1/18 Hwy 61 1966 Barracuda Plymouth Gold Plated LE 102

The Hurst Corporation sponsored a number of exhibition racers during the 60s and none of them were more famous than the "Hemi Under Glass" wheelstander. Built and driven by Bob Riggle, this was a Plymouth® Barracuda like none other. The 1500 horsepower 426 Hemi® engine was mounted in the rear of the car to create the feather-light front end and rear weight distribution needed to do endless "wheelies" down the strip. The 727 Torqueflight transmission ran into a marine Casale V drive, then back to a reversed rear differential which was flipped over so the ring and pinion gears ran forward. A Plexiglas panel was mounted into the forewall below the dash, allowing Bob to see the track ahead while riding an eight-foot wheelstand.

Sadly, the exhibition craze of the 60s and 70s died, and the original "Hemi Under Glass" 'Cuda shell sat behind Bob Riggle's shop in Prescott, Arizona. After a chance meeting with the "First Lady of Drag Racing", Linda Vaughn, she suggested that Bob resurrect the "Hemi Under Glass". As a result a replica of the 1966 car was built and debuted at the 1992 NHRA U.S. Nationals, and according to Dick Maxwell of Chrysler, is the longest running exhibition car in drag racing today.