I few weeks back I posted a photo of this alum. nose asking if any one recognized it. well fellow hamber Rootie Kazoootie found a name and a picture almost instantly. From that I traced it back to the orignal owner Phil Fruediger, who is still with us. Phil and his friend hammered it out in their garage in 1951. They drag raced the car and ran it on dry lakes.In 1956 the little roadster was the first car to go over 200mph,204 plus . The record held for over 20 years till his son broke it in the late 70s. William the son and grandson still race today.The son hasnt seen the car since 1960 when it was sold to Tom Cobb. William traced the car to the last four owners and finally to the town where I bought it. Were all excited to rebuild the car just as it was when Phill built it. William has lots of photos and history.we plan to get together soon. The pic. is at a L.A. airport in early 50s He told me when a plane would come in for a landing they would clear the runway.When it landed back to racing they went. Notice the slicks,If there is any further interest I will keep you posted as this story unfolds.
Nah, who here would want to hear about a car with all that going on in it's past Can't wait to see it start to come back. Fantastic find !!
Thanks for the update - I would be very interested to hear about the progress. Your earlier post exemplified some of the many pleasured of this place - the expertise, knowledge and generosity of many HAMBers.
First car over 200mph? Damn, now THAT'S some history!!!...I bet everyone involved is tickled pink to see the old girl getting redone...
Post some of the origonal pics or copies when you can, we all would love to see them. Do you have any info on what happened to the rest of the car, engine and especially the chassis?
Nice to hear that your journey into history is going good , I'm looking forward to the next installment . good luck .
The motor was a 265 chevy with a crank mounted blower with hilborn inj. William said he saw the motor a few years back still as it was when his dad built it.It was in a collection in Pomona. His dad made the blower manifold. In the pic. with the slicks it had a flathead that pic. was before chev. v8s .He told me the car was dismantled and a rear engine car was built on the frame by the last owner. The body is probally gone as is the frame. So im looking for a good 26 27 t roadster body now. The frame William has all the pic. that show everything should be a piece of cake. this thing is setting in my shop I walk by it 10 times a day , I dont know if things can let off AURA But this thing keeps pulling me in ,Its screaming to be rebuilt.
Huh - Who woulda thought that a significant traditional roadster woulda been powered by a smallblock Chevy? Please keep us up to date on its restoration. vic
It was probably the first roadster over 200. Streamliners were over 200 by '56. Still one hell of an achievement, and the car needs to be restored so it's place inhistory can be honored. Please keep us updated on the progress.
Chaz - Glad it made you smile, but it couldn't be as big a smile as the Fink-o-sel put on my face! Post hijack over. vic
I thought it was a miracle that it was found and figured out so quickly. But here it is and you not only know the history but you found the family and the guy who originally built it? That is insane. The hot rodding gods are pleased and wish for you to continue.
Im glad there fellow hot rodders out there that feel the same way I do. I really didnt go to the swapmeet looking for a alum. nose. In fact I tried to get away from it. But I couldn't. It would'nt let me go . I have plenty of projects I kept telling my self. But this thing had a power that I cant explain. I did'nt even have a way to get it home. Next thing I know an old friend and are carring it to his truck and he is going to deliver it for me, and its not even light yet. I guess thats destiny. I plan on hooking up with the owners son real soon. And Im happy to share the pic. and history as I find out myself.
Some more good stuff. The man that pounded out the nose name is ,Claude Hampson.He was very well known for his work. And the car was the first to go over 200 mph on dirt, mile and half coarse,at el Mirage in 1956 its in the books .
that car has way too much history for the HAMB. next time lets see a rat rod thats an awesome car and i love how u traced down all the past owners!
Phil's friend, that hammered out tha nose was my stepfather, Claude Hampson, for more info and great photos see my current posts at the original "old drag nose " thread.
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