roadhawg Posted May 27, 2022 Share Posted May 27, 2022 “You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means.” -Inigo Montoya, The Princess Bride. Gasser. That term gets used a lot, for all sorts of vehicles....I've even seen on Facebook a gasser described as "any car that's jacked way up and has a big engine", but in my opinion a true gasser is a competition legal drag car that raced in the 1960s. As far as being jacked up high, believe it or not they actually had rules about height, such as the centerline of the crankshaft could not be more than 24" above the ground, and usually only the top 3 classes (A, B, and C/gas) were raised any at all, to accommodate straight front axles. The gas class reached it's prime in 1967, and was eliminated by 1972, so there's really no such thing as a "modern gasser". There's cars built today to resemble a gasser, but they're just current interpretations of a true gasser....and to be honest, seeing modern parts on them just sorta ruin the look to me. There are several nostalgia gasser groups that race today, but only one....The Southeastern Gassers Association....races PERIOD CORRECT gassers. Their rules are based on 1967 rules, and their motto is "follow us to 1967". These cars are the real deal. If you ever get a chance to attend a SEGA event, please do! It's only $20 for a full day of authentic heads up gasser racing, and that includes your pit pass. Anyway, enough of my shameless promotion of the Southeast Gassers. On to the model... I wanted to build a gasser that, if real, would be SEGA legal. This is the MPC Flip Nose '57, built using the SEGA rule book as a guide. I've added period correct tires and wheels, and lowered the car slightly, which required reworking the rear suspension and opening up the rear fenders. I've also noticed on other builds of this kit that the front axle looks a little too far to the rear, so I moved it forward about 1/16-1/8"". Since the SEGA doesn't run a supercharged class, I modified the hole in the hood for fuel injection instead of the blower. The SEGA gives a weight break for uncommon engines (something other than Chevy, Ford, or a Hemi) so I went with a Pontiac 421 from the AMT '62 Catalina. They also give a weight break for mechanical fuel injection as opposed to carburation, so the intake is from the parts box....I think it came from the Revell Anglia gasser....Oldsmobile engine, I believe, but the injection unit is the same basic design for a Pontiac. Wheelie bars are also from the parts box. Interior is straight from the kit, except I added a dash mounted tachometer. The windows were replaced with clear yellow plastic, except the windshield which remains clear. The name is a play on words for the Pontiac "engine"....Pontiac being an Indian Chief. Decals are from Speedway Decals. The color is Duplicolor Bright Red. This was a fun build, and I'm reasonably happy with the way it turned out. Now, for my next trick, I'm going to try to convert that Moebius Nova gasser into a real SEGA legal gasser....that should keep me busy for awhile! Thanks for looking. 12 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dragcarz Posted May 27, 2022 Share Posted May 27, 2022 That’s beautiful! Great work! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Classicgas Posted May 27, 2022 Share Posted May 27, 2022 Beautiful work Tommy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grodudulle77 Posted May 27, 2022 Share Posted May 27, 2022 Very nice, awesome look !! 👍😀 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
larman Posted May 27, 2022 Share Posted May 27, 2022 Amen! You are exactly right. Excellent work on the model! Love that it has Pontiac engine too! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ace-Garageguy Posted May 27, 2022 Share Posted May 27, 2022 (edited) You are the MAN. A class-legal gasser with a stance like they really were in the wayback. MOST EXCELLENT !!! Edited May 27, 2022 by Ace-Garageguy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
afx Posted May 27, 2022 Share Posted May 27, 2022 Very nice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pierre Rivard Posted May 27, 2022 Share Posted May 27, 2022 Don't know a thing about drag racing but this is an awesome looking build. Simply formidable! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cobraman Posted May 27, 2022 Share Posted May 27, 2022 You built a great looking model. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
M W Elky Posted May 27, 2022 Share Posted May 27, 2022 SWEET I LOVE THAT NIXON DECAL NICE JOB 👍 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iBorg Posted May 27, 2022 Share Posted May 27, 2022 I've seen this kit build up numerous times before....never this good. Absolutely a beautiful representation of a late 60's lower class gasser. Where did you get the decals? They're period perfect. I agree. I love the bumper sticker. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
majel Posted May 27, 2022 Share Posted May 27, 2022 Fantastic build, very clean work! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zippi Posted May 27, 2022 Share Posted May 27, 2022 That's a bad looking 57 Gasser. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TarheelRick Posted May 27, 2022 Share Posted May 27, 2022 (edited) Most excellent build. I am a Gasser freak and was lucky enough to spend two-wonderful days last summer watching SEGA run my local dragstrip. One rule you didn't mention was the use of four-speed transmissions only and nothing air-shifted, all must be hand thrown. Really like the color scheme you did on yours. One fine machine. Edited May 27, 2022 by TarheelRick Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
roadhawg Posted May 27, 2022 Author Share Posted May 27, 2022 Thanks so much, y'all. I appreciate the kind words! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
roadhawg Posted May 27, 2022 Author Share Posted May 27, 2022 8 hours ago, M W Elky said: SWEET I LOVE THAT NIXON DECAL NICE JOB 👍 Donovan Stott had that decal on the Anglia gasser he raced a couple years ago. The SEGA says all decals must look like they're from the late 60s, so I though that might work lol. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
roadhawg Posted May 27, 2022 Author Share Posted May 27, 2022 7 hours ago, iBorg said: I've seen this kit build up numerous times before....never this good. Absolutely a beautiful representation of a late 60's lower class gasser. Where did you get the decals? They're period perfect. I agree. I love the bumper sticker. Thank you! The decals were custom made by Speedway Decals. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
roadhawg Posted May 27, 2022 Author Share Posted May 27, 2022 2 hours ago, TarheelRick said: Most excellent build. I am a Gasser freak and was lucky enough to spend two-wonderful days last summer watching SEGA run my local dragstrip. One rule you didn't mention was the use of four-speed transmissions only and nothing air-shifted, all must be hand thrown. Really like the color scheme you did on yours. One fine machine. Thank you! Yes, 4 speed, and no clutchless shifting. If they suspect you're not using the clutch, they'll put a camera in your car! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TransAmMike Posted May 28, 2022 Share Posted May 28, 2022 Great job Tommy, really like your modifications👌 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrew McD Posted May 28, 2022 Share Posted May 28, 2022 Love seeing a great build that truly represents a Gas Class dragster. I haven’t been to a SEGA meet but have fond memories of seeing a lot of great gassers run at Cecil County Dragway in Maryland when I was in high school back in the ‘60s. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nacho Z Posted May 28, 2022 Share Posted May 28, 2022 I always enjoy your builds, Tommy, and this one is no exception. Great job as usual! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrisR Posted May 28, 2022 Share Posted May 28, 2022 Very nice! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carrucha Posted May 28, 2022 Share Posted May 28, 2022 Cool gasser. Good job making it period correct. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TNT Posted May 30, 2022 Share Posted May 30, 2022 That is a nice gasser. Nice work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bisc63 Posted May 30, 2022 Share Posted May 30, 2022 Very nice treatment of this kit. Great job! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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