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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. Stogy
    Joined: Feb 10, 2007
    Posts: 26,345

    Stogy
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    I'll bet Elvis is already dialing it in at the strip Shiny, Proud, N' Nasty...;)
     
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  2. 8track2019.jpg
    It would be great to have you at this years 15th ELTA Summer Bash and Big Go Drags brother......Ross Ward is a great supporter and has been out many times to our gatherings.....with "Bad Moon" or not, you should come and if you want to bring "Bad Moon" out not completely done, I'll give you a very cool spot right up front with some of the other original cars and other non finished cars are parked.....I think at times on our weekend, theirs always a huge crowd around thoses unfinshed race cars....lol......hope you make.
     
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  3. I like the way you think Stogy....lol....but the dragster is still in the body shop. I have the 354 hemi (60 over) done and I'm getting the tranny prepped along with a few more details on the chassis.
     
  4. Here's a few pictures of how well the old fiberglass body came out after blasting off all the old paint and grime....pretty solid considering the body sat out in a field for over 50 years. 57239020_2305314672898308_798778421437005824_n.jpg 57297762_636829410097553_3585928127404048384_n.jpg 57325208_278483309761090_3436645672764309504_n.jpg 57467865_418182982073112_544980849636933632_n.jpg 58374560_436338526909505_3244304431520415744_n.jpg
     
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  5. Stogy
    Joined: Feb 10, 2007
    Posts: 26,345

    Stogy
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    Last edited: Jun 14, 2019
  6. 37012117_628558854191584_4613894198553214976_o.jpg 1961 022.6.jpg 360077-small3.jpg 33coach1.jpg 5w10.jpg 58382653_10155865350876621_5001996720549134336_n.jpg

    Thanks brother....please pass along my best regards to your Dad.....hopefully I'll have the chance to meet you both and talk about those great old days......and show off the old dragster. Here's a few more great pictures from your Dad's time period of action from those early days at or around Kohler Dragway.
     
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  7. 41rodderz
    Joined: Sep 27, 2010
    Posts: 6,540

    41rodderz
    Member
    from Oregon

    Thanks for the reply and updates. 50 years out in the field plus all the wear and tear while racing , I think states to the quality of the materials and workmanship.
     
  8. I'm still hoping to have the "Purple Eater " on display at this years ELTA Big Go Drags. 55495935_2343289612566634_6512588090656161792_n (1).jpg 58847404_2367870483441880_2670649143264804864_n (1).jpg
     
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  9. It was really cool at this years London Speed & Custom Show to have Al Howlett (a original builder from 1957) and Andy Marsh (builder and the driver 1957) drop by to see the old dragster. Also original members from the Fergus Wheelers C.C. even showed up to see the Purple People Eater which they bought the original frame off of in 1961 to use with a flathead and later set a Canadian record. 55782374_2342996269262635_6797086234716930048_o.jpg 54799103_2343288425900086_7893091167724634112_n (1).jpg 54520671_2343288562566739_6095330445891731456_n.jpg 62193605_2394335204128741_7190767176201011200_n.jpg
     
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  10. 54vicky
    Joined: Dec 13, 2011
    Posts: 1,599

    54vicky
    Member

    I think you are enjoying the journey your smile seems to grow with every picture.:D:D
     
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  11. Thanks brother....it's been a long road but the history, the support from others and meeting all th eoriginal guys has been a real blessing......lots more road to go....lol.
     
  12. Stogy
    Joined: Feb 10, 2007
    Posts: 26,345

    Stogy
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    :rolleyes:...That's one Hairy looking Ride @Fast Elvis...:D...Happy New Year Eh! It's always exciting seeing this Beast with Elegance moving Towards the Christmas Tree...;)
     
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  13. So far the body work is going well, even the nose has been fix which was damaged way back in 1959 due to the dragster going off the track after a clutch explosion took out the steering box. Even the old hemi has a new coat of white paint just how it was back in the day. The story continues.....
     
