It's A Gas

If you lived through and/or remembered the '60's, you should remember this term; "Generation Gap". I experienced this the other day at work when I changed the desktop wallpaper on my computer to a 1940 Willy's Gasser. A co-worker asked, "What the hell is that thing?" My explanation was countered with more confused looks. As I briefly detailed just what a Gasser was, it was finally met with, "Who on Earth would do that to a car?" This from a person who tries to modify a modern Honda. A meeting of the minds just wasn't going to happen.

As I explained to my co-worker, Gassers were one of the earliest modified cars that had it's own categorized class at drag racing events. These cars ranged from daily drivers to full-blown supercharged race cars. What started as a simple and inexpensive racing movement around 1950, became quite popular by the mid 50's. By the 1956 NHRA Nationals, cars that were running in this division were still generally used for daily transportation, instead of being built for competition. In the early days of drag racing, cars were placed into categories. One of the more popular classifications was the Gas Coupe and Sedans; rules called for no engine setback, and the lights, wipers, starter, generator and factory street equipment all had to work. Fans and belts were optional, but radiators were required. The car even had to be currently licensed for the street. Full exhaust systems, including mufflers, were required but could be uncork them for competition, but they still had to remain on the car. Full transmissions were required, as were quick-change rear-ends, locked differentials or ratchet-type rear-ends. Functioning four-wheel brakes were required as well.

The new decade, however, ushered in a sea of change. By 1960, drag strips would see the birth of the Supercharged Gas classes as well as other rule changes, although the basics were unchanged from the 1950’s. The cars were still required to have full street equipment, including registration and plates. By 1962 however, the NHRA had finally accepted the gas coupe/sedan competitors to be serious racers. The rules that required full street equipment including mufflers, wipers, horns, generators, emergency brakes, license plates and registration were all gone.  Roll-up side windows were no longer required and could be replaced by Plexiglas windows screwed to the window frame. By the end of the year, the Stone, Woods & Cook Gasser broke the 10-second barrier with a 9.99 at Fremont. The supercharged Gassers were the quickest and fastest full-bodied cars in drag racing.

It's ironic that Gassers became one of the most popular attractions at drag racing events by 1964, but would be on their death bed by 1971. History books have shown us that 1964 was the start of the Gasser wars. The field was loaded with vintage Detroit iron from the 30's and 40's. The class came to represent the "common man's" drag race. Cars from that era were cheap and plentiful as were V-8 engine modifications. One didn't have to race in the top-dog supercharged class with the likes of John Mazmanian, "Ohio" George Montgomery, and the team of Stone, Woods, and Cook. There were still the multiple classes based on vehicle weight and engine size and even an amateur could win decent prize money by winning a particular class event.

1967 is considered by many to be the start of the decline of the traditional Gasser. While the class was never meant to be solely nostalgic, the deal breaker for most fans was when numerous racers started using radically reworked examples of what were basically then brand-new car bodies. While several well known drivers were simply taking advantage of the existing rules in order to win races, the magic was gone. The number of NHRA classes started shrinking by 1969, and once the '70's hit, the Gas class would turn into tube-chassis cars with fiberglass flopper bodies very similar to Funny Cars. The "common man" factor had all but faded away as well.

Until next time, peace out.
Dave