Hot Rods Front Engine Dragsters of the 50's

Posted by @40ragtopdown in the Traditional Images thread.

 

One year Lions anniversary, 1956. From bottom: Vic Hubbard, Merrymen Car Club (Ford 4), John Bradley, Armstrong and Richter Nesbitt Orange Special, J.E. Riley Special, Nichols Brothers, Manuel Coelho, Weeks & Noble (T roadster), White brothers (Merc coupe). At top right: Doug Cook '37 Chevy, nose of the Goodyear and Serpia '34 coupe at top center.

 

@296ardun Thanks again for your expertise. I didn't even see Doug Cooks '37 Chevy in that picture.

 

here is the one I am working on

 

Probably the most unique rollcage of all . No way to bend tubing, no problem. Just cut it out of some sort of plate! Thanks for posting this one.

 

Baber and Engle Ford 4, Road Kings members.

 

Kenz and Leslie, later got a blower.

 

Hello,

The Road Kings were almost everywhere in those early days of drag racing action. There probably were many different weekends that they raced at San Fernando (home court) then traveled to the plentiful So Cal dragstrips in play back then. They were trophy winners in most of their 4 cylinder classes at most places.

We saw them at Lion’s Dragstrip a year or two later and their penchant for chassis that had the look of a Chassis Research TE440 style roll cage.

That style of race cars were set up by quite a few top builders and got lots of ink in the local Drag News weekly paper.

Kent Baber, Road Kings 4 cylinder class FED
Lion's Dragstrip

By the time we saw and filmed the FED, it had a more streamlined look and the performance was better.
The white modified Chassis Research style FED was built by Kent Baber from the Road Kings of Burbank, CA. It is/was a Crosley powered 4 cylinder motor. Thanks, @dreracecar


Jnaki

The later version was actually in a 60s movie with Tommy Ivo and his cars (+ a Road Kings connection).