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  14. Thanks Stogy....... I'm aiming for this summer, having her back on the strip. Even the original driver Andy March (84 years old) wants to climb back in for a run....lol...... thanks gain for the kind words and support brother....much appreciated.
     
  15. Keep the updates coming. Awesome so far!
     
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  16. catdad49
    Joined: Sep 25, 2005
    Posts: 6,401

    catdad49
    Member

    Can't wait to see That reunion! Please don't leave us out, Carp.
     
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  17. I'll definitely keep you in the loop Carp...... thanks again for your kind support. 12605385_1740131716215763_707362307323285347_o.jpg
     
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  18. rd martin
    Joined: Nov 14, 2006
    Posts: 2,463

    rd martin
    Member
    from indiana

    very kool!!! cant wait to see it done!
     
  19. best of luck !
     
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  20. A few more body shots...my pal Richard Hilton is working his skills on the old dragster shell. 82773071_2574535469442046_8048694345345269760_n.jpg 83081493_2574535576108702_1588874781233512448_n.jpg 80808565_2560696554159271_495339007744409600_n.jpg
     
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  21. Picture from about 1959 at the track img273.jpg after the dragster had damaged it's nose going off the track due to a clutch explosion taking out the steering box.
     
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  22. quickchangeV8
    Joined: Dec 7, 2010
    Posts: 533

    quickchangeV8
    Member

    Hi Mark. Did the dragster ever make another run again after the crash or was it retired after the mishap? I see you are using a Chrysler 354, which is a big and very heavy engine, and there dosen't look to be much room to fit an engine and transmission in there. What transmission are you using and is the dragster going to be direct drive? Good job and it looks really cool so far.
     
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  23. BSL409
    Joined: Aug 28, 2011
    Posts: 623

    BSL409
    Member

    Very Cool!! Great job!!
     
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  24. rd martin
    Joined: Nov 14, 2006
    Posts: 2,463

    rd martin
    Member
    from indiana

    View attachment 4548878 its going to be fun bud! it sure is looking good! you guys are doing a great job! were off to the roadster show in a couple of days with mine! i sure hope we can get these two cars together for some old school stuff! View attachment 4548878
     
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  25. As you can see QuickchangeV8 the hemi and the tranny fit very well just like back in the day. It's running thehemi as it was the motor of choice as you can see in the old B/W photo below. Yes the Hemi weights over 700lbs but I'm staying true to what this original survivor used. The dragster should be around 1600 lbs with my skinny ass in it......even if the hemi only makes 250 horses at the flywheel it should put be down the 1/4 in the low 11's at 123 - 125 mph.....not too bad. I'f the rail comes in 100 pound lighter I'm close to high 10's at 128 -130mph. You have to remember, this is just a exhibition machine that is pretty well built back to it's 1958 vision..... but it has been well built and will be safe but would never pass tech due to it's roll bar and other things but if I don't go too fast (above 10:00) I shouild be able to make passes on some tracks brother...... that's the idea. Oh and yes, it never ran again in this form after 1959. 38246197_2195094097386187_3046333411569434624_n.jpg 37777225_2187000954862168_5694090941787275264_n.jpg ppe2.jpg
     
  26. Hey brother...it would be a outstanding to have the cars together for a photo shoot, shows 76759961_10156253618012202_3063170160111124480_n (1).jpg and a few match races.....I certainly hope the old drag racing hot rod Gods make that happen for sure.
     
  27. UNSHINED 2
    Joined: Oct 30, 2006
    Posts: 1,164

    UNSHINED 2
    Member

    Outstanding thread! Best of Luck on meeting your timelines.
     
  28. razoo lew
    Joined: Apr 11, 2017
    Posts: 536

    razoo lew
    Member
    from Calgary

    Great build and a great thread. Thanks for keeping us updated, I’d love to see it run.
     
  29. Thanks again gang for all the kind words of support. Like you all, I'm certainly looking forward to sitting in the cockpit and edging the old dragster up to the line at the track sometime this summer.....lol.

    39080116_2207101169518813_3987126648930566144_n.jpg
     

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