Monday, December 27, 2021

this 1956 Thunderbird was built in a New Orleans garage, went to Bonneville in the early 1960’s and set a record of 241.786 mph, and is now in the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame.


L.W. Farrington got the nickname ‘Knot’ because people said he was tough as a pine knot. The certified pipe welder came to New Orleans during World War II, later opening Knot’s Auto Service in the 1940s, He raced midget cars and stock cars.

Powered by a Chrysler 429 Hemi (30 over on a 426) and a 6-71 GMC Supercharger, set 2 feet back.  His last record run in 1963 registered his top speed of 241.786 MPH .




3 comments:

  1. You know Knot was doing something right. His still kicking, 100 years old!

    https://www.wwltv.com/article/news/health/coronavirus/100-year-old-new-orleans-man-recovers-from-covid-19/289-f29d9a93-2810-4082-89bb-4850d52eb21e

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    Replies
    1. those guys were damn tough from birth, 100 years ago. Went to WW2, came back and built homes, worked tough jobs, raised kids, and a little hell.
      Frankly, they got lucky that car parts weren't as damn expensive, and they could buddy up and run a top fueler even. You and I can't afford the tires and fuel now.
      Imagine buying a new car, hopping it up to where it can attain 240mph. I doubt we could afford to aspire to that. New cars, like the ZT Bird he started with, would be a Camaro, Mustang, or Corvette today... and that's 40-80k. Just the car, before the race car parts, and body work.
      Their generation did that on the regular.
      Life before the break down of American production, then inflation, and outsourcing.
      Back when you could get Magnesium rims, Nitro by the barrel, etc.

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  2. Good comments, Jesse. And what a cool car!

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