2001 Washington World of Wheels

By Bill Pratt
Photos by Tim Pratt

Jason and Emily put the squeeze on two time IHRA TF World Champion Paul Romine.

Hi everyone. My brother and kids joined me at the annual Washington, DC, World of Wheels car show yesterday. The highlight of our trip was getting to meet two-time and reigning IHRA Top Fuel World Champion Paul Romine. The laid back atmosphere (and a wise decision to get there early) gave the kids all the time they wanted to chat with Paul. We also caught up with old friend Lenny Cottrell, the longtime Top Alcohol Dragster racer (the Chicken Chokers) and the person responsible for organizing the Washington World of Wheels every year. 

Car counts seemed to be a little down this year and we didn't see enough drag cars -- that may have had something to do with the late date. I suspect most folks were out racing yesterday. We were also disappointed by most of the displays. We saw flawless cars displayed on pieces of cardboard or on bare concrete. All but a few displays greatly detracted from the exquisite machinery. Still, the car show -- as it is every year -- was a nice appetizer for the upcoming drag racing season. Tim had the Sony Mavica flashing at everything that caught his eye and we present the results here for your viewing pleasure. Enjoy a little taste of the Washington World of Wheels. All photos by Tim Pratt. Models: Jason and Emily Pratt. 

Enjoy! Bill Pratt

Injected, Chevy powered Ford Ranger was the Best in Show, by our standards. 

Check out THIS wild Studebaker. 

Clean little '33 Willys was there. You don't realize how short these cars are until you see one up close. 

Emily and Jason ham it up in front of a nice '41 Willys. 

Here's a nice pickup. 

How about a Hummer limousine? Jason seems unimpressed in the photo, but he loved it!

It's becoming clear that we should have taken better notes! Can you name it? 

Johnny Rocca's Mohegan Sun Mercury Pro Mod was there, but no sign of Johnny or driver Paul Athey.
Dig the "777" slot machine butterflies! 

Lenny Cottrell puts on the Washington World of Wheels every year.
Jason and Emily pose in front of his Top Alcohol Dragster. 

How about a 1958 Chevy customized with Ferrari headlights and Porsche(?) taillights? 

Rare 1968 Hemi Charger. What are these worth now -- about 50 grand? 

Rare 1968 Hemi Charger -- here's the beast underneath the hood. 

Maybe it was because we were there early, but the displays did not begin to do justice to the immaculate cars. 

The new Porsche. Is it me, or does this once-proud breed look like a Ford Focus? 

Bikes were well represented, and featured some of the nicest displays. 

Another exquisite motorcycle. 

Another boss bike. 

Check out this bicycle. Looks like something out of Walt Disney's "Cinderella."