Projects Jr Chassis Research Build

My son is of age where he has started going to the nostalgia races with me and wanted his own race car. While he is to young for any real racing, I thought it would cool to build him his own scaled down version of a late 50's Chassis Research Front Engine Dragster.

We found a donor kart and went to work.


A little fun cutting the donor kart apart


Getting started


Taking shape

 

Found some spoke wheels for the front.


Had to narrow both front and rear axles. Front axle mocked up and found a nice spun aluminum tank for it


Had to get the steering to the front and around the motor - Chain drive.

 

that's awesome!!!!

 

Very cool indeed

 

dad of the year

 

Now that is just plain COOL!!!!!!!!!!!! Tim Jones

 

Thanks. He is getting excited about it being done.

Gave it the drilled axle look, while also using that as a guide for the steering.


Steering just about done.

 

Very cool.... I'm 47 and I want one (a little wider cage please)

 

Getting the steering finished up. Rear axle tacked in place.

 

Get 'em hooked while they're young.

 

He's definitely hooked.

Had a steering wheel off of an old FED and thought it would be a good fit. Started working on seats and have the engine centered up.

 

In 1956 my Dad ( RIP ) and I built a go cart from 2 inch tubing and put a chain saw motor on it. I was hooked, I was 8 years old. I'll be 66 in May and not a day goes by I don't think about him and all the cars we worked on together since that go cart all those years ago. You may think you're building a car for him, and you are, but you're really building memories. Great job, on the dragster, and in life.

 

Been a dad now for 7months and the Hamb really reminds and guides me to what's most important in life...... Dragsters! But really your a awsome father!

 

very good, a good dad......keep it up

 

What's your plan for the driveline or chain? Tim Jones

 

I am using a jack shaft setup and will bring the chain and gears to the side of the cart, much like a mini bike. Once the body panels and firewall are on, they will keep him safe from the moving parts.

Here is a picture of it mocked up.

 

Keep up the good work, both on the project and the boy. My father helped me a lot too back in the early days of Go-Karts(mid/late 50's)

 

Neat build, I have an old pr of "no name" 18x8x8 jr dragtser slicks for a 12.90 jr (they are basically golf cart tires with no tread), if you want them I'll give them to you if your intrested. I don't have any use for them.

 

I'm game for some 8'' tires. It currently has a 6'' wheel on the rear, but I am wanting to go with a 8'' to make it more proportional to the kart. I'll send you a pm.

 

Man, what a lucky kid and what a great dad. The two of you will remember this forever.

 

Here it is rolling. Ready to fire up for some testing.

 

My boy is 17 months. Starting to assemble parts in the morning! Outstanding job Dad!

 

That thing is Awesome!

What a way to school the next generation of Hot Rodders!
T

 

Thanks. It's been a lot of work, but well worth it. My son is getting excited and asked daily how much is left to do.

 

Very cool...I ran the full-sized Chassis Research TE-440 in the early '60's, this is really close -- great work!

 

Thanks. I pulled up as many pictures as I could to try to make it identical.

 

Started forming the body.

 

Very Kool , I bet dad has a shit eating grin going on !

 

A little test drive. Still have to finish the tin work, but first time out went went well.

 

That Looks GREAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!,,, Tim Jones