The 1949 Olds engine still sits in its original chassis, which Roth shortened by five feet and pinstriped in visible places. (Photo by Dave Wallace/Good Communications)

Three rooms into the four-gallery museum, I still had my fears. Finally, stashed in the back of the final section, I spotted them all: Prudhomme's original Army Monza, whose dominant 1975 season and barrier-busting 5.98/241 efforts I had witnessed up-close (as Drag News editor); Swamp Rat 20, which I'd watched run late in the '74 season (as an employee of AHRA); and Dr. Nathan Ostich's historic jet car, which I'd read about and cheered from afar (as a school kid, sneaking peaks at Hot Rod magazine). Seeing these three gems in such great condition gave me goose bumps. I could've walked out the door a happy camper, right then and there.

I did not, as you can guess from all these photos. There are even more; so many more that the Large Editor has granted me two installments with which to share them with you. I hope you’ll tune in next month for the rest of the cars, along with more about the life and death of the man responsible for what remains one of the world’s great automotive collections.