LEGENDS: THE SERIES - THE LEGEND OF AUSTIN COIL
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- čas přidán 26. 10. 2016
- The image of Austin Coil as a cool and calculating puppet-master is debunked in this episode of Legends: The Series, Season Three in which the man who won a record 17 NHRA Championships as Funny Car crew chief to Frank Hawley and John Force owns up to what was happening beneath that seemingly calm exterior.
“I was a nervous wreck,” Coil says. “I had stomach problems. I ate Rolaids like they were candy. I was upset most of the time. I just felt like it was unprofessional to stand on the starting line and scream like a raving maniac (but) some of the old guys I worked with nicknamed me ‘The Tyrant.’ I don’t think it’s because I was so mild mannered.”
With a shout out to the late “Jungle Jim” Liberman, with whom he shared a special bond, Coil relives the era of Funny Car match racing in which the Chi-Town Hustler he campaigned with John Farkonas and Pat Minick made as many as 96 different appearances in a single season, sometimes racing five straight days at five different race tracks. Nevertheless, it wasn’t until he hooked up with Force in 1985 that Coil’s true genius was exposed.
“After two world championships we were on the verge of having to quit,” he remembered, “because our team did not have the ability to talk people out of their money. Force had the ability to get some sponsor money and not much ability to win races. It seemed like it could work (but) it was three years before we won a single race.” The rest, as they say, is history. - Dave Densmore
#LEGENDStheSERIES
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This is at least the 3rd time I've watched this. Great story of a successful career
Same here. 🏁👍
I could sit and listen to Mr Coil for hours!!
One of the greatest tuners and builder of Funny cars the world has seen. Was sorry to see him go.But you got to do what you have to do. So I raise my glass to Mr.Coil,one of Drag racings finest. 😎
I can assure you Force would never have made his team what it was if not for the old "coil spring"
You are absolutely right
Very candid man and very honest in his role as a tuner. Drag racing has changed so much. Growing up in the 60s and 70s , I find it very easy to say, take me back to those times. People were different and attitudes were a lot different.
Austin Coil is one of the greatest men who has done and still does amazing things for Drag Racing. I have had the honor of shaking his hand and I have to say he always will be one of my favorite people who helped shape the sport and the people who make it what it is. Watching this made me dig out a lot of magazines, papers, pictures, and wow a lot of great memories of yesterday and now. Thank you all so much for sharing this.
A very intelligent man. His leadership was pretty awesome as well.
Austin Coil : " Master of Nitro Engine Tuning WOAH 👍👍
The most celebrated tuner, crew chief, IN OTHER WORDS HE KNEW HIS $HIT!!
Thank you Austin Coil for the memories
Great video. I have been an admirer of Austin Coil since the mid-1960's. A true drag racing lehend!
Choked up with admiration for Austin. Very few know themselves like he does, while also remaining humble. Thanks for the wonderful interview, and great memories. --Fink
Great interview! Thanks Coil for your years. You were one of the best. God bless.
One of the greatest tuner's in the NHRA..
Thanks Austin...
Thank you for this video. It's great to hear from these guys. I always had a lot of admiration for Austin and his accomplishments.
Bob Fontneaux u bet thanks austin...a true legend....
been involved in drag racing for 37 years myself.....and that is jjust how i think of austin....innovative and smart.
Great interview. Again a guy who looks cool calm and collected popping Roland’s like candy. He seems to be very content where he is in life today. God Bless, God Bless America and thank theLord for the wonderful sport of Drag racing.
Great interview! I always liked Austin...THANKS!
Dad told me a story Austin coil was a hustler he tried to low ball my dad out of a set of hemi heads. My dads friend dragged him out and saved him from getting bent over. So he was definitely a hustler.
Austin Coil....
“The Engine Wizard”...
They call him that for a
Reason.
Brilliant man…
Simple minded
One of the greatest man in drag racing
I had the opportunity to meet Austin Coil and Frank Hawley at Martin US-131 Dragway in the summer of I believe 1985.
