FE Power Forums
FE Power Forums => Non-FE Discussion Forum => Topic started by: Nightmist66 on August 08, 2021, 10:10:44 PM
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https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Az-E7QTd8ec
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Jim was a great guy. I spoke with him on the phone multiple times over the years, and on the way back from picking up a car in 2004 or 2005 stopped by his shop in Knoxville. He gave me a tour of the place, including showing me all around the two funny car Comets that used to be Jack Chrisman's. Real drag racing history, all right.
Jim had tons of parts laying around, and a few years ago when Don Prudhomme was looking for parts for his Super Snake restoration, he needed a specific blower intake that I had seen once at Jim's place. Don got my email from Warren Parton in Australia, contacted me, and I steered him to Jim. Apparently they made the deal, and I believe that the blower intake on the Super Snake restoration is the one Jim sold him, although I'd also heard that he got two of those intakes, so it's possible that the one he got from Jim is in reserve.
Anyway, that video does a nice job of giving Jim's history and showing the car and parts collection, definitely a worthwhile endeavor.
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Great vid! Thanks for posting.
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Really interesting video.
Well worth the time to watch.
Greg
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Cool to see that stuff still in the family, and the sons still doing what their Dad loved.
I was lucky to see the first run of Chrismans Comet after Jim rebuilt it, back when the big Ford events were still being held in Columbus. Maybe '83 or '84? It's first run down the track left 2 black marks the entire distance, just like in the original Hot Rod article. I can't remember if he was using nitro in it, maybe a low percentage, but I do remember it ran in the 9's, very conservatively. Larry was probably there and remembers it.
I have several pictures of that run, but haven't been able to find them in a while. Hopefully I'll come across them sometime soon.
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I was there to race (a' 53 Ford Flattie) the very first night Detroit Dragway was open, And I remember the first time Chrisman ran the Comet at Detroit. I'd seen lots of early factory-connected cars from such as the Ramchargers , with rear axles moved forward, but Chrisman's Comet, sponsored by a Mercury Dealer's Association, was the first car with the engine moved back and the air intake cut into the bottom of the windshield. They brought the car into the staging area and then brought up a Merc stationwagon with the back full of a bunch of paralleled batteries. Had a pair of receptacles , probably from a welding rig, let into the fender, and what looked like double aught welding cables they plugged in. Chrisman, in a full Double A Fuel aluminized suit, got in the car, sitting, probably, on the back seat footspace and started the car. They pulled the cables free and he pulled up to the line. I believe he spun tthrough the entire quarter. His time ---I don't remember the number---was low enough to have everybody on their feet. That was a serious car. And he shoved it up the Ramchargers nose on their home track.
KS
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After watching the video have say he was an amazing guy. Like the SOHC block casting.
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Thanks for sharing this video. I love all the history they were able to discuss.
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Very cool! Thanks for sharing.
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Thanks for sharing that Jared.
He entertained a lot of New Englanders when he was based out of CT. The voice over guy did a great job. Have you seen any of the follow up videos that were mentioned?
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Thanks for sharing that Jared.
He entertained a lot of New Englanders when he was based out of CT. The voice over guy did a great job. Have you seen any of the follow up videos that we’re mentioned?
Very welcome. No, I haven't caught up with any other videos yet.
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Update video on Chrisman's Comet:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=S_YiYjxQH1U
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Another new video:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=sA4LqwMS0IM
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That last one sure has a load of cool stuff too. The 57 Merc pace car is great, the Holman Moody intake for a 240-300 is a surprise, what would that be for? Truck engine mostly and I didn't think anyone raced them until the 70's.
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I have bought a lot of parts from Jim, it was fun to get to know him a few years ago he said you need to come to the Hot Rod Reunion in Bowling Green KY to meet me so my wife and I went, he had both Comets there and his son's were there they would not let him run the 65 with out doing a lot of changes to the car so he didn't run it, we have been going ever sense I am glad his son's are passing his history to us in the great video.