Gasser (car)

Gasser
Two gassers racing
Overview
Model years1950s to early 1970s
Body and chassis
ClassHot rod
Chevrolet A/Gas racer at Mantorp Park, Sweden 2023.

A gasser is a type of hot rod originally used for drag racing. This type of car originated in United States in the late 1950s and continued until the early 1970s.[1][2] In the days before Pro Stock, the A/Gas cars were the fastest stock-appearing racers around.[3]

History

Gassers are based on closed body production models[Note 1] from the 1930s to mid-1960s, which have been stripped of extraneous weight and jacked up using a beam axle or tubular axle to provide better weight distribution on acceleration (beam axles are also lighter than an independent front suspension), though a raised stock front suspension is common as well. Common weight reduction techniques include fiberglass body panels, stripped interiors, and Lexan windows (sometimes color tinted).

The 1933–36 Willys coupés and pickups were very popular gassers.[4] The best-known would be the 1933 Willys 77.[4] While neither cheap nor plentiful, it was a competitive and lightweight choice satisfying the rules of the era (which required a ladder frame). At least one gasser incorporated a Willys frame under a Ford body to placate their sponsor while keeping it race legal.[5] [4] Keith Ferrell's Dogcatcher, for instance, was a 1936 delivery with a fuel injected small-block Chevrolet, built for the class; in 1967, Ferrell deliberately left something off to run it in B/Altered (later, with a supercharger, in BB/A).[6]

After the company revived, the 1937-42 coupés, sedans, and pickups were again popular with hot rodders and gasser teams, and again, comparatively low production leaves unexplained why they gained so much attention.[4] Ollie Olsen's 1940 coupé Wil-A-Meaner (driven by Bob "Rapid" Dwyer[citation needed]) won the 1961 Nationals' A/G title.[4][7] Between 1962 and 1964, the Hassel & Vogelsong 1940 coupé "was the scourge of B/Gas", winning the 1963 and 1964 Nationals and setting a 1964 national record at 11.34.[8] In 1967, the Hrudka Brothers' 1933 panel delivery was a popular wheelstander.[8]

Postwar Willyses were also used (such as the Bremerton, Washington-based Speed Sport Specialties 1954 Willys in B/Gas), but, despite being a better chassis than the 1955-7 Chevrolet, were never as popular as the prewar cars.[9]

Combinations could be unusual. Fujimo, Too! was a B/G 1950 Plymouth business coupé (run by Adler and Trout) with an injected Oldsmobile and Hydro-Motive transmission.[10]

NHRA first licensed women drivers in gas classes in 1963, when Roberta Leighton, member of the Dust Devils Car Club and driver of an injected El Camino, was first admitted.[11]

Throughout the 1960s, the Stickle and Riffle Anglia, based out of the Rod Shop and driven by Bob Riffle, were frequent winners. Their only national titles, however, were B/G at the 1967 Nationals and C/G at the 1968 Nationals.[8] Riffle's best pass in B/Gas was 10.54 seconds at 128.20 mph (206.32 km/h).[8]

At the 1965 Nationals, held at Indianapolis Raceway Park in Indianapolis, Indiana, 1941 Willyses driven by Dick Bourgeous (owned by "Big John" Mazmanian, sponsored by Engle Cams) and Doug "Cookie" Cook (the Stone-Woods-Cook gasser, sponsored by Isky Cams) faced off in A/GS.[12][13] (Cook took the win with a pass of 14.20 seconds at 116.53 mph (187.54 km/h).[14])

Stone-Woods-Cook abandoned A/GS for Top Fuel Funny Car by the start of the 1967 season.[13]

Late model cars were first allowed in the Gas classes in 1967.[13]

Mazmanian would quit the gas classes for fuel funny car in 1968.[13]

Gas classes were eliminated by NHRA in 1972.[15] However, the NHRA still categorises gassers in sportsman categories, and vehicles can run gasoline or alcohol fuel (the latter safer in case of fire). The term "Super Gas" in NHRA refers to the rules that prohibit dragsters and mandate full-bodied cars in that category today.[citation needed]

Engine

Because they were primarily built for racing, these cars typically had the engine swapped to a larger or more powerful one, or the existing stock engine modified (often heavily). It was very common to fit a Roots supercharger modified from original use on General Motors two-cycle diesel truck engines and mechanical fuel injection, manufactured by Algon, Hilborn, or Crower.

