One of the greatest showmen in drag racing is West Coast Top
Fuel pioneer, "TV Tommy" Ivo. Before he established himself as
one of the best drag racers ever, Ivo made a career in Hollywood. Over a
19-year career, he appeared in close to 100 movies and over 200
television shows, including Disney's Mickey Mouse Club, My Three Sons,
Leave It to Beaver, the Donna Reed Show, and the Danny Thomas Show. In
the late 50's, Ivo joined a car club along with Rob Pepmiller, in
California's San Fernando Valley, known as the Road Kings. The Road
Kings has a list of famous members that includes drag racing legends Don
Prudhomme, Kenny Safford and Bob Muravez. A twin-engine Buick that Ivo
built became the first machine the break the 8 second barrier and to
reach 170 and 180 mph on gas. Soon after, Ivo was contracted to tour
with this innovative racecar, making him one of the sport's first
touring professionals. During this time, Ivo leaped to the top of drag
racing popularity with his four fuel-injected 1856-cid Buick powered,
four-engine (464-cid each), four-wheel-drive Showboat dragster. In the
mid-60's, Ivo made his jump to Top Fuel. At his first race in the Top
Fueler in Seattle, Ivo beat "Big Daddy" Don Garlits. The car
also was credited as the first to record a seven-second run and the
first to officially reach 190 mph. In 1964, after winning over Garlits
once again, the NHRA and the British Hot Rod Association crowned Ivo
crowned the International Drag Racer of the Year in England. Other
career highlights include capturing runner-up honors at the 1964
Winternationals and the 1965 U.S. Nationals, winning the IHRA Long Horn
and Rockingham Nationals and being the first to make a five-second run
in 1972. Production run limited to 5000 pieces. Now in stock, usual price £49-99. Home |