George Montgomery
No one in history has created and perfected as many unconventional engine combinations as George Montgomery. Montgomery’s name was synonymous with supercharging. He fabricated his own blower manifold for the Cadillac-powered Willys that one Little Eliminator at the 1959 NHRA Nationals; the first of four national titles. In 1964, George earned an international following as a member of the United States Drag Racing Team that toured Europe. In 1967, Montgomery revolutionized gas-supercharged racing by introducing the controversial, fiberglass-bodied, SOHC 427-equipped Mustang that dominated for three seasons. At the 1969 Nationals, it was finally replaced by a new, red Mustang which promptly won Super Eliminator and Best Engineered Car. When Ford’s new Boss 429 became available, it was George who successfully developed both supercharged and twin-turbocharged versions. He won his seventh NHRA Oscar in 1974, then briefly campaigned an alcohol funny car before retiring.