Suspension

1955 Chevrolet Bel Air gasser

With form being dictated by function, their appearance is often very top heavy and ungainly, largely due to front ends being raised higher than stock, to assist in the weight transfer during rapid acceleration (racing).[1] Having their exhaust pipes exit through the front fender well is a common characteristic of gassers,[citation needed] as is having bodies painted in flamboyant metalflakes, pearls, and candy finishes complemented by lettering in wild fonts.[citation needed] Most[citation needed] gassers also had ladder bars.

Name

The name arose because they competed in a gasoline-fueled drag racing class, rather than one using methanol or nitromethane.

Named cars

There were a number of cars run under names.[16]

Name Entrant Year and make Class
Agitator Paul Day 1933 Willys BB/GS
Assassination Guzman & Ward 1934 MG AAM/SP
The Bare Dick Shroyer 1939 Chevrolet H/G
The Bird Hunter Ted Walters 1940 Willys C/G
Bonesmobile Special Curt Carroll 1931 Ford A/G
Born Runnin' Willie Johnson 1927 Ford truck A/SR
Boss Hydro Joe Pirrone 1933 Willys AA/G
Cat Skinner Bogan & Renfroe 1941 Willys A/G
Chicken Coupe Ray Moore 1940 Willys B/GS
City of Industry Sam Parriott 1953 & 1963 Kurtis A/SP, AM/SP, AAM/SP
Confusion Courtney Lee Scott 1934 Ford B/GS
Dark Horse Stone-Woods-Finders (driven by Chuck Finders) 1933 Willys B/GS
Dark Horse Too Stone-Woods-Cook (driven by Doug Cook) 1966 Mustang AA/GS
Dirty Thirty Charlie Hill 1933 Willys A/GS
Dogcatcher Keith Ferrell 1933 Willys delivery B/A, BB/A
Filthy Forty Hill & Zartman 1940 Willys C/G
Fire Brewed Chuck Finders 1949 Anglia AA/GS
Flintstone Flyer Dave Koffel 1949 Packard E/G
Flintstone Flyer Too Dave Koffel 1959 Studebaker F/G
Frivilous I Bob & Jim Joffer 1963 Ford B/MP
Fujimo, Too! Adler & Trout 1950 Plymouth B/G
The Gasser Passer "Ohio George" Montgomery Ford Prefect AA/G
Giddy Up Go Joe Lowery 1956 Chevrolet D/G
Here Comes Snoopy Bucky Burk 1949 Anglia B/G
The High and Mighty Jim Parsons 1927 Ford A/SR
Holeshot 6 Tom Langdon 1949 Anglia G/G
The Hammer Dick Becker 1950 Anglia G/G
Hydro Phobia 1931 Ford B/G
Inch Pincher Dean Lowry 1956 Volkswagen Beetle H/G
Irritation Dan Stanton 1940 Willys C/A
Jolly Dolly Bob Bernarden 1939 Chevrolet C/G
Kamikaze Koup Coonrod & Harry 1933 Willys A/GS
The Kentuckian Glen Wothington 1966 Corvette BM/SP
King Kong Kohler Brothers 1951 Anglia A/GS
The Klein Bird Bill Ireland 1965 Mustang A/MP
The Numismatist Allyn Lynch 1941 Willy's B/GS
The Numismatist II Allyn Lynch 1965 Mustang C/GS
Wahoppon Ed Mezzio 1955 Chevrolet B/GS
Wil-A-Meaner Ollie Olsen (driven by Bob "Rapid" Dwyer) 1940 Willys coupé A/G

NHRA National Champions

Source[17]

1955, Great Bend, Kansas

See also: Great Bend, Kansas
Class Entrant Engine Car (year and make) Elapsed time (seconds) Trap speed
A/G Dick Cadwalader Oldsmobile 1933 Ford (not recorded) 96.87 mph (155.90 km/h)
B/G Waterworth/Morris Mercury 1932 Ford (not recorded) 92.15 mph (148.30 km/h)
C/G Howard Johansen 1955 Chevrolet (not recorded) 94.53 mph (152.13 km/h)
D/G M. S. Shephard 1955 Chevrolet (not recorded) 88.40 mph (142.27 km/h)
A/SR Owen Bowling Chrysler 1929 Ford (not recorded) 88.75 mph (142.83 km/h)
B/SR Red Lund Ford 1932 Ford (not recorded) 96.15 mph (154.74 km/h)
C/SR Dale Ham Dodge 1929 Ford (not recorded) 91.64 mph (147.48 km/h)
A/SP Warren Turner Chrysler Allard (not recorded) 104.89 mph (168.80 km/h)
B/SP Ralph Richter 1955 Porsche (not recorded) 84.19 mph (135.49 km/h)

