Way back in n the day they would hold drag races on pit road at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Here Roy Hill in his 1st Duster takes on a Camaro. Wonder if that's Bill Jenkins. I believe this was 70 or 71
Don Carlton & Clyde Penly built this yellow Dart Sport very light. Don drove is some as did Stuart McDade and a few others. Chrysler borrowed the car because they need a light car to test a 340 small block package. You can see the data loggers Chrysler mounted. When Chrysler was done with the car it was returned to Don & he put a Hemi back in it & he & Stuart raced it.
Hudson Dragstrip in Hudson, NC. Just down the road from Don Carltons shop. This is where he cut his teeth in racing. It's also where he tested the Mopar/Motown Missile cars. His own cars. And some of the Rod Shop cars he drove for Ohio's Gil Kirk. Lots of Chrysler engineers & VIP's came to test with Don. Hemi Dusters, Darts & Colts blasted down the humble strip. Probably some Hemi Arrows too
Don Carlton's Duster at an IHRA race at Great Lakes Dragway. This pic does not do this car justice. It was overcast. Those Gold anodized Crager drag wheels really set this car off
So just who was Nelson des Champs. Mysterious car owner. Here Kenny Hahn is the driver. Stuart Pomroy drove as well. Car/team had ties to Chrysler & Don Carlton. I have been told the owner wanted to remain onomious for family reasons. What ever that means. Anyone know more about this and can add to it?
Here is another great pic. 1980 Bob Gliden was wooed back to Ford after Chrysler financial troubles. Both of the cars where built by Don Hardy race cars. Bob Gliden ordered both. The Volare first, but when the Chrysler deal fell apart he had Hardy build the Fairmont. So Jim Kinnette bought the Volare to replace his old rebodied Duster/Volare. The Volare was Hemi powered. Gliden chose a familiar destroked 351 Cleveland for his Ford. This was towards the end of the weight break days. It would have been great to see what Gliden could have done with with that Hemi Volare
View attachment 80833View attachment 80833 Kinnette sold the car to Hemi Super Stock racer & part time Hemi Pro Stock race Steve Bagwell. The car has been restore back to it Jim Kinnette colors & is right here in NC. I'm trying to get the guy who owns it to let me post pics of it & so far no luck.
