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{{short description|American engine builder}} |
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{{expert needed|motorsport|date=November 2018|reason=previous ignorant tagging as "non-notable"}} |
{{expert needed|motorsport|date=November 2018|reason=previous ignorant tagging as "non-notable"}} |
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'''Ed Donovan''' ( |
'''Ed Donovan''' (1928–1989), commonly called "The Mole" (or "Pachy"),<ref>From "pachyderm", given by [[Tom McEwen (drag racer)|"Mongoo$e" McEwen]]. Obituary. ''Hot Rod'', September 1989, p.132.</ref> was an American racing engine and parts builder. |
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Donovan developed the first all-aluminum-[[engine block|block]] [[Hemispherical combustion chamber|hemi]] designed specifically for [[Top Fuel]] [[drag racing]].<ref>Obituary. ''Hot Rod'', September 1989, p.132.</ref> |
Donovan developed the first all-aluminum-[[engine block|block]] [[Hemispherical combustion chamber|hemi]] designed specifically for [[Top Fuel]] [[drag racing]].<ref>Obituary. ''Hot Rod'', September 1989, p.132.</ref> |
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Ed Donovan was born 1928 in [[Los Angeles]]. He was fascinated with engines from an early age.<ref>[https://www.mshf.com/hall-of-fame/inductees/ed-donovan.html Motorsports Hall of Fame] website (retrieved 24 November 2018)</ref> |
Ed Donovan was born 1928 in [[Los Angeles]]. He was fascinated with engines from an early age.<ref>[https://www.mshf.com/hall-of-fame/inductees/ed-donovan.html Motorsports Hall of Fame] website (retrieved 24 November 2018)</ref> |
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While working for [[Offenhauser]], Donovan became involved in [[drag racing]], before branching out on his own.<ref>Holmstrom, Darwin. ''Hemi Muscle Cars'' (Motorbooks, 2008) at [https://books.google. |
While working for [[Offenhauser]], Donovan became involved in [[drag racing]], before branching out on his own.<ref>Holmstrom, Darwin. ''Hemi Muscle Cars'' (Motorbooks, 2008) at [https://books.google.com/books?id=UWBSOG7vqIMC&dq=417+Donovan+hemi&pg=PA287 Google Books] (retrieved 24 November 2018)</ref> |
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== Engine builder == |
== Engine builder == |
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Donovan's company, [[Donovan Engineering]], was started in 1957.<ref>Holmstrom, Darwin. ''Hemi Muscle Cars'' (Motorbooks, 2008) at [https://books.google. |
Donovan's company, [[Donovan Engineering]], was started in 1957.<ref>Holmstrom, Darwin. ''Hemi Muscle Cars'' (Motorbooks, 2008) at [https://books.google.com/books?id=UWBSOG7vqIMC&dq=417+Donovan+hemi&pg=PA287 Google Books] (retrieved 24 November 2018)</ref> He supplied top racers, including [[Don Nicholson|"Dyno Don" Nicholson]]. Donovan, along with [[Leo Goossen]], built the first two-disk racing clutch, the first titanium valves (for which Nicholson was his first customer), and other gear.<ref>Obituary. ''Hot Rod'', September 1989, p.132.</ref> |
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In 1964, he built the "vaunted" ''[[Donovan Engineering Special]]'', hiring [[Tom McEwen (drag racer)|Tom McEwen]] (who Donovan |
In 1964, he built the "vaunted" ''[[Donovan Engineering Special]]'', hiring [[Tom McEwen (drag racer)|Tom McEwen]] (who Donovan nicknamed "Mongoose") to drive it.<ref>Burgess, Phil, ''National Dragster'' editor. "The Super Mustang", written 27 April 2018, at [https://www.nhra.com/news/2018/time-machine-1973 NHRA.com] (retrieved 16 September 2018)</ref> |
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Donovan is best known for his [[Donovan hemi|{{convert|417|cid|cc|abbr=on}} hemi]], introduced in 1971.<ref>Obituary. ''Hot Rod'', September 1989, p.132.</ref> He copied the Chrysler {{convert|392|cid|cc|abbr=on}}, which he admired, but tried to eliminate its flaws.<ref>Holmstrom, Darwin. ''Hemi Muscle Cars'' (Motorbooks, 2008) at [https://books.google. |
Donovan is best known for his [[Donovan hemi|{{convert|417|cid|cc|abbr=on}} hemi]], introduced in 1971.<ref>Obituary. ''Hot Rod'', September 1989, p.132.</ref> He copied the Chrysler {{convert|392|cid|cc|abbr=on}}, which he admired, but tried to eliminate its flaws.<ref>Holmstrom, Darwin. ''Hemi Muscle Cars'' (Motorbooks, 2008) at [https://books.google.com/books?id=UWBSOG7vqIMC&dq=417+Donovan+hemi&pg=PA287 Google Books] (retrieved 24 November 2018)</ref> He developed the aluminum hemi to overcome the tendency of {{convert|392|cid|cc|abbr=on}} [[Chrysler Hemi engine#392|Chrysler]]s, then used by Top Fuel racers (many of them friends and customers of his), to crack their iron blocks.<ref>Obituary. ''Hot Rod'', September 1989, p.132.</ref> The first driver to use the Donovan hemi (fresh out of the [[Milling (machining)|milling machine]]) was [[John Wiebe (drag racer)|"Kansas John" Wiebe]], at the [[1971 NHRA Super Nationals]], where Wiebe very nearly won Top Fuel.<ref>Obituary. ''Hot Rod'', September 1989, p.133 caption.</ref> |