1956, Kansas City, Missouri

See also: Kansas City, Missouri
Class Entrant Engine Car (year and make) Elapsed time (seconds) Trap speed
A/G Wilton Zaiser Oldsmobile 1931 Ford 13.32 108.82 mph (175.13 km/h)
B/G H. L. Davis Chrysler 1940 Ford 14.36 103.32 mph (166.28 km/h)
C/G Earl Dorris Chevrolet 1934 Chevrolet 15.20 94.63 mph (152.29 km/h)
D/G Leland Allega Chevrolet 1956 Chevrolet 15.35 87.29 mph (140.48 km/h)
A/SR Safford & Shores Chevrolet 1929 Ford 13.94 102.04 mph (164.22 km/h)
B/SR John Mulkey Ford 1932 Ford 14.43 99.22 mph (159.68 km/h)
A/SP Jack Jenkins 1956 Corvette 14.52 98.36 mph (158.30 km/h)
B/SP Ralph Richter 1956 MGA 20.13 69.44 mph (111.75 km/h)

1957, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

See also: Oklahoma City
Class Entrant Engine Car (year and make) Elapsed time (seconds) Trap speed
A/G Harry Lawhon Oldsmobile 1933 Ford 13.14 96.25 mph (154.90 km/h)
B/G C. E. Foltin Oldsmobile 1938 Chevrolet 14.07 85.95 mph (138.32 km/h)
C/G Richard C. Jasper Chevrolet 1934 Ford 14.28 96.56 mph (155.40 km/h)
D/G Alan Templin Chevrolet 1951 Ford 14.77 92.78 mph (149.31 km/h)
A/SR Curtis Franke Chevrolet 1924 Model T 13.22 105.88 mph (170.40 km/h)
B/SR Carl Stone Chevrolet 1932 Ford 13.97 98.03 mph (157.76 km/h)
A/SP Don Simmons Buick 1954 Austin-Healey (not recorded) 109.63 mph (176.43 km/h)
C/SP Ernest Grimm 1957 Corvette (not recorded) 99.00 mph (159.33 km/h)

1958, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

Class Entrant Engine Car (year and make) Elapsed time (seconds) Trap speed
A/G Carroll Howard Oldsmobile 1931 Ford 13.53 103.56 mph (166.66 km/h)
B/G Robert "Junior" Johnson Chevrolet 1941 Studebaker 13.13 104.04 mph (167.44 km/h)
C/G Richard C. Jasper Chevrolet 1934 Ford 13.76 99.22 mph (159.68 km/h)
D/G Ron Helfenstein Chevrolet 1940 Ford 13.67 99.44 mph (160.03 km/h)
E/G Jim Spencer Chevrolet 1951 Chevrolet 15.07 90.54 mph (145.71 km/h)
A/SR Carl Johnson Cadillac 1930 Ford 13.52 100.00 mph (160.93 km/h)
B/SR John Mulkey Chevrolet 1932 Ford 13.36 104.65 mph (168.42 km/h)
A/SP Sam Parriott Cadillac 1953 Kurtis (City of Industry) 12.17 122.44 mph (197.05 km/h)
B/SP Don Simmons Buick 1954 Austin-Healey 12.80 116.27 mph (187.12 km/h)
C/SP} Wilson & Croy Ford Spee 19.92 69.98 mph (112.62 km/h)
Little Eliminator Robert "Junior" Johnson B/G 1941 Studebaker

1959, Detroit Dragway

See also: Detroit Dragway
Class Entrant Engine Car (year and make) Elapsed time (seconds) Trap speed
A/G "Ohio George" Montgomery Cadillac 1933 Willys 11.94 124.65 mph (200.60 km/h)
B/G Jim Whitaker Chevrolet 1932 Ford 14.19 92.23 mph (148.43 km/h)
C/G Doug Cook Chevrolet 1937 Chevrolet 13.17 105.88 mph (170.40 km/h)
D/G Ed Coughlin Chevrolet 1955 Chevrolet 14.06 97.71 mph (157.25 km/h)
E/G Johnny Loper 1959 Chevrolet 14.94 93.45 mph (150.39 km/h)
A/SR G. A. Jones Olds 1952 MG 11.61 125.87 mph (202.57 km/h)
B/SR Peter Mattei Chevrolet 1934 Ford 13.05 107.91 mph (173.66 km/h)
AA/SP Bill Jones Lincoln 1957 Thunderbird 16.19 91.74 mph (147.64 km/h)
A/SP Jack Horsley Lincoln 1959 Devin 15.16 93.26 mph (150.09 km/h)
B/SP Andrew Zanca Chevrolet 1954 Corvette 12.96 110.02 mph (177.06 km/h)
C/SP Gil Dunn 1955 Porsche 16.99 81.00 mph (130.36 km/h)
Sports Eliminator Jack Horsley A/SP 1959 Devin
Little Eliminator "Ohio George" Montgomery A/G 1933 Willys

