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Projects Olds Powered Dragster - Supposedly There's History Here!

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by Low-Blow, Oct 28, 2021.

  1. Low-Blow
    Joined: Apr 6, 2009
    Posts: 276

    Low-Blow
    Member

    I first saw this dragster about a year ago. I was up in Wichita Falls, Texas buying a 40 Ford frame for my 29AV8 project. The guy had a ton of old cars around. I noticed this dragster sitting in the weeds, and it intrigued me. The story I was told was that it was built from a picture of Eddie Hill's first dragster. And, that it was used in a Penzoil Infomercial. It did not actually run, but it was pulled across the set. Fast forward to last week, after thinking about it off an on, I decided to make an offer. He accepted and I drove up first thing the next morning and picked it up.

    I'm not sure that I have anything with real history, but I still think it's so cool! For grins, I did send an email to Eddie Hill's Fun Cycles to see if they could confirm or deny the story. They responded and said that they would forward it, as well as the pics, along to Eddie. So, I'm just waiting to hear back. Meanwhile, I've been looking the engine over a little bit. It sat outside, uncovered, for many years. It is locked up tight! I pulled the plugs and sprayed PB Blaster in each hole. I also pulled the valve covers and soaked the push rods and rocker assembly. I will likely just pull it all down and see if there is any damage to the block. I do know that it has one broken rocker arm. I'm not an Oldsmobile guy, but I think this is a 324 from 1955. If not, maybe someone can help identify it.
    Dragster 1.jpg Dragster 2.jpg Dragster 3.jpg Dragster 4.jpg Dragster 6.jpg Dragster 7.jpg Dragster 8.jpg Dragster 14.jpg Dragster 15.jpg
     
  2. Low-Blow
    Joined: Apr 6, 2009
    Posts: 276

    Low-Blow
    Member

    Dragster 17.jpg Dragster 18.jpg Dragster 19.jpg Dragster 20.jpg Dragster 21.jpg Dragster 22.jpg
     

    Attached Files:

  3. 51504bat
    Joined: May 22, 2010
    Posts: 4,758

    51504bat
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    Try a 50/50 mix of ATF and Acetone instead of PB Blaster.
     
  4. Wanderlust
    Joined: Oct 27, 2019
    Posts: 788

    Wanderlust

    I sure hope that you took pictures of the rest of the iron sitting in that yard!
     
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  5. Stogy
    Joined: Feb 10, 2007
    Posts: 26,345

    Stogy
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    Neato...it looks like an early 50s go fast...yeah...looks like a gold mine of tin indeed...congrats and that'd be a thrill at the Trog and other early drag events...
     
    Last edited: Oct 28, 2021
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  6. hotrodjack33
    Joined: Aug 19, 2019
    Posts: 4,129

    hotrodjack33
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  7. Low-Blow
    Joined: Apr 6, 2009
    Posts: 276

    Low-Blow
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  8. Stogy
    Joined: Feb 10, 2007
    Posts: 26,345

    Stogy
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    Lucky those pickers are into so many other things I mean they take the odd Vintage Hotrod or car/truck but they don't clean up shop...
     
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  9. Low-Blow
    Joined: Apr 6, 2009
    Posts: 276

    Low-Blow
    Member

    He has an absolutely incredible motorcycle collection. And, he has tons of cool old hot rod stuff. But, a lot of it is not for sale.
     
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  10. Yep......he beat me down on a quick change I had at Pate - didn't matter because I made some money on it - he took it down to his spot and raised $200 over my ask - funny guy he is. He's got a lot of M/C stuff - why Mike and crew were there - and thanks for cleaning up the place a little - his kids thank you !

    He's on the old Jacksboro Hwy out South West of Wichita Falls - maybe a goggle search ?
     
  11. raven
    Joined: Aug 19, 2002
    Posts: 4,698

    raven
    Member

    I'd be hard pressed to leave it as it. I'd be trying to keep the original feel and still improve it a bit.
    r
     
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  12. Stogy
    Joined: Feb 10, 2007
    Posts: 26,345

    Stogy
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    ...and buy some good ass padding...:D...well this ones got frame for wheelie bars...lots of Hotrod in it...

