“Big John” Mazmanian and “Junior” Thompson Opel-Kadett 1968-70 AA/GS

AUTHENTICATION: This is the original car.  Big John Mazmanian and Junior Thompson originally built and raced this ¼ mile gasser in 1968-1970.  Recently the car resurfaced for sale and Junior and his son Tommy reacquired the vehicle and finished restoring this unique piece of drag racing history. Junior was the car’s original builder and driver!

If this is not enough to verify the car’s authenticity then listen to this story by Tommy Thompson (race car driver/owner) tells regarding taillight damage that still exists, “In September 1970 at Ontario Dragway after getting an engine back that he had loaned to K.S. Pittman, the engine blew on the 1^st run, oiling the tires.  Junior almost lost control, but saved the car after impacting the guard rail with the left rear corner, busting the taillight.  It is still broken in its original state.” 

INTERVIEW WITH “JUNIOR” − APRIL 19, 2008:  When did you start building the Opel gasser? “We built the car in 1968 and then ran the car over 300 times at different drag strips across the country for 2 years with no sponsors.”  How did the project get started? “Big John and I purchased a fiberglass replica of an Opel Kadett by Ron Palagrini.  We had Chuck Finders from Cleveland Ohio build the chassis. I stroked and bored a 392 Hemi to 450 and added an early Chrysler rear end and Torque Flight transmission.”  What else did you do to the engine? “Iske cam, Mondelo polished and ported the heads, a Hampton blower, Hilborn injection, Doug’s headers and a Vortex magneto.”  What was it that made this car such a winner? “It is all in the tuning and driving.”

HISTORY: A 1969 write-up from Thompson, Ohio entitled “Big John’s Opel & Jr. Thom[p]son – All The Marbles” stated, “For the first time in T.D.R.’s racing history, Ohio George Montgomery did not, repeat Did Not win the AA/Gas Super Meet!  It was Junior Thompson-“Big John” Mazmanian’s Candy Red hemi-powered Opel, putting on an awesome display for the 6000 standing drag fans, winning all the rounds.  Staging next to the Opel in the second round, was ‘hisself’ “Ohio George” and the big Ford Cammer Gasser.  The tree came down, and “Junior” pulled a super “2” holeshot on the big blue bomb.  Could he hold it?  Indeed!! To the time of 8.80/159.29, as “Ohio George” clocked the best of the day, trying to catch the flying Opel, of 8.78/153.40, but it was “Junior’s” day.”

ABOUT THE OWNER: Junior will be displaying the car May 3^rd and 4^th at Famoso Dragway.  The car is scheduled to do burnouts in October at the Hot Rod Reunion in Famoso where Junior Thompson has been invited to be the Grand Marshall this year. 

SALES TERMS: Contact Don Burdge at email: dburdge@flex.com Dream Rod Locator – Consultant Service.