13 replies to this topic

[Tom Eatherly]

Just read that Bob Glidden has passed away. To many of us older drag racers, Bob was legendary.

One heck of a Pro Stock driver/wrench.

 

RIP. Damn!

[Eddie Fleming]

In the late '80s and early '90s he was the man. The little red Fords were killers.

 

RIP.

[gmpower]

I saw him win Pro Stock at Maple Grove a long time ago. He was one of the best!!

[Lone Wolf]

Truly a class act.

 

I was never a Ford guy but he did win his share.

 

One of his weirder rides was that four-door Maverick.

 

I think he did it to increase the length for hooking up. Don't remember. 

 

I'm sorry, but four-door race cars just don't cut it IMHO.

 

Still sad to see him gone. 

[mike1972chev]

You do not have to be a Ford fan, but you must be a Bob Glidden fan to even be a drag racing fan.   One of the best of all time. Raced Pro Stock back when it was a complete "Iron Man" sport when the guys did it all to the car (engine program, tune-up, chassis set-up, clutch, etc...).  

 

He made me proud to be a Hoosier drag racer. I live about 20 miles away from him. I met him only once, knew many of the same folks he knew, and watched him make several passes, many at the US National. He was as tough as the came. 

 

One of my favorite passes right here.    Lee and Bob. 

 

 

Thoughts and prayers with you and your family and friends. RIP, Mr. Glidden. 

[Tom Eatherly]

Thanks, Michael. Great video.

[mike1972chev]

The four-door Maverick was Gapp and Roush. They gave weight breaks for the four doors and got to get the car up to 110" in wheelbase.

[garyvmachines]

My fav Bob Glidden moment... Bob was in his late 50s... He got to half track and got sideways, hit the wall.
Car rolled three or four times!!! Safety Safari got to him and he waved them off!!! (Tuff old bird!!) He got out... walked to the front of the car... All sheetmetal was gone!!! Took off his jacket and covered the intake manifold... so no one could see his trick Intake...
 
A true racer!!!

RIP, Bob.
 
GAV

[Lone Wolf]

Gary, that brought back some memories for me I had basically forgotten about.
 
I remember seeing Roy Hill (another Ford guy) doing basically the same thing covering his intake.
 
It was a 500 cubic inch match race at Englishtown if I remember correctly. 
 
I was there very early and we talked for ten minutes or so. A super-friendly guy. Very easy going.
 
I asked what size motor he was running and he said, "Oh, around 500 or so."
 
Back then there were no phones or anything like that to document anything.
 
Maybe it's better that way.

[mike1972chev]

Here ya go, Gary and Joe.
 

 
The parachute packing was to blame according to the Glidden crew.(Not naming who here.    )   After this wreck, he gave away everything blue associated with that car. I know who has the helmet and I know who got the firesuit also.     
 
And yes, just as soon as he could get at it, that very fire jacket Randy has in his possesion now was quickly thrown over that sheetmetal intake

!!!

 

[Tom Eatherly]

The instant that chute came out: trouble! When I had my stint with the Pisano Bros. F/C, Joe asked if I wanted to learn to re-pack the chute. No way, I'll stick to mixing the fuel and help Frank back-up after burn outs [early on], but, this 16-17 year old wanted nothing to do with that chute. Frank or "Beans" would do that.

[Tom Eatherly]

Got your PM, Michael. Forgot to add, that indeed you're right. Joe's "Venolia Piston's" were at the time his sole sponsor.

[spudboy]

I remember. I saw him race several times. Crossed his path once in a restaurant. Very nice man.

 

Excellent video. Those DiamondP productions were pretty good with Dave, Steve, and Brock.

 

How nice to see Pro Stock cars that resemble... cars.

 

Thanks, Tom.

[mike1972chev]

OK,This is THE LAST video I will post here. If you are a fan,this is a MUST WATCH. (This has been Bob Glidden week for me.   )