Educate me.. What's the point of a Gasser?

I've always thought most looked a bit goofy, but some look pretty mean.

But I guess the question is, why?

Is it to make the car launch better?

Is the straight axle an advantage over IFS?

I suspect maybe the point is to cram more engine in there. Were there some drag rules that required you to run a stock hood?

 

In the early days before hi tech tire technology and chassis technology, the way to get better weight transfer was to raise the front end.Later on it just got out of control with the super high nose bleeder Street freaks of the 70's... And yes It does look mean..Also the "Gasser" term really has nothing to do with straight axle cars, it was short for the Gas glass cars in Drag racing.You can still have a gasser and not run a straight axle..

 

Gassers (gas coupes and sedans) were allowed some modifications from stock but needed lights, fenders etc. Engine setback 10% of wheelbase. Purpose of straight axle was to raise center of gravity to transfer weight to hard skinny slicks of the time. They were classified b cubic inch to with ratio and supercharged vs normal aspirated. Thus top classwas A/GS,A gas supercharged, or A/G normal. They were a real handfull to drive and the crowds loved them.

 

Are you joking? The gas classes were and are the best ever in drag racing history! With the noser higher in the front was for weight transfer. Go to Byrons gassermadness and educate your self

 

The point of a gasser is to have fun!

 

The point of a Gasser was to be the fastest car in the class that didn't get DQ'd. For a couple of years the hot set up was to raise them for weight transfer. Then they came back down. Lots of gassers won with stock A-arm front suspensions.

Rules here.
http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=334715&highlight=gasser+rules

Larry T

 

Yeah Byrons is a great place! Two of my Old Chevys are on there..

 

Not necessarily. In fact in the late 60's early 70's there was a rule against nose up cars.
Larry T

 

Thanks. I figured you guys would have the answer and not be too hard on me for my ignorance. Good to know that they weren't all straight axles.

I will check out Byrons.

 

One other rule that nearly everyone seems to forget is that the crankshaft centerline could be no more than 24" off the ground.

And frankly, that's how "gassers" look the best anyway. Much higher than that starts looking real silly real quick.

 

And thus the "Gassers vs. Street Freaks" war was begun again!

 

The use of straight axles had as much to do with reducing front end weight. When you wack the front crossmember and all the A-arm suspension and steeting bits and replace it with some tubing, a light Ross weight steering box and a pair of springs, the weight difference could have been as much as 200-300 pounds. That's was a ton back in the day and well worth the conversion.
Add a Rod 'n Race Fiberglass one piece front end and the savings on a '55 Chevy was upwards of 500 pounds.

 

Rich,
I know that with stuff like Don Long front suspension, you'd save a lot of unsprung weight. I've often wondered how much difference in unsprung (or total) weight there is between ,say, stock 55 front suspension and the early pickup or Econoline suspension that lots of folks seem to use.
Larry T

 

I have a 1964 Hot Rod magazine that outlines a small-time racer putting a Model A front frame section under his '55 Chevy. They were going on about it as a new competitive advantage so I would think that is at or near the genesis of the straight axle movement.

 

What's the reasoning for the 24" rule? Or better yet, why would you want your weight up higher than 2 feet? I assume it's just to keep the nose down to comply, but is there a performance issue?

 

Oh, Geeze, here we go again.
"The point" of having a gasser was to be able to take a relatively stock bodied sedan, put whatever size or brand engine in it, along with mild body modifications, including chopping the top, and to have a class to run it in. That's it. That's all. It has nothing whatsoever to do with whether or not it has a straight axle. Willy's, Anglias, and some others had straight axles in them to begin with and were by their very nature very light cars, so everyone thought they'd put straight axles in their car and it'd be lighter. That's what many did. They also probably never weighed their suspension before they made the switch, because many straight axles weigh more than an IFS does. They all jacked the front for weight transfer, important on a Chevy, not so with Fords or Mopars. Most gasser guys were just backyard kids mimicking what the pros were doing, and they mostly did the changes for all the wrong reasons.

 

In a nutshell, ready?
Look cool, go fast, get hot chicks.
Thats about the basis of it all.
really, all.

 

sorta been said, but its about the tyres not being so sticky in them days, so it was about the front lifting to get the rears to dig in.There was also a 10 inch fatness maximum for a while as well.the next answer is "if I have to explain it,your not going to get it,and your answer is "nobody likes a smart arse"

 

I grew up with nobody even in my extended family that used performance parts, much less raced. So even if you were being a smart ass, I probably wouldn't know any better.

I've done a couple restorations and customs, but nothing more than an average 350 chevy motor. The racing stuff is all foreign to me. I'll try and keep the amateur questions to a minimum and not be a squirrel.

 

The point ?? its a race car ,,I don't see the point of building one to drive on the road

 

Look Cool, (insert your style here), get chicks.


Seems to be the answer for everything.

 

Gassers and the front engine dragsters or rails were and still are the koolest in all drag racing !
Love the look and performance of both !

RetroJim

 

Nor do I.
Gasser's were meant for the strip. But since I dont make the strips much anymore i appreciate seeing one on the street.

 

weight transfer, lower weight, style.... I just like to change my oil and adjust the clutch without having to jack the car up or put it on a lift.

 

Its just crazy how much stuff you can learn by asking a question! You guys are the KINGS OF CAR KNOWLEDGE!

 

I said this before on another thread but, the my thoughts on the straight were, back in the day, you had to get the biggest motors in your car so you remove the factory IFS with it's big heavy-ass cross member and install a straight axle with a lighter more compact tubing crossmember and instantly you had a mile of room for that big-block, hemi, or whatever. BTW, I have been told by some old timers that back in the sixties it was cool to have your car higher in the front. Then a few years later, it was cool for it to sit higher in the back.

 

I would distill it further to just "get chicks." The purpose of (anything men do) is to get chicks.

(No fat chicks.)

(Does that make me intolerant?)
(Okay, I'm intolerant.)
D)

 

To go as fast as you can, down the quarter mile, without running exotic fuels, and in a "door" car, that is still not TOO far removed from a street vehicle. Towards the end of the program, and in the higher classes, even earlier, however, they sorta dropped the pretense of "streetable".

 

i may be a little bias..BUT i have to agree

 

Less weight !!!!!! Everybody was tryin to get more hp and less weight. Especially in the front. Weightas little as possible on the front wheels. transfer was the name of the game. As much weight as possible on thje rear wheels. Not much of a street car bu. KooooooL