I remember sitting patiently through the truck pulls at the Pittsburgh Civic Arena in the early/ mid 80’s through all those – relatively speaking – ugly pullers until at the end of the night, they would bring out the exhibition cars and have Bigfoot do the car crush.

Of the exhibition cars, there were two that hold a special place in my memory.

Orange Blossom Special II was one of those two. Back then, I was so young, I don’t remember the drivers, but to me the cars were alive. I remember they would turn off the lights in the arena, and put the spot light on the tunnel entrance. You could hear OBS and its lean surge idle get louder as it made its way into the arena before finally emerging and doing the train whistle. I still remember the reflection of the spotlight on that chrome grille. I wish I could see the look on my little 4 year old face! 35 years ago and it’ll be burned in my memory till the end. Thanks to Allen for creating so many memories with his machine.

FWIW the other puller was Psycho, which I’ve come to find has been destroyed. So happy OBS still out there in the same condition as it was in its prime.

Thank You Mrs.Gaines for sharing Allen with us. I love that truck and always will.
I think the year was 1983 trotwood oh at hara arena,The evening show I was about 8 years old the first time I had ever heard of truck pulls. but that night has stayed in my frequent thoughts but only two trucks I can ever remember orange blossom special and the midnight rose . from that night on even today I get extremely excited when I get to see and feel hear them kind of trucks pull . I just tinker around and that can take alot of time away from loved ones .So thank you very much for sharing Allen and the Orange Blossom

If you have any photos you could share that would be great. Let us know!