<![CDATA[Jalopnik: Gasser]]> http://cache.jalopnik.com/assets/base/img/thumbs140x140/jalopnik.com.png <![CDATA[Jalopnik: Gasser]]> http://jalopnik.com/tag/gasser http://jalopnik.com/tag/gasser <![CDATA[1955 Chevrolet Bel Air is one awesome gasser]]> When gasser style cars started appearing at drag strips in the late 50s, they were like nothing anyone had ever seen. They were stripped down hot rods with big engines, wild paint jobs and a weird stance—thanks to the straight front axles that were installed up front to improve traction off the line. More »
]]> http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5862693&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Gassers!]]> How many big-block Novas can you watch at the dragstrip before you get bored? In my case, the answer is "many," but Nova (and Camaro) Fatigue inevitably sets in. However, there is no such thing as Gasser Fatigue! More »
]]> http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5624618&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Natural Gas Hot Rod Is VERY Green, Very Fast]]> This Factory Five '33 Ford wears a very loud shade of Lamborghini green, but it's not just posing, it's green enough to turn anyone envious. Under the hood's a CNG-fueled LS7 exhaling at 650 HP though four catalytic converters. More »
]]> http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5539315&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Ya Don't Drive, Ya Aim! Motor City Drag Racing, 1958]]> It's like threading the needle at a quarter of a mile… but it's really livin'! Hot Rod Magazine put together this great drag racing documentary for the 1958 Nationals, and it's well worth watching. More »
]]> http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5207809&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Gasser Taunus!]]> We can't think of a single thing wrong with this car except for the name. Drive a Taunus in North America and you'd be patiently- or maybe not so patiently- spelling it out: "T-A-U-N-U-S... no, not Taurus... I said NOT TAURUS!" Other than that, it's all aces: tunnel-rammed 289 for passing power, solid front axle for extra-safe handling, fiberglass front end for fuel economy- why, this is quite the sensible car, a nice companion for an Opel or Alfa gasser in your stable of commuter cars. Thanks to Onewheeldrive for the tip! [eBay Motors] More »
]]> http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=398533&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Project Car Hell, Euro-Gasser Edition: Opel or Alfa Romeo?]]> The Super Hell Potential of the Starion pounded the sashimi right out of the Corolla GTS in yesterday's 80s Japanese Muscle Edition of Project Car Hell, which is probably as it should be; both cars are pretty damn cool, but there's no way any Toyota could ever be as hellish to work on as a turbocharged 80s Mitsubishi. But enough talk about finely balanced imports with high-tech (for their time) engines- today we're going to look at a pair of imports with solid front axles and large-displacement low-tech engines (well, space for such engines, anyway). Imports that handle so poorly that a stiff wind can tip them over when parked. Gassers! More »
]]> http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=344870&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Ed "The Ace" McCulloch Grand Marshall of California Hot Rod Reunion]]> The Crew Chief of the Brut Racing but no longer by Faberge Funny Car driven by Ron Capps is coming back to Bakersfield this weekend as Grand Marshall of the NHRA California Hot Rod Reunion. The Ace's qualifications for the job include hammering the Northwind Top Fuel dragster to the number one spot on the Drag News Mr. Eliminator list in the late '60s, and running the Revellution Plymouth Duster Funny Car to five out of seven finals victories in the '70s. The Ace hopes to have some good times in Bakersfield like they did on the road back in the day.
Today's drivers have a different role than in the old days. They have sponsor commitments and race press all week, and then drive on the weekend. Not many of them work on the car. Not only did we drive the race car, we worked on them, and drove the tow vehicles down the highways. Today we race 23 three-day events. Back then we could race 100 one-night stands!
McCulloch's old pal Jack Coonrod has rebuilt the Northwind and is his on the way to Bakersfield with the dragster. So are we. Stay tuned as the week unfolds and we head up to Famoso Raceway to catch all this weekend's action. Full press release and event information after the jump. More »
]]> http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=308985&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[John North Willys, Automotive Pioneer]]> We once had a French roommate into hot rods and sportbikes. Given that he'd become an American citizen whose nation of birth had been liberated by men driving vehicles manufactured by a company founded and shepherded by one John North Willys, we always thought his prediliction toward referring to the company as "Willis" was oddly, well, French. But it turns out that he was actually correct all along, which is one of the myriad things we learned today from an interesting piece about the man whose most lasting legacies are the Gasser and the Jeep. – Davey G. Johnson More »
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