It was a true honor and I weekend I'll never forget.
God I miss those days drag racing is like NASCAR now I really don’t care to watch it pro stock at all but irrelevant but this was a great man here probably the greatest tuner or one of the greatest tuners ever
I love how they talk about Billy Myers multimillion-dollar trailer.... and then they pan over to an old ramp truck with Frank Hawley...... they had no idea what was about to hit them with that chi Town Hustler car........
This man is extremely understated.
Thanks Bobby for keeping this alive,what great memories, Austin Coil the best, looking forward to more to more Legends.
Love the old days and the old timers of today's Drag Racing History ..
He is one of the all time great crew chiefs.
I was at Pomona when he walked away ... he said ok that's it ??? then took of his hat and walked off ... literally
Without the man there would not be racing!! Love this man big time!! So very smart!!
I still reminisce about the post-WinterNationals in the 90's. John redllighted against Kenji Okazaki in round one. My buddy and I drove out too John Force Racing in Yorba Li da, CA on the Monday, after the WinterNationals.We were greeted at the shop by Austin Coil. He gave us a tour of the shop, and explained to us that John didn't like losing and John was keeping his distance from everyone. We understood. Austin gave us the grand tour of John Force Racing in Yorba Linda, CA. Austin Coil was an awesome man! I wish I could have met him during his Chi-town Hustler days, since that car was my favorite funny car, at that time.
AUSTIN COIL WILL ALWAYS BE REMEMBERED AS ONE OF ABSOLUTE BEST HUMANS I EVER KNEW THAT WALKED THIS PLANET!!
If not for Coil, John would never have 16 championships, if not for Force...well you know but together HISTORY!!! AWESOME!!!
Knew , Austin Coil , from their Garage on 5002 South Damen Avenue, Chicago, Illinois, 60609.
It was a OLD SINCLAIR GAS STATION, and they used it for Chi Town Hustler, Funny Car.
On 7100 South Daman Avenue, Chicago, Illinois, 60612, on Wendsday and Thursday "" Chris Caramanci""
would TUNE IN THE ALLEY.
GREAT TIMES ON THE SOUTH SIDE OF CHICAGO IN THE 1950'S - 1970'S ! ! ! !
One of the most interesting videos by far. AC is a legend.
Great Series!!! thank you!
Chi-Town Hustler......man, takes me back in time. My brother and I OWNED the television on Saturdays.....RACE day. I remember the Chi-Town Hustler so clearly from my young young years.....early 70s. Jungle Jim. Wow...I was watching these guys long before they were legends. I watched them race as hard as they could....and now I am watching Austin Coil talking about his career and how he became a legend.....and I remember every step of his climb to his status as legend.
Thank you Austin Coil and Dale Armstrong 😎😉😎
These videos I really enjoy watching I was there when force did 303 at 4.93 I was yooouuuunnng and I see these videos and I think there is only one stop left. These people never knew me I was just a fan but they gave me some of the most enjoyable moments in my life
Brilliant innovator. The Greatest. Period.
Austin would always share that toolbox full of knowledge when he had the time. Castrol did not spend any monies to sponsor them but invest in an awesome crew . Coil best to you and family thanks for all you have done for the sport.
As a Chicago suburb guy, I always supported you guys. I just bought a 1/64 Chi-Town Hustler. Hats off to you making my teen years complete. God bless you and Mr. Norm.I remember the switch to custom Vans.
Austin and John were magic as a team.
What a top guy and respect too you Austin
Facinating interview. Thank you!
I absolutely love this interview...
Racing in ending I would like to say thank all you guys for the memories.
Thanks Bobby!!!! Keeping the history alive!!!!
John Farconeas, Austin Coil and Pat Minnick, the "Holy terrors" in funny car at that time! I watch them at US30 at Gary IN a lot of weekends!
Is that how you spell Farconeas name? I wanted to look him up found nothing
@@frankkatsenis3812 ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,if you have any history of the team,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,FARCONIS................................
