The era of gassers and street freaks

[Oldcarfan27]

Can anyone tell me what years were the 60s gasser wars and 70s street freaks at their peaks?

Also, what kinds of cars were most prevalent for either time? Coupes, sedans, 2 doors, muscle cars. Other cars besides Willys coupes and shoebox Chevys.

I'm wanting to build some straight axle "Hi-boys" and I want to do something different but typical, if that makes sense.

I was thinking of doing an early Camaro, Nova or Plymouth. With super wide meats sticking out of the fenders in back and ultra skinnies on a jacked up front. Maybe some panel paint jobs or lace. And a big, giant blower sticking out of the flip front end.

I know, I just described the MPC flip front 57 Chevy that's coming out soon, but I wanted to do something different than that. Any new ideas?

What kinds of accessories were commonly used back then? Spring shackles, dump headers, big shifters and "barefoot" accelerator pedals. What else?

Edited July 24, 2018 by Oldcarfan27

[afx]

Something I really enjoy is doing the research for a build. The more I know about the particular car or era I want to build the more accurate I can be with period correct details.  Not the answer your were looking for I'm sure but here is a head start on your research:

http://georgeklass.net/gassers.html

[Reegs]

I would say that the Gassers reached the peak of their popularity in 1965. Starting in 1966 the AWB match racers began eroding this popularity, and by 1967 the flip-top funnies replaced them in the hearts of the fickle ticket-buying public.

What sort of cars? Jeez. Depression-era anything, post-war Anglias and the like. Coupes, sedans, panels, pick-ups, you name it. Rarely Fords, though, because 1) the carcasses of the other makes were cheaper and 2) the hot-rodders got to them first anyway. 

[TarheelRick]

This topic is close to my heart.  I really loved those Gasser and the Modified Production class cars.  Still "streetable" but really fun to watch.  Here is another site to do some research on http://www.gassermadness.us/main.htm .  You may also want to look into a book "Gasser Wars" which is a pretty good history of the Gas class cars.

[OldTrucker]

I don't know exactly what you are asking but here locally by the late 60's thru the mid to late 70's we had a lot of old drag cars (straight axle cars) that were showing up on the streets.

First generation Nova's (Chevy II's) and first and second generation Falcons were the most common other then the Tri-5 Chevy's and Shoebox Fords.

Most rescued from behind garages, out of barns and out of salvage yards.

[afx]

First gen Falcon 

[Reegs]

Where did you get the Falcon?

[afx]

2 hours ago, Reegs said:

Where did you get the Falcon?

Started as a glue bomb I bought on ebay.  Here's the build thread:

 

 

 

Edited July 24, 2018 by afx

[Phirewriter]

There's a lot of info and photos on the interweb. Check sites such as Jalopy Journal/H.A.M.B. there's Facebook groups dedicated to gassers, Google's your friend.

[Oldcarfan27]

8 hours ago, Phirewriter said:

There's a lot of info and photos on the interweb. Check sites such as Jalopy Journal/H.A.M.B. there's Facebook groups dedicated to gassers, Google's your friend.

I understand that, but I enjoy seeing other builders' projects.

Great attachment AFX, lots of great ideas there. I especially like the Rambler and the Novas! Falcons look good too, except I don't have a good one to use for that.

I was kind of thinking of Street Freaks like this...

Rediculous, I know, but definitely eye catching! Besides, these are what I remember reading about in Hot Rod Magazine. 

Makes me wonder how many restorations at Barrett Jackson came from projects like these.

[Phirewriter]

Ahh, thought you were looking for info in general. There's a couple of groups on Facebook dedicated to them. I know there's a lot of pushback about Facebook here but it's definitely worth looking at. Lots of great modeling groups in general if you want to see other people's builds.

Edited July 25, 2018 by Phirewriter

[Chuck Most]

12 hours ago, afx said:

First gen Falcon 

 

YES. Few cars go through as drastic a Jekyll-to-Hyde-like transformation as the first gen Falcon given the gasser treatment.  

[theraif]

https://www.yellowbullet.com/forum/showthread.php?t=2087474

 

[Oldcarfan27]

Anybody got any Falcons  to trade for?

[Draggon]

On 7/23/2018 at 10:03 PM, Oldcarfan27 said:

 

I wrote a synopsis and somehow something got edited so it's no longer relevant. 

Edited July 25, 2018 by Draggon

[ChrisBcritter]

In progress:

Dodge A-100 front end (lines right up with the Ford frame and gives poseable wheels) and '57 Ford 9-inch on '56 Ford rear springs (more arched) with extended shackles.

[Oldcarfan27]

18 minutes ago, ChrisBcritter said:

In progress:

I like it! Very different. Could be done with the readily available 57. Keep us posted on this.

[OldTrucker]

This one was at a local gas station back in May!

[High octane]

You can check MeltdownDrags.com for info and reference photos as they just had their "big event" this past weekend with 500 cars registered to race. Mostly gassers, but also altereds and rails too. It was a great time and the place was packed, not only with race cars and spectators, but also a car show and a swap meet to boot.

[Oldcarfan27]

Now were talkin'!

[smhardesty]

2 hours ago, OldTrucker said:

This one was at a local gas station back in May!

Now THAT'S a sweet looking ride!

[PARTSMARTY]

6 hours ago, OldTrucker said:

This one was at a local gas station back in May!

This cuda is one great looking mopar-now that's what i'm talking about !!!

[espo]

Another source of period pictures would be Hot Rod Deluxe. This latest issue had a focus on 1957 and Altered race cars.  

[tim boyd]

A GTO Street Freak and a T-Bird Street Freak/ Modern Era "Gasser".....TIM

 
 

Edited July 27, 2018 by tim boyd

[Oldcarfan27]

Beautiful cars, Tim.