Going once... going twice...
Off to Indianapolis tomorrow for the Mecum Muscle Cars and More Auction, wherein the amazing Turbonique rocket-powered "Tobacco King" 1964 Galaxie will go on the auction block. Longtime readers know my affection for all things Turbonique, and I'm not about to miss my chance to see the ultimate in vintage rocket car tech. Many thanks to all the readers who sent in pledges to help me bid on it. I'll stay in the chase as long as I can, but looks like it'll take the GDP of Botswana to take this sucker home.
While in Indy I'll be meeting up with current Tobacco King owner Eddie Krusch for a photo session and interviews, prepwork for a forthcoming Garage Magazine article I'm writing about original Tobacco King owner Zach Reynolds. Reynolds, who died in a plane crash in 1979, is every bit as crazy a story as Turbonique; a young man with an unlimited thirst for speed, and, as heir to the RJ Reynolds Tobacco fortune, an almost unlimited budget to chase it.
Anyway, the story should be a corker, and I'll post the Indy pics when I get back. In the meantime here are some current pics of the beast -- Latham-blown 427 Side Oiler up front, 900 hp 'Nique drag axle in back -- along with some vintage pictures of the car from the 1965 Turbonique catalog, courtesy of Eddie Krusch. Plus a few shots of Gene Middlebrooks, the immortal mad genius behind Turbonique. Enjoy!
how far did you get in the bidding?
I was in the garden, Turbonique action sounds more fun for weekend activity!
Posted by: cratedigger | May 19, 2008 at 02:29 PM
It just has everything you want in a car. I am really amazed how well this is customized and tuned.
Posted by: CGS cat back exhaust | November 30, 2011 at 07:52 PM
The interior parts are really shown great and I believe this car has good performance.
Posted by: CGS exhaust | February 03, 2012 at 07:21 PM
I believe I have found Gene Edward Middlebrooks. If this is the same Gene Middlebrooks, he is 70 years old and lives near Huntsville Alabama (which would make sense since that is where most of NASA's rocket design work is done. And he'd be about the right age.). someone should contact him and buy the rights to the designs and bring Turbonique back, updated for modern vehicles. can you just see a Toyota Camry sporting 1500 hp?
Posted by: Rorschach | July 13, 2012 at 10:00 AM