Hot Rods Guidelines for a Purple People Eater build (Which drag racing class describes it)?

Please don't flame me for wanting to build this.....If you like the Purple People eater that's great and if you don't I can respect that too.

My next winter's project is going to be a blown Chrysler hemi in a 34' Dodge cab done in PPE type theme, as I think it's a true hotrod and if I'm wrong I really don't care.

Anywho, if there was a drag racing cl*** that the PPE fit into could you p*** that info along and also where to find that info. I'd prefer to make this build following certain cl*** guidelines. BTW I plan on running on alcohol if that helps to narrow it down any. Building this project to be streetable would be questionable at best and I know that but I'm Okee Dokee with that.

Bring on the info/suggestions!

 

Modern cl***es or vintage? If so, which era?

 

How do you plan to makeit work? Do you have any drawings of the layout ? I'm having a hard time getting my head around it. Don't get me wrong I'm with ya. I just can't picture how you plan to do it.

 

Not to be an ***hole, exhibition comes to mind. I do like the ppe but the proportions are ****ed up,which is probably why alot of people like it. How bout "Nostalgia Zinger" ????

 

Definitely vintage cl***es say 60's. I also agree that the proportions on the PPE are WAY outta line. I intend to tone them down a bit, making it a more realistic.

I NEVER have a drawing or anything "tangible" at hand when doing a project. I prefer not to, I guess that's the way my mind works. I know what I want in my head and I let my hands take over from there. It's just with this project I'm seeking a little guidance, not a "picture" of what it is gonna look like in the end.....If that makes any sense?

 

Other than actual pickups teh only dragsters I have seen in my old magazines fit into either an altered or comp dragster type cl***. One comes to mind with a 150" ch***is that had the cab mounted slingshot style with the wheels in front.

 

With the proportions of the PPE being that f*cked up imagine it being redone but toned down. That would be the vintage 60's cl*** that I would need to know it would fit into and how to find out more info on that type of cl***. I'm merely using the PPE as an example not so much that I want to replicate it.

Just trying to get my ducks in a row ahead of time which also helps in getting the right parts ac***ulated which we all know never ends!

 

The PPE looks like it has the top of the blower at the top of the cab, and the carbs above that. Forward vision must be close to nil - how would you drive it or race it? So I think you need to keep the top of the blower near the bottom of the windshield. If you could put the carbs inline it would keep things narrow enough to see along side them and be, well, less unsafe

The engine mounting angle is weird on the PPE too, which I don't think would work too well either, especially on the street - is the PPE a "show only" rod?

 

VERY generalized, but ---
rear axle behind driver = altered,
rear axle in front of driver = comp coupe (dragster)

there's more to it than that, but that'll get you started.

 

Don't start on a ch***is until you get ahold of a rulebook for whatever sanctioning body strip that you plan on running at.
There's no point in building something just to look at.
Either make the car street legal (which is not your plan) or strip legal.
You may have better luck finding a cl*** if you run on gas than alcohol.
CHECK THE RULEBOOK FIRST.
Or, make it legal to race.
There are many cars that have much work and money stuffed into them that are nothing more than vehicles to be gawked at. Unless you're a millionaire, that's not such a great idea.

 

Sweet hemi on alky. are you going with a hilborn?

 

Go to the Dover Drag Strip website and find a photo of "Bad News" a 1934 Ford pickup that was a U S Nationals winner in the early 1960's. Nice restoration that will have some of the look I think you want to build into your projrct.

 

couple ideas.......
add a p/u bed or its just a ' '

 

One thing I would do for sure is build it with a solid rear suspension. I remember seeing a picture of PPE w/ the driver's door open. The ladder bars were rubbing against the driver's legs. I don't think that would be legal in any cl***. I don't think a four link would work either with that layout. NHRA's main concern would be first the roll cage layout, then driver protection from the driveline. If your going to run blown alcohol you'll definitely need a fire system and suit. Remember to maintain a minimum of 3" clearance underneath the car. You should be able to run Hot Rod Eliminator with a vehicle like this at nostalgia events. Plan on running the drive coupler thru a 4130 tube w/ front and back driveshaft loops like a Pro Mod. That should suffice for any of their rules.

 

Looks to me like it would be an altered. So you're gonna need a NHRA rule book for the year your building the truck to resemble and a new rule book to make sure you meet the safety requirements to run.
Larry T

 

Lots of usefull information that I need to digest. I certainly don't want to build a useless show piece, too much time & $$$$$ to just sit & look at.

 

This might help, Altered rules from 1966.
Larry T

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=377772

 

Mazooma1 is exactly right. Too many people get all **** hurt because they can't run a car because they didn't read the rule book. Understanding what cl*** you can run and where you can do it is the first job. I think you should visit the Awful, Awful Fuel Altereds site and see what kinds of "over the top" style of cars actually stalked the dragstrips. If you want the true definition of Bad *** find a video of Nanook or the Winged Express.

 

I like your vision, I see a Compe***ion Coupe in the making. Like others have said, get current rulebooks for whatever ***ociation you plan on running in before you turn a wrench. Here a two links to check: http://www.outlawfuelaltereds.com/
That link is to a group of fuel altereds that run throughout the Southwest and they are radical cars. Also check this one out: http://www.gizzlehopper.com/
The guy that runs that car posts on the HAMB regularly and can probably help you out a lot. Good luck.

 

I tried to find the post with Marky having issues with the "track", but I found this one.

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=371093&highlight=marky&page=2

Read a rule book or you will have garage "Art". I see guys going thru "tech" at Bonneville every year that just built it at home with some buddy's and sorta' read the rule book and they have to fix a messload of "issues".

With a truck cab and a motor, your going to spend some coin on getting it "tech" ready, with the safety equipment. Not trying to discourage you, but "racing" or track time is not cheap.

Back to the garage on this nice day in the midwest and my 7 month old son is taking a nap.

Chris Nelson
Kansas

 

I'm thinking Altered as well, but not sure.
Are you planning a center steer or will it be a 2 seater?

 

Definitely a 2 seater. Yup, if I plan on doing a strip car it'll be by the rule book for sure. I'll have to weigh out my options and may just tone it down a bunch for a radical hotrod. Who knows it'll be almost a year before I start on it and by then hopefully I'll have my mind made up in the direction that it'll be going.

 

OOPS.. haha, I should not have drew that pic up for ya dammit! I'm the same way kinda though... I just like to draw when I get bored! lol

Anyways I'm looking foward to see the progress start on this project!!!

-Gary