1960, Detroit Dragway

Class Entrant Engine Car (year and make) Elapsed time (seconds) Trap speed
A/GS "Ohio George" Montgomery Cadillac 1933 Willys 12.36 107.65 mph (173.25 km/h)
B/GS Wilton Zaiser Oldsmobile 1941 Willys 11.84 121.29 mph (195.20 km/h)
C/GS Doug Cook Chevrolet 1941 Willys 12.89 119.36 mph (192.09 km/h)
A/G Billy Pate Chrysler 1932 Ford 12.36 113.06 mph (181.95 km/h)
B/G Leonard Grennon Chevrolet 1935 Plymouth 13.40 105.38 mph (169.59 km/h)
C/G Jim Koonce Chevrolet 1955 Chevrolet 14.31 102.04 mph (164.22 km/h)
D/G John Endes Chevrolet 1958 Chevrolet 14.03 100.11 mph (161.11 km/h)
E/G Wilbur Tackett Chevrolet 1955 Chevrolet 15.78 94.14 mph (151.50 km/h)
F/G Thom Prosser Ford 1946 Ford 15.99 85.14 mph (137.02 km/h)
A/GA Al Zerbarini Oldsmobile 1940 Willys 12.61 106.88 mph (172.01 km/h)
B/GA Johnny Loper Oldsmobile 1941 Willys 13.72 108.82 mph (175.13 km/h)
C/GA Tom Hoover DeSoto 1957 Plymouth 14.33 100.67 mph (162.01 km/h)
A/SR Don Cathcart Oldsmobile 1926 Ford 13.52 106.83 mph (171.93 km/h)
B/SR Courtney Lee Scott DeSoto 1934 Ford 13.32 107.27 mph (172.63 km/h)
C/SR Jim Lightcap GMC Model A 15.03 77.5 mph (124.7 km/h)
AM/SP Sam Parriott Cadillac 1953 Kurtis City of Industry 12.29 130.62 mph (210.21 km/h)
BM/SP Dick Valentine Chevrolet 1957 Corvette 13.01 103.80 mph (167.05 km/h)
Street Eliminator Courtney Lee Scott B/SR 1934 Ford
Little Eliminator "Ohio George" Montgomery A/GS 1933 Willys

1961, Indianapolis Raceway Park

See also: Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park
Class Entrant Engine Car (year and make) Elapsed time (seconds) Trap speed
A/GS "Ohio George" Montgomery Cadillac 1933 Willys 10.91 130.63 mph (210.23 km/h)
B/GS Ray Moore Chevrolet 1940 Willys Chicken Coupe 11.76 120.32 mph (193.64 km/h)
C/GS K. S. Pittman Oldsmobile 1941 Willys 12.03 118.89 mph (191.33 km/h)
A/G Ollie Olsen[citation needed] Chevrolet 1940 Willys 11.68 116.27 mph (187.12 km/h)
B/G Junior Garrison Chevrolet 1940 Willys 12.42 112.60 mph (181.21 km/h)
C/G Larry Teter Chevrolet 1932 Ford 13.34 112.00 mph (180.25 km/h)
D/G Joe Hrudka Chevrolet 1957 Chevrolet 12.73 105.26 mph (169.40 km/h)
E/G Jim Koonce Chevrolet 1955 Chevrolet 14.07 96.20 mph (154.82 km/h)
F/G Don Neal Ford 1932 Ford 13.67 99.33 mph (159.86 km/h)
G/G Pete McNicholl Chrysler slant 6 1940 Willys 14.11 96.98 mph (156.07 km/h)
AM/SP Sam Parriott Cadillac 1953 Kurtis City of Industry 11.91 128.20 mph (206.32 km/h)
BM/SP Jerry Osborn Chevrolet Austin-Healey 12.09 117.49 mph (189.08 km/h)
CM/SP Busham/Casazza Chevrolet special 13.16 107.14 mph (172.43 km/h)
A/SR Milton Potter Oldsmobile Model A 11.49 132.55 mph (213.32 km/h)
B/SR Armstrong/Thomas Chevrolet 1932 Ford 12.38 114.79 mph (184.74 km/h)
C/SR Jim Lightcap GMC Ford Model A 13.63 102.04 mph (164.22 km/h)
Street Eliminator Junior Garrison B/G 1940 Willys

