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History Dragsters Galore

Discussion in 'Traditional Hot Rods' started by Customline Vicky, Nov 4, 2013.

  1. This link has some of the most awesome pictures of dragsters. To us older folk it will bring a smile to your face. To the youngsters it will give you an idea from whence we came. There are contraptions to works of art.


    http://www.georgeklass.net/dragsters.html
     
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  2. saltflats
    Joined: Aug 14, 2007
    Posts: 12,594

    saltflats
    Member
    from Missouri

    I have that one in my favorites
     
  3. loudbang
    Joined: Jul 23, 2013
    Posts: 40,276

    loudbang
    Member

    Well guys I searched for a thread to post some dragster history that wasn't quite right for cars in motion thread so putting it here. while there is a thread for "Junior dragsters" already
    http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/lets-see-jr-fuel-dragsters.536485/

    Maybe someone should start a top fuel dragster thread HINT HINT.


    See the beginning of the story in the altereds thread

    http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/the-altered-thread.1010937/page-8#post-11437018



    Jim Herbert the dragster years

    It was 1962 when Jim Herbert took off the training wheels and jumped into the seat of a top fuel dragster. He formed a partnership with Dwayne Starr, welded together a homemade chassis, and hit the local tracks ( Kingdon, Vaca Valley, and Fremont) with a blown hemi combination. As his driving skills improved and reputation spread, he, like a lot of successful drivers, would soon get saddled with a nickname. First coined by the announcer at Kingdon Drag Strip, "The Lizard" would become Jim's alter ego for as long as he raced. And, just how did he inherit such a unique moniker? Well, it came not only from his slight and sinewy physical countenance, but also from the uncanny ability to slither through top fuel fields to emerge top eliminator. The Starr-Cox-Herbert dragster would go on to have reasonable success, but after about 18 months of racing, Jim would leave the team when Harley Van Dyke and George Wulf approached him with an offer to drive their new fuel dragster.

    herbert 1.jpg

    This was Jim's first opportunity to prove himself on a bigger stage. With a more ambitious agenda in mind, the team took their 336 cid blown Chrysler to Bakersfield to race Norm Weekly driving the OCMP Spl. for the Drag News Mr. Eliminator No. 8 spot. After a win for each in the first two rounds, Herbert laid down a stout 8.55 in the decisive third round match to win the coveted spot on the Drag News list; a first for a Sacramento-based fuel dragster.

    Three more shots of the original Lizard at Sacramento Raceway

    herbert 2.jpg


    herbert 3.jpg

    herbert 4.jpg

    Harley Van Dyke and George Wulf's B FD Bakersfield 1965 no more weed burners zoomies

    Harley Van Dyke and George Wulf\'s B FD Bakersfield 1965 no more weed burners zoomies.jpg


    Harley Van Dyke and George Wulf's B FD Bakersfield 1965 with WEED BURNERS

    Harley van weed burners.jpg

    Jim Herbert with the Van Dyke-Wulf dragster; Sacramento Raceway, 1964


    Jim Herbert with the Van Dyke-Wulf dragster; Sacramento Raceway, 1964.jpg

    Jim Herbert would drive Harley Van Dyke and Greg Wulf's rail to a best of 8.17 and 189.46; not too shabby for a 336 cid iron hemi Chrysler.

    Jim Herbert would drive Harley Van Dyke and Greg Wulf\'s rail to a best of 8.17 and 189.46;.jpg


    The the famous FIRE PHOTO

    In February 1968, Jim would experience his one and only serious injury driving a top fuel dragster. It occurred at Lodi (Kingdon) during qualifying. Nearing the top end clocks and traveling well in excess of 200 mph, the oil filter split, spilled onto the headers, and ignited a fire. Though the aluminum fire suit kept the hot oil from directly getting to him, the heat was so intense that he essentially baked inside of it. With second and third degree burns on his arms, chest, neck, and shoulders, Jim would spend the next 15 weeks in the hospital. It would be more than six months before he could race again, healing just in time for the West Coast Championships in September 1968 at Sacramento Raceway.


    Herbert fire.jpg

    As usual with me if anybody has anything to add or correct feel free to jump right in.
     
    Last edited: Mar 18, 2016
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  4. Hot Rod 50
    Joined: Jul 30, 2007
    Posts: 500

    Hot Rod 50
    Member

    Pure porn right there. Something similar to this is my next project. Clutch with a direct drive injected 327.
     

    Attached Files:

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  5. loudbang
    Joined: Jul 23, 2013
    Posts: 40,276

    loudbang
    Member

    Great old photo that pontiac is a beauty....both of them :rolleyes:
     
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  6. loudbang
    Joined: Jul 23, 2013
    Posts: 40,276

    loudbang
    Member

    Snakes Cammer


    in motion  or Dragster Don Prudhomme SNAKES CAMMER FORD AAFD.jpg


    PETE ROBERSON IN THE PIT INDY


    Dragsters  PETE_ROBERSON_PIT__70_INDY.jpg


    Peter Robinson SBFORD JR FUEL


    In motion peter Robinson SBFORD JRFUEL.jpg
     
  7. Jalopy Joker
    Joined: Sep 3, 2006
    Posts: 31,179

    Jalopy Joker
    Member

    old thread but, interesting
     
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  8. Jalopy Joker
    Joined: Sep 3, 2006
    Posts: 31,179

    Jalopy Joker
    Member

  9. rooman
    Joined: Sep 20, 2006
    Posts: 4,045

    rooman
    Member

    "Peter Robinson SBFORD JR FUEL"
    [​IMG]

    Never heard him called Peter before--it was always Pete, even in his business name. And this is not a JR Fuel car--the most common rule for that class was 310 cubic inches and no blower. This was the successor to his US Nationals winning blown gas burning small block powered Dragmaster digger as seen below.(actually this is Dave Dupps re-creation of that car)
    [​IMG]

    Roo
     
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  10. Jalopy Joker
    Joined: Sep 3, 2006
    Posts: 31,179

    Jalopy Joker
    Member

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