Thank to BangShift reader Paul Hendrickson, we know that “Diesel” Louie Force’s famous 1953 Kenworth wheelstander is up for sale on Craigslist in Kansas. Louie Force is John Force’s older brother and he made his bones for many years driving this truck at drag strips all across North America. Think there’s any coincidence that the Castrol name is sprawled across the nose? Probably not. What about the fact that this mother is powered by a blown alky burning Keith Black Hemi? We’re guessing a few gently used parts may have made it from one brother to the other over the years as well.
The truck was run into the 2000s. As you can see in the ad, it ran in the 8-second time zone on the rear wheels back in 2002. Efforts to find out when the truck was retired have proved fruitless but we can tell you that this truck has made umpteen hundreds and maybe thousands of laps. We’re actually shocked that John Force does not own it yet and have it on display at his shop. Force and his brother are close and always have been. They grew up very poor and both knew that they could make it in the world of straight line competition. As John’s star rose in the funny car ranks, Louie’s rose as one of the best exhibition performers in the business. There aren’t many 8-second, 160mph wheelstanders today and more than a decade ago there were far fewer. This truck is a cool piece of Force family racing history and we bet it will fetch some decent money on the market….especially if John gets wind that it is for sale!
Thanks for the tip Paul!
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CL AD LINK: DIESEL LOUIE FORCE’S 1953 KW WHEELSTANDER
That area code says its in the Wichita Kansas area.
I’m shocked that John hasn’t bought/found that yet, and restored it for display in his museum.
Is it just me or is that a Mid thirties GM cab with a different nose?
I hope John does, bet he would be very happy to have it in his collection