[zeldman]

I was 25 years old in 1984, and I had a built, I mean a BUILT 427 in a 70 C-10 SWB. One night I put a used set of drag slicks on, then drove by the local hamburger joint hangout. I put my foot into it and really smoked up the parking lot. I didnt have to power brake it because it would spin and not hook up at all. I drove back to my shop, and about 30 minutes later the cops show up. I was known to the local police as a hot rodder. They asked me what all the commotion was all about. I said it wasnt me, must have been someone new. Of course they knew better, and asked me about the drag slicks. I just replied that I was going to the strip tomorrow. They knew I had done the burnout but couldnt charge me because they didnt see me do it. With street tires I could be driving 55, then floor it and it would spin the tires. I took the engine out after about 6 months because it was destroying the frame. I mean riviets were coming loose. And yes, I did have to replace all of the rear end bearings, ring and pinion, even the axles were twisted in the splines. One of the truck arms was bent and needed replacing. It was a heck of a ride for that 6 months though.

While I do not condone what I did, I was pretty well known for street racing. I was ten foot tall, bullet proof, fool hardy and probably a little dangerous, but I never hurt anyone, never had a wreck and never got a ticket. Then again, I was on a first name basis with most of the cops at the time.