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History Why so few sedan gas class cars?

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by II FUNNY, Sep 9, 2012.

  1. II FUNNY
    Joined: Jul 31, 2010
    Posts: 1,838

    II FUNNY
    Member

    I was wondering why there were so few sedan gas class cars?
    I understand your top gas cars were really light and so these were mostly small cars, but what about c/g on down? If the idea was to move the weight of the car up and back on the rear wheels , then wouldn't it have been an advantage to start with a sedan? If I am correct they were only allowed to have 150lbs. of removeable ballast, so having a sedan would have allowed you to have ballast there before adding any correct? The glass and sheetmetal at the back of a sedan was at least 12" farther back than on a coupe, so technically they would transfer weight better right?

    I thought someone on here would have to know why?
    Was it a looks thing?(most comp cars were not about looks)
     
  2. II FUNNY
    Joined: Jul 31, 2010
    Posts: 1,838

    II FUNNY
    Member

  3. newjersm3
    Joined: Oct 26, 2005
    Posts: 120

    newjersm3
    Member

    Wives and kids don't really care for open headers?
     
  4. Most tri five chebbies were 2 door sedans. :D

    I can't answer your question, I think that the coupes got more paper because coupes are more popular. The class was called gas coupe/sedan for a long time.
     

  5. Don's Hot Rods
    Joined: Oct 7, 2005
    Posts: 8,319

    Don's Hot Rods
    Member
    from florida

    Probably one reason is that coupes were considered to be cool and sedans were for Grandpap. I'm sure weight had a lot to do with it too.

    There were some notable exceptions because a few guys built 4 door Willys into gassers, as well as some 32 Ford Tudors I can remember seeing. But the majority of guys who went out looking for gasser material first looked for a coupe.

    Don
     
    Andamo likes this.
  6. 50dodge4x4
    Joined: Aug 7, 2004
    Posts: 3,534

    50dodge4x4
    Member

    Sedans just weren't as cool as a coupe.

    Most sedans were a couple hundred lbs heavier then their coupe counterpart.

    The cheapest way to go faster is to start with a lighter car. Gene
     
  7. I think that being stylish is the biggest part of the equation.

    My '38 tudor was a 2800 lb car, what did a tri five chevy weigh from the factory?
     
  8. Because the right wheels don't look good on a sedan
     
  9. Don's Hot Rods
    Joined: Oct 7, 2005
    Posts: 8,319

    Don's Hot Rods
    Member
    from florida

    Here are a few I found with a quick search:

    Don

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]
     
  10. II FUNNY
    Joined: Jul 31, 2010
    Posts: 1,838

    II FUNNY
    Member

    I know there were a few Studebaker sedans too, but I was wondering if what I was thinking made sense? If your going to lighten the car as much as possible then add ballast at the back wouldn't a sedan be a better choice from the start?

    I guess I would probably have run a coupe too because they do look cooler (Austins Anglias excluded)
     
  11. Unless they were crager's of course.:D
     

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  12. jcmarz
    Joined: Jan 10, 2010
    Posts: 4,631

    jcmarz
    Member
    from Chino, Ca

    you guys need help from Dr. Phil. Tri-5 sedans rule
     

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    volvobrynk likes this.
  13. HA HA No shit!
     
  14. Larry T
    Joined: Nov 24, 2004
    Posts: 7,875

    Larry T
    Member

    I don't think I ever saw an Anglia (or Austin) coupe. :D

    OK, before everyone starts posting pictures, I know there were "late model" Anglia coupes.
     
  15. cheveey57
    Joined: Mar 11, 2010
    Posts: 676

    cheveey57
    Member

    Never a fan of the sedan the roofline is a bit longer and the hardtop is just sportier and lighter ( for racing)
     
  16. Larry T
    Joined: Nov 24, 2004
    Posts: 7,875

    Larry T
    Member

    I'm pretty sure a sedan is lighter than a hardtop.
     
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  17. cheveey57
    Joined: Mar 11, 2010
    Posts: 676

    cheveey57
    Member

    Damned if aren't right Larry the hardtop is heavier by @ 40 lbs. Go figure.
     
  18. el Scotto
    Joined: Mar 3, 2004
    Posts: 4,698

    el Scotto
    Member
    from Tracy, CA

    Yep, I'm going to go with the "Four Doors are for Dorks" sentiment. :eek:
     
  19. flatheadpete
    Joined: Oct 29, 2003
    Posts: 10,479

    flatheadpete
    Member
    from Burton, MI

    That Vicky is sssooooo cool. Damn.
     
  20. 'Cause too many guys are coupe'd up!
     
  21. southern thunder
    Joined: Mar 14, 2012
    Posts: 226

    southern thunder
    Member

    I saw a 48 anglia "coupe" at a streetrod meet once, somebody cut it up to make a 3 window. personally, I thought it looked awful. as for sedans, (4dr.)The gasserpasser in orginal form, and the Jr. thompson built prefect are 2 bad rides. as well as some austin devons, and willys sedans. imo.
     
  22. Normbc9
    Joined: Apr 20, 2011
    Posts: 1,121

    Normbc9
    Member

    These are all sedans or wagons aren't they? Still running too.
    Normbc9
     

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  23. jimmy1931
    Joined: Jan 13, 2012
    Posts: 728

    jimmy1931
    Member

    This is officially a 5 passenger coupe according to Chevrolet & the title, but most people call it a sedan.:)
     

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  24. BOBBYA312
    Joined: Feb 12, 2006
    Posts: 140

    BOBBYA312
    BANNED
    from Ala

    Couple of Willys sedans that ran locally but were national record holders. Paul Contorno/Glenn Houser "Worlds Wildest Willys" C (?) Gas record holder-can't find a picture. Another was the "Chicken Picker" belonged to Bill and M.A Madden D (?) Gas record holder. These cars had small C.I. SBC and screamed when they left the line at the Mountain.
     

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  25. Sphynx
    Joined: Jan 31, 2009
    Posts: 1,141

    Sphynx
    Member
    from Central Fl

    Owww that takes my breath away. That is a beautiful sedan / coupe. I was going to say when I see a sedan pre 50 I think station wagon....... But you shut my mouth before I could open it.
     
  26. Rocky Famoso
    Joined: Mar 30, 2008
    Posts: 3,000

    Rocky Famoso
    BANNED

    The term Sedan does not necessarily mean it is a four-door.
    Most Gassers in the lower classes were two door sedans because they were lighter than a four door, and had more body rigidity than a hard top due to the "B" pillar (center post). Usually cheaper to.
    .
     
  27. Rusty O'Toole
    Joined: Sep 17, 2006
    Posts: 9,657

    Rusty O'Toole
    Member

    4 doors weren't cool. The younger crowd doesn't have the prejudice against sedans because, there aren't any cool cars made anymore anyway.

    A few guys used station wagons and sedan deliveries because they had more weight over the back wheels. But that level of dedication, to give up cool looks to go fast, was rare.
     
  28. jimmy1931
    Joined: Jan 13, 2012
    Posts: 728

    jimmy1931
    Member

    Everyone calls my '31 a sedan. It is officially a 5 passenger coupe..
     

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  29. Dale Fairfax
    Joined: Jan 10, 2006
    Posts: 2,585

    Dale Fairfax
    Member Emeritus

    I don't think it ran in a Gas coupe/sedan class but Jack Roush (and his partner Wayne Gapp) tore 'em up with a 4 door Maverick.
     

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