Joie Chitwood: A True Chevy Man - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

**special-K** · 07-25-2021, 08:35 AM

Yup. I demand the same from my cars. That's why I drive Chevrolet!!

1956 Chevrolet - Joie Chitwood Thrill Show -...

**Ol Blue K20** · 07-25-2021, 10:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by special-K

Yup. I demand the same from my cars. That's why I drive Chevrolet!!

1956 Chevrolet - Joie Chitwood Thrill Show - YouTube

I remember his shows. I never saw on in person though.

Thealien · 07-25-2021, 12:21 PM

They were an attraction at the Brockton Fair for may years.

57taskforce · 07-25-2021, 12:28 PM

Cool stuff. Amazing how times have changed. Pretty sure Gm doesn’t even have a full size 4 door car anymore and if they did can you imagine what would happen if you jumped it like that???

**Boog** · 07-25-2021, 08:29 PM

Aut Swenson's Auto Thrillcade made the county fair circuits back when I was a kid. His group did pretty much the same stunts as Chitwood's. The earliest one I remember was 1961. They were using all Fords that year. At the end of each set of stunts the drivers would all come sliding in and turn in front of the grand stands then jump out of their cars and wave to the crowd, like Chittwood's. That year the convertible driver caught a rut and his big ford rolled over upside down right there. Windshield collapsed and flat it was on the dirt. A number of men were able to roll it back over and the driver, "Jumpin Jimmy James", was able to continue with one arm in a sling. His last stunt of the evening was to run a Ford pickup up through an oversized culvert looking tunnel and ramp out the other side with fireworks. I remember it so well.

**special-K** · 07-26-2021, 04:40 AM

I don't know of any thrill driver shows these days other than private individuals doing random free shows in rush hour

**special-K** · 07-29-2021, 05:25 AM

Here's another video.

Don't Take a Chance- Joie Chitwood - YouTube

61_FL_Apache · 07-29-2021, 08:25 AM

Good stuff! I remember seeing that show in the mid 70's at the Palm Beach Speedway. Probably the same cars too!

**Ol Blue K20** · 07-29-2021, 09:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by special-K

Here's another video.

Don't Take a Chance- Joie Chitwood - YouTube

Nice video, I bet newer cars would fall apart before the end of the show.

**Steeveedee** · 07-29-2021, 09:12 AM

There was a team of guys who came to the local speedway with '65 Mustangs, doing the same things.

weq92f · 07-29-2021, 09:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ol Blue K20

Nice video, I bet newer cars would fall apart before the end of the show.

Right...imagine a fleet of front wheel drive GM generics doing this today HAHAHA.

-klb

**GOPAPA** · 07-29-2021, 09:45 AM

Never seen the show in person ..but sure would of liked to seen it.. great precision driving

weq92f · 07-29-2021, 11:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GOPAPA

Never seen the show in person ..but sure would of liked to seen it.. great precision driving

I'm wondering whether those cars had some suspension upgrades after watching a few of these scenes over and over! In particular, the jump-over-car-swerving-between-ramps scene comes to mind as the swerving car seemed to handle that too well.

-klb

**special-K** · 07-29-2021, 05:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ol Blue K20

Nice video, I bet newer cars would fall apart before the end of the show.

Quote:

Originally Posted by weq92f

Right...imagine a fleet of front wheel drive GM generics doing this today HAHAHA.

-klb

They'd probably turn themselves off soon as they'd tilt

Or all the safety sensors hollerin' atcha

These cars were supposedly off the lot stock. I'm sure Chevy was sending some cool cash his way. Probably supplied the cars. I saw there was an earlier video showing him using 49/50 Fords. So maybe a true Chevy guy or maybe a whoever pays best guy

68Gold/white · 07-30-2021, 10:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Boog

Aut Swenson's Auto Thrillcade made the county fair circuits back when I was a kid. His group did pretty much the same stunts as Chitwood's. The earliest one I remember was 1961. They were using all Fords that year. At the end of each set of stunts the drivers would all come sliding in and turn in front of the grand stands then jump out of their cars and wave to the crowd, like Chittwood's. That year the convertible driver caught a rut and his big ford rolled over upside down right there. Windshield collapsed and flat it was on the dirt. A number of men were able to roll it back over and the driver, "Jumpin Jimmy James", was able to continue with one arm in a sling. His last stunt of the evening was to run a Ford pickup up through an oversized culvert looking tunnel and ramp out the other side with fireworks. I remember it so well.

I experienced the exact same show, using Fords, around that time. I was a very small boy in Eastern Iowa. My grandma took me to see a race, and Chittwood and his group were there. Can't think of anything I would have liked to see as a little kid!!!

**joedoh** · 07-31-2021, 03:28 PM

anyone catch the suspension picture was upside down?

**GOPAPA** · 07-31-2021, 06:31 PM

Has there ever been any "Powder Puff Girls " doing anything like this Chitwood crew did?

**Ol Blue K20** · 07-31-2021, 07:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by joedoh

anyone catch the suspension picture was upside down?

I saw it too.

