ASPHALT ELEPHANT SOURCE: Bob Wilkiewicz
Photos: Vintage Fuel and John Grinwald

Always a fan favorite whenever it comes out of the trailer, the Asphalt Elephant 1962 Dodge Dart combines the unique styling of early 60's Chrysler Corporation vehicles with very high performance to make it half of the most attention grabbing NSS duos currently running, along with companion car Asphalt Angel.

John is a former Dodge dealer that now owns several businesses including Grinwald Ford Mercury, Watertown Body Shop and is a co-owner in Almost NOS. Grinwald is also an expert in classic muscle car restoration. He and partner Rich Berlisk won Best of Show three times in three different cars over a six year period at the Mopar Nationals. John whose nickname is Gentleman John resides in Watertown, Wisconsin with his wife Denise and two children, Chelsea and Nic. After driving the Asphalt Angel for five years in ET bracket, John took over the Aspahlt Elephant and regularly competes with Nostalgia Super Stock Inc.

The Asphalt Elephant is powered by an Indy Maxx iron high deck block with Indy aluminum cylinder heads, Indy 2x4 NSS intake manifold with period correct Carter carbs.
580 cubic inches
902 horsepower
787 ft. lbs of torque
ATI 9" alcohol torque converter
Dana 9 3/4 rear member
4.10 gear ratio

The cars best pass was an 8.93 E.T. at 150 mph in Bowling Green, KY April 2007. It consistently runs 9.25 A/FX index at 147 mph.

Sponsors and Achievements:
Almost NOS, LLC & Jim's Car Shop of Fond du Lac, Wisconsin.

The Asphalt Elephant piloted by John was a two time winner of the Monster Mopar NSS Nationals A/FX Class Championship 2004-05. Top class mile per hour at the National Hot Rod Reunion 2006.