History Rear Engined Street Rods

In my teenhood I recall seeing at least a few rear-engined street rods but I haven't seen much about them since, or here at H.A.M.B. either. Is it a verboten topic? I thought a few of them were pretty interesting in the very best American "here's my idea" way. Anybody got anything they can share?

 

Most were VW dune buggies or Fiberglass kit cars.

 

I don’t think he talks about it much but a member here is building one. Maybe he will respond.

 

Rod and Custom ran a few features about VW powered T buckets back in the '60's. Definitely not HAMB friendly and IIRC the features caused a bit of a stir. Similar to the go kart features?

 

No known Street Rods here -

 

I remember seeing pics of a 32 that had a lift up body that used I think an Olds Toronda engine and transaxle. Somebody will remember the car and post a pic I'm sure....

 

That's mid-engine.

 

Also mid-engine.

 

Yet again, mid-engine.

 

I am not building a rear engine rod, but I am building a mid-engine one.



When no part of the engine is past the rear axle centerline, the industry-standard term is mid-engine. I don't make the rules.

Examples:
Porsche 911: rear-engine.
Porsche 918: mid-engine.

 

Both mid-engine.

 

Almost rear engine, Norm Longfield' s Model A pick up from Sydney Australia.

 

Qualifies as rear, as half of the engine is past the rear axle center line.

 

New meaning to "flat ass"

 

I have seen pictures of what is underneath that one.

There is a lot going on.

 

Bro, if it ain't in the front, it's in the rear.

 

Yup. It's why I have no build thread to delete.

 

Some of the fastest and bravest amongst us may not agree. Top fuel dragsters are classed as rear engine. The following is from the NHRA website.......



So you still think that Don Garlits invented the rear-engine dragster, do ya?

Indy cars would interpret it differently, and would see this as mid-engined. I guess it all depends on which club you are in..........

 

So the “standard” model T,A,32 chassis no part of the engine is past the front axle, that mean it’s mid engined technically? Just kidding, interesting subject if it keeps hamb friendly. Keep them coming.

 

The terms were not standardized until decades after those cars were out-of-production, but technically, by the later standards, yes, they are mid-engine.