While drag racing is mostly about, you know, racing, some of the most famous and best-remembered cars had nothing to do with speed, and everything to do with showmanship. From 1965 to 1975, the primary pilot Bob Riggle drove this glass-bottomed wheelie machine at dragstrips and exhibitions all over the world.

The Hurst HEMI Under Glass became so popular that numerous recreations were commissioned and built, including two by Riggles himself. Hemmings Auto Blog reports that four HEMI Under Glass cars, including the last remaining “authentic” car, are going up for auction, not because the owner wants to, but because he owes quite a bit in back taxes.

It seems that Bill Sefton, a Mopar collector known as “the Black Hole” for his refusal to sell cars that come into his possession, ran into some tax troubles with Uncle Sam. In fact, Sefton and his partner owed more than $7 milllion in back taxes, and as a result the Mopar collector has started selling off his sizable collection of cars. Earlier this year 33 vehicles from the Sefton Collection sold for over $1.5 million at Mecum’s Indianapolis event.

That’s a start, but Sefton owes a lot more than that, which is why his four-car HEMI Under Glass collection is also going up for grabs. These cars will carry a reserve price, and will each demand a different premium due to their varying histories. Suffice to say, classic Mopar stuff always draws big spenders, and the HEMI Under Glass is one of the most recognizable drag cars of all time. Alas, Sefton may have to hear of their sale through bulletproof glass.

The HEMI Under Glass collection will go up for bid at Mecum’s Chicago auction October 12th through the 14th. Will this be the end of the wheelstander, or do you think the new owner will campaign the car and entertain us for years to come? Let us know what you think in the comments section below the jump.