Hall of Fame drag racer Rich Guasco passed away peacefully on April 14, 2025, at the age of 88, surrounded by his family. Renowned for bringing national attention to Northern California’s racing scene, Guasco had a career that spanned seven decades.
Guasco’s passion for fast cars began as a teenager in the family salvage yard in the San Francisco Bay Area. He built two iconic roadsters, including a purple 1929 Ford that won the Americas Most Beautiful Roadster award in 1961, although he was serving in the military in Germany at the time and could not attend the event.
His other notable creation, the 1932 Austin Bantam “Pure Hell,” became famous for its unpredictable performance. With a supercharged V8 engine, Pure Hell dominated drag strips, thrilling fans with wheelies and top speeds of 200 mph, even flipping into an irrigation ditch at Fremont Raceway before returning to set class records.
After retiring the Bantam following a transport accident, Guasco shifted gears to a purple Dodge Demon funny car, winning the Funny Car Championship at the 1973 NHRA Springnationals in Columbus, Ohio. He later transitioned to a mechanic role for top professional teams, working with Dale Emery and Dan Pastorini.
In the 1990s, Guasco revived Pure Hell and updated its safety features for nostalgia drags. With Larry Huff driving, the car showcased its notorious handling, while a modern version built by longtime ally Dave Uyehara enjoyed success in regional races.
Guasco continued to race across the country, achieving a personal best quarter-mile time of 5.92 seconds and a speed of 244.7 mph. Despite ongoing health challenges stemming from a 1964 racing accident, he maintained his commitment to racing and kept Pure Hell’s legacy alive.
Throughout his final days, Guasco fought illness with determination, tuning into NHRA drag racing even on his deathbed. He is remembered not only for his racing accomplishments but also for his dedication to family and the hot rodding community, having been enshrined in Don Garlits’ International Drag Racing Hall of Fame and the Grand National Roadster show Hall of Fame.
Guasco is survived by his daughters Gina and Jill, son Rusty, five grandchildren, and longtime girlfriend Annie Taylor. A public celebration of his life will be announced when details become available.