1962, NHRA Nationals, Indianapolis Raceway Park

See also: Indianapolis Raceway Park
Class Entrant Engine Car (year and make) Elapsed time (seconds) Trap speed
A/GS Doug Cook (Stone-Woods-Cook) Oldsmobile 1941 Willys 10.59 136.77 mph (220.11 km/h)
B/GS Bill Reeves Chevrolet Willys 11.24 125.34 mph (201.72 km/h)
C/GS Sam Jones (Moody & Jones) Chevrolet 1937 Chevrolet 12.43 113.20 mph (182.18 km/h)
A/G Norm Hall Chevrolet Willys 12.06 120.16 mph (193.38 km/h)
B/G Johnny Loper Chevrolet Willys 12.04 111.11 mph (178.81 km/h)
C/G Larry Teter Chevrolet 1932 Ford 13.37 108.30 mph (174.29 km/h)
D/G Joe Hrudka (Peters & Betz) Chevrolet 1955 Chevrolet[citation needed] 13.37 105.63 mph (170.00 km/h)
E/G Dave Koffel Chevrolet 1949 Packard Flintstone Flyer 13.71 102.85 mph (165.52 km/h)
F/G Jerry Haley GMC 1933 Plymouth 14.76 95.23 mph (153.26 km/h)
A/SR Hugh Tucker Oldsmobile 1928 Chevrolet 11.14 130.24 mph (209.60 km/h)
B/SR Scott Reider Chevrolet 1932 Ford 12.65 112.78 mph (181.50 km/h)
AM/SP Sam Parriott Cadillac 1953 Kurtis City of Industry 12.53 111.80 mph (179.92 km/h)
BM/SP Bones Balogh (J&J Muffler) Chevrolet 1958 Corvette 11.62 124.82 mph (200.88 km/h)
CM/SP James Cornell Chevrolet Corvette 12.75 104.89 mph (168.80 km/h)
DM/SP Jim Friar Triumph 17.10 79.29 mph (127.60 km/h)
Street Eliminator Sam Jones C/GS 1937 Chevrolet

1963, NHRA Nationals, Indianapolis Raceway Park

Class Entrant Engine Car (year and make) Elapsed time (seconds) Trap speed
A/GS "Ohio George" Montgomery Cadillac 1933 Willys 10.45 129.00 mph (207.61 km/h)
B/GS Jack Merkel Chevrolet 1937 Willys 10.95 130.05 mph (209.30 km/h)
C/GS Sam Jones (Moody & Jones) Chevrolet 1937 Chevrolet 11.70 117.80 mph (189.58 km/h)
A/G Gene Altizer Chevrolet 1951 Ford Anglia 11.03 127.84 mph (205.74 km/h)
B/G Ron Hassell Chevrolet 1940 Willys 12.27 116.88 mph (188.10 km/h)
C/G Hill and Zartman Chevrolet 1940 Willys Filthy Forty 12.70 110.42 mph (177.70 km/h)
D/G Gene Moody Chevrolet 1955 Chevrolet 12.58 110.97 mph (178.59 km/h)
E/G Gerald Murphy Chevrolet 1955 Chevrolet 13.54 103.80 mph (167.05 km/h)
F/G Dave Koffel Chevrolet 1949 Packard Flintstone Flyer 13.69 101.80 mph (163.83 km/h)
G/G Bobby Vaughn GMC 1934 Willys 13.79 101.91 mph (164.01 km/h)
H/G Dave DeYoung (DeYoung & Theu) GMC 1952 Chevrolet 14.77 91.83 mph (147.79 km/h)
AA/SR Hugh Tucker Oldsmobile 1928 Chevrolet 11.33 133.33 mph (214.57 km/h)
A/SR Jim Parsons Dodge 1927 Ford 12.17 121.13 mph (194.94 km/h)
B/SR Scott Reider (Reider & Weiler) Chevrolet 1932 Ford 11.98 116.42 mph (187.36 km/h)
C/SR Ferrante & Costanzo Ford 1923 Ford 13.71 98.68 mph (158.81 km/h)
AM/SP Ron Waggoner Chevrolet Austin-Healey 11.52 125.34 mph (201.72 km/h)
BM/SP Ron Hadley Chevrolet Corvette 12.48 114.64 mph (184.50 km/h)
CM/SP Sam Cunningham Chevrolet Corvette 12.21 114.94 mph (184.98 km/h)
DM/SP Bill Waddill 1961 Coventry[clarification needed] 15.24 92.94 mph (149.57 km/h)
Middle Eliminator "Ohio George" Montgomery A/GS Willys
Little Eliminator Dave Strickler A/FX 1963 Chevrolet
Junior Eliminator Scott Reider B/SR 1932 Ford

