Hot Rods Does anybody recognize this Minnesota 1941 Studebaker gasser?

You’ll never know, unless you ask…
It appears it was originally a darker green color from the factory. The guy I bought it from mentioned it was drag raced in the past. The seller, a 78 year old guy, said it ran a nailhead and a 4 speed transmission. It has a ‘57 Chevy rear end in it now. He owned the car for 25-30 years. This car was crudely built, which is not a critique, it’s just the way it was. It most likely drove to work Monday - Friday and was raced on the weekends. It had the full stock interior still in it, but there are multiple indicators pointing to its racing adventures. The seller had some paperwork from 1970, and I googled that guys name. Crazy ass internet listed a few St. Paul and surrounding addresses and also a cell phone number. I called the number, and a guy in Florida answered. He confirmed that he owned the car in the early 70’s, but it was the guy before him that drag raced the car, and that guy died 30 years ago. We only spoke briefly and he asked if I would text him some pictures, so I did. I can only imagine getting a call like that…. Anyways, I simply wondered if any of our senior members had anything to add to this story. A picture from back in the day would be amazing, but I’m not holding my breath.
Pictures coming…

 

Remains of the straight axle…check out the custom mount.

 

Gas axed firewall. Slight radius on both leading and trailing edges of rear fenders. (might get bigger radius in the future)

 

Battery relocated to trunk and electric fuel pump mounted in trunk. (Trunk floor needs work)

 

this one was listed in this thread
https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/55-000-words.1266176/

 

Very cool photo! I imagine this one, and that one, a 1940, were ‘close cousins’.

 

Tons of pics here
http://georgeklass.net/gassers.html

 

Bump for the morning crew. I have the entire front clip.

 

Bump

 

I took a few notes and saved the pictures on the Minnesota Dragway Facebook page and will see if anybody recognizes it.

 

I was at Minnesota Dragways about every Sunday from the late fifties to the late sixties. I ran a D/Altered there in 1961 and 1962. I do not remember this car at all. I hate to be indelicate, but tech there was pretty tough, even back then. I doubt that car would pass. It looks more like a "North Star Car" to me. I do have a bunch of weekly newsletters from back when I was racing that listed all the class winners. I'll go through them and see if I can find any '41 Studebakers.

The newsletters start at post # 25 in this thread :
https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum...innesota-dragways-from-the-early-60s.1153582/

 

There's also a Facebook group for North Star Dragstrip, someone there may recognize the car: https://www.facebook.com/groups/537846502973323/

 

That battery box's size appears to have been for a very large battery to help plant the right rear tire. It was pretty common for racers to use the biggest battery they could for trunk mount to add ballast legally.
Looks like you've got your next gasser build car!

 

Probably a big truck battery, that's what most racers used.

 

Hey, Chucky;
Iffen you're an MSRA menber, I'd put an ad for info in the "wanted" section. & maybe "a letter to the editor" would help? The name of the guy who raced it would be helpful. I can't help more than that. But there are guys who know, just gotta find them. If you're not in MSRA, I can send it in if it'd be helpful. FWIW.
Marcus...

 

Nowdays, that's called "patina". Just shoot some clear over it and everything will be fine.

 

Neat story!

 

A friend of mine has a ‘41 coupe and told me that the Studebaker registry is the most complete there is.
If you have the vin might have some interesting info

 

Not just the '40 Ford guys....

 

^^^^^^^ Yikes!!

I’m moving mine to the gun safe!!

 

Doesn't @alchemy make new Stude lights?

 

Wow! I surely appreciate all the info. Thank You!!!