Recently acquired an older rear engine dragster roller. Has been in storage for 20 years or so. I found the SEMA ch***is number of 11. This shows as RCE / Woody. Would that be Woody Gilmore? It will need helmet bars added but my main concern is finding replacement a-arms. I will add picture as perhaps somebody might be able to see something to truly identify this thing. If it is RCE Ch***is are they still around? Info has been hard to locate. Thank you for any help.
Every ch***is builder made their own a arms so replacements will have to be made up. I believe that ch***is would have been from sometime in the 80's. It has the 6 point cage but has the real narrow front such as a comp eliminator car.
The metal SEMA tag is from the '70s era. Later - maybe '80s? - it was superceeded by an adhesive sticker that expires periodically, requiring re-certification every three years and a new dated sticker.
@Kelly Brockel welcome to the HAMB. This will probably be bumped into the OT section, since it is newer than 1965. The two replies so far are on the money. You didn't include a location, so we can't point out a drag fab shop that is close by to help with the arms. I'd expect they would want the ch***is to ensure proper fit. It could be scanned, but that's not a typical DIY tool just yet.
moved to the off topic forum. The Hamb focuses on 1965 older vehicles modified in the styles popular in 1965 and before. You can read the rules for posting on the site here: https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/the-h-a-m-b-rules-guidelines.44274/
This has nothing to do with the request, I googled and found a list of SEMA builders. What a trip down memory lane. I had forgot more than I remembered.
You might look, closely...into the chromed roll cage too. They are not legal in most cl***es. Haven't been for many years now. Mike
No location with your name- be nice to know ( & track ). My 2 cents worth comments. First I hope u got some kind bill of sale - they used to steal these things. When buy a gun I get photo of drivers license, photos, & signature. Looks like great project what do u plan to do with it? What is wrong with a-arms beside touch of rust? Convert to beam axle might be easier & cheaper. Take to local track & ask what need to do to run times u want. What experience do u have; do not start off in top fuel. For rear engine a v6 & auto trans would be a slow start but fun & easy place to start. AMC or Ford 300 straight six’s unbreakable but might not fit. Later carbs, cam & valve springs; a shot of nitrous; work up to blown hemi. ( big smile).
I don't think this ch***is is in the configuration when, if , it was ever certified. That front suspension and wheels just don't look certifiable. Welds are a disaster and the wheels are cheap knock offs. I'm no genius and I am old now, in my age in 70's. But back in the late 60's and early 70's when worked at Orange County International Raceway I alternated from driving the crash truck at the start line, directing the hot car startup and the staging at the start line. I saw a LOT of rail jobs. At best this would be in some junior cl*** and that front end would never p*** a tech inspection. Back then perhaps Jr. Gas if anything. Remember you could purchase a bare frame and what someone did to it after that was up to them. At one time chrome was permitted but they later understood hydrogen embrittlement .
The Jalopy Journal
