Need info on late 50's front engine dragster

[Brucebodyman]

New member here. I recently got my hands on an old front engine dragter. It had been sitting for years. I am looking for any help with info on these old dragsters. I want to do some reasearch before i begin restoration. i would post pics but don't know how to. could one of you members post a couple for me? I have some cool pics of it as it sat for years. I had to cut down some trees just to get at it. Thanks

[Brucebodyman]

figured out how to post pics. does this style of dragster look familiar to any of you. i'm trying to determine if it was built in some guys garage or did someone manufacture these in kit form or as complete cars.

[Brucebodyman]

Here is a pic before i cut down trees

[VintageMusclecar]

Just to make things easier:





Do you know any history on the car at all?

Eric

[Brucebodyman]

Thanks. the guy i got it from has had it for years. i have been working on him for 10 years to sell it to me. It was a shame to see it sit in the woods like that. the guy never sells anything so i was shocked when after we had lunch oneday he said go get it. It has a 1953 6 cyl chevy engine in it with 3 speed trans & hydraulic clutch. looks like an olds rearend front end looks like it's off an old 30's coupe. I don't think it was ever completed because it doesn't have any throttle linkage or brake lines and motor doesn't look like it was ever mounted properly. It's in storage now when i get a chance i will take off body panels & look for any identifing markings. I have seen a lot of pics of late 50's dragsters but not quite the same as this one. I was hoping somebody would recognize it.

[427TJ]

That looks like a homebuilt car to me. Try the guys on the HAMB, someone there might be able to shed some light on your digger. www.jalopyjournal.com

[Brucebodyman]

i think it's a homebuilt one also. not sure what i'm going to do with it. either restore it or have the coolist front yard ornament in the neighborhood

[olredalert]

------Bruce,,,If the car is unfinished there is almost no chance someone may have seen it unless they go hunting around there. It is cool, however, as I cant remember ever seeing a Stovebolt powered dragster quite like it......Bill S

[Brucebodyman]

I guess i was asking if anyone had seen the same type of chassis out there anywhere. I want to restore it but if it's something rare i will try to stay true to what it was originally. If not I will blend oldschool with some updates to make it what i want. I'm thinking smallblock with Zoomie headers,Moon tank,etc.

[John Brown]

Bruce, the guy you need to talk to is David Crane. He is the dragster historian for Michigan. He's in Battle Creek and was the "hot car" tech guy at Martin Michigan US131 Drag Strip in the 70's. If he doesn't recognize it, well good luck. His phone # is 616-965-4711 . He loves to talk about old short wheelbase dragsters like yours. Give him a call.