Few racers can tell a story better than Don Garlits, and fewer still have such great stories to tell. Big Daddy calls this one his favorite story about the front-engine dragster era.

As many of you no doubt noted, Big Daddy Don Garlits celebrated his 88th birthday on January 14. And, you’ll be happy to hear, the drag racing legend is still going strong with his regular appearances on the performance industry scene, and with his ongoing projects at the Don Garlits Museum of Drag Racing in Ocala, Florida. For drag racing enthusiasts, Big Daddy’s museum is a national treasure—and really, so is Big Daddy himself. He’s seen and done it all.

If you’ve ever met him in person, or if you recall his long-running stint as a television commentator and host, you know that Garlits is a master storyteller. And naturally, he’s got some great stories to tell. Part of the fun is seeing how he loves his own stories as much as anyone—evidence of a life well-lived. The bench-racing story he tells here involves Swamp Rat 8, the first dragster in which he traded his tried-and-true 392 Chrysler Hemi for a late-model 426, and it’s a fascinating slice of drag racing history. The gentleman with him is Bruce Larson, an NHRA champion and a drag racing legend in his own right. Video below.