1964, NHRA Nationals, Indianapolis Raceway Park

Class Entrant Engine Car (year and make) Elapsed time (seconds) Trap speed
A/GS "Ohio George" Montgomery Cadillac 1933 Willys 10.20 138.88 mph (223.51 km/h)
B/GS Jack Merkel Chevrolet 1937 Willys 10.54 134.53 mph (216.51 km/h)
C/GS Sam Jones (Moody & Jones) Chevrolet 1937 Chevrolet 11.70 119.04 mph (191.58 km/h)
A/G Lutz & Lundberg Chevrolet Ford Anglia 10.79 131.19 mph (211.13 km/h)
B/G Ron Hassel Chevrolet 1940 Willys 11.31 121.29 mph (195.20 km/h)
C/G Alan Tschida Chevrolet 1940 Willys 11.97 113.63 mph (182.87 km/h)
D/G Gene Moody Chevrolet 1955 Chevrolet 12.33 111.24 mph (179.02 km/h)
E/G Wes Edwdards Chevrolet 1956 Chevrolet 13.25 102.04 mph (164.22 km/h)
F/G Ferd Napfel Chevrolet 1955 Chevrolet 13.32 102.01 mph (164.17 km/h)
G/G Jerry Haley GMC 1933 Plymouth 12.54 107.39 mph (172.83 km/h)
H/G Dave DeYoung GMC 1952 Chevrolet 14.70 90.18 mph (145.13 km/h)
AA/SR Hugh Tucker Oldsmobile 1928 Chevrolet 11.03 128.93 mph (207.49 km/h)
A/SR Jan Riedel Chevrolet 1932 Ford 11.38 122.78 mph (197.60 km/h)
B/SR Loren McCombs Ford Model A 13.89 (no speed recorded)
C/SR Stan Young Ford Model T 13.29 103.68 mph (166.86 km/h)
AAM/SP Sam Parriott Ford 1963 Kurtis City of Industry 10.62 132.93 mph (213.93 km/h)
AM/SP Joe Lunati Chevrolet Devin Trouble Maker 10.62 132.93 mph (213.93 km/h)
BM/SP Neil Mahr Chevrolet Austin-Healey 11.33 123.95 mph (199.48 km/h)
A/MP Bill Flynn 1964 Dodge 11.95 119.36 mph (192.09 km/h)
B/MP Jess Platt Chevrolet 1957 Corvette 12.12 (no speed recorded)
C/MP Ralph Holloman 1955 Chevrolet 13.26 108.95 mph (175.34 km/h)
D/MP Hoefer Bros. 1956 Chevrolet 13.41 (no speed recorded)
E/MP Pete McNicholl Chrysler slant 6 1933 Plymouth 14.31 93.07 mph (149.78 km/h)
Street Eliminator Joe Lunati Devin Trouble Maker

