Vintage Drag Racing, 1955 World Series of Drag Racing

Footage of the 1955 World Series of Drag Racing in Lawrenceville, IL. Includes Art Arfons' Green Monster 2, a 20 foot long, six wheeled car powered by a 2000 horsepower Allison aircraft engine. It was hitting 100 miles per hour in the quarter mile at this event. Green Monster Number 2 was painted by Arfons' mother to resemble the World War II Curtiss P-40 Flying Tigers fighter airplane, with an open mouth showing large teeth. The top speed of the car was estimated at 270 miles per hour, and it could reach 140 miles per hour in eight seconds from a standing start. Running on passenger car tires, the car required four wheels on the rear drive axle to withstand the power. At the World Series of Drag Racing in Lawrenceville, Illinois, it clocked the highest top speed at 132.35 mph, and eventually went on to a world record of 145.16 mph.

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Autos & Vehicles

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[edbrumley]

Excellent footage and in COLOR! My Dad shot some 8mm film too at George Field (Lawrenceville/Vincennes Mid-American Air Center) most likely this same day. It also is in color, but I haven't converted it digitally.

[jzero32]

Some of the people that think rat rods or traditional rods are a fad and can't wait for it to go away because of no fancy paint chrome or pretty aftermarket pieces. They should maybe take a real CLOSE look at what started it all! Cheap ,simple, cool and fast and most all built from scratch!!! Geez a fad 60 ,70 yrs. ago and it is still here with a resurgence ! I wonder what a long time stint is ?LONG LIVE THE REAL HOT RODDERS !

[skatepunkzero]

Great footage, but it could use some Gene Vincent or Eddie Cochran in the background

[OzzInter]

Great old footage, thanks for sharing!

[OzzInter]

Great to see this old footage.

Thanks for sharing!

[OzzInter]

Great to se this very old footage saved!

[OzzInter]

Looks like "Quarter Mile Sprints" which was one vehicle at a time against the clock.

The winner being the the vehicle with the best time in its class.

"Drag Racing" is an two vehicles at a time over the quarter mile, with the winner the first across the line, regardless of time.

Very interesting old footage, thanks for submitting!

[mjmcnult]

Where did all those old frames and chassis go?

[dexpar]

Great footage of great racing. I was there !

[bladey1010]

6:13 I thought you were going to leave the best part out!