I dunno. I've dreamed of a purpose built racecar for years. I waffle between a period correct g***er and a 50's sprint car or midget. The issue is the time and money for something I would rarely be able to use. I guess a middle ground would be Jim Forbes' Plan II g***er. King of the drag N drive, he drives that racecar all over the country. I could get excited about that. On a nostalgic note, I got to hotlap this racecar, Bob Trostle's restored 1962 sprint car at Manzanita and it was the funnest most memorable thing I've done in a car. Makes street cars seem pretty boring.
This was a big sticking point for me as well... Back in the day when I raced a lot, I got discouraged by spending so much time and money to only enjoy the car for a few hours on Saturdays during the season. So much so, that I sort of lost a p***ion for the grind of it all. But a race car on the street is different. I have a very specific country road that I have used for stress relief for years. I drive it at least once a week and depending on the forks I take, can burn up anywhere from 30 minutes to one hour. It features long straights bookmarked by fast sweepers, tight bends, and even an organized chicane or two... So it's great for cars of all sorts of disciplines. I mean, I don't really do or care about going to car shows. And cars that are good at long road trips aren't that much fun on my sprints... So, race cars just sort of work for me right now. Purpose.
Cool 37….. could do something like that today with say a 38 with a blown y block. Bet that would be fun on the chosen road
I'm starting to think about it again anyhow... I've been super distracted the last couple of years with the remodel of a beach shack and the previously mentioned and crashed inappropriate (for the hamb) race car, plus it's recent replacement, etc... I need to get my **** minimal and focused. I'm a two car dude that had four...
"But I’ve wiped the dust off my bruised ego and climbed back into the driver’s seat." Of what, pray tell?
Did the article say what he was running for time & speed in the 1/4? I too have a "side road" I can take with some twisty curves for those de-compression commutes home.
I had a SWB 911R inspired race car and crashed it during a "rally" last year. Real bad deal man. Car was a total loss. My navigator and I somehow walked away and I've been putting together the replacement ever since. It's pretty much done now, but isn't relative to this thing of ours at all. That being said, driving a really light Sport Purpose Porsche (under 2000 pounds and over 200hp) changes your perspective on all things automotive related - including hot rods. I want everything I drive to be more focused now. My Model-A is just about there from an experience standpoint, but I need to spend more time on the Flathead after doing a head/intake swap a few months ago... and the top loader is on its last leg. I'd also like to get it a little lighter and have some traditional ideas on doing so. And all this has me thinking more about my '38... or maybe a traditional saloon cl*** GP car from a 63.5 Galaxie or Falcon or... I let go of the idea of practicality cuz I don't really need practicality. In fact, I don't "need" any of this ****. I just like to go fast in old ****, so why not focus on that joy?
No mention at all unfortunately... I'd guess high 13s in the quarter? And I bet it felt like 10s do today...
Man, I'm on the other end of this right now.... 2 year old twins and thinkin about "family (old) cars" I just put my first ever generally stock (and not a roadster) vehicle on the road, a 39 ford sedan delivery as it was the closest to roadworthy. Obviously this isn't a family car but it drives the same I ***ume, and boy oh boy is the fun NOT there.... it's almost depressing really... the only fun I found so far was driving it in the rain. It just feels like something I shouldn't be able to be doing comfortably after almost 20 years of exclusively roadsters that were on the verge of race cars made mildly street-able. Luckily, though neglected of maintenance in recent years, I still have all my hot rods and just as you are feeling, I think I'm going to need some nasty ones to get going around the block again to blow off some steam. This 39 is actually totally legal, antique with the right plates and insurance and all.... what has come of my life?
A street version of this, without the top wing would be easy to pull off, and make the adrenaline flow !
Did you guys see this? I was seriously thinking about this purchase and shortly thereafter it was gone. It checks so many boxes too. https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/california-street-legal-sprint-car.1293689/
I wish I had just a little more in the dough department as a streetworthy nasty fat fender Hotrod would be fun for sure...I guess in a way what I do own already fits the nasty department but a Fat fender is a different cl*** of Hotrod...more roomy, a bit heavier...but overall something a little different... That 37 looks like a business Coupe...ALL business...and you're right...it no doubt put a smile on ones face regardless of what was on the clock at the finish line...
Hey @Ryan This may not be your particular cup of tea, but this is most definitely, a great piece of the****utic video, to enjoy now and then.
I did a wedding for a family friend last week end for a great couple out in Niagara wine country . did a 2 hour back road cruise up the Hamilton mountain down the Hamilton mountain, up the escarpment and back down a fantastic cruise through 2 lane blacktop and dirt road all the way through wine country and into Niagara on the lake . ( on top of the cool cruise they had a MASH car cruise in at a park on the lake , wish I was smart enough to take pics of all the fantastic army vehicle there ) anyways my more door biasply tire manual steering manual brake car was a fu&&ing dream to drive on the back roads compared to my modern appliance . the drive train has been updated so 350 hp and an od trans made it a blast on the curves . like @Moriarity says “ smooth like a gravy sandwich “ anyways , yes a purpose built race car is a complete blast to drive , but it’s pretty easy to build a dual purpose car that can bring smiles for miles . And like you , my wife accepts my old car affliction , doesn’t really get it , but appreciates my love of it .
There's a slightly twisty back road to the nearest drag strip, it's exciting in a highly overpowered altered wheelbase straight axle car. Go for it!
My first car was a '64 El Camino, while not a race car it was simple and brutish, loud and uncivilized, I miss having car like that to just bomb around in.
How about something like Cotton Worksman's Ardun T? -300-350 HP Nailhead or Olds V8 with 3 deuces. -T5 trans. -Quickie rearend on a transverse leaf spring. -Ford I-beam frontend on a transverse leaf spring. -Tube frame with NHRA-spec rollbar/cage. -Minimal steel roadster body with no interior except 2 seats. -Double adjustable shocks at all four corners. -Aluminum wheels. I bet you could get it under 1700 lbs. The only problem might be traditional-but-sticky tires. ,
Such a behemoth of an engine...and a pretty ***y one at that...fitting into such a minimal space and vehicle...must have been an interesting pedal to push...
Currently available in the cl***ifieds....looks like fun for sure. https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/1940s-style-sprint-car.1287273/
I know of another cool 37 and the builders' name is also Ryan, Ryan Reed. Wish it was kosher for this thread.
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