1965, NHRA Nationals, Indianapolis Raceway Park

Class Entrant Engine Car (year and make) Elapsed time (seconds) Trap speed
A/GS Doug Cook Chrysler 1941 Willys 14.20 116.53 mph (187.54 km/h)
B/GS Billy Holt Chevrolet 1933 Willys 10.94 128.20 mph (206.32 km/h)
C/GS Vinnie Tarantola Chevrolet 1940 Willys 11.45 121.45 mph (195.45 km/h)
A/G Carl Kirk Chevrolet Ford Anglia 10.60 130.43 mph (209.91 km/h)
B/G Jim Oddy Chevrolet Ford Anglia 11.50 116.58 mph (187.62 km/h)
C/G Zakia & Clark Chevrolet 1955 Chevrolet 12.45 108.43 mph (174.50 km/h)
D/G Thurman Taylor Chevrolet 1955 Chevrolet 12.22 112.50 mph (181.05 km/h)
E/G Ray Hausendobler Chevrolet 1956 Chevrolet 13.22 104.77 mph (168.61 km/h)
F/G Ferd Napfel Chevrolet 1955 Chevrolet 13.26 105.67 mph (170.06 km/h)
G/G Elroy Amundson Chevrolet 1948 Ford Anglia 13.06 (no speed recorded)
H/G Dave Ehrmann Chevrolet 1939 Chevrolet 13.90 96.35 mph (155.06 km/h)
AAM/SP Don Noyes Chevrolet 1951 MG TD 10.52 141.50 mph (227.72 km/h)
AM/SP Joe Lunati Chevrolet Devin Trouble Maker 10.33 138.24 mph (222.48 km/h)
BM/SP Pete Ahrends Dodge Corvette 10.95 126.40 mph (203.42 km/h)
AA/SR Al Dauernhelm Chrysler 1929 Ford 10.32 126.93 mph (204.27 km/h)
A/SR Lawlis & Remy Dodge 1923 Ford 10.38 133.33 mph (214.57 km/h)
B/SR Nick Nash Chevrolet 1923 Ford 11.96 116.88 mph (188.10 km/h)
C/SR Joe Cunningham Chevrolet 1923 Ford 12.77 106.25 mph (170.99 km/h)
A/MP Bill "Grumpy" Jenkins 1965 Plymouth 11.11 130.24 mph (209.60 km/h)
B/MP Rufus Boswell Chevrolet 1939 Chevrolet 11.77 118.11 mph (190.08 km/h)
C/MP Ralph Ridgeway Chevrolet 1956 Chevrolet 12.67 112.34 mph (180.79 km/h)
Street Eliminator Ferd Napfel F/G 1955 Chevrolet

1966, NHRA Nationals, Indianapolis Raceway Park

Class Entrant Engine Car (year and make) Elapsed time (seconds) Trap speed
AA/G "Ohio George" Montgomery 427 SOHC 1933 Willys 9.58 153.58 mph (247.16 km/h)
BB/G Billy Holt Chevrolet 1941 Willys 10.97 121.62 mph (195.73 km/h)
CC/G Vinnie Tarantola Chevrolet 1940 Willys 11.36 124.3 mph (200.0 km/h)
A/G Dick Weinle Chevrolet 1949 Anglia 10.57 130.62 mph (210.21 km/h)
B/G Ron Hassell Chevrolet Ford Anglia 10.74 128.38 mph (206.61 km/h)
C/G Bill Carroll Chevrolet 1939 Willys 11.25 121.78 mph (195.99 km/h)
D/G Harry Luzader Chevrolet 1932 Ford 11.72 114.06 mph (183.56 km/h)
E/G Gene Schwartz Chevrolet 1951 Chevrolet 12.98 105.26 mph (169.40 km/h)
F/G Gene Moody Chevrolet 1955 Chevrolet 13.28 105.14 mph (169.21 km/h)
G/G Thomas Langdon Chevrolet Ford Anglia 12.34 114.06 mph (183.56 km/h)
H/G Dave Ehrmann Chevrolet 1939 Chevrolet 13.63 97.19 mph (156.41 km/h)
AA/SR Hugh Tucker Chrysler 1928 Chevrolet 9.75 125.69 mph (202.28 km/h)
A/SR Jim Parsons Chrysler 1927 Ford 10.16 138.46 mph (222.83 km/h)
B/SR Howie Nye Chevrolet 1933 Plymouth 13.84 76.20 mph (122.63 km/h)
C/SR T. J. Cunningham Chevrolet 1923 Ford 11.80 115.38 mph (185.69 km/h)
AAM/SP Guzman & Ward Chevrolet 1958 MGA 9.90 141.40 mph (227.56 km/h)
AM/SP Joe Lunati Chevrolet Devin Trouble Maker 10.31 139.96 mph (225.24 km/h)
BM/SP Bob Schaefer 1966 Corvette 12.04 120.64 mph (194.15 km/h)
CM/SP Marvin Sterling 1959 Corvette 11.60 118.57 mph (190.82 km/h)
DM/SP Dick Moroso 1961 Corvette 13.32 103.21 mph (166.10 km/h)
A/MP Fred Shallcross Chevrolet 1941 Willys 11.40 127.11 mph (204.56 km/h)
B/MP Dave Mosteller Chevrolet 1953 Corvette 11.91 116.27 mph (187.12 km/h)
C/MP Jim Griffith Chevrolet 1957 Chevrolet 12.47 11.66 mph (18.76 km/h)
Street Eliminator Joe Lunati AM/SP Devin Trouble Maker

