn's Charger also marks the renewal of Wynn's
sponsorship of Don Garlits. The relationship began in 1960 when a
Wynn's decal first appeared on Swamp Rat III. "Wynn's was the first
company to sponsor me," said Big Daddy. "Before that, the only help I
got was free parts." The name "Wynn's Jammer" appeared on Swamp
Rat VII a few years later. The current name, "Wynn's Charger," was on
Swamp Rat X and was last seen on Swamp Rat XXIII in 1977 ... until the
launch of today's historic new Mopar Wynn's Charger.

TECH SPECS:

Engine: ...................... Mopar 392 HEMI Crate Engine, modified by
Don Garlits
Horsepower: ............ Not yet measured, but more than adequate
Fuel Injection:.......... Vintage Crower Four-Port
Intake Manifold:...... Hand-fabricated in Big Daddy's shop
Supercharger:.......... 6-71 with vintage 392 front snout and rare
Reath Automotive rear cover
Compression:........... 7.0:1 (Venolia pistons)
Camshaft:.................. Crane "Nitro"
Crankshaft:............... Mopar 392
Oil Pump: .................. Mopar 392
Clutch:....................... Schiefer multi-disc
Gears:........................ High gear only
Fuel Pump:................ Vintage Mechanical. Driven off blower
rear cover
Fuel:........................... 80% Nitro, 20% Methanol
Chassis: .................... Garlits Swamp Rat 12-A, restored
Wheelbase:.............. 137 inches (200 inches overall length)
Weight: ..................... 1500 lbs

Yes: It was to be a shimmering jaunt from the center of Los Angeles to a half-forgotten drag strip 15 miles north of Bakersfield over a stretch of Interstate 5 that locals colloquially call "the Ridge Route," a mountain pass that climbs out of the San Fernando Valley and bridges the City of Angels and the dusty kicked-shit of Kern County.

Ironically, in an agrarian landscape where rain is for rent and irrigation from the California aqueduct germinates the orange groves, Top Fuel qualifying was washed out the night before, so today was the day to absorb copious amounts of nitromethane burning and billowing through vintage-styled aluminum combustion chambers.

While loading up the car CNN was on in the background, and I had processed — and then ignored — reports of a fiery multi-big rig collision that had transpired late last night somewhere between Vasquez Rocks and Magic Mountain, more specifically at the junction of the 14 and 5 freeways .

I never made it beyond the Denny's off of Tuxford and miles south of Santa Clarita; Interstate 5 was a parking lot and traffic was shut down in both directions, due to the freeway still burning from the tractor-trailer pile-up and conflagration the night before. – Cole Coonce

The latest wire reports have two truck drivers dead and ten injured. Which gives me pause... Chance are, I'll get another opportunity to watch Top Fuel cars in Bakersfield and file a report for Jalopnik. But for a few unfortunate truckers, they have dropped their last heavy load. – Cole Coonce

As a myriad of dragsters thundered down Lions' 1/4 mile strip, my Uncle's car was methodically pushed closer and closer to the mechanical rolling "starters." At that moment, Larry Dixon Sr. (father of Larry Dixon, Jr., the guy who drives Don Prudhomme's modern Top Fuel car) was feeling no pain and got a little cheeky and pranksterish. He stuck in his mug in my Uncle's cockpit and foisted a bottle of hootch in his face.

"Hey Phil! Want any vodka?"

Phil responded with a muffled, "No thanks, Larry. Not right now," his demure words garbled by his protective garb, but punctuated by the car rolling closer to the starting line. Dixon was having none of it however, and leaned in closer and repeated his offer of a pop or two of Smirnoff, a libation of which he was no doubt in ample supply.

"I'm a little busy, Larry."

The dragster was pushed even closer to the mechanical rollers, but my Uncle's muted plea for temporary temperance was met by befuddlement and shrugs. Dixon was nonplussed by the immediacy of the situation, and offered the bottle a third time.

"Larry! Leave me alone," Phil shouted through his asbestos suit. "I'm getting ready to qualify and we're the next pair up!"

"Hey listen!" Dixon warned, "You're not going out there alone, are you?" – Cole Coonce