History Drag cars in motion.......picture thread.

Kalitta, Pomona.

 

A circle track dragster, but it is bent on the wrong side

 

Glen Weisgerber has been around for years.
He perfected what is called the "Jersey Style" of chrome lettering years ago. His work is truly inspiring and very creative.
Jimbo

 

Really like early Chevy coupes and DND has a nice one - but - have to take exception with the gassers of the 60's running mostly level. Maybe it was a regional thing but here in the mid-west I have posted a few pictures of what the norm was. This 57 photo clearly shows the blocks used in the lower control to arms to achieve the attitude. Can see some of the extremes ( safety wise ) that some of the so-called nostalgia gassers have gone for but in the mid-west level was not the norm. That "Look" is everywhere at the very popular Meltdown Drags that are held at Byron Dragway. Let's not forget the attitude of the Dyno Don, Arnie Beswick, Dave Strickler Stockers / FX cars of that time period.
My first drag race was the 1959 World Series at Cordova, Illinois and continue to spectate - feel I have seen and am seeing the best years the sport will ever have.
Just my .02 cents.

 

I would bet around '61 or '62, at the end of the fuel ban. Enderle units, including the famous (Bugcatcher) seemed to be on fuel cars, whereas Hilborn evidently had systems suitable for both gas and fuel. In the Northwest, Jim Albrich had a "Barn-door" on his AA/FD in '62. The AA/FA Willys of Anderson, Thomas and Barnard ran one until about 1970. Both had ribs.

 

From the 65 NHRA rules, ( it's the same through the 60's).
"Bodies and/or frames may not be raised to gain weight transfer to rear wheels."
This was BOLDED in the rule book to emphasize.
I guess it depended on if you ran NHRA, how strict the strip was etc.
Again, most of the high front end pics are of cars under power, the 90/10 shocks are working! But at rest, level.
Many cars used blocks in front ( on straight axles) to "raise" them to level with tall slicks on the rear. Yikes!

 

As for stocker and FX, the rules say " Cars must remain level at standstill when equipped with competition rear tires."
Again, the fronts raised on acceleration. But "rules" went out the window fast with FX cars. It was run what ya brung.
Not to argue or belabor the point, but that IS what the rule books say throughout the 60's!
Not all tracks were NHRA, AHRA was big then, some strips ran no sanctions and little rules.

 

Another problem with the A/FX cars was that some teams were getting parts not available to the general public which gave them a performance advantage over the competition.
It's always nice to have a level playing field but back in the 60's there was no such thing.

The Factory Teams got all the good equipment along with the experimental equipment.
They also add access to all the right people who could help them.

Jimbo

 

What about it gas class rules at one point in the 1960s, up to 10% engine set back was allowed and the centerline of the crank couldn't be more than 24 inches from the ground ? Maybe this was the difference between a legal early 60s and mid 60s gasser as the rules evolved.

 

If I am correct the SEG rules says the min height is measured from the rear of the rocker.
So the front high is under the discretion of car builder or driver?
They do have a set crank height though.
But this talking about new class of cars looking like old cars.
And I think they're doing one hell of a job.

 

Yep. That the rules! Setback measured from the middle of the (front) spindle to the first spark plug hole. 24 inches crank centerline is correct.

 

There are quite a few guys who not only still do it, But some who "Get It". Phil Whetstone (Philly the Greek on here) is one of those. Not only did he faithfully recreate the lettering on the Anglia for me, he has done the lettering and sign boards for many old drag cars ~ Poison Ivy and the Syndicate dual FED dragster come to mind. If you need a guy, he's in Santa Ana - look him up