Any Winged Express Fans?

This was at the Reunion. Willie's ashes go along for every pass. Pretty wild :eek:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wUwws...layer_embedded

Ummmm, yeah, I'll line up against the Topolino coupe, but I want to make part of my burnout pass in his lane!!!!!!!!!!!!!:eek:**):whacked:

There was no other car like Willies. Everyone always thought Willy was being cool, driving with only one hand. But in an interview one time he confessed he WASN'T being cool.............HE WAS HANGING ON FOR DEAR LIFE!! :eek::LOL:

What a great video and run. Thanks for sharing, Ken.

Don

Willie really knew how to put on a show!!

I was lucky enough to watch him race many times. He actually crashed at a local Illinois 1/8th mile track near me! I also watched him race Gabby Bleeker for the Altered Class at the '68 Nationals. Willie smoked 'em, and Gabby won! As famous as Marcellus and Borsche were... that was a career maker for Gabby! After I moved to Arizona, I watched them race at the Fuel Altered Nats here too. It's nice to see they are still thrilling the fans. :-)

IMHO, that is the greatest car to grace a dragstrip and "Willie" was one of the nicest men that ever lived. I've seen "The Winged Express" and the rest of the AA/FA's run at Lions, OCIR, Irwindale, and Pomona from the mid to late 60's. I was at the Winter Nationals, 67 I believe, when Willie qualified for the Top Fuel field, but the Top Fuel drivers refused to run him.

Mike Boyd is every bit as fearless a driver as Willie was. We were at the far end watching this pass and when Mike went by us the car was still carrying the front wheels a few inches off the ground.

Mike and Mousie always put on a great show!

Mick

What an awsome burnout!!!! For a minute there it looked like the Express was a bit out of control but after watching it the 2nd time it's obvious he was just wanting to check out both lanes in one burnout!!!!! Gotta get out there some year, those cars are living history!!!

Oh yeah, we saw that at the Hot Rod Reunion. The crowd went wild!!

Very Big Balls!

Wild Willies signature was one hand driving, note the left hand holding on to the body

Thanks for the video Ken. Wow what a burnout!

When I was in High School, back in the 60's, my pal, Bob said, "Let's go down to Lion's and watch some racing. There's this guy, Wild Willie that drives with one hand". So we went down there and I recall walking up to the top end to see him go by. There was a guard rail, or short fence of sorts, and I leaned over to watch. Well, he comes swinging down the track and I had just a moment to think that I was in the wrong place, when he went roaring by. What a moment, I never forgot it!

I was standing right behind him doing some freelance.
This is same pass just before he pre-staged.

http://pic20.picturetrail.com/VOL22/.../392762571.jpg

I was there shooting freelance. This is same run just before pre-stage.

http://pic20.picturetrail.com/VOL22/.../392762571.jpg