Back in the early '60s NHRA changed the rules to allow short wheelbase cars and it wasn't long before racers started to look for the lightest and smallest car they could. One of the more popular models were the '48-'53 Ford Anglias made in Britain. Racers began stuffing powerful V8 engines in between the frames of these very short wheelbase cars. Along with a tall center of gravity combined with potent powerplants and the use of a buggy spring type front suspension they proved to be unpredictable and quite the handful to control.
Owner Steve Bacon, who also owns a '41 Willys Gasser brought his '52 Anglia gasser out to do the first testing of the year in preparation for Byron Dragway's Glory Days Nostalgia Gasser event in July. It's a family affair as Steve was also there helping his grandkids with their Jr. dragsters along with his son Ben and his wife Michelle. The father and son managed a couple nice 10 second passes while experimenting with the suspension and power setup and you see how wild and unpredictable these cars can get!
Check out this video • NOSTALGIA NIGHT ACTION... from a few years back where Steve raced his son Ben in a night race at Glory Days. Yes that's Ben's wife Michelle in period correct attire, backing him up just like they did in the 60's! #gassers #anglia #glorydays