1970 dick landy charger. Value?

[69_500]

I can tell you this that of the drivers that were at the show in Minn, the easiest to talk to, were Buddy martin, and Butch Leal. Arlen Vankee was also very approachable.

[Charger_Fan]

Dick was squeezed out as the hemi powered cars were constantly handicapped by weight penalities as the years went by. NHRA were forever adding to the minimum weight of the hemi cars to slow them down so the Bowties could compete. I think it was at an event in 1976 or so when it was announced that the hemicars were penalized another 150 pounds or so. Dick packed up and went home.

So, if the Chebby guys can't win fairly, they'll whine & moan until they can win. What a bunch of sissies.  The same thing happened with the winged cars in NASCAR, Mopar had a superior idea & the rest pouted & snivveled until they got their way.
If it was me in Dick's position, I sure wouldn't have been a happy camper either.

[blackcharger]

I've heard the same thing about famous war vets. Some WWll aces want paid for autographs and appearences, while some don't. I don't have a problem with someone wanting their expenses(travel,lodgeing,etc) to a degree. How are other racers? Big Daddy,etc? Do they expect payment?

[bull]

Dick was squeezed out as the hemi powered cars were constantly handicapped by weight penalities as the years went by. NHRA were forever adding to the minimum weight of the hemi cars to slow them down so the Bowties could compete. I think it was at an event in 1976 or so when it was announced that the hemicars were penalized another 150 pounds or so. Dick packed up and went home.

So, if the Chebby guys can't win fairly, they'll whine & moan until they can win. What a bunch of sissies.  The same thing happened with the winged cars in NASCAR, Mopar had a superior idea & the rest pouted & snivveled until they got their way.
If it was me in Dick's position, I sure wouldn't have been a happy camper either.

Still, no sense in being resentful for the better part of what, 30 years?

[Ghoste]

69 500, now that you mention the conditions you met him under, it reminds me of something.  You mention how easy Vanke was to talk to, there was one time I met him and he was a miserable ass until you bought something from him.  Then he became more agreeable.  Among his gripes were people wanting his autograph for free.  The heat that day was way up there.  Just a crappy day.  The next time I saw him was an indoors event and he was the funniest and most easy going guy you could imagine.
It's probably the same with all of them.
Met Garlits at a race one time and even though he signed the autograph, you could tell by the expression on his face that he wasn't too happy about it.  He likely just had better things to do.  They have good and bad days like the rest of us.

[Blown70]

69 500, now that you mention the conditions you met him under, it reminds me of something.  You mention how easy Vanke was to talk to, there was one time I met him and he was a miserable ass until you bought something from him.  Then he became more agreeable.  Among his gripes were people wanting his autograph for free.  The heat that day was way up there.  Just a crappy day.  The next time I saw him was an indoors event and he was the funniest and most easy going guy you could imagine.
It's probably the same with all of them.
Met Garlits at a race one time and even though he signed the autograph, you could tell by the expression on his face that he wasn't too happy about it.  He likely just had better things to do.  They have good and bad days like the rest of us.

I do agree most of us have our good and bad, however, your fans are NOT the ones to take it out on, PERIOD. Sorry, stay home if you FEEL like being a DICK head.  I personally have heard more stories about Dick Landy being a DICK than anyone in history.  Guess it is just his trait.  Or how he would like to be remembered.

I have seen a few NHRA events and never saw JOHN FORCE looking for a hand out?   I personally do not see him being that way either, to me he is around for the love of the sport and the fans and really enjoys himself.

Tom

[Ghoste]

Well, I have to add that I saw Force in an interview once with another guest (Pedregon??? cant remember now) and they began to discuss income and costs and sponsorship and the other guest said something to the effect of "admit it, even if all the money went away, you'd still be doing it for the love of racing".  It is one of the few times I've seen Force at a loss for words.  He gave the other racer an incredulous stare for a couple of seconds and then replied with absolute certainty, "No."  They bantered about the point for a bit and Force was emphatic about being in it for the money and no other reason and if the money left, he would too.

[Blown70]

Well, I have to add that I saw Force in an interview once with another guest (Pedregon??? cant remember now) and they began to discuss income and costs and sponsorship and the other guest said something to the effect of "admit it, even if all the money went away, you'd still be doing it for the love of racing".  It is one of the few times I've seen Force at a loss for words.  He gave the other racer an incredulous stare for a couple of seconds and then replied with absolute certainty, "No."  They bantered about the point for a bit and Force was emphatic about being in it for the money and no other reason and if the money left, he would too.

I will believe that when I actually see the interview.  Call me a doubting thomas.

Tom

[Ghoste]

You calling me a liar??
It's true.  It's been a few years since it was on.  There used to be a program called NHRA Today and this one was a spinoff that came on right after it.  This was back when there was a TNN network that ran motorsports stuff before Speedvision was around maybe?  It's a while ago but it's true.

[Blown70]

You calling me a liar??
It's true.  It's been a few years since it was on.  There used to be a program called NHRA Today and this one was a spinoff that came on right after it.  This was back when there was a TNN network that ran motorsports stuff before Speedvision was around maybe?  It's a while ago but it's true.

NO sir,  Just had to believe that John is in it all for the MONEY.  I have met him a few time and did truely seem into his fans.  If he would be there if the money was or was not, could only truely be answered if the money was not.

Sad to hear, but for now JOHN still has my respect.

