I see a few threads about old front engine dragsters on the H.A.M.B. tonight, thought I would join in on the fun. A few years ago a guy was in my garage and he spotted a pair of 5 spoke mags. "I have a pair of wheels like those at home" me says. So I ask him what are his plans for them and he tells me that they are on an old dragster that he tried to sell. It turns out there were no buyers so he got pissed off, cut it into pieces and was getting ready to junk it . Well he still had the pieces so I worked out a trade with him. I made some engine and trans mounts in a 50 Chev in trade for this dismembered dragster.
What was he on - I sure wanna stay away from it!!! Looks like something my ex would do (on a good day).
I have no plans to go racing, it's a looonng way from p***ing tech and it was built for a little guy. I figure I'm going to mount it on my fence or somewhere in my yard and enjoy it that way. I gas welded it back together real quick to get it mobile. I'm guessing it's from about 1967-68. It apears to be pro built but I don't know by who.
I removed the second rollbar hoop someone had added and put on some old wore out M&H slicks . Much better!
The guy I got it from was putting it together at one time with a Chevy engine to race. I remember seeing it several years ago at a car show in Ojai. He said the guy before him raced it with some kind of inline engine. No history other than that is known.
You are one very lucky individual. That would be a fantastic start to a 4-Banger Dragster or Inline set-up. Keep me in mind should you Ever EVER want to part with it as it deserves to be saved and raced again...Thanks for sharing. Dave
I found an old 331 Hemi longblock so I can mock it up like an old fueler. A friend donated a pair of zoomies that his dad used to run.
nice score! thats one to hang over the bar or do what I did, make it a AA/FBBQ. back in the early 90's I had 4 front engine rails and of the 4 only 2 were salvagable for restoration/nostalgia racing. so I gave one to a buddy ,the ex-al czerniak goldfinger fuel dragster built by garlits and I kept the other a locally built a/fd. bother were in a guys back yard and were rusted in to many key areas. we both decided to make bbq grills out of them. his with twin inline grills we named "the bake train" and mine with a single grill call the "char-broiler" I used it for years and always got great reviews, It even made an appearance on NHRA today ,an auto lite commercial and numerous magazines. after years of useing it I decided to sell it and an ebayer in michigan got it, I should have kept it! the grill has aluminum wedge's for heads with valve covers, the top was made to look like a blower with a real bug catcher, magnesium indy slots, original alum swoopy body,chute, front end etc. we hid the gas controls under the headers and the gas tank under the body!
I would like to find out who built this car. Here are a few detail shots, maybe someone out there will pick up a clue.
is there a SEMA tag on the rear frame ( small square of metal with a stamped number usually on the main shoulder hoop in front of the upper head hoop but before the body cowling) most listed ch***is builders from the 60's were in the SEMA directory. If so SEMA can still tell you who built it, they still have the old builder numbers.
Shadow..... How about a few pic's. So far I have only used mine as a Christmas decoration. Neighbors really like it but some lowlife s***bag tried to steal it last year. I think I would trade it for an earlier dragster or altered rolling frame and body. or ???
Could possibly be a Race Car Specialties ch***is but hard to tell they were at 7706 Balboa, Van Nuys CA.
I have more pics but I have to scan them, I will post them up later this weekend! i used to decorate my rail just like you did but I never had anyone try to steel it
Dave.... I don't have it up this year. Didn't get a chance to bury a giant block of concrete with big link chain under my front lawn. Check my other thread called. A Christmas wish...also post xmas pics here. for the full story.
I can't say for certain what year that car is but I can say that almost everything from late 67 on in the way of a FED had gone to a 200" wheelbase and your car looks a lot shoreter than that.So I would have to ***ume judging from the look of it that it was built somewhere in the 65-6 neighborhood.Maybe as early as 64 but pretty unlikely.
Hey Mr. KK, your place is like Disneyland !! When I come out to California I want to check out your shop. 55 chevy's laying around, jig saw puzzle 34's. vintage racing equipment, Slingshot rails.......Every time you post a pic with your garage its like a where's Waldo book just checking out all the cool stuff in the background !!
I had a 66 Kent Fuller car it was 150 in., My buddy has a 68 Woody Gilmore car it was 165in. I also have a friend who has a 68 Don Long car, it's 180in.
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