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History The First Belly Tank

Discussion in 'Traditional Hot Rods' started by Ryan, Jul 31, 2009.

  1. Ryan
    Joined: Jan 2, 1995
    Posts: 21,632

    Ryan
    ADMINISTRATOR
    Staff Member

  2. Wow - fantastic history. That must have been an insane ride.
     
  3. hugh m
    Joined: Jul 18, 2007
    Posts: 2,143

    hugh m
    Member
    from ct.

    A bicycle seat! Makes the early midgets look safe.
     
  4. Little Wing
    Joined: Nov 25, 2005
    Posts: 7,505

    Little Wing
    Member
    from Northeast


  5. ratster
    Joined: Sep 23, 2001
    Posts: 3,588

    ratster
    Member

    wow, that thing is cool and little
     
  6. Cripes. That's awesome...I wonder if the new car will be on the salt next week?
     
  7. Mr48chev
    Joined: Dec 28, 2007
    Posts: 33,861

    Mr48chev
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    Thanks for the early morning history lesson. That car probably helped make one of the biggest changes in land speed racing that still works even now. It looks like the recreation pretty well captures the spirit of the original car even with the noticeable differences. 120+ in that car in the late 40's must been one exciting ride.


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  8. kurtis
    Joined: Mar 13, 2009
    Posts: 2,001

    kurtis
    Member
    from Australia

    Gotta give alot of respect to racers of years past. Bill Burke is most certainly the pioneer of the teardrop shaped race car in America and the WWII tanks are still used today. Amazing.
    The guys behind this recreation also need a pat on the back. Beautiful car.
     
  9. AnimalAin
    Joined: Jul 20, 2002
    Posts: 3,416

    AnimalAin
    Member

    Very cool. Bill Burke is a legendary racer, and one of the nicest men on the planet. It is really great that our history has been reclaimed.
     
  10. bad ass,thanks for the friday afternoon history lesson
     
  11. Porter Man
    Joined: Oct 14, 2007
    Posts: 377

    Porter Man
    Alliance Vendor
    from Mound, MN

    Way cool! I love those old belly tank cars. My dad use to race one on the salt flats.
     
  12. That is too cool, just yeaterday I was looking at that belly tank on the internet, and here it is.
     
  13. metaljon
    Joined: Mar 4, 2005
    Posts: 16

    metaljon
    Member
    from california

    Thank You!!! Just passing through Ogden, Utah and saw some salvage tanks and just wondered who thought of the 1st Belly Tank. Now I know. Amazing......
     
  14. Jeem
    Joined: Sep 12, 2002
    Posts: 5,882

    Jeem
    Alliance Vendor

    It'll be there.....There will be a presentation of sorts and make a deal out of it.
     
  15. duste01
    Joined: Nov 5, 2006
    Posts: 1,213

    duste01
    Member

    I would love to take a shot in something like that. Thats good stuff there.
     
  16. poofus1929
    Joined: Jan 29, 2008
    Posts: 897

    poofus1929
    Member
    from So Cal

    What a cool story and cool little race car. Thats awesome.
     
  17. scootermcrad
    Joined: Sep 20, 2005
    Posts: 12,382

    scootermcrad
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

  18. 1950ChevySuburban
    Joined: Dec 20, 2006
    Posts: 6,187

    1950ChevySuburban
    Member Emeritus
    from Tucson AZ

    Thank you, Mr. Burke, for starting something cool and exciting!

    Great history lesson Ryan! Thanks man!
     
  19. justanotherguy
    Joined: Apr 19, 2007
    Posts: 197

    justanotherguy
    Member

    I've been intrigued by this car from the first time I saw pictures of it.
    Some vintage shots showed up recently in Hop Up vol X. pp 122 and 123 and in Hop Up vol 9 p 117.
     
  20. I've known Bill from his early days selling advertising for McMullen, to the 80's at Bonneville when he and his son were thrashing on that blown Avanti.
    I'm thrilled that this project has been completed, and he will be there to see it.
     
  21. Brewton
    Joined: Jun 24, 2005
    Posts: 884

    Brewton
    Member

    Man.... a bicycle seat?! Talk about "seat of your pants" driving... how about "crack of your ass" (LOL)!
    Great History!
     
  22. A few years ago one of the "rags" published a list of the 100 most important/influential early hot rodders. Bill was not on the list. Made the whole exercise suspect.
     
  23. Ted Kempgens
    Joined: Jan 8, 2007
    Posts: 205

    Ted Kempgens
    Member
    from Florida

    Ryan, Great write up, Thanks. This has been a fun project from start to finish. Big thanks to all that helped as well as Bill himself for giving us the reason. Thanks Guy's for all the positive comments. Ted Kempgens
     
  24. JeffreyJames
    Joined: Jun 13, 2007
    Posts: 16,628

    JeffreyJames
    Member
    from SUGAR CITY

    I just get over how far one sticks out of a 165 gallon tank. Holy Shit I would have shat approaching 55 MPH. It's like sitting on a Sea Doo.

    Rad post, and I am glad to see someone recreating the tank that started it all.
     
  25. Ted Kempgens
    Joined: Jan 8, 2007
    Posts: 205

    Ted Kempgens
    Member
    from Florida

    Just thought I'd add this picture. Ted
     

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  26. rrhyne56
    Joined: Jan 16, 2007
    Posts: 3

    rrhyne56
    Member

    Wow wow wow! What a piece of history! Fair scares to consider sitting in that thing bombing across the flats.

    Now, how to make it street legal....
     
  27. woodbox
    Joined: Jul 11, 2005
    Posts: 1,231

    woodbox
    Member

    Inspiring....simply Inspiring!
     
  28. Slim Pickens
    Joined: Dec 15, 2008
    Posts: 3,343

    Slim Pickens
    Member

    131 mph on a bicycle seat. TUFF STUFF. Thanks Ryan. Slim
     
  29. RAY With
    Joined: Mar 15, 2009
    Posts: 3,132

    RAY With
    Member

    Awesome,wild and strange. I can handle the complete package --less the bicycle seat--Makes my ass hurt just looking at the picture but what a cool deal!
     

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