This is a great thing you do with your videos. I knew he was a great man but I didn't know but about half of what I do now. Thank you for doing this.
9:14..... my gawd. Austin Coil once said Jungle Jim had the two best rides in drag racing. Truth.
haha 😊
He was a blast, and she was every boys dream
Was the second one White
Seattle International Raceway....64 Funny Cars all lined up on the track and fired up! Then the races... good times as a kid in the pits.
Most drag racing fans aspire to be like John Force. I aspire to be like Austin Coil.
I haven't seen or listened to the interview of Don Garlits, if you've done one, until I do I'd say this one with Austin Coil is your best! The guy is just cool, calm, and collected....... I know he said he always had stomach problems, but still between him and Bernie Federle it's a wonder anybody else won any races, and I'm talking about seeing him from the ol' '67 Barracuda Chi Town Hustler days at U.S. 30 Dragstrip in Hobart Indiana, when Pat Minnick and Ron 'Snag' Donald where their drivers😉 Farkonas,Coil,&Minick.
NOBODY knows more about how to make a fuel car run than this man'........nope nobody!
If I had a drag racing car . . . This man would be my choice for a crew chief. . . Damn he was great and knew his stuff .
fantastic video!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Pure gold. Nuff said!
Austin is one cool dude. Spoke to him at atco dragway in new jersey and talked to me for a few minutes while having a beer. Wish him the best
Enjoyed watching...I wonder if Austin still has that bent valve that he marked speed and time on for the win. They tried to seat it at the starting line to no avail...Man, he was giggly happy about that one.
Austin coil was not human ,he was a well calculated machine! Best there ever was.
That's me at the beginning of the video with Austin. I was 15 at the time and part of the pit crew. This is an awesome video! First time I've seen it!
I remember the old day's of racing I was young but had a great teacher Doug Warren and I love mopar Hemi and got good at building and tuning gas and nitro with a funny car called the Fireball Vaga and Paul Smith driving and I am 65years old I still have a 62Belvedere with a 512Hemi in it I loved all the years of drag
I knew a funny car owner who campaigned in those days. The differential in his truck failed in some Midwestern state, so he rented a similar truck from Penske or somebody and swapped the rear ends out. The rental company figured out what had happened and traced the old differential back to the owner's truck. In the end, he could never go back into that state because there was a warrant out for his arrest. It is nice to know that there were people as honest as Austin who succeeded in the business.
My Hero!
really enjoy this , thanks
My brother named his Son Austin our favorite crew chief. He's lived up to the old man's name. Stellar individual.
great interview
Good showing ! I always said there is no such thing as a can of ointment without at least one fly in it .Coil would have killed me with a fly swatter.
I've watched this episode many times and all I can say is,,,,Damn I really miss these days.Good memories here.
i remember austin coil with a 57 pontiac at a midwest strip in the early 60s, could've been byron or union grove.
Jerry Richards
Maybe he can be my kids boss for a month.........hahahaa that'll teach em a lesson like boot camp times 10
Didn't recognize Coil without the toothpick
My long time hero!! Very smart man!! One of the best!!
Quinton McHale that's a good one!!
I just wonder how he got started in the path he has chosen, for sure one of the best most humble men in the business
The Best of the Best....
@ 42:46
One possible reason he no longer attends races is because he couldn't enjoy as a spectator it like the rest of us. I doubt that he could get anywhere near the pits without some car owner pulling on his ear.
Coil was as good as they come and Force knows he was the reason for his success, and I'm sure Force had a gut check when Coil walked. I'm a Force fan but I wouldn't last 10 minutes with that guy. He's Gary Busey with a race car.
》》》 ( 1 st ). WHAT A SUPER AWESOME VIDEO......
