Projects The Original "Purple People Eater" dragster 1957

I'll bet Elvis is already dialing it in at the strip Shiny, Proud, N' Nasty...

 

It would be great to have you at this years 15th ELTA Summer Bash and Big Go Drags brother......Ross Ward is a great supporter and has been out many times to our gatherings.....with "Bad Moon" or not, you should come and if you want to bring "Bad Moon" out not completely done, I'll give you a very cool spot right up front with some of the other original cars and other non finished cars are parked.....I think at times on our weekend, theirs always a huge crowd around thoses unfinshed race cars....lol......hope you make.

 

I like the way you think Stogy....lol....but the dragster is still in the body shop. I have the 354 hemi (60 over) done and I'm getting the tranny prepped along with a few more details on the chassis.

 

Here's a few pictures of how well the old fiberglass body came out after blasting off all the old paint and grime....pretty solid considering the body sat out in a field for over 50 years.

 

Ya forgot whiskers and sideburns...

Just a fantastic restoration to witness...thanks for keeping us up on things @Fast Elvis...

 

Thanks brother....please pass along my best regards to your Dad.....hopefully I'll have the chance to meet you both and talk about those great old days......and show off the old dragster. Here's a few more great pictures from your Dad's time period of action from those early days at or around Kohler Dragway.

 

Thanks for the reply and updates. 50 years out in the field plus all the wear and tear while racing , I think states to the quality of the materials and workmanship.

 

I'm still hoping to have the "Purple Eater " on display at this years ELTA Big Go Drags.

 

It was really cool at this years London Speed & Custom Show to have Al Howlett (a original builder from 1957) and Andy Marsh (builder and the driver 1957) drop by to see the old dragster. Also original members from the Fergus Wheelers C.C. even showed up to see the Purple People Eater which they bought the original frame off of in 1961 to use with a flathead and later set a Canadian record.

 

I think you are enjoying the journey your smile seems to grow with every picture.

 

Thanks brother....it's been a long road but the history, the support from others and meeting all th eoriginal guys has been a real blessing......lots more road to go....lol.

 

...That's one Hairy looking Ride @Fast Elvis......Happy New Year Eh! It's always exciting seeing this Beast with Elegance moving Towards the Christmas Tree...

 

So far the body work is going well, even the nose has been fix which was damaged way back in 1959 due to the dragster going off the track after a clutch explosion took out the steering box. Even the old hemi has a new coat of white paint just how it was back in the day. The story continues.....

 

Thanks Stogy....... I'm aiming for this summer, having her back on the strip. Even the original driver Andy March (84 years old) wants to climb back in for a run....lol...... thanks gain for the kind words and support brother....much appreciated.

 

Keep the updates coming. Awesome so far!

 

Can't wait to see That reunion! Please don't leave us out, Carp.

 

I'll definitely keep you in the loop Carp...... thanks again for your kind support.

 

very kool!!! cant wait to see it done!

 

best of luck !

 

A few more body shots...my pal Richard Hilton is working his skills on the old dragster shell.

 

Picture from about 1959 at the track after the dragster had damaged it's nose going off the track due to a clutch explosion taking out the steering box.

 

Hi Mark. Did the dragster ever make another run again after the crash or was it retired after the mishap? I see you are using a Chrysler 354, which is a big and very heavy engine, and there dosen't look to be much room to fit an engine and transmission in there. What transmission are you using and is the dragster going to be direct drive? Good job and it looks really cool so far.

 

Very Cool!! Great job!!

 

View attachment 4548878 its going to be fun bud! it sure is looking good! you guys are doing a great job! were off to the roadster show in a couple of days with mine! i sure hope we can get these two cars together for some old school stuff! View attachment 4548878

 

As you can see QuickchangeV8 the hemi and the tranny fit very well just like back in the day. It's running thehemi as it was the motor of choice as you can see in the old B/W photo below. Yes the Hemi weights over 700lbs but I'm staying true to what this original survivor used. The dragster should be around 1600 lbs with my skinny ass in it......even if the hemi only makes 250 horses at the flywheel it should put be down the 1/4 in the low 11's at 123 - 125 mph.....not too bad. I'f the rail comes in 100 pound lighter I'm close to high 10's at 128 -130mph. You have to remember, this is just a exhibition machine that is pretty well built back to it's 1958 vision..... but it has been well built and will be safe but would never pass tech due to it's roll bar and other things but if I don't go too fast (above 10:00) I shouild be able to make passes on some tracks brother...... that's the idea. Oh and yes, it never ran again in this form after 1959.

 

Hey brother...it would be a outstanding to have the cars together for a photo shoot, shows and a few match races.....I certainly hope the old drag racing hot rod Gods make that happen for sure.

 

Outstanding thread! Best of Luck on meeting your timelines.

 

Great build and a great thread. Thanks for keeping us updated, I’d love to see it run.

 

Thanks again gang for all the kind words of support. Like you all, I'm certainly looking forward to sitting in the cockpit and edging the old dragster up to the line at the track sometime this summer.....lol.