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In 1977, Donovan persuaded [[Don Garlits|"Big Daddy" Don Garlits]] to switch from the [[Chrysler Hemi engine#Second Generation: 426|426 hemi]] he had been using for the last thirteen years to the {{convert|417|cid|cc|abbr=on}}, offering (in Garlits' words) “an engine deal I couldn't refuse”.<ref>[https://www.nhra.com/news/2013/sorting-through-inbox NHRA.com] (retrieved 24 November 2018)</ref> |
In 1977, Donovan persuaded [[Don Garlits|"Big Daddy" Don Garlits]] to switch from the [[Chrysler Hemi engine#Second Generation: 426|426 hemi]] he had been using for the last thirteen years to the {{convert|417|cid|cc|abbr=on}}, offering (in Garlits' words) “an engine deal I couldn't refuse”.<ref>[https://www.nhra.com/news/2013/sorting-through-inbox NHRA.com] (retrieved 24 November 2018)</ref> |
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His sense of humor was quirky; he once claimed to hate the name Joe, listing examples such as [[Joe Paisano|Paisano]], [[Joe Hrudka|Hrudka]], and [[Joe Mondello|Mondello]].<ref>Obituary. ''Hot Rod'', September 1989, p.133 caption.</ref> |
His sense of humor was quirky; he once claimed to hate the name Joe, listing examples such as [[Joe Paisano|Paisano]], [[Joe Hrudka|Hrudka]], and [[Joe Mondello|Mondello]].<ref>Obituary. ''Hot Rod'', September 1989, p.133 caption.</ref> |
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Donovan was 61 when he died |
Donovan was 61 when he died of cancer.<ref>Obituary. ''Hot Rod'', September 1989, p.133 caption; Holmstrom, Darwin. ''Hemi Muscle Cars'' (Motorbooks, 2008) at [https://books.google.com/books?id=UWBSOG7vqIMC&dq=417+Donovan+hemi&pg=PA287 Google Books] (retrieved 24 November 2018)</ref> |
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He was posthumously inducted into the [[Motorsports Hall of Fame of America]] in 2003.<ref>[https://www.mshf.com/hall-of-fame/inductees/ed-donovan.html Motorsports Hall of Fame of America] website (retrieved 24 November 2018)</ref> |
He was posthumously inducted into the [[Motorsports Hall of Fame of America]] in 2003.<ref>[https://www.mshf.com/hall-of-fame/inductees/ed-donovan.html Motorsports Hall of Fame of America] website (retrieved 24 November 2018)</ref> |
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== Notes == |
== Notes == |
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{{reflist}} |
{{reflist}} |
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== Sources == |
== Sources == |
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*Obituary. ''Hot Rod'', September 1989, pp. |
*Obituary. ''Hot Rod'', September 1989, pp. 132–133. |
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== External links == |
== External links == |
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*[https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/snapperhead-coupe-story-of-the-donovan-417-hemi-the-392s-big-brother.1086242/ Jalopy Journal] discussion of the Donovan |
*[https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/snapperhead-coupe-story-of-the-donovan-417-hemi-the-392s-big-brother.1086242/ Jalopy Journal] discussion of the Donovan |
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{{Authority control}} |
{{Authority control}} |
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Donovan, Ed}} |
{{DEFAULTSORT:Donovan, Ed}} |
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[[Category:Dragster drivers]] |
[[Category:Dragster drivers]] |
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[[Category:American engineers]] |
[[Category:American automotive engineers]] |
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[[Category:20th-century American businesspeople]] |
[[Category:20th-century American businesspeople]] |
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[[Category:1928 births]] |
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[[Category:1989 deaths]] |
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[[Category:American automotive pioneers]] |
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[[Category:Deaths from cancer in the United States]] |
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[[Category:People from Los Angeles]] |
[[Category:People from Los Angeles]] |
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[[Category:Racing drivers from Los Angeles]] |
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{{US-autoracing-bio-stub}} |
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Latest revision as of 12:35, 30 December 2023
 | This article needs attention from an expert in motorsport. The specific problem is: previous ignorant tagging as "non-notable". (November 2018) |
Ed Donovan (1928–1989), commonly called "The Mole" (or "Pachy"),[1] was an American racing engine and parts builder.
