Hmm, wonder if this thread is up my alley? I don't have any original pics to share from back in the day but will go digging for appropriate ones to post.
Hello, Not all T roadsters were Altered Roadsters that came later into the mid 60s drag racing scene. Yes, they were popular and crowd pleasers with all of the noise and smoke. Big power, small chassis is difficult to handle in most cases… when a big Hemi motor gets put into a light weight roadster, things happen. How about the same Hemi power in a street legal roadster? When the Jim Cassady’s Street Roadster was on the early drag racing scene, we were able to see the lightweight body powered by the big Hemi at Lion’s Dragstrip. In the pits, up close, it was impressive as the big Hemi filled the motor compartment and was bulging out of both sides. (remember, these roadsters were classified as street legal and they had to conform to DMV standards) Junior Thompson was the mechanic and driver. 1958-60 Some alterations and additions are a little sketchy, but, all street legal, however they were interpreted by the tech committees. Legal muffler pipe inside of a collector tube, motorcycle fenders to cover or try to cover the tires/slicks and headlights/brake lights were also required. This was, after all, a legal street roadster. Jnaki It would have been fun to drive it into our neighborhood teenage, drive-in restaurant parking lot for the teenage barrage of comments and awe-inspiring faces. HA! But, after watching and filming the street roadster coming off of the starting line with all of that power and torque, it was a wonder that Junior Thompson handled it so well. Or so it seemed. Jim Cassady's Street Roadster with Junior Thompson driving. Starting at :04 watch the black street roadster and see what is “moving” as it does its thing. The next big question is: At :33 who owns the blue street roadster or who is driving it, and finally, it looks like Oldsmobile or Cadillac power. A short description of facts is necessary if you have verifiable proof of who or what. We need the name and a short description for a large, public library project in the works. Will wonders ever cease, the blue street roadster gets out in front of the black Cassady/Thompson's A/Street Roadster…YRMV
I am in the process of building one, my retirement project . When and if I get to retire. Will be a blown SBC, but street legal.
The Jalopy Journal
