Projects The Original "Purple People Eater" dragster 1957

I don’t know how I have missed this thread. This is too cool.

 

Hey Jnaki.....here's the write up on Ken Kay the painter who originally flamed the dragster back in the late 50's...Ken went on to be a great painter and well known Canadian Hot Rodder back in the 1960's....he's a great guy.

 

Welland . That brings back memories of racing on the street and trying to get races with the locals at the Mickey D’s. A couple of Mopars wouldn’t do it no matter how much goading we tried. We knew what they had even if they didn’t know we knew because we were out of towners.

 

This past weekend after going over the original streamliner body and working out some low and high spots it was time to fit the body back onto the frame to see how close we are for fit and straightness. It was such a nice warm sunny day on Saturday morning it was great to let in the natural light. The old dragster looked pretty good from all angles....there's still a few spots but it's definitely getting closer.

 

Lookin' good Mark!

 

It's been a while since I've had the dragster out but got a invite to a drag racers 80th birthday from his family so we blew off the shop dust , grabbed the trailer and truck and peeled out to the party. It was pretty cool to see how this old dragster put smiles on so many faces.

 

Got the old hemi/tranny put in between the rails this morning.....noticed a few changes that have to be made but glad to see the old beast slowly coming together.

 

I had a big surprise today when I walked into the shop.... my pal Richard Hilton had laid down the original shade of purple...it looked outstanding. There's still more to do but the list is getting shorter.....the story continues.

 

Fast Elvis,

That looks great! The purple really pops against the white of the frame and suspension components. You guys have come a long way from the first pictures of the car. Keep up the good work!

Steve

 

Wowie...that looks awesome @Fast Elvis...I'll bet that cracked an ear to ear smile when you saw it...

 

Outstanding.

 

Hello fast elvis, just read the post start to (finish) this morning. Thanks for the history lesson, and the grate people involved. Grate to see all the smiles that car is putting on faces in this uncertain time. All the very best to you keep up the good work.

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Looks GREAT. Smiles all around time.

 

Much appreciated Steve..... I'm blessed to have some talented pals that feel the same passion towards this stuff as myself..... thanks again brother!!

 

Thanks fegsta .... its been a long road but the old streamliner is coming back from the grave....lol..... thanks again!

 

Even Andy Marsh (83 years old) the original driver and his wife dropped in to see his old dragster..... there were a few tears and silence as he walked around his "Purple People Eater" and thought of those days 63 years a go when he drove this beast....it was very cool moment.

 

The fact that you have come this far, and for the original driver to see it, is fantastic. Yes, he deserves the tears in his eyes for great memories. You did well, and did well for him.

 

To me, this is a big reason for what this "hot rod thing" is all about...maybe the biggest reason.

 

wow it looks great

 

My pal Martin who's a great racing photographier made this up after seeing the dragster..... great to have fellow friends that support the cause.

 

Fantastic job of bringing this old dragster back to life! Really enjoyed this thread.

 

That is so cool. Do you think you would be able to sell thoes as prints? Very very cool.

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One of the most enjoyable threads on the hamb .

 

Fantastic job. Way to bring back a piece of racing history!

 

Looks fantastic Mark, you guys did one hell of a job on bringing it back !

 

I thought this would look cool to see the progress over the past 5 years....lol..... it's been a dream to find this dragster and a true adventure to restore. There's been some challenging moments along the way but seeing the dragster in colour and looking at old Andy Marsh the original driver showing emotions when he saw the "Purple People Eater" in colour for the first time since 1959 was very surreal. I should also mention it's been a road that my talented friends have traveled with me and their great skills have made this restoration a reality ....thanks to them and thanks to all of my HAMB pals for their support and good words. It's much appreciated brothers.

 

Dang...Hope I get to see it in person. Great job...Like there were any doubts it would be anything less than stellar!

 

Hello fast elvis, Mark. What do you think to a little purple people eater? My son got this many years ago but wanted it built but didn't want to get involved with the build, so now I have seven grand kids and my eldest grandson is very into rods customs so it's his turn to see if he will get involved with the build. If thay don't and just want it dun then I'm afraid it will go back up the loft. They need to be hands on in this day and age, I don't like to see them stuck in front of a screen for hours on end. And again that car of yours is super cool.

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Thanks Pete for the good words brother.

 

That is the coolest little body I've ever seen fegsta. If I was a young lad, I'd be all over that build and I be thinking I had the coolest grandfather on the street. Wow..... where did you ever find that body?