Re: Front engine dragster vs Slingshot

[MAYOMAN]

Whatever happened to the term "slingshot" for that engine forward - driver behind the axle?

[salt27]

Whatever happened to the term "slingshot" for that engine forward - driver behind the axle?

I'm guessing that "front engine dragster" superseded "slingshot" with the advent of the "rear engine dragster" to alleviate confusion. 

[MAYOMAN]

THIS IS A SLINGSHOT DRAGSTER. This configuration with the driver sitting behind the axle has been defined as a "slingshot" since the 1950s, when dragster layouts were in a constant evolution.

[floydjer]

And the guy in the filthy t shirt and jeans is Don's brother Ed. He also did some RACING.

[ronnieroadster]

THIS IS A SLINGSHOT DRAGSTER. This configuration with the driver sitting behind the axle has been defined as a "slingshot" since the 1950s, when dragster layouts were in a constant evolution.

   Also known as a FRONT ENGINE DRASTER   

[MAYOMAN]

Ed Garlits ran a gas dragster in NHRA because of the nitro fuel ban. We ran the Swamp Rat fuel dragster in Great Bend, Kansas (AHRA?) Nationals in 1958 while Ed ran the NHRA Nationals in Oklahoma City the same week. I think I got the date right. Both Garlits brothers ran slingshot chassis.

[floydjer]

Except when Ed had the Olds powered rear engine gas dragster around 1959 or so. Now will one of you buy the car for sale? 

[MAYOMAN]

In the 1950s the dragsters had the engines, single and plural everywhere. The slingshot with the driver straddling the rear axle with the engine forward of the axle prevailed.
Tom Ivo had a twin engine side-by-side, and then there was the Bustle Bomb with two engines tandem straddling the rear axle.

[Stainless1]

OK, per request this has become it's own topic and discussions with pics should continue.... 

[ronnieroadster]

 I have two FRONT ENGINE DRAGSTERS maybe I should take pictures of them for this discussion.
 Ronnieroadster

[racergeo]

 
  I actually own a FED built by Dan Tuttle, the fellow that has the two cars for sale. Mine is black and looks just like the top one in his post.  The thing that is a bit unusual about mine is it has a Dana 60 diff and is a full floater. The car is 225 inch WB and was run as an A fuel car before I bought it. I sit over the rear end that isn't solid like a 9 inch. It just had a stamped steel cover. First thing I did was purchase a super heavy duty reinforced cover that is designed for off road use. Now I'm less worried about becoming a soprano. Currently building a 555 BBC to replace the flat plane crank 180 degree SBC I ran last year.