MAGAZINE

T'n A

A pal (Carburetor Joe, the do-it-for-ya-just-because Guy) says ,"I know a man that has a '29 on deuce rails, set-back flathead, pretty sound old race car that can be bought for blah-blah." This was said in the presence of three other rodneys who, with typical over-enthusiasm, immediately had a 'Race Team' partnership planned.

One wanted to add a quick-change. One other agreed. Two disagreed. One wanted to paint the frame rails body color. No one else stepped up. Two wanted to make the tires big and littles so it would look hep, and suffer the rear gear changes that the new tire combination would require. One thought that was a waste of money. See where we're going? A committee running a nostalgia race car. Ha! Don Prieto said, "I'll buy it myself, and you guys can crew." Done. And done his way, because he slapped-leather, and put his bucks where our ambition was. Team Captain. The Top Banana Race Team was born. Probably a big Kodiak hauler someday with "Team Top Banana" on it. Probably not.

The charm in the car was its' dependability: the old owner had put a battery in it once a year, taken it to the nostalgia drags and ALWAYS turned 100 mph.

HAMMERED TOW CAR ENHANCES THE LOOK

Prieto went after the wheels, tires, hubcaps, remade the hood, tonneau, cage, etc. He passed SCTA tech for lakes and Bonneville work, joined the Gold Coast Racers, and now it was time for a debut at L.A. County Raceway! Note that this Dude is a Fueler Pilot from the early 60's that is about to make his first pass since THEN. Confidence is not the problem. The equipment was not the problem. There was no problem. Yet something did not seem right. "What the hell is THAT?"

"Oh," he says to himself. "The Christmas Tree." Our champions' most recent launch had been FLAGGED by a human in a white outfit.. He did fine anyway..

Watch Top Banana "Peel Out" this year at all the usual places.

READY TO 'PEEL'