Chris Karamesines Autograph
Chris Karamesines (born November 11, 1931) is an American drag racer and one of NHRA's early pioneers and nicknamed "The Golden Greek" or just simply "Greek". In 2009, he became the first driver in NHRA history to compete and become the fastest driver at over 78 years old at the final event of the 2009 season at Pomona driving in the Top Fuel category. But he would lose in the first round against Brandon Bernstein. The following year, he made an attempt at Firebird International Raceway in Arizona and made the field, but again lost in the first round. Karamesines would break his own record in 2018 at Brainerd Raceway, running a 305-mile per hour pass at 86 years old. More about Chris Karamesines
Affiliate disclosure: When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
Chris Karamesines was born November 11, but conflicting reports raise questions regarding his birthyear. While NHRA has it listed as 1931, other sources, including The Drag Racing Hall of Fame, say he was born in 1928. At age 16, Karamesines joined the army and went to Germany during World War II, where he would stay until 1951. Karamesines served during the Nuremberg Trials, and while escorting a prisoner to the washroom, the man escaped from a moving train and he had to chase him down. Karamesines was also wounded, with a shot in the leg, which he refused to tell his commanding officer about. It was also during this time that Karamesines discovered his knack for automotive engineering. While driving a tank, Karamesines noticed one of the twin Cadillac engines not running properly. After some tinkering, he got the engine running properly. The Greek would return to the US in 1951.
After his return from Germany, Karamesines decided to go racing as a career. Karamesines began drag racing roadsters, and would eventually make his way into dragsters. Much like Don Garlits had his series of "Swamp Rat" dragsters, Karamesines had his own name, ChiZler. One of the earliest ChiZler models was a dual engine dragster, consisting of two engines stuck together to create one. By the late 50s, Karamesines was a regular on the AHRA (American Hot Rod Association) circuit. He would capture the series greatest prize, winning the championship in 1959. The following year, Karamesines would set what many feel is the first 200 MPH run at the Alton Dragstrip in Alton, Illinois. While unofficial according to the NHRA, many consider it the first 200 MPH run. The Greek would continue in AHRA only until 1964, where he would make his debut at the 1964 Winternationals with his ChiZler dragster. In 1965, Karamesines would make his first career final round at Bristol. In 1966, Karamesines would split time between NHRA and AHRA, winning at Texas in the latter. Karamesines would race in NHRA, AHRA and IHRA through the remainder of the 60s. Read even more about Chris Karamesines at Wikipedia
After his return from Germany, Karamesines decided to go racing as a career. Karamesines began drag racing roadsters, and would eventually make his way into dragsters. Much like Don Garlits had his series of "Swamp Rat" dragsters, Karamesines had his own name, ChiZler. One of the earliest ChiZler models was a dual engine dragster, consisting of two engines stuck together to create one. By the late 50s, Karamesines was a regular on the AHRA (American Hot Rod Association) circuit. He would capture the series greatest prize, winning the championship in 1959. The following year, Karamesines would set what many feel is the first 200 MPH run at the Alton Dragstrip in Alton, Illinois. While unofficial according to the NHRA, many consider it the first 200 MPH run. The Greek would continue in AHRA only until 1964, where he would make his debut at the 1964 Winternationals with his ChiZler dragster. In 1965, Karamesines would make his first career final round at Bristol. In 1966, Karamesines would split time between NHRA and AHRA, winning at Texas in the latter. Karamesines would race in NHRA, AHRA and IHRA through the remainder of the 60s. Read even more about Chris Karamesines at Wikipedia
Traded items with a signature of Chris Karamesines
The most expensive item with a signature of Chris Karamesines (29 PC 1991 PRO SET NHRA Cards LOT49 AUTOGRAPHED BY DRIVERS Chris Karamesines +) was sold in September 2012 for $41.25 while the cheapest item (CHRIS KARAMESINES ***SIGNED*** TRIBUTE to the LEGENDS NHRA POSTCARD NO RESERVE!) found a new owner for $1.99 in August 2017. The month with the most items sold (3) was April 2018 with an average selling price of $9.99 for an autographed item of Chris Karamesines. Sold items reached their highest average selling price in September 2012 with $41.25 and the month that saw the lowest prices with $1.99 was August 2010. In average, an autographed item from Chris Karamesines is worth $14.99.
Most recently, these items with a signature of Chris Karamesines were sold on eBay - click here for more items.
| Item Title | Price | Store | |
|---|---|---|---|
 | CHRIS KARAMESINES ***SIGNED*** TRIBUTE to the LEGENDS NHRA POSTCARD NO RESERVE! | $1.99 | |
| Chris Karamesines Signed NHRA Tshirt Sz Large Top Fuel Dragster Golden Greek | $30.00 | |
| KENNY YOUNGBLOOD THE GREEK CHRIS KARAMESINES CHIZLER DRAGSTER POSTER SIGNED | $9.99 | |
| KENNY YOUNGBLOOD THE GREEK CHRIS KARAMESINES CHIZLER DRAGSTER POSTER SIGNED | $8.99 | |
| KENNY YOUNGBLOOD THE GREEK CHRIS KARAMESINES CHIZLER DRAGSTER POSTER SIGNED | $9.99 | |
| KENNY YOUNGBLOOD THE GREEK CHRIS KARAMESINES CHIZLER DRAGSTER POSTER SIGNED | $9.99 | |
| KENNY YOUNGBLOOD THE GREEK CHRIS KARAMESINES CHIZLER DRAGSTER POSTER SIGNED | $6.99 | |
| KENNY YOUNGBLOOD THE GREEK CHRIS KARAMESINES CHIZLER DRAGSTER POSTER SIGNED | $6.99 | |
| KENNY YOUNGBLOOD THE GREEK CHRIS KARAMESINES CHIZLER DRAGSTER POSTER SIGNED | $9.99 | |
| KENNY YOUNGBLOOD THE GREEK CHRIS KARAMESINES CHIZLER DRAGSTER POSTER SIGNED | $15.00 | |
| KENNY YOUNGBLOOD THE GREEK CHRIS KARAMESINES CHIZLER DRAGSTER POSTER SIGNED | $15.00 | |
| KENNY YOUNGBLOOD THE GREEK CHRIS KARAMESINES CHIZLER DRAGSTER POSTER SIGNED | $15.00 | |
| KENNY YOUNGBLOOD THE GREEK CHRIS KARAMESINES CHIZLER DRAGSTER POSTER SIGNED | $15.00 | |
| KENNY YOUNGBLOOD THE GREEK CHRIS KARAMESINES CHIZLER DRAGSTER POSTER SIGNED | $15.00 | |
| KENNY YOUNGBLOOD THE GREEK CHRIS KARAMESINES CHIZLER DRAGSTER POSTER SIGNED | $15.00 | |