Frankenvan - the 10 second Van taking New Zealand dragstrips by storm

[kiwigtx]

Check out this old school van project. I used to drive a van like this for work in 1987.
Although mine didn't have a Lexus V8 in the back, we did get the front wheels off the ground by bouncing up and down as we drove down the High Street at lunch times.

 

[khryslerkid]

They named it right!

Look at all the American Iron in the staging lanes.

 

[HEMI-ITIS]

WILD!!

 

[slimt]

Neat looking Van. Ive seen a few of those here in Alberta. Not in that good of shape though.

 

[33 IMP]

Saw this yesterday at Match Race Madness. I don't know what powered it, elaborate engine cover, but it was a five second eighth car.

Solid mid to low nine second quarter mile.

 

[diesel_lv]

A buddy of mine in Redlands, CA does fabrication work. One of his favorite projects is late 60 early 70's vans. Chops them way down, puts a BB Mopar in the back, uses a Casale V-drive and runs exhaust out the roof. They all wheelie pretty well. Leaves them raw steel or primer n usually ends up selling them for bank to people in Japan.

 

[kiwigtx]

How about this 9-second Plumbers Van in Australia......complete with roof racks and drainpipe.



I assure you folks that having a flat fronted vehicle is a real nightmare for wind resistance when going hard out.

 

[khryslerkid]

I assure you folks that having a flat fronted vehicle is a real nightmare for wind resistance when going hard out.

Or just daily driving. I had a '65 Ford long van back in the day and a head wind would really slow you down. A cross wind was like driving a bill board down the road. It was similar to this one...

The van in the last video is probably running 10's if he would get it down the 1/4 straight and not back peddling it so much. Looks like a handful!

 

[33 IMP]

Yeah, that mitsu is seriously un-hooked!

 

[khryslerkid]

8.9 sec small block chevy. And it goes straight.



Looks like his camping stove pipe sticking out the side.

 

[kiwigtx]

8.9 sec small block chevy. And it goes straight.



Looks like his camping stove pipe sticking out the side.

I hope he stacked his dishes in the cupboard before racing.

I have Al to thank - aka @HEMI-ITIS for alerting me to the Frankenvan last year.

 

[Cranky]

Check out this old school van project. I used to drive a van like this for work in 1987.
Although mine didn't have a Lexus V8 in the back, we did get the front wheels off the ground by bouncing up and down as we drove down the High Street at lunch times.

How about this 9-second Plumbers Van in Australia......complete with roof racks and drainpipe.



I assure you folks that having a flat fronted vehicle is a real nightmare for wind resistance when going hard out.

I got in trouble in the AF for doing that to a Ford Econoline van lol

And he was having a nightmare before he had any wind resistance to worry about lol

 

[biomedtechguy]

Consistent ET, every time down the track. Same guy has a PT Cruiser with a V8 set back into the windshield area, making it a 2 seater.
I've seen him drive to the track, win, and drive home, getting some no ethanol, 92 or 93 premium gas at the nearby convenience store.
Here's the van:

 

[diesel_lv]

Here's my buddy Slim.

 

[Budnicks]

Here's my buddy Slim.

wasn't he the same guy on 'Roadkill'
I can't remember what season or episode
it was when they did that chopped van trying to wheelie it
but ended up using it in 'Stubby Bob' instead (blown rear-mounted bbc) IIRC
they were org. at his house IIRC,
they/he took out, a v-drive out of his running driving van
& traded them for theirs (or something like that)
that had a bigger input/output shafts
IIRC, they did wheelies on dirt/gravel with him in his, at his home

 

[diesel_lv]

wasn't he the same guy on 'Roadkill'
I can't remember what season or episode
it was when they did that chopped van trying to wheelie it
but ended up using it in 'Stubby Bob' instead (blown rear-mounted bbc) IIRC
they were org. at his house IIRC,
they/he took out, a v-drive out of his running driving van
& traded them for theirs (or something like that)
that had a bigger input/output shafts
IIRC, they did wheelies on dirt/gravel with him in his, at his home

Yes, same guy. I met him in 2010. Back then he did most of his fab work w a 4-1/2" angle grinder, bench vice and welder out of a 10x10 bedroom in his house.

 

[Budnicks]

Yes, same guy. I met him in 2010. Back then he did most of his fab work w a 4-1/2" angle grinder, bench vice and welder out of a 10x10 bedroom in his house.

Thanks, I thought so...

 

[Budnicks]

Not a van (sort of)
but pretty cool PT Cruiser (did I just say that ?) Wheelstander
does 10's on the rear wheels, dragging 2 titanium pads

NitroMike PT Cruiser | Worlds Wildest PT Cruiser