Projects Altered Drag Car Build

I've decided it's time to start the resurrection of this altered I picked up a couple years ago as a retirement present to myself.
I picked this up in eastern upstate NY but have no knowledge of it's history. I'm assuming it's a late 50's, early 60's build. It uses c-channel frame rails that I haven't identified as of yet. The body is steel with the right side door welded shut and the turtle deck is fiberglass. It has a tri-5 Chevy rearend rigidly mounted to the frame. It appears to have been a relatively nice car in it's day as the complete front suspension and steering was chromed and there is evidence of two different metal flake paint jobs.
The intention is to restore/rebuild with some additional chassis strengthening but no major changes to the original build. I intend to make the engine/transmission mounts so that they will accommodate both a small block Chevy and a flathead Ford using 2nd and 3rd gear of a three speed trans in both cases.
With any luck I'll have this ready for the Top Secret Drags in upstate NY next fall. If not, oh well.

 

You gonna drive it one handed right?

 

Willy Borsch approved! A steel bucket body too!. What's not to like?

 

I'll keep watching! Interesting car.

 

Looks like it's got a taper in front. Does it also taper or have a kickup in the back?
https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/1927-chevy-chassis.970989/

 

looks to have used Model A frame rails...?

 

That was my original thought, but I seem to recall the model A frame having a slightly raised boss around the 3 holes behind the steering box hole.

 

It has a slight taper on the bottom of the rail in front of the rear end. The frame is cut off behind the rigidly mounted rear end. I guess there is potential that it is a model A frame shortened significantly in the front and cut off in front of the rear cross member. When the body comes off it should be much clearer.

 

If memory serves. a Model A frame has a flared or dimpled hole for the E-brake cross shaft.

Lynn

 

I've heard about those altered thingies; I hope that it turns out well for you.

 

Get in, sit down, shut-up and hold on!

 

^^^^^^^^^^ I think big balls and a diaper is a tech requirement^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

 

Only for cars with 100" WB or less.

 

Accomplished a little deconstruction. A little crude, but I'm sure it was effective.

 

i have built a few of these. a bit of advice. box the frame. these things twist a bit. put a real roll cage in it. once you get it running you will be surprised how much you will want to drive it. remove that water pipe push bar and take off those wheelie wheel thing a jij. no track is going to let you drag that metal on their strip. that rear is going to be ok with a flathead but according to how the chevy is built it won't hold up. i drive a '32 bantam altered with a flathead and it is slow but fun.

 

Time capsule for sure! Are the slicks Blue Streaks? The wheels they're mounted to look like a 2 piece style. That tri 5 rear ought to hold up behind a revvin' small block in a light car like that.

 

Needed a little help to pull the body off since both my shoulders are shot.
Bottom 6" of the body is pretty tender and the chassis will need plenty of cleaning up and stiffening.
Looks like model A frame rails until about a foot in front of the rear axle and then they're grafted onto something else where the rear housing is welded on.

 

Very cool altered, wish it was mine, yea, this is great. I will definitely be watching the progress. Carry on !

 

Very nice. You planning on racing this when done?

 

Pretty cool piece

 

I'll say not seriously. Northeast Vintage Drags held a flag start, no time event in Upstate NY this fall that is about 45 minutes from my house. My intent is to participate in events like that. There is another track a little over an hour from me that has nostalgia days.

My driveway is a couple hundred feet long too

 

Good eye, Blue Streaks that are only good for holding the rear end up and the wheels are aluminum centers with steel rims.

 

Finished disassembling everything. As generally rusty as things were I was amazed that every cotter pin came out whole and I was able to spin off every nut. Cut the welds on the door so that it could be removed for rust repairs. Hoping the weather breaks soon so that I can get everything dustless blasted to see what I've got to work with.

 

Had a couple comments regarding the strength and suitability of the tri-5 rearend. I was pleasantly surprised to find 30 spline axles, a hefty spool and 5.38 gears. Looks like this will be an 1/8th mile car.

 

Looks very similar to the Cody Parr roadster I owned back in the late 80's. I have some pics somewhere.

 

a REAL puller instead of a chain or backwards drum!!

 

Man what a cool car! May I ask where in upstate it came from? I’d say about 30 years ago, a friend of my dad’s had an altered and this car looked a lot like I remember his. I only seen it once so my memory of it isn’t good at all, but either way it is an awesome piece.

 

It came from near Oneonta.

 

Welded up all the excess holes that this thing has acquired over it's life on the top and side rails of the frame. There are about 30 more on the bottom rails to get welded up next.

Cut off some of the bracing on the front of the rails that was a little questionable. Also cut off the radiator shell uprights since they were off center. Luckily the brass was there to clean up and blend the welds that were underneath and wasn't structural.