Gasser (car)
| Gasser | |
|---|---|
 Two gassers racing | |
| Overview | |
| Model years | 1950s to early 1970s |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Hot rod |
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
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
| 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
| 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
| 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
| 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
| 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
| 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
- ^ 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
- ^ a b Breitenstein, Jeff. Ultimate Hot Rod Dictionary: A-Bombs to Zoomies. MotorBooks International. pp. 96–. ISBN 978-1-61059-235-2.
- ^ McClurg, Bob (2013). Diggers, Funnies, Gassers and Altereds: Drag Racing's Golden Age. CarTech. pp. 70–. ISBN 978-1-61325-105-8.
- ^ "Night at the Museum: Stone, Woods & Cook Willys". NHRA. 26 July 2016. Retrieved 23 May 2017.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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) - ^ Davis 2003, p. 170.
- ^ Davis 2003, p. 182, Davis credits Olsen as driver
- ^ a b c d Davis 2003, p. 13.
- ^ Davis 2003, p. 148.
- ^ Davis 2003.
- ^ Burgess, Phil (4 May 2018). "Carol Cox: NHRA's first class winner". NHRA. Retrieved 16 September 2018.
- ^ Davis 2003, p. 184.
- ^ a b c d Taylor 2017, p. 9.
- ^ Davis (2007), p. 184.
- ^ Taylor, "Duel of the Duals" in Hot Rod, April 2017, p.11.
- ^ Davis 2003, p. 187–188.
- ^ Davis 2003, p. 180–186.
Further reading
- Davis, Larry (2003). Gasser Wars: Drag Racing's Street Classes, 1955-1968. CarTech. ISBN 978-1884089770.
- Davis, Larry (2007). Gasser Wars: Drag Racing's Street Classes, 1955-1968. CarTech. ISBN 978-1-932494-66-2.
- Magnante, Steve (2010). How to Build Altered Wheelbase Cars. CarTech. ISBN 978-1-934709-26-9.
- Taylor, Thom (March 2017). "Gone Gassers". Hot Rod.
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