Projects Dragster Club..........picture thread

hard to ID but the rail int he other lane looks to be an early (modified) lyndwood chassis as well.

Paul

 

yeah, the guy claimed it was a Lyndwood and it looked to be accurate. That car ran really good...Hilborn injected sbc. Smoked 'em all the way through.

 

Here's an old one, can't remember where my Dad said this was. That's my Dad's Altered Falcon in the background.This should be '65-'66.

 

More, same day.

 

How about a 2 dimensional dragster?

 

Not specifically a dragster, I guess, but close enough.

I have posted this on a couple of other forums but it may still interest a few people. Some older guys may remember it and some younger guys may enjoy seeing how things looked nearly 50 years ago.

- Some information on the car:

Steel '23 T tub
1954 (354 c.i.) Chrysler engine
Probably the first B&M Hydrostick transmission to come into Texas
Genuine water-pipe frame!
Eight (8) Stromberg 97s
4:11 gears
-and I don't recall what cam it had in it at that time.

It ran in B-Modified Roadster class and had an interesting history

Legend has it that the car was originally built in Louisiana by a man named Chuck Coffey in the 1940s, not to drag race, but to go round and round. The car was acquired by Ed Mabry in maybe 1952 or 1953. Ed would later gain prominence as a chassis builder and for his successful racing career with his partner, Chrysler wizard Vance Hunt.

Initially, Ed ran a flathead in the car for a season or two, then switched to a Chrysler before partnering with Vance. He once he won Top Eliminator at Caddo Mills (Texas) running against dragsters!

Somewhere around that time the car picked up the "Outhouse Mouse" name. I have been told that the name originally belonged to a B-17, or B-24 (or a B-something) WWII bomber. We considered another name or two but we couldn't get rid of that one.

I bought the car from Ed in 1957 and formed a temporary partnership with the late Alvis Brown for the purpose of running in the 1958 NHRA nationals in Oklahoma City (I had a chassis and Alvis had a strong 283 in his coupe). We did go to the nationals and were hanging in there .... right up to the time the rear end went to live with the angels.

After the nationals I bought the 354 from Bill Knight (Fort Worth engine builder) and renewed an old friendship with John Ryan. We partnered up. John Ryan is one of those guys who can do ANYTHING, and do it better than anybody else (actually, I never did really like that kind of man)... anyway, the result was that beautiful white roadster. To be truthful, we won more trophies at car shows than we ever did racing. We were competitive but the car was heavy for the class. Really nice top end, but the weight gave the light Chevy-powered guys (with the same inches to weight ratio) the advantage.

In case somebody is thinking that I deserve some credit for the beautiful workmanship in the car, forget it! John Ryan is the craftsman. I sometimes feel like John just kept me around for the purpose of signing things. Like checks.

Then, in early 1962, my employer decided that I should become a resident of ..... NEW YORK CITY! For a handshake, I turned over my interest in the car to John and his cute wife, Shirley, and moved.

John later built a light chassis for the engine and put the '23 tub on that.

It was fun while it lasted.

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Taken just before a burnout at a photo shoot about 10 years ago.

 

Old Grouch Jim (Strickland???)
Don Ross here, along about the time you went to New York I found John Ryan while driving around looking for hot rods. I took Tony Fite and Skipper Harter over to meet John. They started helping John run the car While I was building a altered coupe with my older Brother, Dick Ross. Jackie Wisenberg drove the Mouse some then never raced again. Tony and Skip went on to help build the new 27 bodied modified roadster. When John quit racing they baught the roadster and I joined the group in late 64.
I am confused on wheather I last saw the Mouse at ED Mabry's back lot or behind Bob Taylor's house.
We sold the 27 Modified roadster to a guy out on Doudy Ferry RD. In Dallas.
Then we got a 120" Jim Davis car and were on our way to Top Fuel. We later extended the Davis car to 160" and built a full body. Later I split to join up with Tony Casarez and Gary Bailey. Then Casarez and I put a new cage on the rear of the Davis car.

The car was sold and we are still looking for it. Last seen in Garland TX. along with Ben Griffen's old traylor.
dwrfab Don Ross


Jim wrote;

John later built a light chassis for the engine and put the '23 tub on that.

It was fun while it lasted.

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This is my first 'ride'!

And, yes I tried to find this car! It went to CA. and was wiped out. It would have been just too cool to have found it!
This was taken at Alton, Il, My Dad in the near lane(this car is supposedly a real nice st. rod in southern Mo.today).The paper clipping shows his nat. record(265 Chevy/4 strombergs). No I.D. on the rail.

 

This is a little bit different!





Next year will be the 50th anniv. of the White Hall Drag-O-Way, I'm going to have these pics blown up to poster size and pull my fed behind my '57 pick up as a tribute!

 

the ohm still lives in the form of my b dragster. I was doing some research on B-17 bombers and came across it. 91 bomb group, 323 bomb sqd. in 63 I was in the new 323 bomb squadron, in calif. so I used the name , no disrespect to you guys.

 

Don Ross wrote: "Old Grouch Jim (Strickland)?????

Yeah, Don, You've caught me!

I'm glad to hear from you, and thanks for the further information on "The Mouse". I have wondered where it went after John and I un-partnered. I have been in more or less regular contact with Ed Mabry and I don't think he ever had it at his place but it might well have wound up at Bob Taylor's. I thought for a while I'd like to resurrect it and try to run it again in some lower class, but you know how that goes ....

