Part 3

Mantel released the following press release, containing additional details on both of the Little Red Wagons in his collection:

In 1965, the very first photo of the Little Red Wagon doing a wheelie appeared on the cover of Chrysler Bin and Bench. Most were unaware that it was Jay Howell behind the wheel driving for Dick Branstner and Roger Lindamood of Color Me Gone fame. Chrysler/Dodge had enlisted their help in sorting out the unpredictable and wild handling 90-inch wheelbase truck fitted with their new 426 Hemi engine and intended for match racing. The truck would later go to Bill “Maverick” Golden and, as they say, the rest is history.

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In the 1970s, the original Little Red Wagon got off course, hit a rut, and went end-over-end nine times then rolled another six times. It happened late at night at the top end of a poorly lit track and there are no known photos or film. This was the third crash for the truck. The crash was so devastating that the engine and transmission were thrown from the truck, which was totaled. The driver, Bill “Maverick” Golden, managed to survive and had a replacement truck built which he ran until 2003. It has been 16 years since Maverick retired and the Little Red Wagon lifted its wheels for a final run at US 131 in Michigan.