Projects The Original "Purple People Eater" dragster 1957

Mark,
I see you're still driving the old Effie you had in 2016 when John T and I visited you guys at ELTA shop on our way to Deuce Day. That's our white hire GMC across the road. Subscribed, Mark

 

The opening before the belly pan right by the wheel was when they first built the dragster the exhuast went out by the tires...... they soon probably realized changing tires was a problem with the pipes there and then rerouted them straight out the side where the holes are now. I decided to fill in that space to give it a cleaner and smoother look. In these two pictures you can see the changes they made.

 

Great to hear from you mate....it was a pleasure having you down at the ELTA Club Shop with us..... hope you come back soon...cheers.

 

The above b&w shot is killer! Is there no way to make that work? To me, it just fits the era better, but I'll Love it no matter what.

 

wow ! so glad you had the vision to save this car! it is really neat! would love to see it in person. I have a personal interest in the resto of the old drag race cars. have a couple projects of my own. they sure it had a plan when constructing this in 56. it crosses indy car , salt flats , and drag racing! you guys are doing a great job on the resurrection! you have me hooked!

 

I have a good friend in guelph, would like to make a road trip out for a visit!

 

Super cool story and drag car. I'm looking forward to following along with your progress!

 

For sure rd martin...... your pal is most welcome to come by the ELTA Club Shop.

 

Here's a early picture at the ELTA Shop at our open house from a few years back, when I mocked up both dragsters for a display with original pictures and trophies.

 

More construction pic's

 

I loaded up the chassis and headed over to a friends shop to paint it but I had to go by have my old pal Mike Roi check it out......it wasn't long before he wanted to sit in it.....lol.....I think he wants a dragster now...lol.

 

As I got the chassis ready for paint at my friends auto body shop...a few guys dropped by to see what the hell I was painting.....lol..... next day I had it loaded up on the vintage trailer and heading back home to put her in the shop. The white turned out really nice and I only had one run in the paint...lol.

 

looking good!

 

Badass!!

 

Thanks brother.... I see your restoring a Chassis Research rail?.... how goes your progress?

 

Great story and craftsmanship, good luck !

 

I've been thinking...you're gonna need a lil skinny guy to drive that thing.

 

its been slow , built it from scratch, few life obstacles in the way, and the passing of a good friend has got me working on this project. it has good history, and my friend had gotten sick and never got back to it. so im carrying on for him. kind of a long story but a good one.

 

Doesn't Matter what state of completion it's in ...But PLEASE consider Showing it at "Gasoline Alley" -Syracuse Nationals ...July. I 'm the coordinater of the exhibit . Also consider a full blown "club" display. Contact me for all the details...Its Free-Inside Building ,locked up at night-Hotel Discounts -That goes for ANYONE wanting to display a Real Deal Vintage Racer...Oval Track welcome .See our Facebook page for more . https://www.facebook.com/July151617/ The 7th annual GASOLINE ALLEY returns in 2019....If you have a Nostalgia Race Car and wish to participate Contact Me ("Dino") at 910-997-4444 for all the details and to Get On The List …Free to Participate ! plus T-shirt / Decal to all who show....Hotel Discount Info mailed directly to participants with your entry credentials.
......Part of the Arties Party Charity Auction ,supporting Ronald McDonald House, in the Horticultural Building ( locked up at night ) at the Syracuse Nationals. July 19-20-21 2019. Drag & Oval Track welcome. It's FREE to show with secure trailer parking, Hotel Discounts and we'll feed ya Fri.& Sat. lunch & Dinner....two free passes to the "Nationals" per car with some other 'perks' and surprises.Move -in is 8am-8pm Thurs July18 Heres a shot of just ONE car coming to get ya pumped . . . . .

 

Looks awesome brother..... we should be hooking up one of these years when you have your beast all done for a little match racing....lol..... or at the least one very cool picture together.

 

Grabbed the hemi and tranny and dropped it in the old "Purple People Eater"....starting to look like a dragster....lol....fun night down at the ELTA shop...... I can't believe that pile of stuff out of field is really taking shape....lol.

 

The hemi, is it a 354? What Transmission and differential are you running? Very cool car to save! I dream of doing the exact same thing!

Sent from my Moto Z (2) using The H.A.M.B. mobile app

 

Tell people that the "RUN" was originaly there , and it took you 2 hrs to put it back on. Its all about the little details!!!!

 

Wow …. what a cool trip back in time, your doing a fantastic job with this.

 

Very, very, very.....NICE

 

It turned out pretty good....alot of white but that was how she looked back in 1957..

 

Then...1958....and this past summer 2018.

 

Your making some great progress! We will see about that race! North versus south! Ha!

 

What a bitchin rail!