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

Hello,

As far back as we can remember, the FED race cars had long steering rods above the headers. There are/were always exceptions to the norm. but, clearance of the pipes in case the head had to be removed for work or repair necessitated, “above the header pipe” location. Some still had to remove the long steering arm to get full access to the rebuild process.

1960 very high up steering rod location
Drag Cars in Motion:
Garlits/Art Malone 1960 Bakersfield Smokers March Meet

A few months earlier, in December of 1959, the original “Chizzler” had better placement of the steering arm for access to the header bolts for complete removal when necessary.

The Chizzler 1959
1959 Chizzler Riverside Raceway

Jnaki

Stepping back to earlier times, the world record holder, Cook And Bedwell has the steering arm high up on their build.
1957

1957

 

Dean Turk from AZ...

 

That Vance Hunt two-piece drag link with an idler in the middle does three things:
First, it makes the pivot point of the drag ling closer to the pivot point of the upper "hairpin" link, reducing the bump steer.

Second, with a real long one-piece drag ling they can start to oscillate in its natural frequency and vibrate like a fiddle string. Having a two piece drag link raises the natural frequency of the links beyong what will make it oscillate on a run.

Third, It makes fine steering ratio adjustments quick and easy.

I recently converted my one-piece drag link to a two piece one, even before I've had a chance to drive it, for these reasons.

 

Flaming Frank's fuel coupe double-shot...

 

Speaking of odd steering setups...

Eddie Evans.

 

And while I'm here, more harvested shots.

Sorry for the small size, a victim of Photobucket's "massaging" of the images I stored there before I knew better...

 

Al Peirson's Studie. Say's it's at Beeline, but it looks like Bonneville to me - anyone know for sure?

 

One more of Al Peirson's Stude.

 

Bob Snell's tudor, racing Bob Gilbert in the first image.

 

This looks like the box art for the Revel '56 Chevy model.

 

Just labelled "Olds Dragster"

 

Milt Priest

 

Last one for tonight.

Jack Keller

 

It is Bonneville Raceway, Beeline oil was a major sponsor.

Mick

 

Rex is on the HAMB, username "utahvette".

Mick