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11.29.10

Goodguys Rod & Custom 2012 Giveaway Car Design Contest:

1320 feet. For many in our hobby this distance means everything.  Drag racing is a focus that takes ultimate passion to wrench on cars with the intention of going very fast, very straight for that all important number.  The quarter mile has been the reason for some of the meanest cars that have ever been built.  If you want to get an idea of speed, power, and history stand next to a funny car that was built in the early 70s.  Pioneering funny cars of this era such as the Ramchargers’ Challenger was the visual basis behind the design of the Goodguys 2012 Giveaway Car. 

Design Approach:

In stock form the 1970 Challenger is an amazing car.  The power that comes from under the hood is expressed in every line on this car.  While it would be easy to leave the body alone, the one area of the car that seems weak visually is the placement of the front wheels.  If you take a look at the profile of the stock Challenger, you will notice that the car seems very nose-heavy based on this wheel placement.  The bulk of the car’s rear helps to balance this, but it is quite noticeable once you really look at it.

While at last year’s California Hot Rod Reunion I was stopped in my tracks when I saw Don Prudhomme’s yellow ‘Cuda funny car for the first time. I had grown up with the Hot Wheels car burned into my brain as a kid and to see it there in front of me is something I will never forget.  What makes that car outstanding is the balance of simplicity and power.

I used this influence to pull the key visual pieces to produce a street car that has a balance of proportion and detail in line with those early funny cars.  Obviously, the big move to the design is the 6” forward placement of the front wheels.  The wheel placement is exaggerated by the T/A scoop that has been moved back 6” toward the windshield.  Functional side dumps give a flopper hint and add some visual detail.  Other key pieces such as the Team 3 spindle-mount Dragmaster front wheels and Team 3 Fueler rear wheels add to the early 70’s drag car theme. Gold metallic paint with black hood, roof and trunk are a perfect combination of nostalgia and restraint.  

This car was designed to try something new by trying something old.  Those old drag cars that influenced this design are just plain mean and helped give a feel for what I was after.  The Goodguys Giveaway Car is intended to help you remember that one important measure.

1320 feet.    

You can vote for the Goodguys Giveaway design here .