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Projects The Original "Purple People Eater" dragster 1957

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by Fast Elvis, Feb 9, 2019.

  1. The Purple People Eater Frame coming along .....it runs a 1934 Ford axle (drilled out), early Ford spindles with 1940 Ford 16x4 rims, early 1940's airplane gas tank cut down, 1950 Olds steering box, 1957 Ford 9" rearend (44") with 4:11 gears and a spool and 1955 Ford master cylinder for the hand brake just to name a few of the rails neat build items. 30707860_2116644721897792_8868747453491314688_n.jpg 30705498_2116729995222598_3915888813825589248_n.jpg 30707860_2116644721897792_8868747453491314688_n.jpg 30709618_2116645615231036_4795118385102848000_n.jpg
     
  2. catdad49
    Joined: Sep 25, 2005
    Posts: 6,401

    catdad49
    Member

    The first couple of pics of the "remains", as you called them, I was very skeptical. Then seeing the body assembled, I thought Yes, that's Better! This is going to be Great and what a Perfect place for the resurrection. Hopefully, someone is on "fire watch" when there's sparks flying with that ancient wooden floor. Keep us posted, Carp.
     
    Hombre, mad mikey, Fast Elvis and 4 others like this.
  3. flatheadpete
    Joined: Oct 29, 2003
    Posts: 10,479

    flatheadpete
    Member
    from Burton, MI

    Holy smokes Mark!! This is beyond cool.
     
    Hombre, Fast Elvis, mgtstumpy and 2 others like this.
  4. I reward you for your perseverance. Good things come to those who don't give up. Thanks for your efforts.
     
  5. 328isJohn
    Joined: Feb 10, 2019
    Posts: 10

    328isJohn
    Member

    I have been lurking on this site for awhile now....
    Two things that caught my eye in this build...Galt Ontario and Galt Strokers Car Club
    I had the pleasure of being friends many many years ago with John "Skunk" Galbraith.
    I wonder if he had done any of the welding on the original chassis and he would have loved to have seen this come back to life.

    Missed the part where the original was built in 57... John would have been 10 years old
     
    Last edited: Feb 10, 2019
  6. Thanks Pete.... hopeing to have her running at this years 15th ELTA Summer Bash & Big Go Drags.
    15thseltasummerbashposter (1).jpg
     
  7. Thanks for the "thumbs up" Carp..... it's all about the passion brother...glad to see her coming back from the grave.
    14856083_675679392588788_8690398506906686099_o.jpg
     
  8. More pic's of the frame construction by my pal Russ Moore.... all from 60 plus year old photo's. 29495947_2105020049726926_3331451130432454656_n (1).jpg 28161865_1583047141778501_6093141291686366192_o.jpg 30710027_2116645651897699_31239053785432064_n.jpg 30705972_2116730365222561_6987963965854711808_n.jpg
     
    kiwijeff, Hombre, UNSHINED 2 and 15 others like this.
  9. Stogy
    Joined: Feb 10, 2007
    Posts: 26,345

    Stogy
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    Last edited: Feb 10, 2019
  10. corncobcoupe
    Joined: May 26, 2001
    Posts: 7,257

    corncobcoupe
    SUPER MODERATOR
    Staff Member

  11. Butch M
    Joined: Oct 14, 2008
    Posts: 1,633

    Butch M
    Member

    mark I know that will be so cool good luck
     
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  12. Howdy Butch...long time brother...thanks for the kind words ..... hope to have her running this summer. Check out my combo package....... 38190270_1807273606015190_4022047614970101760_o.jpg
     
    Last edited: Feb 10, 2019
  13. Stogy..... this web page is done on the Galt Strokers C.C. and the "Purple People Eater" and is run by Chris Howlett the son of Al Howlett who was one of the original members of the Strokers in 1956 and one of the original builders of the dragster back then. Here's a picture of Al Howlett (87 years old) from this past fall outside his home when I pulled the rail over for him to see the progress..... I would say from how he was talking about stories on the rail, he was 25 once again...lol. 42559976_2236517763243820_5686966226698371072_n.jpg
     
  14. Ranchero59
    Joined: Feb 21, 2010
    Posts: 494

    Ranchero59
    Member

    That's awesome. Good luck. Got to love your shop definitely old school.
     
  15. Hard to believe, other then that new piece built on the end, the rest of this under pan is the original belly pan from 1957 that was setting for close to 50 years out in the tall grass..... it has started to buff up well..... still lots to do. 35151416_2145438419018422_7666278287034810368_n.jpg
     
    Last edited: Feb 10, 2019
  16. The "Purple People Eater" got flamed up by a young Kenny Kay back then in around 1959 because the Strokers Car club wanted to do the indoor shows and felt the flames would bring it more attention by the judges at those shows. img255.jpg
     
  17. You can still see those flames today but very faded. 13029679_1264646513557820_8887334071344252222_o.jpg
     
  18. Butch M
    Joined: Oct 14, 2008
    Posts: 1,633

    Butch M
    Member

    love the tow rig its perfect single wheel trailer and on backwards love it
     
    mad mikey, BigO, Fast Elvis and 2 others like this.
  19. Stogy
    Joined: Feb 10, 2007
    Posts: 26,345

    Stogy
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    :rolleyes:...so @Fast Elvis if your going circa 57 there was no flames...are you adding the flames anyways or 1 color with the logo?
     
    Fast Elvis and loudbang like this.
  20. You should see the looks I get Butch when I'm bombing down the highway with the truck and the dragster on the back. I always get people asking me... "What is that?"...lol.... lots think it's a old land speed car. 38614866_2198604867035110_8174137876066336768_n.jpg
     
  21. 31Apickup
    Joined: Nov 8, 2005
    Posts: 3,367

    31Apickup
    Member

    Look forward to following the build, that is a nice tow combo you got there.


    Sent from my iPhone using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
     
    Fast Elvis and loudbang like this.
  22. Good question brother..... I'm shooting for the early look without the flames. When I told the original Strokers this they all confessed they liked it with out the flames..... so no flames but with that bold "Strokers" writing across it's centre section and it also had pinstripping on its front nose and rear section.
    img258.jpg
     
  23. Stogy
    Joined: Feb 10, 2007
    Posts: 26,345

    Stogy
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    Flames aren't for everything but that was one hell of a set of beautiful vintage pulled licks...the car wears either look with style...but perhaps you may reconsider...if not the pics are still around...
     
  24. paul55
    Joined: Dec 1, 2010
    Posts: 3,490

    paul55
    Member
    from michigan

    Really like the early look!
     
  25. Butch M
    Joined: Oct 14, 2008
    Posts: 1,633

    Butch M
    Member

    I like the early look myself but it will be so cool anyway you do it Mark its good to see ya back cant wait to see it done good luck brother
     
  26. Nice.....great y'all are bringing it back ! Best of luck........!
     
    mad mikey, Fast Elvis and loudbang like this.
  27. Once we got the floor pad off ...it turns out to be a old gas sign.....lol.... back then money was always tight so anything you could get your hands on could be made to work.
    27858729_2086914358204162_7839216795146004748_n.jpg
     
  28. Doing the first trail fit of the hemi betwen the rails....is it me our does that hemi now make the dragster look alot smaller....lol.
    31318116_2122145231347741_3533831870615650304_n.jpg
     
  29. loudbang
    Joined: Jul 23, 2013
    Posts: 40,276

    loudbang
    Member


    What is the "opening" just ahead of the wheel before the aluminum starts?
     

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