Big AL

Anyone out there know whatever happened to the old drag car called Big Al? I seem to remember reading an article saying that the owner took the car to Australia. It was a 33-34 Ford 2-door sedan.The body seemed to be welded into 1-piece,and hinged in the back like a funnycar.I think it was also severly chopped.It was powered by an Allison aircraft engine,and I believe an Allison trans.The picture I remember,the car had all 4 fenders on it. Just idle daydreaming on a Sunday afternoon.Thanks for any info.

 

big al is at the don garlits drag racing museum.

 

If I remember the body was fiberglass.

 

It was a Allison V-12 Engine out of a P-51 Mustang. They cost the Government over 16 Grand each during WWII

 

Driver sat way at the back, with his head poking up through the roof. Wild.

 

It's first configuration,...








And here is an old thread about the car.

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=55008

 

And another thread when Jim passed away,...
http://jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=659898&showall=1

 

Big Al was the appetizer. Quad Al was the entree!

 

From what I understand, the "Quad
Al", (for probably *somewhat obvious*
reasons!) was only ever used for
"static display" as a show car and
never actually ran under it's own
power. Still cool though - and it's
surely, absolutely, gotta' be the
ultimate expression of both
"Extreme Allisonism!" and "Mad
Genius" automotive insanity!

Mart3406
=============

 

long time ago i got the original steel body after it was used to make mold

later it was stolen from back yard by knocking down the fence & taking it out thru an empty field this happened in glendale socal.....ive looked for it with no luck anyone know its where abouts REWARD>>>>>>>>>>

i have a photo of it in backyard will lopk for it &post

 

THANKS! It's always good to see those cars, Quad Al was a cover Car on Rod & Custom, the issue is around here somewere. Bob

 

I only just read this about jim. Back in 2004 I was at Bonneville with the So Cal
Team and this old chap came over for a chat. He told me he had just been visiting Jay Lenos garage and broke out a photo album. I could have chatted with this chap all week. I introduced him to Tony Thacker (now of the NRSA Museum) we all spoke for an age. He went back to his car and collected another album of his old projects. He sent me some signed posters ( to the UK). That was Jim lytle - a genius, a legend and a friend! Gods speed Jim! Perhaps you can fit an Allison in a cloud.

 

I just did a quick search and found
this August, 2006 'Drag Racing Online'
article. It's mostly about Lytle's "Quad
Al" creation, but there's also bit of
history on the "Big Al" '34 Ford too.

Mart3406
----------------
Click here to view:
www.dragracingonline.com/nowthen/viii_8-1.html
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finally had a front torque tube fabricated and test fitting