I attended a funny car match race at York U.S. 30 Dragway in 1971 (I attended a couple that year) which featured "Jungle Jim" among others. My buddies and I had pit passes and while standing a couple of feet from Jim, he tossed me a very warm spark plug which he just removed from his engine (after a run), I tossed it between my hands a few times until it was cool enough to put in my pocket (the racers didn't cordon-off their pit areas back then, they also didn't strip the engine down like they do now, they swapped out the plugs, changed the oil, repacked the chutes etc. They enjoyed the attention, especially "Jungle", although as I write this, it just occurred to me that perhaps "Jungle" throwing me the hot spark plug was his 'playful' way to get me to give him some space. I kept that plug for a few years, eventually throwing it away. I regret tossing it, not because it would be worth anything,(I couldn't prove my story, anyway) but because of the memory of a real Drag Racing LEGEND.
He never says killed or death during this interview. Same reason racers, which I am, don't attend funerals or visit people in the hospital.
We don't like to be reminded of our own mortality.
Was nice to see and hear Steve Evans.
There is what's called the Golden Era of Hollywood. The sixties and seventies were the Golden Era of Drag racing.
Great man and an amazing tuner 😎
I don't give a damn who you are or what form of car racing you like Austin coil is and always will be the best engine builder/,crew chief/ design innovator ever nobody in any motor sports can or will claim 17 championship titles
Corporations have taken over Drag racing not unlike many other sports
Thank you
I really miss seeing Austin Coil on the starting line. Watched him work many times at Sears Point.
We got to match race with these guys a few times.. I think Coil had more respect from other crews than anyone else I know.. (maybe it was fear?) hmmmmmm
-Great show great team which will still be using Austins teachings to win today, 10 years on after Austin Coil. They likely have a magneto Mike and a jumper leads John that does the tuning now.
Ñ bb
that darn Force
I used to live at Pacific raceway and loved the 64 funny cars and fox hunts the 3/4 track burnout that force would do...AWESOME!!!
You will never see anybody reach the heights these racers have achieved.Austin’s and forces records will live forever and not be beaten purely on the technology and money aspect.
Coil, Penske & Gurney used to trail ride dirt bikes together....Imaging sit'n down to a cold beer with that pack 🧽😎
Money can't replace wisdom! The new drag racing teams are all built on the most money wins. Talent isn't necessarily needed anymore which is so unfortunate! Some Legacies can't and shouldn't try to be replicated or bettered just appreciated properly with a Humility of Honor!
I wish all these guys had interviews that talked about how they made and found power and all the tricks and things they did...would be such priceless info to hear.
Things like polishing piston crowns remove sharp edges to avoid pre detonation. Been around pre war. Some facinating stuff. Ignition aspects facinating
There is a short clip on the 1930s Austin special that revved to 9000rpm and showed footage of piston polishing.
Even down to oils. Austin Coils early use of synthetic Nitro China fuel.
@@edgarbeat2851 Thanks alot Edgar ill try and find it to check it out
@@brianb5779 czcams.com/video/Zxn1UHkEFMw/video.html 15:24 change of oil brand.
I'll try find the Austin seven racer footage
John Force is great in his own right BUT Austin Coil was the key that unlocked the door for JFRs 17 championships.
Brilliant
Coil put Force in the front for years
Bobby, I've seen most of the installments of this series, I have to say that this is my favorite one. It's without question the best at making us feel like we have known the man for life. Having said that, there are only two things I wish would be different. Number one: the last edit in the piece, and number two: I want to know the significance of the chain he wears on his neck. From the earliest photos, that chain and what is attached is present. Great piece, kudos!
wow it is great to hear from his across the street buddy back in the day witch help,s add to the over all of coil,s long road to fame and i do believe that bernie federle was the glue that held one of the greatest team,s together and was so under rated tony
I too was part of a situation where the riches were not shared by those who controlled the money. I know for sure I was responsible for sending certain people to the top. Regrettably, those people did not have that same perception. Never will I do that again! Austin Coil deserves more attention and money than what he got. It is the people behind the scenes that make things happen! John Force Should be ashamed of himself.
Stay humble dude