History History on Drag Wagons

History speaking. Who started drag racing wagons? Turing them into gassers?

What engines/ engine mods pushed these big boys off the line?

 

Probly some kid who took the family grocery getter to the strip ! I once took the old mans 1960 Chisler Saratoga to Detroit Dragway when I was 16.

 

I believe that the popularity of Drag Racing station wagons came about because of Stock Eliminator Racing in the '60s. At that time they were limited to a 7 inch wide slick. In the 67-68 Car Craft series, How To Build A Junior Stock, they advocated the use of a wagon or sedan delivery as it was believed the additional rear static weight aided traction. When NHRA instituted the 15 year rule in 1970 outlawing these early wagons and sedans in Stock class, racers moved their cars up to compete in Super Stock, Modified Production and even in the Gas classes.

 

Interesting, thanks

 

Used to be a group in about the 1990's that mostly raced up in the high desert of SoCal at Palmdale Raceway, called "Long Roof Racing". All (or mostly all) station wagons.

Mike

 

Arnie Beswick was running the "Grocery Getter" Tempest wagon in 63/64

 

Read up on the L-72 427 powered full size Chevy wagons.... Should be something on Google about those....

 

I ran this 66 Plymouth in D/SA powered by a HEMI before that it ran as a U/SA powered by a 273. Ended as a bracket car with a stroker wedge .