<VV> "Funny Car", q'est-ce que ç'est?
Seth Emerson
sethracer at aol.com
Thu Feb 22 23:24:45 EST 2018
In the early 60's a group of Chrysler engineers called the "Ramchargers" had been drag racing big Mopar products, primarily in NHRA stock classes. With the strong Torqueflite Automatics and strong Chrysler B-motors, they claimed many victories. There were other drag racing teams doing match racing around the country, usually in full dragsters - Names like Tommy Ivo and Don Garlits. The Ramchargers decided to take their show on the road at drag strips around the country. NHRA, in an effort to lure manufacturers into the sport created a class called "Factory Experimental" That allowed lots of differences from the stock class cars. With the power the big Mopars had, they needed more rear traction. Someone had the bright idea to move the rear axle forward on the car, along with the outside sheet metal. This shifted more weight toward the rear, providing better traction. The drag strip announcers noted that the cars looked a little "Funny", with the rear wheels shifted forward. The term "Funny Car" was born, and it stuck. It wasn't too long until a full racing chassis with a flip-top fiberglass body was the hot set-up. Looking like a sedan, but a real drag race car underneath. - Funny cars!
-----Original Message-----
From: wrsssatty--- via VirtualVairs <virtualvairs at corvair.org>
To: virtualvairs <virtualvairs at corvair.org>
Sent: Thu, Feb 22, 2018 5:36 pm
Subject: <VV> "Funny Car", q'est-ce que ç'est?
What, precisely, is a "funny car" and why the name?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IWINtUCshxY
~Bill Stanley
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