This is the story of Fantasia, the most insane, evil, and oddly engineered Willys drag racing car ever. It was NOT a gasser. This was a full on AA/Fuel Altered that had the engine straight out of a top fuel car, direct drive, and some of the most bizarre mechanical decisions ever worked into a race car, no matter the year or era.
It is the story of a car that for nearly two seasons of drag racing was an abject failure built upon faulty logic until one brilliant engineering mind tamed it. If you have never heard of Fantasia, I don’t blame you. Its lifespan was short, accomplishments perhaps even shorter, but its story is incredible.
This is the history of one of drag racing’s oddest nitro burning hot rods. A car well before its time. Heck, that’s still a time that hasn’t arrived yet.
That story is the very thing that made drag racing the greatest motorsport to run at that time. Nowadays they dictate everything they can and cannot do. Down to what bolt manufacture you have to use. The sponsors have taken it over and ruined it for the free thinkers.
Thanks Brian! Awesome story, really.
Other than building it in a 40 ford coupe and using a 07-09 GT500 engine and 10 speed auto I’m ready to build a tribute! Insanely cool.