Hot Rods Front Engine Dragsters of the 50's

One of the best, Kent Fuller, heated and bent 4130 tube around a car wheel, this is one of his from '68.

 

How did he keep it from collapsing? Was it packed with dry sand? And finally, how did he weld his chassis?

My friend and mentor and erstwhile driver, Jim was a fabricator. I know he built one dirt car chassis out of 4130, and gas welded every joint, as recommended by the FAA for small aircraft. He said the heat affected zone was quite a ways from the actual weld, which helps prevent fracture at the joints.

 

Gary Cagle--Cagle & Herbert---Top Speed 1959 March Meet 180.36. First and only car to run 180 at Bakersfield in '59.
And yes, it had a baby food jar of Hydrazine in it.

 

Here's a couple @40ragtopdown posted in the Traditional Images thread.

 

I am sure he gas welded his chassis until 64 or 5, then switched to tig. I will ask Marlo Treit if he used sand, as he was dealing with Fuller back in those days.

 

Thanks Marty.

 

Ron Pellegrini

 

Because the cage tubing was a whole lot thicker the the rest of the tubing used in the chassis

 

Maloney Bros. Posted by @296ardun