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History Front Engine Dragster ID Help

Discussion in 'Traditional Hot Rods' started by Project Paladin, Oct 13, 2013.

  1. Project Paladin
    Joined: Nov 10, 2012
    Posts: 229

    Project Paladin
    BANNED

    I'm trying to help the new owner of this 170 wb dragster. He's looking for the past owner or history of this car.

    These are not my photos so please bear with me. Under the blue paint there's a gold basecoat with, "Death Dealer" and a horse and rider on the cowl. The seat and roll bar have Tony Nancy upholstery, or at least it hast his Sea Horse there.

    The "Death Dealer" may have been added in the mid 70's.

    Any info would help. He's not sure of the chassis builder. I was thinking a Woody or SPE.

    link to a lot more photos of the car.
    http://www.frontenginedragsters.org/forum/index.php?topic=595.0
     

    Attached Files:

    Last edited: Oct 13, 2013
  2. 296ardun
    Joined: Feb 11, 2009
    Posts: 4,673

    296ardun
    Member

    I couldn't get the pictures to come on the website you attached, just red X.

    But the pictures you posted suggest a Woody car, looks more like RCE with the way the steering is configured, and SPE cars had a different shaped front axle, with a constant bend rather than bent at the ends (sort of "smile" shaped).

    Wonder if this was once an AA/FD that would up as a comp car, because I don't remember any fuelers with the name "Death Dealer."

    Great save, keep us posted on it.
     
  3. Pete Eastwood
    Joined: Jul 27, 2011
    Posts: 1,324

    Pete Eastwood
    Member
    from california

    Tough to tell from these pictures, sorta' looks Woody'ish.
    I recognize the front end picture though, 'cause I took it. That's the front end of Don Prieto's "Hustler". I did the chassis restoration, & it is a Woody.
     
  4. Jeffv8
    Joined: Sep 22, 2013
    Posts: 52

    Jeffv8
    Member

    This is the correct front end I sent the wrong pic.
     

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  5. Jeffv8
    Joined: Sep 22, 2013
    Posts: 52

    Jeffv8
    Member

    Another pic. I have been looking and saving pics to find out who made this chassis, and I sent Paladin the wrong pic.
     

    Attached Files:

  6. Pete Eastwood
    Joined: Jul 27, 2011
    Posts: 1,324

    Pete Eastwood
    Member
    from california

    There's enough clues in those pictures, that I'd say Woody Gilmore, for sure.
     
  7. Project Paladin
    Joined: Nov 10, 2012
    Posts: 229

    Project Paladin
    BANNED

    That's what I was thinking also. Jeff if you would please post some of the photos of the car with the tin work attached and the cowl art.
     
  8. Jeffv8
    Joined: Sep 22, 2013
    Posts: 52

    Jeffv8
    Member

    I will. When I click on the pic I sent they get distorted.
     
  9. Pete Eastwood
    Joined: Jul 27, 2011
    Posts: 1,324

    Pete Eastwood
    Member
    from california

    Jeff, I sent you 2 PM's
     
  10. fenderless
    Joined: Mar 31, 2006
    Posts: 1,286

    fenderless
    Member
    from Norway

    Nice:) Any pictures of the rear of the frame?

    K

    ..................................
    Taildragger&fenderless
     
  11. Jeffv8
    Joined: Sep 22, 2013
    Posts: 52

    Jeffv8
    Member

    Here are some
     

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  12. dreracecar
    Joined: Aug 27, 2009
    Posts: 3,476

    dreracecar
    Member
    from so-cal

    I concur on it being a Woody. 3 things of note towards idenity first being the steering wheel, second being the large dia tube for the helmet bars and the third being the drain plug on the rear end cover.
     
  13. Project Paladin
    Joined: Nov 10, 2012
    Posts: 229

    Project Paladin
    BANNED

    Jeff, where did you pick the car up from?

    Woody Gilmore flexi car?
     