1967, NHRA Nationals, Indianapolis Raceway Park

Class Entrant Engine Car (year and make) Elapsed time (seconds) Trap speed
AA/G "Ohio George" Montgomery 427 SOHC 1933 Willys 8.92 134.32 mph (216.17 km/h)
BB/G Joe Airoso Chevrolet 1941 Willys 10.48 133.92 mph (215.52 km/h)
CC/G Bill Lindner Chevrolet 1937 Willys 10.91 129.12 mph (207.80 km/h)
A/G Carl Kirk Chevrolet Ford Anglia 9.96 138.67 mph (223.17 km/h)
B/G Bob Riffle Chevrolet Ford Anglia 10.54 128.22 mph (206.35 km/h)
C/G Tony Russo Chevrolet 1941 Willys 11.20 119.60 mph (192.48 km/h)
D/G Jim Rodriguez Chevrolet 1956 Chevrolet 11.64 116.42 mph (187.36 km/h)
E/G Bob Blum Chevrolet 1950 Ford 12.51 108.17 mph (174.08 km/h)
F/G Ferd Napfel Chevrolet 1955 Chevrolet 12.88 106.50 mph (171.40 km/h)
G/G Dick Becker Ford 1950 Ford Anglia 11.42 108.17 mph (174.08 km/h)
H/G Dean Lowery 1965 Volkswagen Beetle 12.88 96.35 mph (155.06 km/h)
I/G Bobby Vaughn GMC 1934 International 14.71 (no speed recorded)
AA/SR Mickey Hart Chrysler 1923 Ford 9.61 152.02 mph (244.65 km/h)
A/SR Larry Weitzel Dodge 1923 Ford 9.84 139.53 mph (224.55 km/h)
B/SR Howie Nye Chevrolet 1933 Plymouth 11.28 121.13 mph (194.94 km/h)
C/SR Buddy Shumaze Chevrolet 1923 Ford 18.18 (no speed recorded)
AAM/SP Lou Abel Chrysle Special 9.40 156.25 mph (251.46 km/h)
AM/SP Dave Kanners Chevrolet 1957 Corvette 9.55 133.13 mph (214.25 km/h)
BM/SP Bill Manning Chevrolet 1957 MGA 10.63 123.22 mph (198.30 km/h)

Notes

  1. ^ A closed body means a solid top (not a convertible). Production means that the model was produced by a major manufacturer in significant numbers.

References

  1. ^ a b Breitenstein, Jeff. Ultimate Hot Rod Dictionary: A-Bombs to Zoomies. MotorBooks International. pp. 96–. ISBN 978-1-61059-235-2.
  2. ^ McClurg, Bob (2013). Diggers, Funnies, Gassers and Altereds: Drag Racing's Golden Age. CarTech. pp. 70–. ISBN 978-1-61325-105-8.
  3. ^ "Night at the Museum: Stone, Woods & Cook Willys". NHRA. 26 July 2016. Retrieved 23 May 2017.
  4. ^ a b c d e Taylor, Thom. (23 November 2016). "Wrenchin' @Random: Why the Rare Willys Was the Go-To Gasser". Hot Rod Network online. Retrieved 19 April 2017.
  5. ^ Burgess, Phil; Editor, NHRA National Dragster. "Saluting U.S. Nationals history: "Ohio George" Montgomery dominates early Nationals". NHRA. {{cite web}}: |last2= has generic name (help)
  6. ^ Davis 2003, p. 170.
  7. ^ Davis 2003, p. 182, Davis credits Olsen as driver
  8. ^ a b c d Davis 2003, p. 13.
  9. ^ Davis 2003, p. 148.
  10. ^ Davis 2003.
  11. ^ Burgess, Phil (4 May 2018). "Carol Cox: NHRA's first class winner". NHRA. Retrieved 16 September 2018.
  12. ^ Davis 2003, p. 184.
  13. ^ a b c d Taylor 2017, p. 9.
  14. ^ Davis (2007), p. 184.
  15. ^ Taylor, "Duel of the Duals" in Hot Rod, April 2017, p.11.
  16. ^ Davis 2003, p. 187–188.
  17. ^ Davis 2003, p. 180–186.

Further reading