Jive-Bomber submitted a new blog post: Sexiest Dragster of the 50s? Continue reading the Original Blog Post
The Glass Slipper came to my mind too, I saw it run at SIR, 'thought it looked kinda cool in the pits But when it smoked the tires for what seemed like the entire strip it went from cool to awsome.
OK, I am obviously a little biased, but my late Grandfathers dragster is my pick. See my avatar and link in my signature for additional pics and history.
Sorry, can't post photos today. But if you can't wait, click link below. THE sexiest thing held up by four wheels, ever. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/?p=25814
Jack Williams, Syndicate, Scuderia Racing Team. The A/D looks to fit right in with the other dragsters posted. I am Butch/56sedandelivery.
At the 1958 (Oakland) National Roadster Show, George Barris/Richard Peters' Ala Kart '29 RPU won the America's Most Beautiful Roadster award ... and Romeo Palamides' dragster won the America's Best Competition Car award: The "World's Most Beautiful Dragster" was featured in the December 1958 issue of CAR CRAFT magazine: In the early '90s, the car was cloned ... it currently resides in the Justice Brothers Automotive Museum:
From @TRJ's coverage of the 2015 California Hot Rod Reunion: Only at Bakersfield can you see a Westergard custom push-starting an original ’50s survivor slingshot. Mike Hegarty, the son of the late Ed Hegarty, is the caretaker of both the Bertolucci-Ohanesian ’40 Merc convertible sedan and the flathead-powered “Silhouette” dragster. The two-car team received the CHRR Cacklefest award, which is given to participants who best capture the spirit of the event with their era-correct push car/dragster combinations. (Photo by Marc Gewertz/NHRA) It’s always exciting to watch cars come out of the woodwork to be seen by the masses, such as the unrestored “Silhouette” dragster. The flathead-powered slingshot was built in 1954 and is owned by Mike Hegarty. (Photo by @Tom davison)
I'm no expert (well, we all know that) but that Cook & Bedwell reproduction has always looked just not quite right to me. Too bright of blue, a little too shiny, the lettering different than when it set the record at Colton (I was there -- see my picture on the cover of Hot Rod -- I'm the guy in the Levi's and white T-shirt). One of the greatest early dragsters, but not really that sexy, either.
That's true of almost A:: "recreated" or "restored" anything! I see "restored" early funny cars finished like Rolls Royces.AND, speaking of Rolls Royces, look at "restored" WW2 aircraft! Half of them are shiney, look like Cerny just painted them, couldn't be more UNAUTHENTIC!!! My rant!
For me glass slipper (when I put a canopy on my front and rear motor car, people would refer to the slipper) , and Gene Adams shark. But forget the cars I like the girl in Art's car.
hugh m : I was also wondering when someone would mention Jocko's dragster that looked more like a Bonneville car than a quarter-miler? circa '58(?)
Hello, Since we were always at Lions Dragstrip from 58-60 as young kids, we saw a lot of the early drag racers. There were so many FEDs racing with all kinds of powerful motors and innovations. But for safety? Sometimes the heads were over the top of the roll bars. What? We were always impressed with the white FED of Kenny Lindley/Don Hampton at Lions Dragstrip. He was always challenging the top FEDs (1 RED) of the day with their white, full body dragster. We just happened to be filming when he was making a run or two. Kenny Lindley 1959 Who was he challenging? None other than Jack Chrisman in the original Sidewinder by Joe Maillard. Jack Chrisman/Joe Maillard Sidewinder These were my two favorites from Lions Dragstrip in 58-59. Sleek lines, fast, powerful, streamlined and from opposite ends of the spectrum. Jnaki film clips for JB: Hank Vincent at the Bakersfield Smokers meet. film clips for JJ: Art Chrisman at Riverside Raceway in 1959, including the controversial start vs Don Garlits.