More specifically, a lack of Tire technology was the biggest reason-- they basically had to build the car around a major deficiency in traction. It was all still relatively new then-- that much HP and torque. Blowers were scavenged from Diesel trucks, and very few had ever heard of running Alcohol(???) Even up until the late sixties- it was expected that the blown/injected/alcohol cars would spin their tires till half track.
Exactly watch the SWC willys in 64 and 65 I have some runs on VHS against big john both cars were lower in the front than the rear.My car will look something like a street legal C/ALt wouldve at that time and I am keeping the rake like it is lower in front. Alot of these gasser guys should do some reasearch but some were run like that don't get me wrong!Ah hell what do I know I am only 23 but love 60's drag racing I've got the full nbc coverage from Indy in '63 on vhs I love it!
In the mid 60's, paricularly pop hot rodding magazine, started featuring these candy apple cars with rear tyres sticking a mile and a half outside the fender line.Engine stuff bursting out the hood and front fenders,jacked up suspensions, signwriting and cartoon pictures..........subtle they were not,The fact they used some English bodies was icing.I hadn.t even heard them yet but it was love!That was like 35-40 years ago and I,m still faithful xxxxxxx
There it is right there! The increase in horse power exceeded the suspension technology at the time. The nose high stance was an effort to transfer weight to the rear tires. The entire class disolved as soon as goodyear developed the softer compound rubber slicks in the late sixties. In a single season you saw all of the gassers hit the floor. The design then centered around a low center of gravity allowing the soft rubber compound slicks to grab. At least thats what the old greybeard that used to come pokin around my garage told me.
90/10 shocks which were designed to get the nose up off the line, for traction, and then let the nose settle back down for mph at the far end of the strip? I wanted them in my '39. Bill
Actually the class was originally Gas Coupe Sedan....until it was shortened to gas class, and the slang term "gasser". The reason for the popularity, for spectators, was that this was the most radical full bodied street car, including a "dragster engine" in the top classes! In the early '60s, there was nothing like it! ....until the funnycars evolved from FX classes. The reason the Willys was popular for gas classes was, because it was light weight, and had a short wheelbse, which also helped traction. The Anglia was lighter, but a little too short. So many were being built, that NHRA changed the rules to let them in. As some of the guys pointed out, the center of gravity helped the inadequate tires....and the tube axle (which was not required by the rules), took weight off the front, and made it easier to increase the height. Unfortunately, they were pretty scarey at high speeds, with the air building up under the car from the high attitude. I can't remember how many times I saw a car get crossed up or spin "on the big end", because they were unstable. Gassers were always full fendered with lights and a rear bumper.
The Jalopy Journal
