10 replies to this topic

[Cheater]

If the name Kent Fuller is not familiar to you, you're either not into drag racing or you haven't been paying attention. Starting in the middle '50s, Kent Fuller built chassis for some of the most successful and famous drag cars of all time, an estimated 300 of them.

Kent Fuller bio at The American Hot Rod Foundation
 
Kent's family has started an online campaign to raise enough money to help Kent complete his last racecar. Its a 25-foot long, hand-rolled steel streamliner that is expected to top 300 mph using flathead power.





Fifteen years and countless hours and dollars since the cars inception, the team is trying to raise $32,900 to complete the project and then compete at Bonneville. You can watch a four-minute documentary and contribute to the project HERE.

By donating as little as $1, we all have the opportunity to chip in to help make a little history and fulfill the dreams of one of hot rodding's heroes. If the Kickstarter campaign succeeds (and for the project to be funded, the amount being sought has to be raised by May 22, 2013), this will be most likely the first "crowdfunded" race car.

As this is being posted, 110 backers have pledged $9,834 and yes, I am one of the backers. How about you?

[Hworth08]

Sure looks better painted!

[MrWeiler]

Where is the cockpit?

[Bill from NH]

Sure looks better painted!

 

Everyone looks better with clothes on!

[Dennis David]

Not everybody...

[Cheater]

LOL!

[Samiam]

Is that a rocket ship?

[Cheater]

They certainly hope so! LOL!

The goal is 300+ MPH using a Ford flathead motor. The crrent record for the class is just over 280 MPH.

The current total pledged is $10,049 from 114 backers.

[Hworth08]

The salt flats remind me of our tractor pulling days. My last round was being an exhibition funny car puller with Tim Arfons, son of Art. We travelled the country make-believe pulling aganist each other and building a terrible grudge. Every now and then Art would show up with his Green Monster turbine tractor and show us how it was supposed to be done. WWF all the way but it paid very well! 
 
The flathead engine reminds me of my two slot mentors who had raced stock cars in the '40s and '50s using flatheads. One passed a couple years ago, the other six weeks.
 
And, Bill, the more clothes the better for most of us! I even look more "unbad" in the winter than summer.

[Cheater]

The Streamliner Kickstarter project goal has been reached and Kent Fuller's car will run at Bonneville this fall!
 
As this is being posted, 263 backers have pledged $34,783 (against a goal of $32,900), with 28 hours to go.

From Project Update #4:
 
"Backers, you've done it! We hit our goal Sunday, and this car is going to the salt! Thank you!!

Kent's 60-year dream will be realized, and in the process we've gotten to include a whole lot of friends, new and old, and make history! This may just be the biggest extended racing team ever, and we are absolutely honored to do this together.

Yesterday when we delivered the news to Kent and his wife of 57 years, Evelyn, Kent was speechless, in a way that said everything. Trying to keep her famous composure, Evelyn exclaimed, "I want to laugh and cry at the same time!"

THANK YOU. From the bottom of our hearts.

The Streamliner team"

[Cheater]

Thought it's time for an update on the Kent Fuller Bonneville streamliner project.

"Dear friends,

We've been pounding the pavement getting reward orders filled and completing the redesign of the driver's cockpit, and wanted to take a moment to update you on all the latest news.

Cockpit redesign

Due to the innovative nature of the car's design, there isn't a precedent for safety regulations for the type of prone driver's seat Kent originally envisioned. After much discussion and data submitted to SCTA during tech inspections last season, they ultimately required that we redesign the driver's cockpit for our first run, into a semi-prone position.

That redesign is near completion and AM Hot Rod Glass is currently installing the new window glass.

The streamliner will then be moved to a new shop to put in some more time testing the motor on the dyno, tuning and prepping for next season.

Next steps, upcoming events

We plan to run the streamliner at the dry lakes at El Mirage for the first race of the season, May 17-18.

We will also be showing the car at the Grand National Roadster Show in Pomona, January 24-26, and encourage anyone who can to come out to both events."

Here's a couple of pics of the car in the Derale Performance booth at the SEMA show.





(Photos courtesy The Rodder's Journal)