We all know the story of the coming of age of the rear engine dragster. In 1970, Don Garlits experienced a devastating starting line clutch explosion that severed half of his foot and left behind an image that will forever life in drag racing infamy. Less than a year later, Garlits unveiled what is thought to be the very first rear engine dragster that really worked. The one that changed drag racing forever. On this Flashback Friday, we’re going to focus on the “thought to be” in that last sentence. Emphasis on the “thought to be.”

Prior to Garlits tackling and perfecting the rear engine design and taking it to the winners circle right off the bat, many other racers had experimented with their own concept for seating themselves in front of the engine over the years, both for safety and weight transfer purposes.  Despite the may failed attempts, some of them were successful. But for whatever reason, never received the credit they were due.

One of those, which some believe may in fact have been the actual first functional rear engine dragster, was built and campaigned by Bill and Dave Coleman of Maryland’s Coleman Bros Speed Shop in or around 1960. If not the first, it was certainly among them. At one point the relatively short wheelbase machine held the title of the fastest Chevy-powered dragster in the country, and legend has it, upon its debut, the likes of Garlits, Kalitta, and other hall of famers practically tripped over one another running through the pits to get a glimpse of it.

One magazine of the time referred to the Coleman’s and their machine as the “Dark Horse From The East,” and their exploits that took place 3,000 miles away from the drag racing birthplace of southern California is considered to be the reason they never received proper credit for their creation. If you ever catch yourself in a game of drag racing trivia with your buddies, now you know, the answer to the rear engine dragster question is not “Garlits.” That response will probably win more often than not, though.