GASSER MAGAZINE

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BOB WENZELBURGER photo ‘ R E D B A R O N ’ C O V E R C A R b y B O Y D H O W E “ETs are forgotten, wheelstands are forever.” Colfax, IN: I bought my ‘55 a month after I graduated high school. It sat in pieces until 2000 when I decided to go racing. Bracket racing was fun but I wanted more. I rebuilt the engine and was shocked when the car started wheelstanding. I have to admit that it was a rush seeing the fans’ reactions. Their appreciation got me into trying to lift the front wheels further and carry them farther each time. I’m honored to be chosen for the cover of <strong>GASSER</strong> Magazine and proud to be a member of the cub. I look forward to seeing you at races in 2019. Don’t be surprised if you hear me say, “ETs are forgotten, wheelstands are forever.” ENGINE Manufacture: Chevrolet Displacement: 461 BBC Induction: 850 CFM Quick Fuel E85 Ignition: MSD Heads: Dart ProSeries Aluminum Headers: Patriot Cam: Comp Cams Full Roller Crank: Stock Forged Rods: Manley H Beams DRIVETRAIN Transmission: TH400, 5500 Stall Shifter: Hurst Differential: Dana 60, 4.56 Gear Spool Frame: Stock with Homemade Front Rails Steering: Vega Box ‘RED BARON’ TECH SHEET BOYD HOWE Disk Brakes: Front--SSB, Rear--Wilwood Front Suspension: WAC Custom Front Axle Rear Suspension: Stock Leaf Spring with Southside Lift Bars WHEELS & TIRES Front: American Torque Thrust, Moroso Tires Rear: American Torque Thrust, MT 10.5 x 29.5 BODY Manufacturer: 1955 Chevy 210 Modification: Gasser Lettering: Vinyl Lettering Gauges: Autometer Steering Wheel: Vintage 500 Safety Equipment: Impact Racing Belts Cage: Competition Engineering 8 Pt
A B o y a n d H i s R i v e r R a t b y S l i c k R o g e r s photo by CHRISTINE REGUSA It's 1964; a twelve-year-old boy leans in to look over the fender of a dual-quad SS Impala from his Stingray bike. Moments earlier the big Impala could be seen beating the brakes off of a legit 12.90 drag car on the straightaway in front of his home. The boy, Jerry Lopez, and the impact of that day would define a lifetime of Muscle cars, Street Rods, Show cars and Drag racing. Forty-two years later, in 2012, Jerry would embark on his latest creation, "THE RIVER RAT," with the hopes of acquiring his first nine second ET. slip. The rising costs of classic junkers meant that Jerry would start this build with an affordable fourdoor sedan. Within the confines of his little, back yard, shop of horrors, the '55 Sedan would get re-fitted with a set of used two door sedan doors, a one-piece flip front end and a new Speedway straight axle. Wheel well radiation, yellow paint, and a set of old school slots would finish the visuals. Pat Musi supplied the Big M Dart block fitted with a set of 13:1 pistons. An 1150 Dominator provides fuel via Victor 565 intake and Brodix 360 heads, which have since been worked over by Mike Stark of CFM Performance. Dale Hagadone of WHIPLASH Racing Transmissions would supply gear changes by way of a trans-braked turbo 400. A 1957 Pontiac third member sporting a 4.56:1 gear is used out back and the power is transferred to the pavement with 33x11.5 Mickey Thompson slicks. Upon the River Rat's completion, in 2016, the man and his machine would make their debut at the DANCHUCK TRI-FIVE NATS. Violent starting line launches and huge wheel-stands, that weekend, would solidify The RIVER RAT'S existence as a crowd pleaser and photographers dream in the world of modern day gassers. Jerry would come to realize one of his dreams on the last pass of the last evening of that event. Opting to foot brake from an Idle, in hopes of reining in some of the violence, the back yard hot rodder and his big yellow rat blasted off, and made their way, into the nine-second club. It’s 2018 and Jerry and the River Rat have traveled the country and raced at today’s premier Gasser events such as The Meltdown Drags, Hot Rod Revivals, Gasser Blow-Outs and Funny Car Chaos Gasser invitationals. While fulfilling his life long dreams Jerry says, "My favorite part of my travels are the friends I make and meet along the way." As for The River Rat, it doesn't speak, it just hangs out on the door, salivating, and waiting for Jerry to saddle up, hit the starter button, and drop the hammer for the fans. Article by Slick Rogers ~ Photo by Christine Regusa
Page 1 and 2: R A C I N G B A C K T O T H E S I X
Page 3 and 4: M A G A Z I N E GASSER R A C I N G
Page 5 and 6: Ernest McIntyre Ed i t o r/Pu b i s
Page 7: p h o t o s b y C H A N TA L N AT I
Page 10 and 11: T H O M P S O N B O B W E N Z E L B
Page 12 and 13: S & S Racing Team’s Gene Altizer
Page 14 and 15: Gene Kubisty’s ‘Hombre’ Austi
Page 18 and 19: G A S S E R B L O W O U T 8 ~ A T M
Page 20 and 21: G A S S E R S 5 ~ R P M a t t h e A
Page 22 and 23: ‘40 W I L L Y S
Page 24 and 25: 528 O F L U S T O D D A R D I’ve
Page 26 and 27: p h o t o s b y t r e n t s h e r r
Page 28 and 29: Gasser Appreciation Race B L U E S
Page 30 and 31: B L U E S U E D E C R U I S E Bill
Page 32 and 33: B L U E S U E D E C R U I S E Tim R
Page 34 and 35: BCG CP DSG ECG ELTA GC GLG GRS 2 0
Page 36 and 37: C A P T A I N A M E R I C A ! by SL
Page 38 and 39: S W A P M E ET FOR SALE: ’35 DODG
Page 40 and 41: F O R S A L E : ‘ 41 W I L LY S C
Page 42: GASSER MAGAZINE

GASSER MAGAZINE

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