Just when you thought it was safe to go outside….this happens! Lutz Race Cars has released some sneak peek photos of a brand new 1957 Chevrolet that will become the new Drag Week steed for Jeff Lutz. While the car looks virtually identical from the outside there have been major changes made in materials used (among other things) to shed 1,000lbs from the previous car. If you’ll remember correctly, the first ’57 ran down into the sixes at Ennis, Texas last year after Drag Week. Pulling 1,000lbs from a car that ran 6.90 and using the same engine and drivetrain combo that the heavier car had in it means that in theory this new car would have the snot to dip into the 5s. The general rule for drag racers is that every hundred lbs lost is worth a tenth on the track. There are obviously other forces and challenges to overcome like aerodynamics and stuff but the weight loss is significant as it simply using a more advanced chassis design that could aid it getting the big car off the starting line.
We’re not sure when Lutz began construction on this car but it will be making its official debut at the 2013 PRI show this week and we’ll be there to cover it! We cannot wait to see it “fully dressed” with the nose on and all. Honestly, this type of stuff is what we expected to happen after Tom Bailey did what he did in winning the event and pulling off the six second average during Drag Week 2013. The evolution and march of the event isn’t stopping any time soon and each year guys are looking to go quicker and faster. There are only a couple proven ways to do that. Either get lighter, get more powerful, or get more aerodynamic. Lutz has chosen at least one of those methods…maybe more.
SCROLL DOWN TO CHECK OUT THE SPY PHOTOS FROM LUTZ RACE CARS AND STAY TUNED TO BANG SHIFT…WE’LL BE AT PRI AND BACK AT YOU WITH MORE DETAILS ON THIS BAD ASS NEW VERSION OF THE INFAMOUS FLAT BLACK ’57!
Looking forward to DW2014- this thing is going to be contender! Jeff Lutz FTW!
Lutz is due for a win …. I hope this gets him there
Aside from it having the aerodynamics of a brick it should be getting very good ET’s with that diet!
Making a car lighter and faster is one thing. Making it survive the drive of drag week is a whole another story. Valve springs and lifters have been his Achilles heel. Good luck to him.
To me this is awesome AND sad at the same time!
AWESOME to see what these guys can put together to survive this kind of punishment!
A little sad because I feel cars built JUST for dragweek kind of misses the original intent…
But I will be WAY excited to see this big box go down the track!
At least it has the production look of a 57, not like the pro mods with plates. there should be TWO unlimited classes. One for factory looking cars like Jeff and Larry have , and one for the pro mod looking class. Give em hell Jeff, you deserve it!!
they should have templates for all the cars..
Certainly the GM fans love the ’57.
But until HRM outlaws aerodynamic “pro mods,” why, why, why would anyone with even a niggling understanding of aero build something THAT EXPENSIVE that has to expend (waste) so much power pushing air out of the way?
Frontal area and Cd aren’t really all that tough to understand. but virtually no one in Unlimited is attempting to maximize this advantage . . . not even the “Pro Mod” Camaros!
Unless Mr. Lutz is getting paid appearance money for showing up with a DW “shoebox” somewhere, he’s not thinking with his head on this one.
What PRI booth will this be in? I gotta add that to my agenda!
Will it have redundant steering wheel attachments??
Fantastic, looks like DW14 will be a ‘must do’ on the calendar!
jeff that is one bad ass 57 u can’t tell which is which
i draw cars and put them on shirts, they are inkjetted not THAT SILK SCREEN CRAP!! I would like to draw yours so if u don’t mind send me some pix, here;s my e-mail [email protected]
THANX and i’ll be waiting for your pix THANX AGAIN WEO
jeff
i started drawing your 57 but I’m gonna need a couple of pix from u if u could , so can u send some if u could or maybe just e-mail me so I can get your e-mail when I.m done Ican send it to you I would appreciate it and like I said THAT’S ONE BAD AZZ 57
THANX AGAIN WEO