George is an amazing dude! Interesting story most wouldn't know.. I worked with Ernest of G***er magazine, We were doing a show.. George shared with me that he was part of the nuclear experiments.... As in on sight, An still gets tested for radiation, I believe yearly as I recall.... God Bless an Many more...
I remember him not being very approachable in the 60s. I wasn't sure if I should ask questions at a g***er meet in Thompson, Ohio several years ago. He was very talkative and glad to answer any questions. Nice to know he is still around. Happy Birthday.
Happy belated birthday George. Here's a two year old article about his long and varied life, I think it's a good read. https://www.daytondailynews.com/spo...ted-not-forgotten/PHG3MRAASZEJDDHHCPCLUUS63Y/
Thanks, @Speed Gems Still working at the shop. "They need me here." Amazing. I don't know a lot. But I built a model of his rompin' stompin' Willis when I was a kid, and it has always been quite clear to me that Ohio George Montgomery is truly King of the G***ers.
He was the one who changed the gas cl*** from old coupes and sedans to late model Mustangs and Camaros...When he got sponsored by Ford ,,,they told him Ford doesn't make Willys so along came the Mustang...
And that first Mustang g***er had a Willys frame under it. With the Mustang being a unibody car George consulted the NHRA and was advised he could use a Willys frame lengthened 10" to the Mustang wheelbase. Per the rule book a Gas Cl*** car had to have an automotive frame.
After his 1st ride in the Mustang, he had to get back in the '33 for a match race and he wasn't too pleased about it. The Willys was a handful compared to the Mustang. The Mustang is credited with destroying the g***er cl*** and ushering in the funny car era. Of course arguably at that.
In the early 2000’s I was asked to put together a collection of post-war American race cars for the Henry Ford Museum. I decided that George’s Willys would be a great car to represent Drag Racing. So I looked up his number, and he answered the phone. I explained the situation, and how his car would be a part of this fabulous collection for others to enjoy in the future, and he agreed. The fact that he still owned it shocked me, and told the story of one man’s continuous evolvement of the sport. Great guy!
Happy Belated Birthday George! He is definitely an Ohio icon/legend. God Bless Bill https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum...ar-transport-hauling-open-or-enclosed.614419/ "Losers make promises they often break. Winners make commitments they always keep." – Denis Waitley
I've had George sign quite a few things over the years but this is one of the favorites. It was a years ago but when I showed it to him he said he had never seen one before. It was a Malco promo for the counter at the auto parts stores. You'd buy a Malco product and tear off the coupon, mail it in for a model kit at a discounted price. Best part I took a photo of him holding it after he signed. Happy belated birthday George
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