"Hands" from Dallas area circa 1960

I remember hearing about a guy from around the Dallas area, I believe, that was a hot rodder at the drag strips there. The legend was that he was huge, had gigantic hands, and that he was so strong he could lift a complete small block out of a 55 chevy using just his hands. Heard that he died sometime in the 60's. Anybody else heard of this guy? Thanks

 

Do a search for August Hartkopf. Yea, he was real well known. He's been talked about on the HAMB quite a bit.

 

I remember watching "Hands" race in Houston during the early'60s. He ran a white '56 Chevy g***er. He was famous for dropping a fifty cent piece through his cl*** ring and picking up a pair of mounted M&H slicks one in each hand. He died form the complications of the brain disease that caused his abnormal body growth. He was a really nice guy and would talk to anybody that asked him questions.

There is a guy in South Houston named Don that buys and sells older cars. I was at his shop a few years ago and he had the '56 Chevy, it was untouched from when Hands raced it. The interior had a single seat and an outboard motor gas tank bolted to the floor. I believe the car ran D GAS cl***.

 

"Hands" August Harkoft,was from Austin...

 

Not a good pic but Hands is visible

More:

http://www.motoraustin.com/buzz/topic.aspx?topic-id=83

 

He used to drive a 59 ElCamino around Austin. He had a tach and another gauge mounted right above the pods on the dash. I think it was green. I once watched him file on something in his hand. He had a 202 Chev intake valve and I could not see the head.

 

I bet that's his son, holding up the rear of the 55 Chevy

 

I dont think "Hands" had a son...his brother was Butch Lake..if you remember him

 

Now that's funny!

 

I knew I should read this post for some reason.

 

Thanks guys-

I had been wondering about that for awhile.

 

His brother Butch still lives in Austin, still has drag cars, but last I heard he was spending some time in the pokey.