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.
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.