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| The Heyday of Drag Racing |
Recently while driving "Relentless" down Hylan Blvd. in Staten Island on my to the Original Goodfella's Pizza I heard screams of approval and "light em up!" coming from the front of Shoprite. Too bad I was paying attention to traffic and a pressing appointment or I would have noticed it my friend Jackie from Hollywood Garage yelling at me. He hadn't seen the most recent Goodfella's hot rod but when I stopped by later he let me know he was happy to see it. He actually thanked me for designing it after the 70's race cars we used to watch on TV and at the local tracks. He said "it brings back such memories" and began telling me of his first Hot Rod and showed me a photo of the beautiful flame job he did on it. He told me about running the 4.11's on the street and using his line lock to "light em up" at the red lights.
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| The 1981 Camaro sponsored by the Original Goodfella's Pizza Hylan Blvd. |
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Goodfella's Pizza co-founder Marc Cosentino and Jackie Gaziano of Hollywood Garage
Hollywood Garage with the American Pickers |
We spoke of the old days, Hylan Blvd. The Big Blocks and the different clubs that roamed the streets in search of the next race. Jackie has incredible stories and the photos and magazines to back it up. We philosophized a bit and were both in shock that a college kid came in with his Honda and couldn't figure out how to change a bulb. Times have changed and hot rodding is never gonna die but it takes a special breed to field and old car. You have to be stubborn and determined to keep it going aside from the obvious cost and difficulty finding parts. Not many of us are willing to put up with the inconvenient breakdowns, terrible gas mileage, loud exhaust, high revving. limited use due to slicks or big cams. However, those of you out there who can tolerate all the above and love the smell of raw gas, the sound of loud exhaust, the grip of big tires, high winding motors, shifting gears at the limits and live to "light em Up" will surely keep
hot rodding going and inspire the future generations.