Tom

[Ghoste]

Don't misunderstand me (which is hard given my post), I'm only relaying what he said on a syndicated show.  I've met him as well and I think he does love racing and he very much loves the fans.  He loves the show and being a showman.  He understands better than many others the business side of the racing and how important a happy fan base is.  I think that no matter what business he went in, he would be successful and he would need to be the class clown.
His statement could have had as much to do with "the show" as anything else and obviously, he didn't enter racing and make a 100,000 dollars the very first time.  He worked his way up and there were a lot of down days on the way to the top so he must love it a little.
He still said it though.

[Vainglory, Esq.]

Let's not be too hard on Dick Landy.  He's gotten a little crotchety in his elder years, but he's not a bad guy.  Especially if you don't bug him too much...  It's possible you just caught him in a really bad mood.

I speak from experience:

[Vainglory, Esq.]

By the way, I met Arlen Vanke at York US 30 2 years ago, and he was great.  Pretty deaf these days, but a real stand up guy (Funny story - he asked me where I was from - I was living in Boston at the time - and I said "Boston."  He goes, "Never heard of it."  I let it go, but man those hemis will wear on your ears over time.).  He even gave me his phone number so I could call and b.s. about his track escapades from way before I was born!  Fun guy to talk to but more fun if you just shut up and listen.

[hemi-hampton]

Sounds like you made a funny with that "hard on dick" comment

[rt green]

seems to me, it seems kind of unusual about landy not giving a crap about the car. the old guys around here, if you brought something up about the old days, even something small, you can't get them to shut up about it. their faces perk up, their eyes get bright, and you better plan on  bringing a lunch hearing all about the old days. maybe his buisness is doing well, and he's just getting tired of it all

[694spdRT]

Back in the late 80's my family went down to Don Garlits Museum for a car auction he was having there. My sister was around 8 years old at the time and wanted to his autograph so we told her just to go ask him. She walked over to him and patiently waited while he talked to someone else, Don didn't notice she was waiting and after a few minutes she pulled the hair on his arm and asked for his autograph.....after he got done rubbing his arm and laughing he gladly signed it for her. 

[blackcharger]

TV & movie stars are the same. Some don't mind being remembered for one role more then others, no matter how many things they've done since. look at John Schnider, he's always had something to do with the Dukes. Tom Wopat seems like he wants everyone to forget he was ever in it.

[DarkAngel0816]

TV & movie stars are the same. Some don't mind being remembered for one role more then others, no matter how many things they've done since. look at John Schnider, he's always had something to do with the Dukes. Tom Wopat seems like he wants everyone to forget he was ever in it.

John Schneider is by far one of the nicest celebrities I have ever met...lol.  I just wanted to add that. 

[DodgeChargerNeeded]

So if Dick Landy doesn't want to talk to every single person that talks to him because of who he is that automatically makes him a DICK or a crusty old man. I mean he is a celebrity to an extent and did you ever think he would like to be left alone once in a while.

[TruckDriver]

So if Dick Landy doesn't want to talk to every single person that talks to him because of who he is that automatically makes him a DICK or a crusty old man. I mean he is a celebrity to an extent and did you ever think he would like to be left alone once in a while.

Lets not get this thread locked up guys, gezz. This is about a car more then a guy.

[69_500]

I've since talked to Dick again and he isn't that hard to talk to. It might have been the hot weather that day, or maybe someone had said something to him already that day that had him a bit gun shy on talking about anything. Who knows we all have our good days and bad days.

Back to the origional topic at hand. Have you made a decision as to if your going to keep the car and just enjoy it, restore it to Dicks race specs, or sell it and have someone else restore it?

[WilliesDaytona]

I don't know how much it is worth, but it sure would be cool in the garage next to my Daytona. When you decide to sell please shoot me an email with the price, I am very interested in the car or any other OLd Mopar Drag cars, Famous or Not... Thanks .... ktforacing@aol.com

[sites]

Thanks for all the advice about what to do with the car. It's given me a lot to think about. Some, like 6pkrunner, bull, and others, have said pretty much what I've been thinking. What's unique about this car is it's originality. Even though it did come about by accident, or more accurately, neglect. It's only original once. Maybe fix the damage and drop in the Hemi. But then it should maybe go to a collector. I don't have a collection and I don't have time to show it. I haven't really paid that much attention to it since I've had it, but now I think I'll really miss it if I let it go. This isn't easy. I wish I'd had time to take it to the Mopor Nats. I should have tried to find someone to take it for me. The article is supposed to be in the December issue of Mopar Muscle, which they say hits newsstands October 10th. I inquired about purchasing subscriptions for everyone who posted on this thread to say thanks, but I was told it couldn't be done in time to get the December issue. Sorry. Ghoste, the lady in the golf cart is indeed the lovely Mrs. Landy.

If you are selling, I think the whole board should get together and buy it, and we can keep it at my house.

It would be all of ours of course.

What do you guys think??

I think that's so funny .

The most recent pictures we posted, sent to us by Todd MacGillivery, were taken at Suffolk Airport (Raceway) in Virginia. Steve P. was right.

[DarkAngel0816]

You could all always chip in and buy it for my birthday...which is two days away!!!!   

[TruckDriver]

Thanks for all the advice about what to do with the car.

The article is supposed to be in the December issue of Mopar Muscle, which they say hits newsstands October 10th. I inquired about purchasing subscriptions for everyone who posted on this thread to say thanks, but I was told it couldn't be done in time to get the December issue. Sorry.

I been a subscriber for the past 10+ years, so I'll get it early Thanks anyway.