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You know the cars with the high front ends.
Im a young-in so i wasnt around in this day of age.
Ive always though the 55-57 Chevy's & older cars with the solid front axle looked cool.
I see at times some 60-70s cars that were done this way also.
All i know is in my car at 110mph i feel like im going to die (been much faster in safer cars/ environment) but i have all modern day suspension and the car is 8inches off the ground.
The intention of the Gasser and Altered Wheel Base cars was to force the weight on the rear wheels at launch. They were the predecessor of Pro stock and Funny cars.
The owners of these were also in search of reduced weight removing anything that was not a function of the car. Adding fiberglass body parts and/or drilling holes in the frame and body with hole saws was common.
The intention of the Gasser and Altered Wheel Base cars was to force the weight on the rear wheels at launch.
^^^This. Keep in mind that gassers existed before tire technology caught up with the HP levels these cars were making. Today's sticky compounds and suspension designs negate the need for the nose-high attitude. Today's gasser-look cars are artwork that would not be competitive on a real race track. The attitude was never intended for a street-driven car anyway. You don't see a whole lot of Ferrarris built that way.
^^^This. Keep in mind that gassers existed before tire technology caught up with the HP levels these cars were making. Today's sticky compounds and suspension designs negate the need for the nose-high attitude. Today's gasser-look cars are artwork that would not be competitive on a real race track. The attitude was never intended for a street-driven car anyway. You don't see a whole lot of Ferrarris built that way.
Ferrari's were never meant for drag racing either.
I think gassers were, like said above, a specific solution for a specific circumstance, which is a power level exceeding tire capability, but not high enough for aerodynamics to play a major factor. A gasser with modern power and modern tires would flip over backwards at high enough speeds due to aerodynamic lift forces under the front end.
It's sort of like twin engined and rocket powered dragsters. Modern engines have enough power to make them unnecessary.
Ferrari's were never meant for drag racing either.
And yet, they will blow the doors off of most musclecars...
My point, by the way, is that the optimum setup for a drag strip is not the optimum setup for high speed street driving. For example, many people think that a Powerglide is an awesome trans for a high performance car because all the top drag cars use them. Nothing could be further from the truth.
"Technology" has changed everything. Pick a decade and compare it to things today. What worked back then, may not be a good idea today. Other things have become commonplace due to technology.......
Interesting thing about mine is how much better it handles on the street and highway with bias tires vs radials.I rarely drive it on the street but other than the harsh ride it does fine. Never had it over 75 except for the track.
Last edited by dream66; January 1st, 2018 at 01:15 PM.
Also, the speeds over 110 mph and such is so short lived on the track. The car would hit that number and then be at the end of the track so it's not a prolonged speed situation.
[QUOTE=Koda;1065443 A gasser with modern power and modern tires would flip over backwards at high enough speeds due to aerodynamic lift forces under the front end.
[/QUOTE]
Any idea what "true" airspeed it would take to produce 3,000lbs of lift on one of those shoe boxes????
My favorite is the 40's *****'s, Stone Cook and Woods team, just found out during the 60's was Olds big block blown powered. Mph 140, sweeeeeet!
Actually, the S-W-C car used a first gen Rocket V8, not a second gen BBO. They started out with a 371 and increased displacement from there. Of course, they later switched to a Hemi.
Besides Olds power, many gassers used the beefy, bullet proof 9.3 Olds rear to get their car haulin a$$.
Gasser’s ran from the mid ‘50’s to the late ‘60’s. The term ‘Gasser’ was a nickname given to the NHRA’s Gas Coupes and Sedans (Gas Class). The Gas Class was established to be fair to those running their cars on pump gas to not compete in other classes with cars burning nitromethane and exotic fuels.
Some of these Gasser racers did pretty well for themselves. Joe Hrudka designed and fabricated his own gaskets which led to the start of his company - you’ll likely know his business as ‘Mr Gasket’. Cam grinders like Iskenderian, Engle, Howard’s and Crane were doing big business during this time and took advantage of advertising Gassers that used their cams noting championship wins and record setting ETs and mph.
And just for the heck of it ..... the NHRA began mandating scattershields be used during the Gasser era. Lakewood Industries came up with this innovation of the first stamped steel blow-proof bellhousing. The guy who began Lakewood Chassis Company a.k.a Lakewood Industries was Joe Schubeck also known to many Olds enthusiasts as ‘Gentleman Joe’, the guy who piloted the Hurst Hairy Olds. Joe turned down the offer to drive at first ... that was until George Hurst mentioned that Linda Vaughn would be on his pit crew. Obviously, he found the time.
Besides Olds power, many gassers used the beefy, bullet proof 9.3 Olds rear to get their car haulin a$$.
Gasser’s ran from the mid ‘50’s to the late ‘60’s. The term ‘Gasser’ was a nickname given to the NHRA’s Gas Coupes and Sedans (Gas Class). The Gas Class was established to be fair to those running their cars on pump gas to not compete in other classes with cars burning nitromethane and exotic fuels.
Some of these Gasser racers did pretty well for themselves. Joe Hrudka designed and fabricated his own gaskets which led to the start of his company - you’ll likely know his business as ‘Mr Gasket’. Cam grinders like Iskenderian, Engle, Howard’s and Crane were doing big business during this time and took advantage of advertising Gassers that used their cams noting championship wins and record setting ETs and mph.
And just for the heck of it ..... the NHRA began mandating scattershields be used during the Gasser era. Lakewood Industries came up with this innovation of the first stamped steel blow-proof bellhousing. The guy who began Lakewood Chassis Company a.k.a Lakewood Industries was Joe Schubeck also known to many Olds enthusiasts as ‘Gentleman Joe’, the guy who piloted the Hurst Hairy Olds. Joe turned down the offer to drive at first ... that was until George Hurst mentioned that Linda Vaughn would be on his pit crew. Obviously, he found the time.
Apparently Joe, I heard, was really worried about the chain on that TH425 cutting loose and flying at him.
Below is seen the S-W-C team. This is the 'A' car I believe, engines built by Jack Engle, when the car really started to win. The Olds were as quick as the Chryslers, but would not MPH with them, so it was switch or lose.
Interesting thing about mine is how much better it handles on the street and highway with bias tires vs radials.I rarely drive it on the street but other than the harsh ride it does fine. Never had it over 75 except for the track.
Not the best pic but this is my dads 55. straight axle, bbc and 4 speed
The "Gassers" were some of my favorite cars to watch at the track, before I could drive.....legally. My Company builds Gassers and gasser parts and it is a popular segment of our Performance business.
I cant wait until the gasser bubble burst. I'm so tired of it. Its become over done. Any true racer would not embrace old technology. I was at the meltdown drags at Byron dragway this past summer and there where so many cars that looked the look but where so dog s**t slow. I love gassers but its just over done over played and over hyped.
December 31st, 2017, 08:30 PM
