Muscle Car Reunion - Gateway International

“RED ALERT”, THE WORLD’S MOST FAMOUS CHEVELLE

THE STORY BEGINS IN THE SUMMER OF 1969 WHEN DRAG RACER BOB HAMILTON ORDERED A BRIGHT RED 1970 CHEVELLE LS6 454, 450HP CAR FOR HIS WIFE DOROTHY AS A VALENTINE'S PRESENT, WITH THE FRONT NEW JERSEY LICENSE PLATE. ILY-384. WHICH STOOD FOR 'I LOVE YOU.'

A SHORT YEAR LATER DOROTHY RELUCTANTLY TURNED THE CHEVELLE OVER TO BOB, SR AND BOB, JR, WHO HAD DECIDED TO MAKE THE FAMILY GROCERY GETTER INTO A ROMPIN, STOMPIN' ALL OUT SUPER STOCK IN THE HIGHLY COMPETITIVE NHRA D-AUTOMATIC CLASS, AND BECAUSE OF THE ON GOING COLD WAR WITH THE SOVIET UNION, IT WAS DECIDED TO NAME THEIR NEW RACER 'RED ALERT.'

STRIPES WERE ADDED AS WAS THE SAYING ON THE REAR OF THE CAR “THE DEVIL MADE ME DO IT”, TAKEN FROM FLIP WILSON’S HIT TV SHOW.

IN 1972 THE AMERICAN MODEL TOY COMPANY (AMT) TOOK NOTICE OF RED ALERTS SPECTACULAR PERFORMANCE (AS THE FRONT END REACHES FOR THE SKY ON EVERY LAUNCH) AND HOT GRAPHICS AND SOON RED ALERT WAS AN AMT MODEL. AMT QUICKLY HAD A SALES BONANZA AS RED ALERT ECLIPSED RACER BOBBY ALLISON'S MONTE CARLO AND WENT ON TO BECOME AMT'S ALLTIME SALES LEADER, WITH OVER ONE MILLION KITS SOLD.

IN 1999 THE ERTL MODEL COMPANY MADE A LIMITED PRODUCTION RUN OF 2500, AND AGAIN A FEW YEARS LATER.

OTHER THAN THE GRAPHICS THAT WERE ADDED IN 1971 THE CAR RETAINS AROUND 60% OF ITS ORIGINAL PAINT AND MOST OF ITS ORIGINAL INTERIOR.

THE CAR IS NOW OWNED AND RACED BY TOM CLARY AND FAMILY, ALTON, MO.

January 24, 2008

Muscle Car Reunion 2008 Doubles With New St. Louis Event

Huge ‘07 Debut In Kansas City Sets Up Expanded Action at Springtime Muscle Car Reunion at Gateway International

Fresh from its overwhelming success at its debut event, the Muscle Car Reunion is on a roll, doubling its 2008 schedule by adding another power-packed event in St. Louis. Muscle Car lovers, make plans to be at Gateway International Raceway May 31 — June 1, 2008.

“Big Daddy” Don Garlits is back, along with his friends, headlining the Muscle Car Reunion’s exclusive “Legends of Speed”, a showcase of drag racing’s legendary cars and incomparable drivers who blazed a trail of racing history. Come meet the drivers and watch them in earth-shaking action.

But there’s much more high-revving action at the Muscle Car Reunion, including:

• Top Eliminators, an 8-car field ripping up the track on a 6.50 index
• Nostalgia Comp dragsters, altereds, & funny cars running heads-up on a 7.50 index
• Nostalgia Super Stockers rocking the house in big-cube, old-school style
• Hot Rod Eliminator featuring wild blast-from-the-past 1958 & earlier iron
• Muscle Car Eliminator, where heavy-hitters from 1959-1974 let it all hang out
• F.A.S.T. Factory Appearing Stock Tire muscle cars battle it out
• Trophy class, where cars and drivers of varying levels compete

If that isn’t enough, the Great Lakes Nostalgia Funny Cars will make big, smoky, side-by-side passes Saturday and Sunday, and the Geezer Gassers will recreate the Golden Age of the high-powered Gasser Wars. Its all at the Muscle Car Reunion.

Show cars from 1974 and earlier are invited, and bring lots of fun to attendees while the swap meet gives car builders a chance to find needed parts for their projects. It’s an ideal place to park, relax, and take in the wonderful weekend with the family. The new web site at www.musclecarreunion.com has directions, show, hotel information — everything needed to plan your trip to the Muscle Car Reunion and Nostalgia Drags May 31, — June 1, 2008 at Gateway International Raceway, Exit 4 off of I-55/70, Madison, Illinois, 62060.