For anybody that doesn't know, Don and Tony Fite and Skip Harter raced locally (in the Dallas/Fort Worth area) as "The Kids" and they were VERY popular. I have good memories of watching Skipper snuff Bobby Langley one night at Green Valley.

And speaking of Skip Harter, I was very sorry to hear of his death some time back.

I look forward to going to your annual get-together (next month) of characters who used to race in these parts.

See you there,

Jim

 

thanks Jim. heads off today for the v/j and a couple of other things. going to a 2 wheel bar on the rear. one is just too exciting. lol.

 

just pulled her out of the rafters the other night.. Think its time for a winter project

 

Well my Brother from another Mother has not posted his here yet so I am going to do it for him.

He is Frontenginedragsters on here.
I will let him Chime in but its rare. Stroked 460, Crower Injected, CrowerGlide with a Lenco... Just as it should be..

 

My Dad and I 1971. Northern NJ

 

Here is mine. "Pontiac Heaven Special" aka "Applekrate".
I had the chassis built in 2000 with the idea of having it look as 'old' as is possible without compromising safety or competitiveness. This includes vintage magnesuim Halibrand wheels, M&H tires, wire spoke wheels in front, narrow frame in front, simulated torsion bar front susp, narrow cage, shorty body. Also had 3 front axles made including 2 wider ones than shown. Also uses vintage 3 rib Enderle bug catcher and 1960 valve covers.
Powered by an iron 1960 389 Pontiac with many of my own custom parts.
This car was built as an AA/Fueler from the start and is set up so as a legal nostalgia AA/Fueler or Top Fuel.
some rule restrictions are-
12" nostalgia tires only
3.90 gear only ( makes these cars RPM well over 9,000 )
no transmission allowed, direct drive only.
6-71 blower size only
15% over only
Crower 3 disc 'glide cllutch
any nitro percentage allowed

Car has yet to make a full pass but, so far has run 6.77 at just over 200mph at Bakersfield. We are currently running a mild, expendable starting and learning combination with a very small fuel pump, point mag and a standard, street rod quaility blower with very low compression. this allows for much increase in horsepower down the road with more powerful parts allowed.
Still, I do not run less than 90% nitro and as much as 96% so far. It is the sweetest sounding motor you have ever heard, biased or not. I get a lot of sound compliments from Chrysler guys.

We also push the car to the lanes like the old days. We built a push bumper for my '61 Catalina Safari. The Catalina also tows the vintage '72 enclosed dragster trailer.

Future plans are alum block, M/T Pontiac HEMI heads, retro super 6 blower, bigger fuel pump and magneto with commitment to running 5 second ETs at over 240mph to get the car competitive in Top Fuel.

I am looking for crew help with this car. This is a real nitro burning AA/Fueler. If interested contact me. If you have skills or experience, great but, no experience is neccessary, I can train you. It takes a small army to run this thing and lack of crew has been one of the factors limiting the team. We are outside of Phoenix and test here in town and Tucson. We race here and at Bakersfield for now. As progress with car and budget allow, we will travel further. There may also be an opening for a driver. You may have a great opportunity to learn quite a bit here in an area not normally available to you. I have a 2nd race car in the works, a Blown Pontiac '65 Tempest altered wheelbase funny car so we will evolve into a team or sorts. There are also supercharged Pontiac high performance boats here too.

A Pontiac fan is a preference but, not required.

Some good quailites required are- Honesty, reliabilty, the ability to communicate and get along with others, be able to take orders and get job done, esp between rounds. Things are much more casual while working on the car between races and test sessions and afterwards. We work hard but also have a lot of fun together seeing this Pontiac go where no other Pontiac has ever gone before. It is a matter of gelling with the right people that makes a great team. We are proud of our car and operation but, do not have, or want, arrogant egos on the team.

This is a lot of work but, a real blast to do. I am living a fantasy owning, building and tuning my own Top Fuel dragster with Pontiac power. Being able to put this car and this operation together has exceeded all my dreams.
It is the first known Pontiac in Top Fuel since 1965. My plan to to pick up where others gave up and went to other engines. This is not a short term deal, I plan to be involved with this car, Lord willing, for many decades.

If anyone is interested, it would be a pleasure to speak with you!
More information about the cars, boats and so much more on my site too if interested.
Steve Barcak
www.pontiacheaven.org

 

Here's mine:
The Gold Digger
Blown smallblock on gas
Built in 1967 the first time rebuilt by Spitzer a few years ago
Found out how it feels to pull a wheelie last Sunday

 

The Senior dragster cause old folks need fun too

 

Bob that is great. You must have had a bunch of fun with your Dad.
And then theirs the 70 mach behind it

Hows the Fiat goin? I actually moved a box off mine over the weekend.

Gonna post another Pic of a FED later that is a friend of ours here in Rochester..

 

Another FED in our area.
This Car sat for a very Long time before Brian got it and put it back together..

Matt type some info on your Car....Scroll back

 

Here's a shot of 'Old Bones' when it finally left the shop. I had just finished the plugwires and we were getting ready to load it up in the trailor.

 

OJ,
Your dragster is sweeeet, in a evil kind of way. Really like it!

 

Hey OJ:

Very Very Nice. How about some more Pics(closeups).
Wish you were close. We need more cars like that.

Whats in the Barn??

 

Rand you are a quality guy. Thanks for posting the pics of your mint car.

 

I'm ready for more FED pictures!!!
The season is over and I'm already going nuts!

Matt

 

Here is the car I'm driving for Mike Brown. New car first time out was three weeks ago. a few bugs but we will be ready for next year.

 

I love those weed burner headers.

 

Thanks Royal,They have a sound all to there own.