Smiling proudly, 79-year-old John Gilbert prepares for a spin in his snazzy new souped-up Chevrolet Camaro. A longtime drag racer, he ordered the car equipped with "practically every high-performance accessory I wanted" and added some customized options of his own.

"Evidently it was inborn in me, ...

... what speed and sound and a racing motor ...

... can do for your psyche."

As a 4-year-old growing up poor in Cabin Creek, John Gilbert spent most of his time in overalls.

As a fledgling gearhead on the cusp of the 1960s, John Gilbert was thrilled with the gleaming hubcaps for his equally gleaming Chevrolet.

In 1954 in France, John Gilbert (right) enjoyed a break from duty with two fellow Marines, R.D. Leis and L.M. Manasses.

Gazette photo by LAWRENCE PIERCE.......'GILBERT1'.......8x4.84.......John Gilbert.......INNERVIEWS.......11/20/12.......