History tends to favor the really fast stuff in drag racing and we suppose that it is only human nature. The cars the wowed crowds with crazy performances and feats of strength are the ones that people in the stands remember more than those which were mechanically unique or inventive. The flash and dash always wins out. But then there’s stuff like this to remind all of us that there were people racing on every possible level back in the day and not just in the upper echelon classes. A 1940 Plymouth gasser that is exactly as it was raced nearly 50 years ago is for sale in California and it is everything that most modern “gasser” builds aren’t.
The J/Gas Plymouth is powered by a mechanically fuel injected Chrysler slant six that likely makes about 250hp. It was not a car that yanked the wheels or set low ET of the meets it attended and we’re guessing it probably didn’t grab a huge amount of attention when it was racing but its days in the sun are beginning again because the people who love this car will REALLY love this car. It is incredibly rare to find an actual old racer that has not been all hacked to pieces and messed with. The owner of this car obviously loved it because he kept it as it was on its last days as a competition vehicle.
There are no time slips to show what the car ran but we’re guessing it was probably in the 14s or maybe the 13s if the air was good and helping to push the rounded fenders of the machine down the course. Amazingly straight and clean, we’d saw off a limb for the shot at making a pass in this car.
Thanks for the tip, David!
CHECK OUT THESE PHOTOS AND THEN HIT THE LINK TO SEE THE AD!
What a blast of a ride. Interesting that it was licensed until 84.
Craigslist ad is Vegas, but the map shows it near Medford Oregon
If I had the cash, I’d be booking a plane flight to Vegas right now!
That’s stupid. Who would build a racecar with an inline 6 cylinder? Now 5-banger – that’s another issue!
But seriously, wish I had the $$. What a cool old car!
Dan
gee dan , I guess Chrysler did with the e49 charger
Look at the class……J-Gas. That was low horsepower combined with a not so light car. So who knows, it could have been competitive in its class. Gee I don’t ever recall seeing anything other than A B and C Gas when I was growing up.