Projects The Original "Purple People Eater" dragster 1957

The Purple People Eater Frame coming along .....it runs a 1934 Ford axle (drilled out), early Ford spindles with 1940 Ford 16x4 rims, early 1940's airplane gas tank cut down, 1950 Olds steering box, 1957 Ford 9" rearend (44") with 4:11 gears and a spool and 1955 Ford master cylinder for the hand brake just to name a few of the rails neat build items.

 

The first couple of pics of the "remains", as you called them, I was very skeptical. Then seeing the body assembled, I thought Yes, that's Better! This is going to be Great and what a Perfect place for the resurrection. Hopefully, someone is on "fire watch" when there's sparks flying with that ancient wooden floor. Keep us posted, Carp.

 

Holy smokes Mark!! This is beyond cool.

 

I reward you for your perseverance. Good things come to those who don't give up. Thanks for your efforts.

 

I have been lurking on this site for awhile now....
Two things that caught my eye in this build...Galt Ontario and Galt Strokers Car Club
I had the pleasure of being friends many many years ago with John "Skunk" Galbraith.
I wonder if he had done any of the welding on the original chassis and he would have loved to have seen this come back to life.

Missed the part where the original was built in 57... John would have been 10 years old

 

Thanks Pete.... hopeing to have her running at this years 15th ELTA Summer Bash & Big Go Drags.

 

Thanks for the "thumbs up" Carp..... it's all about the passion brother...glad to see her coming back from the grave.

 

More pic's of the frame construction by my pal Russ Moore.... all from 60 plus year old photo's.

 

@Fast Elvis...do you have any vintage pics of this dragster in its former flamed glory?


Hey I did a search and lookie here...Oooooo I like that...sexy beast...heck it's even got a website...



http://www.purplepeopleeater.ca/site/dragster

Credit to Photographer, Owner

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mark I know that will be so cool good luck

 

Howdy Butch...long time brother...thanks for the kind words ..... hope to have her running this summer. Check out my combo package.......

 

Stogy..... this web page is done on the Galt Strokers C.C. and the "Purple People Eater" and is run by Chris Howlett the son of Al Howlett who was one of the original members of the Strokers in 1956 and one of the original builders of the dragster back then. Here's a picture of Al Howlett (87 years old) from this past fall outside his home when I pulled the rail over for him to see the progress..... I would say from how he was talking about stories on the rail, he was 25 once again...lol.

 

That's awesome. Good luck. Got to love your shop definitely old school.

 

Hard to believe, other then that new piece built on the end, the rest of this under pan is the original belly pan from 1957 that was setting for close to 50 years out in the tall grass..... it has started to buff up well..... still lots to do.

 

The "Purple People Eater" got flamed up by a young Kenny Kay back then in around 1959 because the Strokers Car club wanted to do the indoor shows and felt the flames would bring it more attention by the judges at those shows.

 

You can still see those flames today but very faded.

 

love the tow rig its perfect single wheel trailer and on backwards love it

 

...so @Fast Elvis if your going circa 57 there was no flames...are you adding the flames anyways or 1 color with the logo?

 

You should see the looks I get Butch when I'm bombing down the highway with the truck and the dragster on the back. I always get people asking me... "What is that?"...lol.... lots think it's a old land speed car.

 

Look forward to following the build, that is a nice tow combo you got there.


Sent from my iPhone using The H.A.M.B. mobile app

 

Good question brother..... I'm shooting for the early look without the flames. When I told the original Strokers this they all confessed they liked it with out the flames..... so no flames but with that bold "Strokers" writing across it's centre section and it also had pinstripping on its front nose and rear section.

 

Flames aren't for everything but that was one hell of a set of beautiful vintage pulled licks...the car wears either look with style...but perhaps you may reconsider...if not the pics are still around...

 

Really like the early look!

 

I like the early look myself but it will be so cool anyway you do it Mark its good to see ya back cant wait to see it done good luck brother

 

Nice.....great y'all are bringing it back ! Best of luck........!

 

Once we got the floor pad off ...it turns out to be a old gas sign.....lol.... back then money was always tight so anything you could get your hands on could be made to work.

 

Doing the first trail fit of the hemi betwen the rails....is it me our does that hemi now make the dragster look alot smaller....lol.

 

What is the "opening" just ahead of the wheel before the aluminum starts?