Al Bergler's "AGGRAVATION" dragster progress

Here's a few photos of Al Bergler's dragster restoration progress. He found his old car,"MORE AGGRAVATION", late in 2004 and is finishing the restoration in the next few weeks.This car won the very first "Ridler" award in 1964. The blower isn't mounted, nor is the nose section and various other engine and body parts. I will post finished photos when it is done and lettered.

 

***ADDED***pictures of lettering added on 1-15-06More...note the original car in the last photo. Note the crazy windshield frame that they made,on the spot, to pass inspection at the NHRA Nationals in the 60's. This car won many national events. Al went on to own and drive "The Motown Shaker" Vega funny car in the 70's.

*****UPDATED 2-23-06***** New photos attached and several more on page 3....

 

MAN!!! This is bitchen!! Now that you've hooked me you are REQUIRED to keep this thread updated. Is he planning to cacklefest it at the Reunion? This and the Lourkis/Preesing car are my favorite Bantams.

 

WOW. Man, that is wicked looking..

 

That's going to be a badass car and not to step on any toes here or rile up the drama queens, that would be " More Aggravation" and I believe it's a
re-ceation. Either way, I don't think I'm going to get a ride in it

CC

 

BAD, as a bitch! Cars like this makes the 60s my favorite for Drag racing

 

That's awesome, I heard that the chassis was the original but the body was missing so he recreated it...

 

Oh man, you're makin' me cry! Say what you will about todays "over restored" old racers, but I'm just happy to see that the craftsmanship is back. And I've always had the stupids for Comp Coupes in particular - got to play a tiny role in Dave Tuttles build of The Bushmasters new C/C and it was a thrill. Berglers car is looking great in these pix - can't wait to see more. Thanks for sharing this with us! I'm so stoked. Maybe some day.......

 

You're not stepping on any toes and you nor anyone else on here could rile me up.. You're just mis-informed. Al Bergler is my best friend and I spend 4 days a week at his shop and I have done so for the past 5 years since I retired.. This car IS ,in fact, AGGRAVATION. The next car was called More Aggravation. This car is restored with 90% authentic parts.

 

Okay, now I'm even more impressed! Any plans to run it in '06???

 

You talk about todays "over restored" old racers. REMEMBER, this car won the first Detroit Autorama RIDLER award in 1964 meaning it was a "bad ass" back then.....Mike Farris

 

Coooooooool............

 

Sweeet....



Mutt

 

The car will be at this year's Autorama followed by several Cackle-fests around the country this next summer . Anyone that knows Al knows what a master craftsman he is and always has been.

 

Yeah, I understand that. I was refering to some talk amongst my peers, concerning the legitamicy of some recent restos, not this one. The Aggravation's always been a beautiful car, in my worthless opinion. Hey man, I'm trying to congratulate you guys - this just made my day!

 

No problem with you at all man....Thanks for the input.

 

So, since you guys are buds......HAMB Drags??? Please?

 

Same Tuttle that did those 9 second motorcycle powered dragsters who drives the Orange Chevy Wagon/Sedan Delivery? Killer fabricator. Tell him Groucho says hello.

 

This car is restored to 60's specs to be authentic. He would have to make it "UGLY" to pass NHRA tech nowadays and it would not be safe to drive if it didn't meet today's standards. You can bet your ass that Al is still as aggresive as he's always been and would love to race it but he won't ruin the authenticity to do so..Mike

 

Who said anything about that? We're not running NHRA specs ...

 

True - shouldn't be a problem at the HAMB drags...


Groucho - Yeah, Tuttle is up in Redding now and doing better work than ever...

 

Al will not race a car that's not NHRA certified. He made it this far, why take a chance? He's got nothing to prove, let alone beat up a fresh car.If he wanted to race it, it would have been a different build.He will now run nitromethane and the car still has a 60's drag chute, 60's brakes and everything else straight from the 60's.

 

This has me a thinkin'. Will there be a cackle deal for historic recreations at the HAMB drags? FuelRoadster's project won't be a NHRA legal car either.

cp

 

The fellow that lettered the car in the 60's, "Mitchell", is coming to Michigan from Indianapolis in the next week or so to re-letter the car.That's why the front nose piece is not secured. It was originally sponsored by GRATIOT AUTO SUPPLY........P.S......we're trying to find an RCD blower mount starter for this car at a reasonable price. Some strips allow a push car which we have ,like the old days, and some require you to fire up on the line....Thanks

 

Mark 1 Mod. 0........1961


Mutt

 

Hemi,
I wasn't referring to you when I said 'riled up'...

As far as being mis-informed, the source of the parts was told to me by Al himself, not hear-say. If he has changed sheetmetal in the last 6 months, I stand corrected.

As far as the name of the car, you are correct but "Aggravation" didn't win the first Riddler as you stated, both the ISCA 20 year historybook and the MHRA website list "More Aggravation" as the first Riddler winner.

Sorry, but I've been wrong before...

http://www.mhraonline.org/ridler.html

CC

 

Great photos. This was the very first AGGRAVATION. Al sold it to a fellow in New York. It was then featured in Esquire Magazine in the new owner's name. Then Al built his current AGGRAVATION using a Logghe chassis. Al is also currently restoring one of Logghe's cars for John Logghe as well as Larry Payne's dragster called Gang Green. Any pics of Larry Payne's car?

Great to hear from you guys.

 

I just got off the phone with Al. He said that his Ridler car was yellow and not the one that is pictured. He said that Larivee made a mistake with the press photos. I'm only stating what Al just told me at 8:41 e.s.t.....Maybe you should call and correct him....

 

Hemi,
Now I'm really confused.. is the Cobo photo and The pics Mutt posted two different cars?

CC

 

They could be the same car, I don't know. The point is that neither of those cars (they may be the same) won the Ridler.The red one could have been taken at Cobo but it was before the Ridler award was ever presented...pre 1964...The Ridler car was yellow and had the "aero" windshield as does the car he is restoring....If you know Al, stop by the shop tomorrow. We'll be out there. Please don't think I'm trying to be a prick, I'm just telling you what he said.