Drag racing’s great rivalry between the Snake and the Mongoose began at legendary Lions Drag Strip in 1964.  As a young lanky Don Prudhomme gained the reputation as a quick “leaver” off the starting line he became known as “the Snake” while driving the nearly invincible Greer-Black-Prudhomme dragster.  But one of the few who could occasionally defeat the Snake was Tom McEwen.  Engine builder Ed Donovan took a page out of Rudyard Kipling’s The Jungle Book and dubbed his driver McEwen “the Mongoose,” the one animal that could strike quicker than a cobra!  Both drivers moved on to other cars but the rivalry continued to grow. Their feud was so intense the pair became headliners before owning their own dragsters!

For their first 1965 match race, Don “the Snake” Prudhomme drove Roland Leong’s Hawaiian while Tom “the Mongoose” McEwen handled the Yeakel Plymouth Special of Lou Baney and Vince Rossi.  Leong’s full-bodied missile was the perfect adversary for the deep purple Yeakel “flexi-flyer.” Everything about the cars and personalities involved were in sharp contrast to each other.  Prudhomme let his driving do the the talking while McEwen flashed victory signs and boasted, “I am the greatest!"  The Hawaiian was owned by newcomer Roland Leong, a recent transplant from the 50th state while Lou Baney was a long-established racing pioneer and promoter.  Renowned Keith Black maintained the Hawaiian’s motors and John Garrison, an ex-Black employee, tuned the Yeakel.  Later, Ed Pink, Black’s longtime competitor for top engine building honors, would assume Garrison’s position on the Yeakel.

The dragsters themselves contrasted sharply.  The Hawaiian was a 200 MPH show car featuring a beautifully sculpted Wayne Ewing body and Joe Anderson “ocean blue” metalflake paint.  Authentic wood paneling near the chute pack and bamboo style lettering completed the Hawaiian theme.  Veteran craftsman Kent Fuller fabricated the chassis.  In essence, the Hawaiian was Fuller’s ’65 interpretation of the famed Greer-Black-Prudhomme, which he also constructed.

The Yeakel Plymouth Special offered a very different approach to top fuel racing.  Chassis builder Woody Gilmore’s “flexi-flyer” design employed vertical tubes which were not welded to the lower main rails to enhance weight transfer during acceleration.  “Form follows function” meant the Yeakel only carried what was necessary for the job. The Doug Kruse body work was confined to the cockpit leaving the chassis pipes and fuel tank exposed out front.  Despite this minimalist approach the Yeakel was also a great looking machine.  Chromed and polished pieces complimented its deep candy purple paint and gold leaf script by the expert team of Cerny and Kelly.  In short, the Hawaiian and Yeakel were two of the most spectacular fuelers of 1965!

History shows the Mongoose beat the Snake that night, 2 wins to 1.  But it was a rare loss for Prudhomme and Leong.  Their astonishing list of accomplishments was highlighted by the Hawaiian’s Pomona and Indy victories—making them the first team to capture the sport’s biggest events in a single season!  The Hot Wheels funny cars and dragsters would follow in 5 years but this 1965 “battle of the reflexes” was the beginning of drag racing’s greatest feud!

“The Snake vs. Mongoose, Chapter 1” is artist James Ibusuki’s interpretation of the memorable match race at the Beach.  Both beautiful dragsters are shown in an exciting night time explosion off the starting line creating flames and smoke.  The legendary track is faithfully reproduced and eagle eyed fans may even spot Lions manager CJ “Pappy” Hart and starter Larry Sutton in the background!  Limited to 850 numbers, the museum-quality lithograph is printed on heavyweight acid-free paper. Each 15" x 30" lithograph is autographed by Don Prudhomme and Tom McEwen; signed and numbered by the artist.  A certificate of authenticity included.