Rear-engine?

First of all... YES, I know it's not "traditional" - but other than that, why is nobody building rear-engine hotrods? I remember them in a lot of 1/4 milers when I was little, and I think I've seen some Saltflatters with the engine behind the seating... are they just too hard to engineer, or something else?

Here's why I'm asking;
I've found out where I can get a early-to-mid 30's pickup, real decent shape, no bed (who cares)
I've also got a friend with a custom tube ch***is (built for a S-10 pickup) with a running, shifting Oldsmobile 455 (from a Toranado) already mounted behind the cab. 99% of the engineering is already done, everything hooked up and straight, S-10 body just sitting on frame right now (can be pitched real easily, and would be)

Would an evil mating of these two WORK? Again, I realize I wouldn't be allowed into any "traditional" shows... don't really give a flying flip. But is there any MAJOR reasons this wouldn't work? Besides not being able to keep the front wheels on the ground? This is just a weird idea, I've never seen any done this way, and driving the **** out of weird **** is right up my alley... just want some opinions, I'm sure some of you are digging into your stash of adjectives to enhance the word "Idiot", but that's cool.

Here's a quickee sketch I did today... I would think it could scare the **** outta people, and that's always a good goal!

 

I can't add much other than I've seen a few old photos of salt roadsters with rear engines, so it's not too far off the traditional curve.

 

hELL i think if done right it would be awesome.!
=]

 

I guess cause you can't haul anything in the bed?

If you want to build it build, someone will either like it or they won't.

I would be more concerned with being able to steer it without scooting the tires than pulling the front wheels, you might have to develope some sort of arifiol and that might be difficult to do without destroying the looks of the thing. But I don't doubt you can work that out.

TV Tommy had a 4 engine dragster, it didn't compete and probably wouldn't count as traditional but it was cool. I see a lot of things that are acceptable on this board that aren't exactly trad.

If nuthin else you could sell it when you were boared with it and probably fund you next project.

Oh yea I might loose the bird on the hood, but I just don't like hood ornamants.

 

It can be done, in fact, there was a T in the 80s that was built this way and ran street and strip. I dont however think it would look good with anything other than a dropped axle in the front. As in, no S-10 type **** hanging out in the weeds.

Tinbender here has a wicked Falcon wagon with a Toronado drivetrain in the back. At least he had it in project stage.

 

There's a difference between rear engine and mid engine.
Rear engine doesn't handle at all.
Mid engine is better.

 

Hey, this could be cool. Back in the early dry lakes days, someone had a twin engine truck, both front and rear. #302 on the side, with a dark lower/light upper paint job, diagonally split.

Put some straight rails on the front, run an early straight axle & transverse spring. Use a full hood between the radiator and the cab, put the gas tank and battery under it. Build a flatbed behind the cab, with a wooden crate to cover the engine. Maybe a couple of low stake sides to dress up the bed. Run some '35 Ford spokes or early steelies with Firestones, and you could sneak that into Billetproof.

 

Yeah... Those Porsche 911 cars **** in the handling department.

 

I got nothin' against billetproof, its a cool show but I'm thinkin' if you didn't billet the damned thing up you probably wouldn't have to sneak it in. As in most Traditional Rod shows there are always some things the push it just a little.

 

I think the Olds drivetrain is sorta inbetween mid and rear...like directly over the axle centerline.

How will the cowl interface with the custom frame?

What does the custom frame have for a front suspension? S 10 or ???

A dropped axle would be nice but you could get away with independent considering the powerplant, BUT I don't think the S 10 steering is gonna look too good hanging out in the breeze.
Then again...you could do anything you wanted with the front bodywork...maybe even spread out the nose to look something like an old Mercedes GP car and cover the frame horns that way.
Battery and radiator up front, fuel in the middle under the floor...I think you could get it to handle fairly well too!
I doubt wheelies would be a constant problem but it sure would haul ***.

I'd say go for it myself!

 

Rear engine cars were banned at Bonneville for many years,

something about a tail heavy design blowing over at high speed.
Actually,the Chrisman Brothers Coupe was mid engined.

Ron Covell built one that won the Americas Most Beautiful Roadster award.
Chip Foose has one started,with Chrysler Hemi power.
Ed Roth's last completed car was mid engined.

If you are planning on using the S10 front suspension,
fenders would be a GOOD idea.

Roadster Cliff is doing a mid engine car with a blown SBC,and one
of those transaxles on the Volksrodders board.

 

just do it ,and ignore the rest

riverrat

 

John Corno with the help of buider Russ Meeks won the 1972 Oakland AMBR trophy with a rear Toronado engined '30 Model A.
It was the coolest, and very tastefully done for the times.

 

Do it! Thats the next thing, I can see it now, street wheel standers w/ a hole in the floorboard. I gotta take a cold shower...

 

There is a guy I saw at a local cruise night last summer that had an Olds Vista Cruiser with the engine where the back seat used to be.

 

I say do it. Dare to be different. Some of the coolest things were created because someone said it can't be done.

 

Piece of cake! I have been driving my rear-engine '51 flatbed for over 20 years now. Has been featured in almost every magazine you can name over the years, and also won Goodguys Scottsdale. Have almost 100,000 miles on it. Don't know how to post pics, so I will have wasasedan see if he can post them. Sure is a conversation piece. Any questions on building one, jsut ask. I used a '68 Toronado with the 455 engine. Made my own rear coil towers and used '70 big block Chevelle springs, A/C, etc....

 

1903 Curved dash Oldsmobile had the engine in the rear.
Ain't nuthin new!

 

LEARN HOW TO POST YOU LOOSER!

 

I say put the motor in the back and another one in the front. Better run auto trans in both, cuz it'd be a ***** to synchronize your shifts otherwise.

 

Lets see the pictures of the '51 flatbed. It just might get someone's juices flowing to do it with an early body. If it doen't work out there will be some traditional parts for sale cheap.

Frank

 

When was the first Speed Sport Spl. built?

 

I always thought that this was pretty cool

http://www.geocities.com/chevadoracing/NEWmorePhotos.html

Chris

 

Do it!!!!!!!!!! You build a car for you not the next door neighbour

 

Hey, cruzn60, learn how to spell *******!!!! Must be that wonderful Las Vegas public school system, Whats up Mikey?????

 

Wasasedan can't post them, I can email them to someone if they can put them up on the board.

 

Hate this one if it makes you feel better, but it's a damn clever mid-engine pickup with a Porsche 914 engine and transaxle. Once it's completed and fully sorted on the road it's going to be fitted with a fresh pumped motor and a pair of intercooled turbos. At around 1700 pounds it should be an exciting ride.

 

YOU WENT TO THE SAME LAS VEGAS SCHOOL.
YA SMART ***.

 

Cruzn60 is going to post some shots of the '51 for me, mine is completely backyard built, but av8, that is a work of art!!!!

 

HERE ARE PICTURES OF HOTRODTENNIS TRUCK.

I HEARD IT WAS FOR SALE!

REALLY CHEAP!

SEE ATTACHMENT FOR MOTOR