By 1956, the flathead Ford was mostly obsolete on the race track. Jim Rawlings didn't care... Or maybe he did, but just didn't have the budget for anything else. What he did have was a ratty old '34 coupe and the desire to go racing. It's the classic... <BR><BR>To read the rest of this blog entry from The Jalopy Journal, click here.
. . . lost in an avalanche of high winding or big inch overhead GM, Ford, and Chrysler engines. I remember some of these last gasp flatty holdouts in the late fifties. God bless the flathead, indeed. Thanks for the read! GA
Great article, I enjoyed reading it. Thanks. Funny, like most things, how things come back around. I was never into any other engine except flatheads, but there was a time when it was a small crowd of folks who had the same mindset. Glad to see things change.
That car has stuck in my head ever since I seen the name "THE MOLE" and the tag "DIG DIG DIG!". It's a nice article with an even nice car. Love them Model 40's....
yep, Flathead Fever is still going strong............ SKOTZ.....SKOTZ! Nurse, bring a hydrocolator wrench, quick!
I don't know why exactly, but I was thinking 115 mph on the salt. I guess because of the 3 decimal places used behind the number. That impressed, but 115 in the 1/4!!! That's amazing! I appreciate that because my crew and I just busted our asses to get 103 mph out of a modern small block powered '54 Chevy. These guys ruled at 115 mph in 1956 with a flatty!
Ain't that the truth. Plus, a Model 40 ain't no lightweight either. For those who know what they are doing (myself certainly not included), flatties can be made to run without complete embarassment. Plus, IMHO few engines sounds as nasty as a full on race flathead.
Very cool car with a great name... "The Mole," I love it! Old Jim Whipple had a way with the words; the text has a terrific "voice." Wouldn't mind seeing more of the Cad-engined '51 shoebox ragtop either...
Great read Ryan. This car has stuck with me since you showed a photo of it in your 10 ways to win at the races thread... http://www.jalopyjournal.com/?p=12944 It was neat to get to learn a little bit more about it.
Very nice read. I'm a "modern" V8 guy, but it's because it's all I've ever known and I like them. There's no doubt that a Flathead can be made to go fast and this article is proof. Plus there are quite a few running strong today. I admire how a Flathead looks. Perhaps because it's a little alien (in a cool way) to me. I'll never have one, due to cost and lack of knowledge, but I give it and the folks that run them all the street cred they are due. Great article, Ryan.
Lets see all that for 850 bucks man what a change a few years make, I've got that in my flat crank alone..................Thanks Ryan thats what I needed to remind me of how old I am...hummmmmm
The 59A in the ol' '25 T is certainly teaching me a thing or two with every drive. Wouldn't have it any other way. Indeed, GOD BLESS THE FLATHEADS!
Great read, I have often wondered how long into the 50's the flathead was used in racing applications. The "Mole" although rare to be runnin a Flattie for its day, Jim Rawlings had the perseverance to get optimum power out of her. Its so cool to reflect these stories and appreciate this era! Thanks Ryan, your reads are always insightful!!!
Here's a "God Bless the Flatheads" shot taken by Tom Cobbs at Bonneville in 1953 the year he and Buddy Fox ran Alex Xydias' So Cal coupe to a "C" competition Coupe record averaging 172.749 MPH. I believe the fellow in the picture is Phil Freudiger who would later partner with Cobbs to set numerous Bonneville records
The Jalopy Journal
