i came across a 61 or 62 front engine dragster for sale and was just wondering what something like that is worth. i know pictures always helpful, but unfortunately i don't have any so i'll try and describe it as best as possible... it's 155 inches long no engine/tranny/rear car has all body panels, drag style steering wheel, 2 front bicycle wheels, seat, and plexiglass visor for infront of driver the exact history is not known either... the most anyone knows that it was raced in ohio any input is appreciated
Hard to say. I've seen rollers from that era go anywhere from $3,000 - $10,000 depending on condition and/or history (but that included the rear). Sounds like a neat find. -Lee Atomic Radio www.atomicpinup.com
Its worth anywhere between $100 to $10,000, depending on who built it, who owned it and if it's certifiable. Pictures really help, and see if you can find any builder's or sema tags on it.
Good point. There were a lot of backyard dragsters from that era. -Lee Atomic Radio www.atomicpinup.com
155" is quite long for that early. 2 things...it's either later '65-'66 or it's been lengthened...many were. Another thing to look at is both the material, and possible interior tubing corrosion. Most of these chassis are only suitable for static display or Chrackefest use. It might be worth buying for the components, and have new pipe done if you want to race it.
from what i can gather it was homebuilt... the current owner doesnt even know what kind of engine it ran back in the day the owner did say it was built for a smaller driver as he could not fit in it at 6'3 260 and i'm not too far behind him so if i bought it, it would be strictly for display. i don't know too much about the old diggers but i thought the same that 155 seemed a bit long for 61 or 62. if it was a shorty, i would of already snagged it up
Rich; These things got a foot longer each year ,starting around 67..till NHRA put a limit on the length.. My Lakewood is 125" ,built in 65.. your 180" WG car was likey a 69 or there abouts.. Rick (1939fiat)
Rich My first dragster I had was in 1959 and it was 125" with a Ford flathead and a Banjo rearend and cadlasal box and the front wheels were the sidecar wheels off a harley 19" tall spoke, but in 1963 I step up too 165" wheelbase with a Cad motor with 6 2 barrel carb's but then I was living on the west coast were the pioneers in dragracing were,like the south east is to NASCAR if you get my point, can you tell me what does the role bar look like or is it a cage ? that would be a big help as in the early 60's and later 50's were perty much a role bar , ( a loop over the driver's head or look at the role bar and see if there is a small hole drilled in it for checking for thickness when being Tech and also look for a welded in stub were the hole might be drill you can tell by looking for the lite reflection or take a coin and ping the the tube and lessen to the ping it will change with diff thickness of material, Exhaust Tubing was use more than most people might think.
Hi we have 6 of them and at 155 my guess would be 1964 or there abouts however some guys were trying to get chassis builder to make them longer in earlier years with little to no success... hope that helps!!!!
Travis, you better buy that thing up before "you know who" gets back from Bonneville and buys it out from underneath you. Dan
If you weigh it, and calculate the daily scrap price, then that's what it is worth. Many people probably don't know this, but the original Winged Express was made of muffler tubing, and a lot of backyard mechanics emulated that Drill some holes and check the thickness, and it will probably scare you. Most race car people back then didn't get past the 6th grade, so they were all guts and glory, and went out with glory guts on the scoreboard.
LOL, so what is wrong with muffler tubing? I drove several made of that stuff back in the late 50's and throughout the 60's. The stuff holds togther really good until you hit something. Then bend over and kiss it real good..................
I know an ol' boy a couple of towns up the road that told me about building an chassis outa conduit. Ran an elephant motor in the thing for 2 seasons sometime in the early 70's. Would'a wrote it off as B.S. but have since had several of the local junior fuel guys (during that time) tell the same story about Byron's old "electric" car.
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