Hot Rods 1955 Oklahoma dragster ID

I recently got this dragster and the gentleman I got it from said he understood it was made by a car club in Ada Oklahoma in 1955 and raced, possible with an Olds engine, at the first Nationals in 1955 and in Ardmore Oklahoma.
It’s got an Olds rearend and is a homebuilt chassis the front end may or may not be original with a tube axle and wire wheels.
Any information would be helpful. Thanks!

 

Crude, but coool!

 

Looks pretty long for that era. Great save!

 

Thanks. It’s 13’6. About 6” shorter than my 1960 Chassis Research FED

 

I'd rather be driving the push car than the dragster.

 

You might try posting something on the Ardmore Raceways site. Several of the original Slopokes members that started the track are still around and might know something.

https://ardmoredragway.proboards.com/board/19/ardmore-dragway-history

 

Yeah, a lot of guys ran in Springer (Ardmore) back then. It was pretty crude back then.
I have some old NHRA programs, but I think mine may be later programs. I have 57 for sure. You really need an anchor point for your research. Unfortunately, there were a lot of car clubs in the area during that time. If you had 3 or 4 buddies, they would make up a club name and there you go. I have some friends that are in contact with the old owners of the track that were there from day 1. I’ll ask then if any clubs ring a bell in his memory.

 

Sent an email. Not expecting much, but you never know.

 

Thank you all. I also contacted the County historical society. A historical society is how I got hooked up with the builder and driver of my 1960 rail. I love the cars but I want the history of the people preserved with them. They are usually the neatest part of it all.

 

As a restorer of many vintage dragsters, to be brutally honest, its nothing---the front end at one point has been changed over (by the look of the scab installation) with a much later front axle/torsion assy shoved into the main rails. AS much as I love old dragsters, personally I can understand why it was in a pasture-- sorry.

 

I would hang it from the rafters.....and just look at it.

 

I'd clean up the welds and use it for yard art.

 

It’s nothing but wall art. It’s way too crude and crusty to run. I just want to know more about it

 

The push bar might help if you find some pictures from back then.

 

I got a reply back from my connection to the drag strip in Springer.
I have a name of an old drag racer from Ada that was active during that time frame. Nothing may come of it, but I'll pm you his info.

 

Agree with the post above that note that a new front end with torsion bars was added. If it ran in 1955, it would most likely have a transverse spring front end, so someone cobbled together a new front cross member for a torsion bar suspension...pretty sure the axle is newer than '55. Same with the rear end, as almost all dragsters in '55 ran a Ford banjo. I wish I knew more, there were some very good dragsters running out of Oklahoma in '55...If I find a photo that might be it in Drag News, I'll pass it on.