[dbreese]

These cars are so cool. I was at a big swap meet in Moultrie, Ga yesterday and came across what I thought is an awesome deal. Guy is selling this FED. The chassis was built by the Logghe Bro in 1961. It was driven by Jack Chrisman in 62' and 63'. Chrisman won the 62' Top Eliminator at the U.S. Nationals when he beat Don Garlitz. The car seems to be in great shape and has been touring the nostalgia circuit. Currently it is powered by a 415 sbc that runs on gas and 5% nitro th 400 with a 4500 stall. The chassis and belts are current. Now this is the kicker. The guy is only asking $13,000 for the car and custom open trailer. They seller let me sit in the cockpit to see how the fit was. First time I'd ever sat in any type of dragster. It was a little intimidating having that rearend pumpkin sitting between my thighs. The car seem to fit me well, very tight but I felt comfortable. Seller said the car leaves and tracks straight and will run 8.90's all day long. Guy fired up the motor. Sounded stout belching through swept straight pipes. I'm considering buying the car if I can swing it. I know that if I did get the car there would be a learning curve and I would run 1/8 mile till I got comfortable. Any thing else I should check out on this car?

Thanks

David

 

[Paddy]

Check the chassis certification to ensure it is legal to run. And make sure it really has a spool in the rear. I've come across a dragster with a Chrysler rear end that had a posi with the spiders welded, going 8's. Could be rough on the gonads eh?

 

[dbreese]

Thanks Paddy

The chassis certification is good through 2006. The rear is a Ford 9" unit. The guy said he would throw in a titainium cod piece for extra protection.LOL! Trans has a scatter shield and blanket.

David

 

[BillsCamino]

David,
A friend of mine owns and races a RED at Silver Dollar quite often. The motor happens to be out getting freshened up right now.
You might need to contact him with any questions you'll have regarding obtaining a NHRA licence which will be required with those times/speeds.
Good luck...a great piece of racing history there!

 

[sandmann120]

The thing that can be scary about an old car is that the pipe will rot form the inside out. I've seen lots of very neat old cars over the last few years that simply don't belong going down the track in the 8-second range. Just something to think about. Sounds like that car would be a great Cacklefest car. If you don't know what I'm talking about, do some research on the NHRA Hot Rod Reunions. Very cool stuff.


One other thing to think about, do you really want to flog the daylights out of a true peice of history every weekend at the track, and run the risk of screwing something up? About 7-8 years ago, we ran a '68 Woody Gilmore chassis AA/FD for a guy out of southern Iowa, and it crashed and burned at a big nostalgia meet down at St. Loius. That very cool old car, (with a fiberglass one-piece front body, and original pearl white paint), was gone for good. Food for thought.


Front Engines Forever!

 

[bigjimzlll]

8.90's?? sounds like the engine might need some work. That FED cant weigh 1700lbs can it? With that big of a SBC and a little shot of nitro you'd think low 7s all day long.

I always wondered if I would have the cojonees to drive one of them...

 

[dbreese]

Thanks for all the response guys. I'm still thinking about it but maybe I should just wait and purchase a rolling chassis and put my own together. It would be cool though to own a piece of drag racing history.

Big Jim I could be mistaken on the et could have been 7.90's.

David