My first front engine dragster--need history

[novacain]

Got my first front engine dragster and am trying to find some history on it. Car is 168" wb . 8 3/4 Chrysler rear, center steer with the bell crank on the outside of the left tube, torsion bar behind the axle. Car is mild steel, was told the car was built in the early 70's and I've traced it back to Michigan. Trying to figure out who built it.  Any ideas would be helpful. Thanks in advance.

[Sidewinder]

Congrats with your FED:) Have you talked to your local FED supplier? Brian Fox, KING chassis?

K

[dreracecar]

First you need more pictures concentrating on different areas, overall picture of a car painted black  tells nothing.

Any major chassie builder of that time would never build a frame with mild steel. What is the width inside the shoulder hoop??

[novacain]

Haven't talked to anyone local yet, figured i'd try here first. From what I've read so far, I think I've got a homebuilt copy of someone else's design. The guy I got the car from said he bought it from a guy in Michigan, doesn't remember his name, too many years ago. Car was supposedly built in the early 70's.

[GlennLever]

Bet you wish there was no snow on the ground!

[Van]

The motor looks to be very high in the chassis. Is your starter above the top rail ?  It does look like a back east car, as a lot of them had a very low top rail at the motor plate. This low spread between the top & bottom rail makes these OK up to 180" but longer no, as they flex a lot. I would make sure it will certify for the ET you want to run & just go have fun. I don't think it's a collector car = It's just a race car, consider that it's history starts with you. Do you know what ET it runs as it's set up now.

[novacain]

The starter is at the top rail. I'm pretty sure that this is a homebuilt project that was built from some generic dragster plans.It has a real mild motor. the guy I got it from said he ran a best of 10.89 with it, not fast but still fun to drive.  He said that he tried to have to chassis cert done but it wouldn't pass. Some of the welds have been ground.  If I decide to go faster than 10.0 i'll probably get another car. 

[George]

I can't help with any history but I can offer you a look at my SFI spec book. I have a 6.00 certified FED here too. It's all located about 100 miles North of your home track. Five miles SE of I55. George

[Sidewinder]

If you consider a new chassis, make sure you contact your local supplier:) Probably the best deal:)

K

[slingshot383]

There is a great builder of nostalgia chassis in St. Charles county, Dave Zientara Racecraft, PM me if you want his number.