    Theres a pic I'm thinking of with one of the well known racers in one similar to that...
     
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  13. By the number on the heads (8) it would appear that this engine is a '55 324. what did the broken rocker arm look like? Factory piece or adjustable?
     
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  14. Low-Blow
    Joined: Apr 6, 2009
    Posts: 276

    Low-Blow
    Member

    Here’s a pic of it.
    DB3FB3E6-F145-4045-A3D0-23A145F98816.jpeg
     
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  15. Those are just factory items. I suspect then that this old engine was just thrown in there to get the dragster moving. Any logo on the 2x4 intake?
     
  16. Low-Blow
    Joined: Apr 6, 2009
    Posts: 276

    Low-Blow
    Member

    Yes, according to @misteroffy on IG, it is an original Offenhauser dual quad intake.
    93EEDE22-C2BC-437C-AFA7-168179EE2C34.jpeg
     
  17. wheeldog57
    Joined: Dec 6, 2013
    Posts: 3,182

    wheeldog57
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    Is the transmission a BM hydro stick?
     
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  18. J. A. Miller
    Joined: Dec 30, 2010
    Posts: 2,057

    J. A. Miller
    ALLIANCE MEMBER
    from Central NY

    Looks like someone had a lot of leftover Ford blue sometime.:D It's a shame they got some on that Rocket.
     
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  19. Low-Blow
    Joined: Apr 6, 2009
    Posts: 276

    Low-Blow
    Member

    I don’t know the answer to that. I do know it’s a 4 speed. Some of the pics above only came through as thumbnails. Here are the trans pics.
    E2AD9749-BE4D-4ECC-B099-9AA17EE39326.jpeg 9A1AA63C-45D6-4A0E-B0A6-B1F0459458FB.jpeg F225CDF5-6006-4B15-ADE0-11CBE0D7FC15.jpeg 6CD7BFA6-81FB-4026-9717-CEDA1298C38E.jpeg
     
  20. Roothawg
    Joined: Mar 14, 2001
    Posts: 24,524

    Roothawg
    Member

    He used to have a spot next to us at the Chickasha swap meet years ago. He didn't have a lot of nice things to say about the "pickers".
     
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  21. Low-Blow
    Joined: Apr 6, 2009
    Posts: 276

    Low-Blow
    Member

    I got the same feel from him. He is definitely an interesting guy. I always enjoy visiting with him.
     
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  22. dreracecar
    Joined: Aug 27, 2009
    Posts: 3,476

    dreracecar
    Member
    from so-cal

    Even a rock out in he middle of the desert has history
     
  23. I can't decide whether that was built as a dragster or as a doodlebug/field car buggy thing. o_O

    I would have thought dragsters of that vintage would have used a factory frame from some donor, not 2x3 tube.
     
    Last edited: Oct 29, 2021
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  24. 51504bat
    Joined: May 22, 2010
    Posts: 4,758

    51504bat
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    Looks somewhat like an old water pumper dune buggy from the pre VW days. Just need to weld 2 wheels together for rear wheel duallies. :cool:
     
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  25. I can't imagine that being allowed on any drag strip after about 1950.
     
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  26. Most B&M trannies had a B&M tag with serial number designating street or strip. My money is on a stock transplant from a 55 Olds and then adding the Offy for impact.
     
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  27. Dave Downs
    Joined: Oct 25, 2005
    Posts: 935

    Dave Downs
    Member
    from S.E. Penna

    I’m trying to figure out what the triangular piece with the 2 pulleys and cables and the threaded bolt welded to it on top of the transmission is supposed to do.

    Anyone got an idea???
     
  28. may be for some sort of brakes to the rear end?
     
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  29. Stogy
    Joined: Feb 10, 2007
    Posts: 26,345

    Stogy
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    Quoted at the link below...

    1956
    "Began campaigning a Model T rail with Olds V8 engine in A/Open Gas (body panels of corrugated roofing tin) & his mother's '55 Chevrolet in a stock class"

    https://www.theautochannel.com/sports/pennrace/presskit/texan_fact_sheet.html

    Perhaps there's a chance that Pennzoil has that vintage ad in its historical archives...worth an email or phonecall maybe...
     
    Last edited: Oct 30, 2021
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