I know the feeling! I remember the first time I seen the straight axle cars in hotrod magazine. Never got over that feeling lots of water under the bridge since than. But its never to late, hope to have mine moving on its own power this spring. Ron
Just got my first one built and running. And have to say that this is MY favorite car that i have had so far. and we have had nice ones and bad ones . this ones just right.
Those aren't gassers! Gassers were in a class in drag racing! Just kidding, someone was going to say it! I dig 'em all!!!!!! Maybe that's why I'm building one as we speak?
My gasser is not going to be street legal so my activites will be limited to the track and car shows / events. I'm at that point in the build where I will actually get to drive it and hopefully before the snow flies... drive it HARD. I have to say I have had more fun with this build than any other automotive project I have undertaken. I have had a blast learning the history of the truck as well as meeting the folks and hearing the stories. I simply cannot wait for the build phase to become the "get out there and enjoy it" phase. It's been worth every bloody knuckle, every frustration, every hair fire and every credit card bill. If I had it all to do again I would change very little. Below is how I found it, how it looks today and the feature article on it from back in 1973
When I was a little kid, I had a model of a '41 Willys my uncle had built in the 60s. It had a blown small block, tube axle, and was even flat black(!). It was one of the best made models I've ever seen, much better than the kits I built in the 70s-80s. I've always loved that style of car, too bad I can't afford a Willys. I'll have to build one out of something else. I plan to actually run one at the strip.
Gassers are just tuff looking. This is ours at indy 2 years ago with our good friend pork zartman at the wheel. He was celebrating his 45th anniversary of winning the nationals.
built this in 65-67 still have it few changes ... 327/mondello heads/13.75/alum rods/b&m hydro/5.83 summers bro. spool&axles....
Pork Zartman, that's a pretty cool name for a race car driver. Killer Willys, too. Is it 'glass? I saw the "Fiberglass by Hill & Zartman" on the door, did they make the body?
I really really want a Willys, I don't give a shit if it's fiberglass! When did the first 'glass Willys come out anyway?
Richard, Pork was a really cool guy. WE lost him last march and we miss him alot. Our car is all steel we painted and lettered it to look like Charlie Hills old FILTHY FORTY .Pork and Charlie did have a fiberglass business in the early 60s. They made doors, fenders, hoods and decklids. GASSERS DO RULE!!!!!! Larry
When I was a little kid in the '60s the Gassers and Fuel Altereds were always my favorite cars at the drags, and Gassers are still my all time favorites. (Guess my Photoshop album gives that away! lol ) I'm not even sure what my next project will be, but it will have the Gasser theme. I'm glad to see others still love these cars as much as I do.
Finished my 56 Gasser this spring and having a blast with it. Probably my favorite car of all time. Here I am at the KKOA drags at Salina with my bud Gasser Louie and his Yellow 55. Gassers forever!!!!!
for all you gasser lovers... i have trade a car i paid forty bucks for a complete 51 ford 2 door chassis has to be changed due to spots where its rotted out but other then that its a complete car. i want to do a gasser on a budget build with it but with a budget i still want a nice car. im only twenty and money is hard right now... any ideas are welcome wish i know how to post pictures
read the rules, make an intro first....... and if you are that tight on the money dont think about it... at 20 get an education and wait til you can afford it ....
So Steveo, are we going to have change your profile name from 56 Gasser to 64 Gasser? A couple shots from tonight
i always liked drag racing but it started to get old being beat buy some stock car in drive with the windows down and the ac kicking.so i decided to go the gasser rout and have loved every minute of it!!yes at times i still have to race the newer camaro-mustang but mast of the time i get to race some really cool older cars and its a blast.the season is over for this year but im already working on it for next year,and enjoying every minute!!!
i loved the old gassers since i was a kid. and that was a LONG time ago.currently have a glass 41 willys that is sittin in the shop off to the side, but its in line next to get started on.sittin on a s10 frame that we backed halfed. dont know why we didnt just buld a full 2x4 steel frame.but thats in the works when i start on it again.
I've added my build to many posts here but if you don't mind I'll add to this one. I love and have always loved the gasser cars. All types and brands. I'm a Pontaic guys an like full size Ponchos. SOOO. I'm building this I'm narrowing the frame now so the tires/wheels will be under the wheelwell but as far out as i can get them within the wheelwell. It's a big car so I have to run tall fat rears to look right. The motor will be moved back alot but undetermed at this point. I'm building a '60 389 block with all the modern good stuff and turbocharging it. Forged crank, aluminum rods, Ross dished forged light wt pistons, aluminum 325 cfm KRE heads. Single turbo blow thru 750 CSU carb, full roller cam and valvetrain. I'm overbuilding the engine to take a lot of abuse but running it milder and letting th eturbo do th eHP. My previous '73 TA was turbochaged and I hit 1065 hp with it. I plan to top that mark with this motor since it has much better parts in it. The radiator will go in the trunk to open up the engine compartment. Running a built 4L80E trans. Anywho, that's the plan.
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