Class: S/SA A/FX
During the late fall of 1965 I purchased the Argyle’s Canadian Highlander. I renamed my car “The John Petrie Canadian Highlander” for the 1966 season. My goal was to make the Coronet faster and more entertaining car for fans to enjoy. My Highlander ran as an A/FX class nitro-burning Hemi. It was a stock bodied vehicle with no alterations. The 426 Hemi delivered tons of power when running on Nitro. I remember running a 9.96 ET at 150 MPH: that was a great ride for a standard A-990 bodied race car. I wanted to run the car as an exhibition match race vehicle and not as an S/SA, E/XS or an A/FX class car. When racing on weekends I realized I was able to add weight to the rear of the car and turn the Highlander into a wheel standing exhibition car. When I ran the car as a wheel stander, the fans loved the show I put on. I fondly recall those times and appreciated the fans’ support.
Thanks for the memories.
Competition Classes 1966
S/SA – Stock class competition 2/4 barrel carbs, fuel gas, weight 3300 lbs.
E/XS – Stock class competition 2/4 barrel carbs, fuel gass, 3300 lbs.
A/FX – Factory experimental, Hilborn injectors, fuel nitro, 2900 lbs.
A-990 – Stock body ’65 Coronet (Quarter mile wheelstander), Hilborn injectors, fuel nitro, 3200 lbs (approx)
Truly a look back at a pioneer of drag racing’s history.
A fantastic website! Thanks to those of the Petrie crew for finally getting this information out there! A job well done!
Thank you for putting this page together. Its great to see that once again John is getting the recognition he deserves.
I build car models of your car
Hey folks.. Just having a morning coffee looking at old Dodges and just about fell out of the chair when I stumbled onto your page… I believe I currently own one of Mr. Petrie’s old 65 Coronets.. It was formally named The CarCrafters Dodge.. then was sold and became The ShineRunner.. Tx d
Dave, I’ve been told that the Argyle Canadian Highlander ended up as a cast-off body in a field near Toronto, many years ago.
he is a blast from the past thanks
Great and informative site! Good to see John Petrie getting the exposure he deserves! Thanks to the John Petrie crew for making this happen. Finally the real truth instead of hearing it thru unreliable outside sources!