Hot Rods The ALTERED thread

The inspiration for the AMT kit.

 

As a 12 or 13 year old, I stood next to this as it was fired in the staging lanes in the evening at Detroit Dragway. I had never seen a supercharger up close. And that whirring sound along with the open pipes just about made me pee my pants! I was hooked, forever!

 

This is a great little altered. I wish there were more of them out there like this. Seems the drag world is all about door slammers, but I think this type of car would be more fun. You have something that looks great, is extremely light, simple, and so easy to work on. And, you get that wind in your face open air feeling one can only have with a roadster. I had a Vega years ago, and sitting in the staging lanes in that just cooked me most days. In this Bantam, you're just out there, enjoying the breeze. I dunno, guess I'm weird like that.

 

What would you call it?

 

loudbang, I assume you are calling it "not an altered" because the driver is not centered in the cockpit. Most HAMB era altered roadsters are center steered, but it is not a requirement for an altered to be center steered - most just are for ease of driving and other slight advantages.
It most certainly would be classified as an altered by any and all sanctioning bodies, due to its lack of hood, fenders, lights, altered wheelbase, engine setback, etc.
Other cars of the era, even door cars and gassers, sometimes were placed in the /Altered class if they chose to run sans front sheetmetal or hood scoops or lights, etc. Not to beat a dead horse, but even looking at today's NHRA Comp Elminator altered classes they are populated by some sleek looking door cars.

I love your frequent posts and other contributions on this site, but on this question I'll agree to disagree.

 

It would be an altered ROADSTER a separate and different class. Check the rule books, and or this thread https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/drag-roadsters-picture-thread.368825/

 

Is it left side steer? I can't tell from that pic. Either way, I figure the wheelbase/engine placement makes it an altered, no? I'm guessing this little guy is about 100".An NHRA legal roadster has to have a stock wheelbase +/- 3/4", whereas an altered can be from 90"-125". A stock Bantam wheelbase is 75", so they can't run in roadster (minimum is 90"). I'm not an expert on NHRA rules, nor do I want to pick a fight, but, Loudbang, if you know something I don't, please educate.

 

https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/drag-roadsters-picture-thread.368825/

I looked at that thread briefly. Half the cars pictured are center steered. Some even bear the class designation */A. So where does that leave us?
Early on in the HAMB era there were class designations for */R (ROADSTER), */MR (MODIFIED ROADSTER), */SR (STREET ROADSTER), */FA (FUEL ALTERED), even */COMP (COMPETITION COUPE or ROADSTER), but by the end of the HAMB era NHRA, mid sixties, classes has morphed and condensed down into ALTEREDS and STREET ROADSTERS.

 

The old beater

 

Its a center steer car.

 

Altered.

 

Altered.

 

Altered.

 

Altered.

 

Mine's bigger then yours.

 

I owe everybody an apology Frenchtown flyer is totally CORRECT. I don't know how I pulled that giant boo boo out of my a**. The only feeble excuse I can offer is it was it was 3 am when I posted this and on cruise control heading for a nights sleep. Or maybe at 74 my brain housing group is stating to slip.

Again My apologies to everybody I have offended with that crappy post. One only has to look at the great ALTEREDS Sky Six posted to know how screwed up That was.

 

that was then this is now. i have always thought center steer was true, at lest that was the way i built mine. i am sure some tracks saw it differently. i don't think anybody was offended. discussion is what this is all about isn't it.

 

I wasn't offended, just a bit confused. Since I'm just a '65 model, I wasn't there, so I have to learn this stuff after the fact. You're alright Loudbang. Many a keyboard warrior would turn this all into a giant pissing match that serves no one.
Me personally, these are my favorite types of cars. I've traveled all over the country just to see them. Long Live Fuel Altereds!!
(and the slower ones too!)

 

LB,
No need to apologize. I'm very happy to see you posting again. I wasn't offended and I'm sure no one else was. Like I said, I'm really happy that you are back.

 

Its all good.
I wasn't around in the 50's and early 60's - well, at least not at the wheel of an open wheeled race car - so my personal driving / owning history begins near the end of the HAMB era, and still continues to this day, so that leaves a lot of blank time for others more saavy to fill in the gaps.