As most know, I'm really into Nostalgia Drag Racing stuff. Anyway, Saturday/yesterday, a guy from Wisconsin calls me on my 32 5-window I'm selling that looks kinda like a Dragster with a body on it. His name's Neil. We're talking for a while, nice guy, and really enthusiastic about my car. He asks if a friend can come by and take a look. I say of course. A few minutes later, the phone rings again. The guy asks for John (me), and says Hi, I'm Cole Coonce and I'm calling for Neil. HMMM, where do I know that name from? He says, I dunno (very modest). I say I've read your name and writings many times. He's written a bunch of stuff on Drag Racing. We start BS'ing about this and that. He says, did you know that Neil is "Nitro" Neil Basiglia(sp)? I said no, but I know he's a very well know Dragster pilot on the Nostalgia Circuit. Pretty cool stuff for me!!!! So, Cole says he'd like to come by around 4.30PM (yesterday), and bring his girlfriend, who knows way more than him on 32 stuff. OK, I'll bite, who's your girlfriend? Mendy Fry. She drives a Nostalgia Funny Car for Roland Leong of Hawaiin Dragster/Funny car fame! OK, now someone's really tugging my nut here. They weren't, and Cole and Mendy came by yesterday, and today Neil calls me to tell me he wants the car.
I wanted that thing bad, Groucho. Only thing standing in my way was lack of scratch to pay for it. dka
pretty sure "nitro neil" was the guy that fixed a broken front axle on his dragster with a jack handle at indy gg's ....then went like a 7 something pass...... might have been in 98 or so....little 36 dodge comp coupe ....?
WOW!! Kinda wondered whatever happened to Mendy Fry. Her name was quite prominate years ago. That gal could really wheel a drag car. And apparently, still can. Uber Cool!! Frank
Hey Groucho! I just caught this thread.... "Nitro Neil" tells me he is having a blast tinkering with your old '32. I was gonna post a pic of Neil campaigning his vintage Fuel Coupe, but found this instead.... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C_6_yPgXck0&NR=1 Enjoy!
One aspect of her latest drag-strip doings will be broadcast this Sunday on FSN's Inside Drag Racing. A sneak peak is here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EHdF-wjv4y4
Cole Coonce is an amazing writer: http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=375327&highlight=cole+coonce
Cool video! Hey Cole, how's everything? Yeah, Neil called me a couple times after he got the car, and seemed very pleased. I'm glad. I pride myself in presenting a car as honestly as possible, so's to remove any reservations on a not seen, long distance deal. He's also found out more about the car than I was able to. Again, it was very cool meeting Mendy and yourself, and hope to see you 2 @ Bako (CHRR).
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