Few would disagree that the most famous of all restorations is the Greer-Black-Prudhomme 1962 car. It was one of the most beautiful dragsters ever built was also one of the most successful. In an era when function took precedence over form, the legendary Greer, Black & Prudhomme dragster combined the best of both worlds, that is, it looked great and ran even better. With a combination of the money from Tommy Greer, the engine and clutch science of Keith Black and the raw driving skills of a young car painter by the name of Don Prudhomme, the GB&P car literally struck fear in the hearts of its competitors.

 

Tommy Greer - Don Prudhomme - Keith Black
As far as anyone knows, this is the very first shot taken of the new car/team that took drag racing by storm starting in 1962.

 

With its yellow body (the car also ran with a red/orange paint scheme), chassis by Kent Fuller and a 392 Chrysler engine from the mind of Keith Black, the Greer, Black & Prudhomme dragster cranked out some of the best times of the era, including an unbelievable 7.77 second elapsed time at over 191 miles per hour in 1964. Then, at the end of their remarkable two year run, the team basically disbanded, with Tommy Greer going into drag boats, while Keith Black became “just an engine builder” and not a car owner and Prudhomme, well, he went on to have a moderately successful career in the sport of drag racing as both a driver and a car owner and that’s not too bad for a kid who started out as a car painter in Southern California. And, coincidentally, one of the first cars that he painted just happened to be this Greer, Black and Prudhomme yellow dragster.

 

"Greer, Black & Prudhomme" - AA/FD - Fontana, 1963. This shot of the car gives a true aspect of just how short it was.

 

 

Keith Black runs behind the car as Prudhomme moves up to stage at Lions, 1964.

 

 

 

 

If this car looks strangely familiar its because it used to belong to the lesser known team of Tommy Greer, Keith Black and Don Prudhomme. Somehow the "magic" didn't get sold with the car. "Reno Auto Wrecking" - AA/FD - Lions, 1967 - after this the car went into "the rafters" until Davis restored in in 1968.

 

 

 

The restoration of this incredible piece of drag racing history was left in the hands of Steve Davis - who was not new at this game and remains to this day as one of the premier car restorers on the planet. Steve's attention to detail is only rivaled by Bruce Dyda and Pat Foster.

 

Needless to say, a popular stop in the CHRR pits is Steve Davis' restored "Greer-Black-Prudhomme" Fuller car along with the recreated Keith Black 1958 Ranchero for a push car. Class act all the way.
"Pete" Garramone Photo

 

Early Saturday morning of the 2000 CHRR the crown jewels of the restored "Fuller Fleet" were rolled out to the track for a photo shoot. Photos don't do this scene justice at all! "The Magicar" -- "The Vagabond" -- "Greer-Black-Prudhomme" -- "Western Mfg. Special".

 

 

 

Steve Davis in the car for Cacklefest One

 

 

 

Cacklefest One - Davis takes his spot on the fabled 1/4 mile at Fomosa Dragway (more commonly known as Bakersfield). Although the car was officially retired after the 2005 Cacklefest, it will forever remain a champion then and a champion now. It will be on display at the Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum for years to come... hopefully.

 

Davis going to and in his spot at the 2001 Cacklefest.

 

 

 

 

Steve Davis in the Pre 2004 Cacklefest parade.

 

 

Final appearance for the GBP car was the 2004 Cacklefest. It has, for the time being, been retired by its owner.