07-25-2021, 12:21 PM	#3
Thealien Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Pine Ridge Florida Posts: 4,120	Re: Joie Chitwood: A True Chevy Man They were an attraction at the Brockton Fair for may years. __________________ Click on my Not really a build thread, yet NOT SO RUST FREE RUST FREE BLAZER LS ENGINE SWAP INFORMATION THREAD BOLT RESTORATIONS 4l60 to an NP205

07-25-2021, 12:28 PM	#4
57taskforce All about them K’s Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Farmington, New Mexico Posts: 6,244	Re: Joie Chitwood: A True Chevy Man Cool stuff. Amazing how times have changed. Pretty sure Gm doesn’t even have a full size 4 door car anymore and if they did can you imagine what would happen if you jumped it like that??? __________________ Tyler '57 3100 http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=813888 '72 K20 Cheyenne http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=662879 ‘69 K10 SWB http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=805206 '98 Silverado LT K2500HD ECLB Vortec 454/4l80E: 6" lift 315/75/16's ‘87 IROC-Z all original 50K mile survivor TPI 305 IROC Blue ‘10 Camaro 2SS/RS Aqua Blue Metallic #93 -version 2.0

07-25-2021, 08:29 PM	#5
Boog laying low Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Searcy, Ark. USA Posts: 12,992	Re: Joie Chitwood: A True Chevy Man Aut Swenson's Auto Thrillcade made the county fair circuits back when I was a kid. His group did pretty much the same stunts as Chitwood's. The earliest one I remember was 1961. They were using all Fords that year. At the end of each set of stunts the drivers would all come sliding in and turn in front of the grand stands then jump out of their cars and wave to the crowd, like Chittwood's. That year the convertible driver caught a rut and his big ford rolled over upside down right there. Windshield collapsed and flat it was on the dirt. A number of men were able to roll it back over and the driver, "Jumpin Jimmy James", was able to continue with one arm in a sling. His last stunt of the evening was to run a Ford pickup up through an oversized culvert looking tunnel and ramp out the other side with fireworks. I remember it so well. Attached Images __________________ Boog 69 Chevy stepside, 358/T350, 4.11 posi, 4.5/4 drop, rallys, poboy driver primer is finer 91 Chevy sportside, Tahoe, Yukon & GMC Crewcab All GM..'nuff said. I stand for the flag and kneel at the cross Last edited by Boog; 07-25-2021 at 08:36 PM.

07-26-2021, 04:40 AM	#6
special-K Special Order Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mt Airy, MD Posts: 85,863	Re: Joie Chitwood: A True Chevy Man I don't know of any thrill driver shows these days other than private individuals doing random free shows in rush hour __________________ "BUILDING A BETTER WAY TO SERVE THE USA"......67/72......"The New Breed" GMC '67 C1500 Wideside Super Custom SWB: 327/M22/3.42 posi.........."The '67" (project) GMC '72 K2500 Wideside Sierra Custom Camper: 350/TH350/4.10 Power-Lok..."The '72" (rolling) Tim "Don't call me a redneck. I'm a rough cut country gentleman" R.I.P. ~ East Side Low Life ~ El Jay ~ 72BLUZ ~ Fasteddie69 ~ Ron586 ~ 67ChevyRedneck ~ Grumpy Old Man ~ Last edited by special-K; 07-29-2021 at 05:24 AM.

07-29-2021, 08:25 AM	#8
61_FL_Apache Who Me? Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Royal Palm Beach, FL Posts: 4,065	Re: Joie Chitwood: A True Chevy Man Good stuff! I remember seeing that show in the mid 70's at the Palm Beach Speedway. Probably the same cars too! __________________ Steve 1997 Tahoe LT 4D 2WD (DD) 1961 Apache 10 (sold) 1965 C10 Stepper (sold)

07-29-2021, 09:12 AM	#10
Steeveedee Who Changed This? Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Simi Valley, CA Posts: 10,124	Re: Joie Chitwood: A True Chevy Man There was a team of guys who came to the local speedway with '65 Mustangs, doing the same things. __________________ ~Steven '70 Chevy 3/4T Longhorn CST 402/400/3.56 Custom Camper Simi Valley, CA

07-29-2021, 09:45 AM	#12
GOPAPA "Tail Gate Best Seat In House" Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Nampa Idaho Posts: 7,374	Re: Joie Chitwood: A True Chevy Man Never seen the show in person ..but sure would of liked to seen it.. great precision driving __________________ When you learn a thing a day you store up smart.

07-31-2021, 03:28 PM	#16
joedoh Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Doodah Kansas Posts: 7,747	Re: Joie Chitwood: A True Chevy Man anyone catch the suspension picture was upside down? Attached Images __________________ the mass of men live lives of quiet desperation if there is a problem, I can have it. new project WAYNE http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=844393

07-31-2021, 06:31 PM	#17
GOPAPA "Tail Gate Best Seat In House" Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Nampa Idaho Posts: 7,374	Re: Joie Chitwood: A True Chevy Man Has there ever been any "Powder Puff Girls " doing anything like this Chitwood crew did? __________________ When you learn a thing a day you store up smart.



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