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Pandemonium! I thru IX (1941-1937)
First Hot Rod (1951-1961): 1931 Roadster body channeled onto a 1932 frame. It had a 1950 Oldsmobile 304 cubic inch engine with a Chet Herbert cam with multiple carburetion. It was a consistent winner at auto shows and top eliminator at local and regional weekend drags. Average speed between 112 and 114 mph. The Yellow Banana (1954-1955): A Rod Stuckey design - Gasoline. It was a hideous looking set of rails, powered by an Oldsmobile, and sported a flamed paint job. Each Dragster Club member added their touch by painting the dragster. The racecar drug the ground for the whole 1/4 mile. In 1954, The Yellow Banana won the NHRA Midwest Regional meet in Scribner, Nebraska and set a new NHRA strip record of 123.49 mph. Based on the commotion created with car, Shirley named their next car "Pandemonium". Pandemonium I (1956-1958): This was the Sullivans first A/F dragster with a full aluminum body built in 1955 by Rod Stuckey. It was powered by a 331 cubic inch Chrysler engine with a Chet Herbert cam. This was the first midwestern racecar to break the coveted 150 mph in the 1/4 mile in 1956. Best record for this car was 157.08 mph set in 1957 (331 cu. in. Chrysler Hemi). Pandemonium II (1957-1959): A Rod Stuckey design - A/F dragster. Powered by a 392 cubic inch Chrysler Hemi, with a Chet Herbert cam. This racecar set a World Record in 1958 of 185.56 mph and a 8.390 e.t. In 1959, Bob was asked to compete the Drag News Invitational Tour of the U.S. That point signaled Sullivans entry as a full-time professional drag racer. Pandemonium III (1960-1961): A Rod Stuckey design - AA/F dragster. Powered by a 392 cubic inch Chrysler Hemi with a Chet Herbert cam (later switched to Iskenderain cam). Won the 1960 AHRA Summer Nationals in Kansas City, Missouri. Set low e.t. and top time in 1961 at the AHRA Summer Nationals, setting an AHRA speed record of 184.04 mph and 8.21 e.t. in Green Valley, Texas. In the same year, Sullivan won the AHRA 1/8 Mile Championship. Sullivan's over all best performance with this car was a top speed of 185.60 mph and 8.10 e.t. Note: Special appreciation to "Big Daddy" Don Garlits for his efforts in preserving Drag Racing history at the Museum of Drag Racing in Ocala, Florida. Bob and Shirley Sullivan donated the "Pandemonium III" in 1983 and Don restored the racecar to original condition. The "Pandemonium III" is currently on display at the Museum of Drag Racing. Pandemonium IV (1962-1964): A Rod Stuckey design - AA/F dragster. Powered by a 392 cubic inch Chrysler Hemi with an Iskenderian cam. In 1963, Sullivan set another AHRA speed record of 196.06 mph and 7.730 e.t. The same year he won the AHRA 1/8 Mile Championships. In 193 and 1964, he won back-to-back AHRA Winter Nationals in Phoenix, Arizona, setting top time and low e.t. at both meets. In 1964 he won the AHRA 1/8 Mile Championship. The best time for this car was 208 mph. In 1964, after achieving what they thought was the ultimate in dragsters for the times, the Sullivans decided to build and race funny cars for the 1965 race season. It brought the excitement of a new challenge and fueled the race driver's plague to build and drive - "a better racer". Pandemonium V (1965-1966): The first funny car which was an original all steel bodied 1965 Barracuda raced virtually stock weighing in at 3,700 lbs., direct drive, no transmission, powered by a Chrysler Hemi 392 cubic inch engine, speed of 160 mph and 9.78 e.t. This was an exhibition car - smoking tires the full length of the 1/4 mile. For the 1966 season, this car was lengthened 18 inches and fiberglass front end and doors were added changing the weight of the car to 3,195 lbs. with a torqueflite transmission. Best time for this car was 177 mph and 9.43 e.t. Pandemonium VI (1967-1968): A 1967 fiberglass Camaro Roadster powered by a Chrysler Hemi 392 cubic inch engine, was the first in the funny car class to run over 190 mph in the 1/4 mile (193.12 mph in 1967). Won the 1968 Bristol Spring National Funny Car Eliminator. Best time for this car was 196.59 and 7.865 e.t. Pandemonium VII (1968-1969): A 1968 fiberglass Barracuda powered by a Chrysler Hemi 392 cubic inch engine. This car was match raced and used for exhibition coast to coast. In 1969, Bob was runner up at the Bristol Spring Nationals. Best time for this car was 193.67 mph and 7.605 e.t. Note: Pandemonium VII has been restored and is racing again in 2000 racing season with owner/driver Ken Chase from Rochester, Minnesota. Pandemonium VIII (1970): A 1970 fiberglass Challenger powered by a Chrysler Hemi 392 cubic inch engine. During the debut appearance this car experienced an engine blower failure which destroyed the body. Pandemonium IX: (1971-1974): A 1970 fiberglass Super Sport Camaro powered by a Chrysler Hemi 392 cubic inch engine. This car was matched race and used for exhibition coast to coast. Achieving a speed of 198.80 mph and a 7.25 e.t. |