Vehicle Description
1937 Chevrolet Race Car
Dirt track racing started in the United States before World War I
and became widespread during the 1920s and 1930s using both
automobiles and motorcycles. Two different types of race cars
dominate - open wheel racers in the Northeast and West and stock
cars in the Midwest and South.
Take me back to the Reading, Pennsylvania Fairgrounds cheering in
the stands for my favorite car and driver, wearing my printed T
shirt with a graphic of said favorite car printed on it. Also, a
novelty seldom seen but oft worn in those days was a brimless felt
hat, airbrushed with said favorite driver name or car painting
emblazoned on it. Those "beanies" were a product of the local
Bollman Hat Factory (WPL on the tag code) in cooperation with
several airbrush artists who carved a niche souvenir which everyone
had to have at the time! But I digress to our consignment the
iconic round body 1937 Chevrolet open wheel dirt track racer. Old
school stock car dirt track racing at its best.
Exterior
Sadly, this particular build did not see any actual dirt track
time, it definitely has the look though with a cutoff 37 Chevy
shell, and a custom fabricated hood with open cowl engine bay. A
football helmet front guard for the steel frame, complete with open
coil-overs and rack and pinion steering, which was used heavily to
saw at the wheel while sliding through those slippery turns, trying
to gain any advantage on the driver beside you, outside or inside.
It truly was like a dance, and when the final race came around
there were at least 25 to 30 cars dancing on this dirt all
synchronized and making lots of noise! Bringing up the rear is more
framework encasing the fuel cell, and cutoff body from the front of
the rear wheel well, straight back to just below the windshield.
Big Hoosier dirt track racing tires with deep dish aluminum with
bead lock wheels are on all 4 corners. Orange is the main color
with some yellow accenting, and Kendall Racing sponsorship painted
badges. Also, of significance the tires are staggered to making the
oval easier to navigate.
Interior
Totally modified for racing, this center mounted racing seat, sits
behind a large steering wheel. This is surrounded by a large steel
roll cage, and a custom fabricated dash with just the essential
gauges within a spun aluminum pattern dash front. Your legs may
give you a hair-raising ride due to the fact they are straddling
the bell housing and transmission. A gridded cage is up front to
offer a view of the track ahead, but protecting you from any
shrapnel which was sure to come your way during racing with
numerous drivers blowing the "chrome horn"
Drivetrain
A naturally aspirated 307ci V8 which has been bored .30 over,
sports a hydraulic cam, gear drive, 1.6 ratio aluminum rockers, a
dual point distributor, and Accel Coil and a dirt track oil pan.
Also, a single 4-barrel Holly carburetor feeding an Edelbrock
Torker intake manifold is on this racing mill. The transmission is
a Ford Truck transmission with an aluminum flywheel, a steel bell
housing, and a new clutch and pressure plate. Note this is a closed
driveline.
Undercarriage
Built for the dirt, is a light aluminum custom fabricated radiator,
and electric fan. On the back is a Frankland quick change rear with
double splined axle. Wilwood disc brakes are on front, and rear,
and provide stopping power when there is a pileup...otherwise its
full go all around the track. Coil over suspension is on all 4
corners, and a sturdy aluminum fuel cell hangs on the back.
Drive-Ability
With an empty fuel cell and no battery, a test drive could not be
had. However, for any interested persons the consignor will gladly
come in fuel her up and give you the ins and outs of sliding thru
the dirt.
Imagine 30 of these rolling around turn 4 all bunched up and
waiting to release their energy on the dirt when that green flag
waves. It's a sound that shakes you to your core and creates a
cloud of dust that will have you covering your french fries and
slice of pizza. This one has never seen track time but was built to
be an homage to the dirt track era of the 1960's and early 1970's,
before the dirt cars became ubiquitous wedges and the personality
was gone. But it's alive and well in the spirit of this vintage
replica racer, with all the track fixins.
Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special
interest automobile showroom, featuring over 600 vehicles for sale
with showroom space for up to 1,000 vehicles. Also, a 400 vehicle
barn find collection is on display.
This vehicle is located in our showroom in Morgantown,
Pennsylvania, conveniently located just 1-hour west of Philadelphia
on the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. The website is
www.classicautomall.com and our phone number is (888) 227-0914.
Please contact us anytime for more information or to come see the
vehicle in person.