    Last edited: Oct 13, 2013
  14. Jeffv8
    Joined: Sep 22, 2013
    Posts: 52

    Jeffv8
    Member

    I traded my laydown shifter kart for it.. It had been sitting in a garage for 30+ years just outside of Pittsburgh Pa. It was in White Oaks pa.
     
  15. Project Paladin
    Joined: Nov 10, 2012
    Posts: 229

    Project Paladin
    BANNED

    My gut says don't cut it. Find the history and restore it.
     
  16. Jeffv8
    Joined: Sep 22, 2013
    Posts: 52

    Jeffv8
    Member

    This is what I found after wet sanding.. This was painted in the mid 70's as that is when the painting death dealer were done.
     

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  17. dreracecar
    Joined: Aug 27, 2009
    Posts: 3,476

    dreracecar
    Member
    from so-cal

    History or not the value would be severly diminished if all the upgrades were done in order to be raced
     
  18. Jeffv8
    Joined: Sep 22, 2013
    Posts: 52

    Jeffv8
    Member

    Google death dealer and this pic comes up. It was used as a Molly Hatchet album cover
     

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  19. Project Paladin
    Joined: Nov 10, 2012
    Posts: 229

    Project Paladin
    BANNED

    JMO, but don't update that car!!!
     
  20. Jeffv8
    Joined: Sep 22, 2013
    Posts: 52

    Jeffv8
    Member

    This car will not be updated.... From what Pete has told me its a 1966-67 Flexi woody Gilmore car. The rear end is not original. Other than some brackets added for small block installation, and some diagonal bars added, it's an unmolested Woody.
     
  21. I live 5 minutes from White Oak! Why can't I ever find this stuff?! If the chassis is a 66-67 I would think the car ran under another name before Death Dealer.


    Dustin
     
  22. Jeffv8
    Joined: Sep 22, 2013
    Posts: 52

    Jeffv8
    Member

    Dustin

    The death dealer horse didn't come out until 1973. I'm trying to locate the guy that owned it before the guy I got it from

    I race karts with the the guy I got it from. He bought it late 70's from a guy in Greensburg Pa. It sat in his garage since then.
     
  23. Jeff

    Any idea what the guys name is from Greensburg? I know some guys from Greensburg. It's only 15 minutes from my house.


    Dustin
     
  24. Jeffv8
    Joined: Sep 22, 2013
    Posts: 52

    Jeffv8
    Member

    Dustin that's the problem, the guy can't remember his name. I think he said he lived in a log cabin type house.

    Jeff
     
  25. Jeffv8
    Joined: Sep 22, 2013
    Posts: 52

    Jeffv8
    Member

    I read in an article they made a handful of flex cars. That should help to narrow down the original owner.
     
  26. Project Paladin
    Joined: Nov 10, 2012
    Posts: 229

    Project Paladin
    BANNED

    It should, and not too many must of gone back East.
     
  27. Project Paladin
    Joined: Nov 10, 2012
    Posts: 229

    Project Paladin
    BANNED

    Maybe the Rick Stewart car her sold to Ruth.
     

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  28. Jeffv8
    Joined: Sep 22, 2013
    Posts: 52

    Jeffv8
    Member

    Some pics after I wet sanded the body
     

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  29. Jeffv8
    Joined: Sep 22, 2013
    Posts: 52

    Jeffv8
    Member

    Another pic
     

    Attached Files:

  30. dreracecar
    Joined: Aug 27, 2009
    Posts: 3,476

    dreracecar
    Member
    from so-cal

    Could be car in pic 2 & 3 . One clue being the oil filter under the header and the round patch on the body panel, but would need to see more of the body and frame.
    Hot rod did a story on the car back in mid 60's. The one thing about Ruth's frame is that the motor plate uprite was not welded to the bottom frame rail and had a limiter bolt to adjust frame seperation for traction (or so they thought) and this one has it. I would Call Bucky Austin to get to Ruth for opinion.

    So far its looking good
     
    Last edited: Nov 6, 2013

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