Don 'The Snake' Prudhomme Will Exhibit Four Classic Funny Cars & Transporter at Dana Point Concours d'Elegance(TM)

DANA POINT, Calif., May 11 /PRNewswire/ -- The Dana Point Concours d'Elegance™(www.DanaPointConcours.org) today announced that the 2010 event Honorary Chairman, Don "The Snake" Prudhomme, will be exhibiting four of his classic Funny Cars, as well as his recently restored transporter.

Headlining the exhibit will be Prudhomme's original restoration of the only remaining Mattel Hot Wheels 1970 Plymouth Barracuda Funny Car as made famous during the "Snake vs. Mongoose" match racing promotion, which saw Prudhomme and Tom McEwen square off in match races across the country while also making countless appearances at toy stores, retail outlets and other locations.

The car also made appearances on Plymouth's popular 1971 Rapid Transit tour.  Many years later, Prudhomme reacquired the car and began an extensive in-house restoration, which was overseen by Prudhomme and with long-time employee Willie Wolter as project manager, was finally completed in 2008.  Originally built by Ronnie Scrima at Exhibition Engineering in Van Nuys, California, this original restoration features the original 446 cubic-inch motor, original body and original rolling chassis.  It also includes an original 671 blower, and original front (Cragar) and rear (Halibrand) wheels.    

Also on display and transporting the Yellow 'Cuda is Prudhomme's frame-off and fully restored 1967 Dodge D-700 crew cab Hot Wheels Ramp Truck, which famously toted his Funny Cars during the 1970's match racing era.  Upon its discovery by Dick Maxwell from Plymouth, the ramp truck was originally purchased by Prudhomme in Greensboro, NC in 1969, with the ramp section customized and installed per his specific racing needs.  

The ramp truck then went into service beginning in 1970 as an integral part of the "Snake vs. Mongoose" promotion, with photos of the ramp truck appearing in many magazine articles, news stories, and packaging for Hot Wheels toys, models and track sets.  Upon conclusion of the Hot Wheels promotion at the end of the 1972 season, the ramp truck was then sold by Prudhomme to a buyer in California.

Thirty-five years later and having already restored many of his older funny cars, Prudhomme wanted to locate, purchase and restore the ramp truck in order to have the complete, original touring package.  Using the original VIN number and some assistance from local law enforcement, Prudhomme tracked down the vehicle in early 2008 to find that it was still owned by the same buyer who purchased it from him in 1973 and that the truck had in fact never left the State of California.

Once relocated to his Vista, California racing headquarters, Prudhomme personally oversaw its complete, frame-off restoration which was done largely in-house.  Also includes; original bill of sale, original work order for ramp modification, original spare 1966 426-cubic inch stock Hemi cast-iron motor, and Prudhomme's original driving suit, helmet and uniform.

Prudhomme's exhibit will also feature the white 1972 Hot Wheels sponsored Plymouth 'Cuda funny car, 1974 Army sponsored Chevrolet Vega funny car and the 1978 Army Plymouth Arrow funny car, which proudly carries the "Number 1" to reflect his fourth consecutive NHRA World Championship season.  For additional photos and information on Prudhomme and his collection of cars, please visit http://danapointconcours.org/dana-point/media/press-release/snakes-collection.php and www.snakeracing.com.

The 28th Annual Dana Point Concours d'Elegance™ will take place on Sunday, June 27, 2010 on the Monarch Beach Golf Links at the prestigious St. Regis resort in Dana Point, California. This year's event will feature 100 years of Alfa Romeo and celebrate 80 years of design from Pininfarina. The Dana Point Concours d'Elegance™ is a volunteer-run, 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization, with excess proceeds supporting the Ocean Institute, the Mary & Dick Allen Diabetes Center at Hoag Hospital and other Southern California youth charities. The event is operated primarily as a Classic Car Club of America (CCCA) Concours, with additional classes showcasing interesting and relevant automobiles. Southern California is the automotive culture capital of the world with a deep history in design, customization and motorsports. The Dana Point Concours™ organizing committee aspires to create a premier automotive event that showcases this rich heritage. General admission tickets are $30 in advance and $35 the day of the event. Children under 12 have complimentary admission. To purchase tickets, and get more information, please visit www.DanaPointConcours.org

SOURCE Dana Point Concours d'Elegance