Popular Post grayhair Posted October 23, 2015 Popular Post Share Posted October 23, 2015 Wife and I were in Florida last week traveling down I-75 and stopped by the museum in Ocala. By chance met Don as he was leaving his shop. Talked drag racing for a few minutes. He holds dozens of national records and is generally acknowledged to be the father of modern drag racing. What a super nice guy, personable and a real class act. At 83 years old he is still going strong. He is currently working on his electric dragster, still trying to be the first to break the 200 mph mark with electric, much as he was the first to do it with fuel many years ago. Approx. 2000 H.P. of electric motors on lithium ion batteries. (I think he is already the current EV record holder at 184 mph.)The museum has two buildings, one devoted to drag racing and another full of antique cars, customs, trucks and engines that is truly an incredible collection. The drag racing building has most all of his 30+ Swamp Rat dragsters plus other dragsters that were owned by other racers. I highly recommend visiting this place if you have the opportunity. 5 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/42312-don-garlits-drag-racing-museum/ Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brocky Posted October 23, 2015 Share Posted October 23, 2015 Thanks for the info.. How long were you there??I will have to make plans during the ATCA Vintage Trucks of FLA show on Feb 18th to 20th..ThanksBrocky Quote Brocky Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/42312-don-garlits-drag-racing-museum/#findComment-308457 Share on other sites More sharing options...
grayhair Posted October 23, 2015 Author Share Posted October 23, 2015 You can see the whole place in about 3 hours or so depending on how closely you want to study the various items. If you are a gearhead I'd say this is a must see. I spent 2 hours just looking at the early American iron, Lincolns, Mercs, Cadillacs, Buicks, Chevies, Studes, Mustangs, Hudsons and on and on, from the dawn of autos to current. Some very rare items. And the collection of engines is awesome too. All beautifully restored. I've been there 3 times over the years and will go again if I get back to the area. There is a website - www.garlits.com 1 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/42312-don-garlits-drag-racing-museum/#findComment-308465 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brocky Posted October 23, 2015 Share Posted October 23, 2015 Thanks .. will put it on the list>> Quote Brocky Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/42312-don-garlits-drag-racing-museum/#findComment-308491 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Freightrain Posted October 23, 2015 Share Posted October 23, 2015 I was there in about 1990? Got a few pics somewhere(long before digital). Very cool place. Quote Larry 1959 B61 Liv'n Large...................... Charter member of the "MACK PACK" Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/42312-don-garlits-drag-racing-museum/#findComment-308513 Share on other sites More sharing options...
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