Bill Bagshaw's Red Light Bandit Challenger

Svendsen · 09-11-2012, 01:22 PM

In 1994, John Gastman of Roanoke Motors purchased Bill Bagshaw's Red Light Bandit 1970 Pro Stock Challenger. Soon after, Gastman contacted Bagshaw and established the car's authenticity. Last year, John called on Bucky Hess and son Travis to restore the car to as-raced 1970 NHRA Pro Stock condition. Bill Bagshaw agreed to serve as consultant during the entire restoration. Cole McAllister did the metal work, while Bagshaw himself rebuilt the 426 Hemi motor at Ron Shavers Racing Engines last winter. The motor eventually produced 679 horsepower at 7800 rpm, certainly 1970's standards for those engines.

Bucky spent an incredible amount of time getting the car right, even sacrificing race car testing time in order to complete the car as promised. John Gastman picked the car up a couple weeks ago, and brought it to the 2012 US Nationals, where Bill Bagshaw saw it for the first time after 38 years. Bagshaw and Gastman were thrilled with the final product!

Special thanks to Bucky and Travis for an amazing job, and sticking to their commitment to get the Red Light Bandit done for Indy. Below is the car the day Gastman picked it up at Bucky's shop in WV:

Thanks for watching!
Arvid Svendsen

09-11-2012, 01:22 PM	#1
Svendsen Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 238 Likes: 1 Liked 55 Times in 4 Posts	Bill Bagshaw's Red Light Bandit Challenger In 1994, John Gastman of Roanoke Motors purchased Bill Bagshaw's Red Light Bandit 1970 Pro Stock Challenger. Soon after, Gastman contacted Bagshaw and established the car's authenticity. Last year, John called on Bucky Hess and son Travis to restore the car to as-raced 1970 NHRA Pro Stock condition. Bill Bagshaw agreed to serve as consultant during the entire restoration. Cole McAllister did the metal work, while Bagshaw himself rebuilt the 426 Hemi motor at Ron Shavers Racing Engines last winter. The motor eventually produced 679 horsepower at 7800 rpm, certainly 1970's standards for those engines. Bucky spent an incredible amount of time getting the car right, even sacrificing race car testing time in order to complete the car as promised. John Gastman picked the car up a couple weeks ago, and brought it to the 2012 US Nationals, where Bill Bagshaw saw it for the first time after 38 years. Bagshaw and Gastman were thrilled with the final product! Special thanks to Bucky and Travis for an amazing job, and sticking to their commitment to get the Red Light Bandit done for Indy. Below is the car the day Gastman picked it up at Bucky's shop in WV: Thanks for watching! Arvid Svendsen