Projects The Original "Purple People Eater" dragster 1957

Why do I hear Purple Haze by Jimi Hendrix every time I look at that dragster.


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Bttt...I'm thinking Purple...hows it going @Fast Elvis...sounds like some normalcy coming soon...

A belated Birthday wish...I'm pretty sure I saw you in the cake Lineup recently...

 

Thanks brother Stogy for the birthday wishes....much appreciated The first draft of the book (70 pages) on the history and restoration of the "Purple People Eater" doesn't look too bad

 

Construction continues on the old streamliner dragster of the Galt Strokers...... my good friend and talented metal smith Russ Moore did a great job on the exhaust pipes and the firewall.

 

Where are ya dude?????... Haven't heard from you in awhile...

 

beautiful..............and you can always bring it to Eagle Field and run it in the 1/8 mile

 

Sorry brother..... just been busy working on projects and work .... I'm happy to get some head way on the old dragster

 

Thanks Carl....... that would be a blast to have the pleasure of making a pass at Eagle Field with the old "Purple People Eater"

 

Hello fast elvis. Lost you for awhile, but back now and looking forward to all the progress and up dates. Thanks Tim.

 

Hello fegsta.....good to hear from you and thanks for the kind support...... cheers!!

 

When will your book go into print?

 

Looks incredible @Fast Elvis...such an amazing restoration/resurrection...You can almost smell the rubber burning now I'll bet...

 

As soon as I get the dragster finished and track down some other historical pictures I should have it ready to complete fegsta...... it should be close to 100 pages in a large hard bound book style.... I'll keep you posted.

 

Work still continues on the dragster....... here's a few more pictures of the progress lately. I still have more parts to buy....lol..... but glad to see this old streamliner getting closer to running again.

 

Great Dragster.

 

I love the story behind your car... but if you want to be even considered for a pass at the track ,your head sticking above the top tube of the roll bar 3-4 inches is a no go! Start getting all your wants in now, like if your are going to drive it, or your friend SHORTY. It will save a lot of time and money before you go too far. Best of luck on your build!

 

I can't change history of how it was built hipojoe as I have it built to the 1958 look that has to fit the original body but I'm lucky to have shorter racing pals that would be very happy to take it for a rip when the time comes ..... lol....plus this build is about preserving the history.

 

I just love that thing and am watching every inch of progress. A real treat would be if you actually take it to the track to stretch its legs. Hopefully not just a static display at the cars and coffee! Best of luck!!!

 

@Fast Elvis there wouldn't be problems running it in nostalgia type events would there?

Did you happen to aquire the original helmets worn back when this Beast was gracing the strip?

 

hipojoe........ my direction for this project was to always get this piece of rare drag racing history back to how it looked for the 1958 time period. Then to have her able to make passes at the track as purely a exhibition car. My sincere wish is to get Andy Marsh (85 years young) the original driver back behind the wheel to make a pass at some point in time which would be so awesome. Thanks again brother for your good words and support, it's much appreciated...... fingers crossed the old beast is making noise in 2022.

 

Andy Marsh the original pilot of this dragster gave me his original helmet. You can see in the picture there's little mounting spots on the helmet as he continued to use this same helmet after his drag racing years were over to sky drive and he would mount a camera on the helmet with it up to the late 1960's....... pretty cool.

 

@Fast Elvis just loving all the connected dots here...Andy Looks fantastic for his age...and still smiling...you fellas and your smiles...so inspiring...it warms the Ole heart it does...

Give a High Five to Andy for us next time you see him...

 

Very cool restoration!

 

Picked up the old streamliner this afternoon from my talented metal fabricator pal Russ Moore and got it back to the shop to start the next phase of getting her up and running....... the story continues

 

Thanks I'm definitely up for one when available. What a fantastic story. Thanks fast Elvis. Tim.

 

Thanks again Tim!!!....... its been a fun adventure with the help of some outstanding friends

 

Hope you had a grate Christmas. I said I liked Canadas finest, and look what happens. Well that will last me a while. Wishing every thing comes good in 2022.cheers from England. Tim.

 

Forgot the photo and I hadn't opened one yet?

 

fegsta.......... it looks like you had a great Christmas mate with all that fine Canadian Club stacking up on your table back in England...lol. Here's wishing you and everyone else on this thread that had kind words of support over the past year a very Happy New Year........ cheers!!