Mark.... I don't know who looks happier... You in the cxxk pit or Sandra that its leaving the property L.O.L. First time I've seen the original picture. Neat . Looking forward to its revival.

Beans wrote:

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Silly question - I dunno hardly anything about race cars - but this kinda drag car - you're basically sitting on the rear diff aren't you?
Did drivers ever wear any kinda extra special protection in case something went wrong with the rear end??? Jock strap or Steel plated boxer shorts etc?? lol

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 I think that most of the guys that piloted those cars, already had all the offspring they planned on having. 

wuga wrote:

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Mark
Anything happening with the dragster. Can you post some build pictures and please post Summer Bash dates ASAP. A couple of us old Strokers have a keen interest.

Warren

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 Hey Warren....here's a few pictures of the dragster.....frame rails are in and the hemi should be going into the machine shop soon. Funny to see the original floor pan was a old fuel sign. I Even through in a old picture of when Andy Marsh (original driver) came by at the drag show to see the old girl. Al Howlett has been in to see the Purple People Eater up close and told some great stories from back in the day....lol. Just cool to see this old 1320 warrior coming back from the grave. 

Progress is on the chassis is going well.....Russ Moore is doing a great job with the help of 60+ year old pictures of the old Purple People Eater's chassis......it took me close to 15 years to find this dragster and it's hard to believe that dream is coming to reality....it'll be outstanding to see this rare piece of Canadian Drag Racing come back to life.

The old Purple People Eater has now got a hemi and tranny sitting between the rails to check fit and a pair of new vintage Firestone 8:20 dragster slicks on the back. I dropped off the shorten 9 inch rearend.....made a change from using the 1958 Chevy 10 bolt rear based on strength and lasting power...lol....here's a few more pictures of the progress.

GMDad wrote:

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Hoping to have it done for Aug ?

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 That would be the plan GMDad but I'm also not going to rush the restoration on this rare dragster.....so fingers crossed brother....lol.

Progress is still going well on the dragster....pretty cool to see her sitting as a roller on her vintage tires...... 109 inch wheel base of coolness.... lol..... the upright tank in the front is a cut down 1940's airplane gas tank..... remember....no one at that time was using moon tanks up this way in Canada around 1957.

Great having Andy Marsh drop by to see the old dragster he once drove back in the 1950's . Andy is a original Galt Stroker member.... gave me his blessings and thought the dragster was looking really good. Andy also gave me his original helmet that he wore back in the day when drove the Purple People Eater..... it was a fun day hearing some neat stories. 

Got the chassis out to the paint shop last weekend. After prepping the chassis and taping it up....put a nice coat of bright white paint....just the way the Strokers had....... looks pretty cool on the trailer behind the 1966 Ford F100....just back in the day.

wuga wrote:

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Mark
Heard today the project may take a little longer then planned. Hope we can do a 'Stroker' run at the summer bash. I'm headed to Byron for the Melt Down Drags for a tune-up for the ELTA Bash.

Warren

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 I'll have the old "Purple People Eater" at this years ELTA Summer Bash & Big Go Drags Warren but we'll have to put our match race off till next year....lol..... I'm just not wanting to rush the restoration ...I want have the dragster done right, not quickly. I hope to see you at the ELTA Big Go Drags brother and best of luck at the Melt Down Drags..... we'll definlty get a Stroker photo shoot with both cars and the Strokers....that would be outstanding..... see you soon.

Here's a few recent pictures of the "Purple People Eater" dragster from outside my home shop and at this years ELTA Summer Bash and Big Go Drags. Even Andy Marsh , a original Galt Stroker and a original driver of the dragster from those early years back in mid 50's dropped by to check out the old girl. This piece of Canadian drag racing history was very well recieved by all that came by to look at her.

Finally blasted off all the old paint and grime off the original fiberglass body panels....hard to believe how well these body parts have stood up after 63 years..... close to 50 of those years out side in a field.