Hey, race fans! This awesome video explores the history of the magical exhibition drag cars known as Hemi Under Glass.
Created by Hurst Performance Products, the Plymouth Barracuda with the 426 V8 in the back seat known as Hemi Under Glass was a total bust as a race car. But that’s okay, because the vehicle generated far more publicity as one of the most famous exhibition acts in drag racing history. A whole series of Hemi Under Glass Barracudas toured North America throughout the ’60s and ’70s, performing track-length wheelstands on strips from sea to shining sea.
This nine-minute video was shot at Las Vegas Motor Speedway back in 2008 to celebrate the official retirement of Hemi Under Glass driver-operator Bob Riggle. (Small world: MCG was in attendance that day.) The clip treats us to some fantastic archival footage of the ‘Cuda and other wheelstanders in action back in the ’60s, plus some amazing historical anecdotes and even some driving insights from Bob himself. All in all, it’s big fun and a priceless piece of drag racing history. Please enjoy.
I was lucky enough to see this at New Hampshire Dragway in, I think, 1970 or 71. Little Red Wagon was also there and they made 3 runs. IIRC the Wagon won that day.
Definitely an icon of dragracing.
Thanks MCG, now I feel a tad older, but that’s ok. I too saw the car at Great Lakes Dragway many years ago, when they had a special program for wheel standers. HUG, Little Red Wagon, Backup Pickup, and many more. I believe, once the cars front end is up, and speed increases, it’s the air under the car that keeps the front end up. They also have “shoes” on the rear of the car, to prevent unloading the rear tires to maintain traction, and add the sparks display. I built many models of the HUG as a kid. Thanks for the memories.