The Archive of a Champion Drag Racer

N.p.: Various locations, `, c. 1961-1975. Photographs uniformly near fine to fine; working notes and other ephemeral material very good to near fine.. Extensive archive of photographs and drag racing ephemera, all of which belonged to and documents the work of Jan Riedel. Contents include 252 loose photographs (143 color, 109 black and white: 232 snapshots, 20 enlargements), 30 film negatives, 20 pencil and ink drawings of various sizes, approximately 200 racing time slips and certificates, 150 advertising and event stickers, approximately 80 invoices, 40 ticket stubs and participant passes, and 8 NHRA Rule Booklets. The material foremost documents several design iterations of "Frustration", Riedel's drag race car, as well as the actual races, most notably at the 1964 NHRA Nationals held at Indianapolis Raceway Park. The archive demonstrates the unique process of engineering, graphic artistry, and personal self-invention that created the many iterations of Jan Riedel's "Frustration" drag race car. In the endless modifications, tweaks, and improvements, drag racing epitomizes the ingenious, and competitive individuality that fueled drag racing, especially in the postwar era. The drawings and photographs especially document a personal view of this distinctly American subculture.