Snakes in the Grass at Dana Point

An old saying goes… “It’s not who you are, but what you bring to the party.” At the Dana Point Concours d’Elegance this past weekend, it was plainly evident that Don Prudhomme had heard the expression before.

Attending the event as 2010 Honorary Chairman, “The Snake” brought four of his classic funny cars for Concours attendees to see at the St. Regis Monarch Beach. Leading the group was the only remaining Mattel Hot Wheels 1970 Plymouth Barracuda Funny Car. Anybody that was six years old or more at the time will remember the “Snake vs. Mongoose” match races that Prudhomme and Tom McEwen ran across the country.

The Prudhomme display also included his white, 1972 Hot Wheels Plymouth ‘Cuda funny car, 1974 Army-sponsored Chevrolet Vega funny car and the 1978 Army Plymouth Arrow funny car, which carries the number “1” to reflect Prudhomme’s four consecutive NHRA World Championship seasons. Equally famous was the recently-restored 1967 Dodge D-700 ramp truck that toted the 1970 Barracuda from coast to coast and to more toy stores than anyone can remember.

Prudhomme sold the truck in 1972, after the match race series was finished. Thirty-five years later, when he decided to track down the truck, he had to look no further than the original person he had sold it to. The ramp truck underwent a total renovation in time to appear a the 2009 SEMA Show, along with the 1970 Barracuda.

The Dana Point Concours d’Elegance is a volunteer run, not-for-profit organization, with excess proceeds supporting the Ocean Institute, the Mary & Dick Allen Diabetes Center at Hoag Hospital as well as other Southern California youth charities.

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