Addict AA/FD

History

The Cars

Event Photos

Guidelines

Home

 

History

 

Since the early 60s the name Childs & Albert has been synonymous with quality high performance racing parts including piston rings and connecting rods. Like several other manufacturers of the era, C&A fielded their own race cars to use as test beds for their new parts and of course, fun. Over the years the team had several fuel dragsters but the one best remembered is their 1965-1967 car. The 165 " chassis was built by Ronnie Scrima, Pat Foster and Rocky Childs. Power came via a 470" hemi on 85% which propelled the car to runs in the 7.60s with speeds approaching 220 MPH. Not only did it collect the winners check many a time a San Fernando, it also held the track e.t. record during 66/67 at 7.89 with regular driver Tom Toler at the helm. It was originally parked and then sold out of state in late 1967. Its replacement was a CCE chassis (Don Tuttle) that Dwight Salisbury was runner-up to James Warren in at the 1968 Winternationals.

 

Cowl art in 1966 when Tom Toler was the driver.

 

The original driver was Walt Stevens shown here in 1965.

 

Tom Toler at Lions Drag Strip in 1966.

 

The team of Rocky Childs, Jim Albert, and Tom Toler in 1966.

 

This shot is a nice side view of the car. Really shows the overall proportion and shape off well. The setting is a San Fernando Valley high school in 1966.

 

Pomona 1967

 

Dwight Salisbury drove the car for some of 1967.

 

Getting ready for a push start at Irwindale in 1967.

 

Orangeline

 

Restoration


The growing popularity of the California Hot Rod Reunion and "cackling" prompted Rocky Childs to find the original "Addict" and restore it. He located the car back East, where it had once been campaigned under the name of "Arsenic & Old Lace" -- and its pearl hues replaced with a gawdawful "lace" paint job.

Starting in 2001, Rocky and number of friends restored the car, with much of the chassis reconstruction handled by Howard Zikes --a talented craftsman who was shop foreman at Mark Williams Enterprises in Denver for many years.

The restoration incorporated some subtle chassis improvements, like a 5-point cage, that made the car "legal" to go down the track. The paint was handled by Rod Alexander, son of veteran T/F driver "Wild Bill" Alexander.

"The Addict" has been on display extensively at the Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum since its outstanding reconstruction.


Dwight Salisbury was in the seat for the cars debut at Cacklefest II in 2001.

 

 

The Addict didn't attend the 2002 Cacklefest but came back strong in 2003. On Friday Salisbury, to the thrill of the fans and photogs, did a pretty big wheelstand and then smoked the tires.

 

 

 

 

 

2003 Cacklefest push start.

 

 

 

 

 

Salisbury in his spot at Cacklefest IV

 

 

 

 

For Cacklefest V long time C&A employee and race car driver Rod Hynes got the seat honors.

 

 

 

 

 

 

In 2005 at Cacklefest VI Hynes was once again in the seat and loving it.

 

 

 

 

SIDEBAR: Rocky Childs has also managed to track down his old 1956 Ford F-100 pickup that served as the "Addict's" pushtruck. It is currently being refurbished (an extensive frame-up reconstruction using a contemporary chassis, suspension and powertrain). It will be painted to match the race car, and be a nice addition to the "cackle package."

 

 

2021 National Hot Rod Reunion

All Cacklecars

 Event Photos   History   First 9 Cacklecars  

CF Stories       Video Clips

Links      Tributes         

Cacklefest Guidelines

SEMA Chassis Builder Numbers 

Contact   

HOME


Search for Cars or People


© COPYRIGHT NOTICE NHRA Museum 2005-2023All Rights Reserved.