Donovan developed the first all-aluminum-block hemi designed specifically for Top Fuel drag racing.[2]
He was posthumously inducted into the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America in 2003.[3]
Early life
[edit]Ed Donovan was born 1928 in Los Angeles. He was fascinated with engines from an early age.[4]
While working for Offenhauser, Donovan became involved in drag racing, before branching out on his own.[5]
Engine builder
[edit]Donovan's company, Donovan Engineering, was started in 1957.[6] He supplied top racers, including "Dyno Don" Nicholson. Donovan, along with Leo Goossen, built the first two-disk racing clutch, the first titanium valves (for which Nicholson was his first customer), and other gear.[7]
In 1964, he built the "vaunted" Donovan Engineering Special, hiring Tom McEwen (who Donovan nicknamed "Mongoose") to drive it.[8]
Donovan is best known for his 417 cu in (6,830 cc) hemi, introduced in 1971.[9] He copied the Chrysler 392 cu in (6,420 cc), which he admired, but tried to eliminate its flaws.[10] He developed the aluminum hemi to overcome the tendency of 392 cu in (6,420 cc) Chryslers, then used by Top Fuel racers (many of them friends and customers of his), to crack their iron blocks.[11] The first driver to use the Donovan hemi (fresh out of the milling machine) was "Kansas John" Wiebe, at the 1971 NHRA Super Nationals, where Wiebe very nearly won Top Fuel.[12]
In 1977, Donovan persuaded "Big Daddy" Don Garlits to switch from the 426 hemi he had been using for the last thirteen years to the 417 cu in (6,830 cc), offering (in Garlits' words) “an engine deal I couldn't refuse”.[13]
Donovan also built the only aluminum-block aftermarket copy of the 350 cu in (5,700 cc) small-block Chevy to successfully finish the Indianapolis 500.[14] He also copied the 427 cu in (7,000 cc) and 454 cu in (7,440 cc) big-blocks.[15]
Donovan made little money on his developments, despite the fact the aluminum hemi becoming the effective standard drag racing engine for a generation.[16]
Personal life
[edit]Donovan was famously generous, always paying restaurant bills, and was willing to give his employees ("his boys") even the very shirt off his back.[17] He also demonstrated fierce loyalty.[18]
In addition, he was a music lover, gourmet chef, and wine connoisseur of fine wine.[19]
His sense of humor was quirky; he once claimed to hate the name Joe, listing examples such as Paisano, Hrudka, and Mondello.[20]
Donovan was 61 when he died of cancer.[21]
He was posthumously inducted into the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America in 2003.[22]
Notes
[edit]- ^ From "pachyderm", given by "Mongoo$e" McEwen. Obituary. Hot Rod, September 1989, p.132.
- ^ Obituary. Hot Rod, September 1989, p.132.
- ^ Motorsports Hall of Fame of America website (retrieved 24 November 2018)
- ^ Motorsports Hall of Fame website (retrieved 24 November 2018)
- ^ Holmstrom, Darwin. Hemi Muscle Cars (Motorbooks, 2008) at Google Books (retrieved 24 November 2018)
- ^ Holmstrom, Darwin. Hemi Muscle Cars (Motorbooks, 2008) at Google Books (retrieved 24 November 2018)
- ^ Obituary. Hot Rod, September 1989, p.132.
- ^ Burgess, Phil, National Dragster editor. "The Super Mustang", written 27 April 2018, at NHRA.com (retrieved 16 September 2018)
- ^ Obituary. Hot Rod, September 1989, p.132.
- ^ Holmstrom, Darwin. Hemi Muscle Cars (Motorbooks, 2008) at Google Books (retrieved 24 November 2018)
- ^ Obituary. Hot Rod, September 1989, p.132.
- ^ Obituary. Hot Rod, September 1989, p.133 caption.
- ^ NHRA.com (retrieved 24 November 2018)
- ^ Obituary. Hot Rod, September 1989, p.133 caption.
- ^ Obituary. Hot Rod, September 1989, p.133 caption.
- ^ Obituary. Hot Rod, September 1989, p.133.
- ^ Obituary. Hot Rod, September 1989, p.133 caption.
- ^ Obituary. Hot Rod, September 1989, p.133 caption.
- ^ Obituary. Hot Rod, September 1989, p.133 caption.
- ^ Obituary. Hot Rod, September 1989, p.133 caption.
- ^ Obituary. Hot Rod, September 1989, p.133 caption; Holmstrom, Darwin. Hemi Muscle Cars (Motorbooks, 2008) at Google Books (retrieved 24 November 2018)
- ^ Motorsports Hall of Fame of America website (retrieved 24 November 2018)
Sources
[edit]- Obituary. Hot Rod, September 1989, pp. 132–133.
External links
[edit]- NHRA.com (Don Garlits using the Donovan hemi)
- NHRA.com (Mike Dunn using the Donovan hemi)
- Donovan Engines website
- Jalopy Journal discussion of the Donovan