restoman Posted November 18, 2019 Posted November 18, 2019 From the re-issue of the Double Dragster kit. A fun build, a few fit issues, but still fun. Box stock. I kinda wish now that I had wired the plugs... maybe next time. Comments always welcome!
Vietnam Vet67 Posted November 19, 2019 Posted November 19, 2019 He used to race out of Detroit Dragway back in the 60's.....................there was also a Walts Puffer 2.
Snake45 Posted November 19, 2019 Posted November 19, 2019 Very nice! It's fun to just slap one of the old classic crocks together right out of the box every now and then, isn't it? Well done and model on!
restoman Posted November 19, 2019 Author Posted November 19, 2019 11 hours ago, Vietnam Vet67 said: He used to race out of Detroit Dragway back in the 60's.....................there was also a Walts Puffer 2. I had no idea... that's awesome!
Vietnam Vet67 Posted November 19, 2019 Posted November 19, 2019 4 hours ago, restoman said: I had no idea... that's awesome! Walt’s Puffer II is a FIAT Topolino powered by a fuel injected 392 hemi, driven by Walt Knoch, Jr.[1] Construction of the car began in 1959. Using a 1939 Fiat body, it was built by Walt Knoch, Sr., and a family friend, for Walt, Jr.[1] It originally had a Latham supercharger.[1] It debuted at Detroit Dragway.[1] It routinely turned in passes with 10 second e.t.s and speeds of 150 mph (240 km/h).[1] Knoch Jr. approached Ed Iskendarian and Stuart Hilborn for equipment to improve the 392's performance.[1] After switching to Hilborn injection, Knoch set an A/Altered record pass at the 1959 Nationals, with a trap speed of 138.67 mph (223.17 km/h).[1] The car lost the Altereds title at the 1960 U.S. Nationals to the Oldsmobile-powered Ratican-Jackson-Stearns Fiat.[1] In 1961, the car's top was chopped, and it was dubbed Walt's Puffer II.[1] It routinely turned in passes with 10 second e.t.s and speeds of 150 mph (240 km/h).[1] It again lost to the Ratican-Jackson-Stearns Topolino at the 1961 Nationals.[1] The next year, the car won A/Altered at the NHRA U.S. Nationals, and only failed to face the Knochs' other car, the A/Roadster Walt's Puffer Too, for Junior Eliminator due to rain.[1] When NHRA realigned divisions in 1963, it required Knoch to change the car's number to 385. He refused, and Wally Parks and Ed Eaton banned him. The car would not run again.[1] Walt's Puffer II was taken out of storage in 1999 and given a complete resoration by Knoch and Jerry Dotson.[1]
magicmustang Posted November 19, 2019 Posted November 19, 2019 Good build. One of my favorite cars and stories from the early '60's.
restoman Posted November 20, 2019 Author Posted November 20, 2019 3 hours ago, Vietnam Vet67 said: Walt’s Puffer II is a FIAT Topolino powered by a fuel injected 392 hemi, driven by Walt Knoch, Jr.[1] Construction of the car began in 1959. Using a 1939 Fiat body, it was built by Walt Knoch, Sr., and a family friend, for Walt, Jr.[1] It originally had a Latham supercharger.[1] It debuted at Detroit Dragway.[1] It routinely turned in passes with 10 second e.t.s and speeds of 150 mph (240 km/h).[1] Knoch Jr. approached Ed Iskendarian and Stuart Hilborn for equipment to improve the 392's performance.[1] After switching to Hilborn injection, Knoch set an A/Altered record pass at the 1959 Nationals, with a trap speed of 138.67 mph (223.17 km/h).[1] The car lost the Altereds title at the 1960 U.S. Nationals to the Oldsmobile-powered Ratican-Jackson-Stearns Fiat.[1] In 1961, the car's top was chopped, and it was dubbed Walt's Puffer II.[1] It routinely turned in passes with 10 second e.t.s and speeds of 150 mph (240 km/h).[1] It again lost to the Ratican-Jackson-Stearns Topolino at the 1961 Nationals.[1] The next year, the car won A/Altered at the NHRA U.S. Nationals, and only failed to face the Knochs' other car, the A/Roadster Walt's Puffer Too, for Junior Eliminator due to rain.[1] When NHRA realigned divisions in 1963, it required Knoch to change the car's number to 385. He refused, and Wally Parks and Ed Eaton banned him. The car would not run again.[1] Walt's Puffer II was taken out of storage in 1999 and given a complete resoration by Knoch and Jerry Dotson.[1] Excellent! Thanks for posting that!
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