In times of stress, both people and companies are known to take unusual action. Take the 1932 Chevrolet Confederate, offered during the worst year of the Great Depression, and - as Arch Brown relates in his story on the Confederate in SIA #145, January 1995 - marketed not so much as an entry-level car, rather as a step-down from the Cadillac, with similar styling and plenty of dress-up options. Indeed, the Confederate convertible profiled for the article almost rivals late 1950s American cars in terms of flash.
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It's time to strap on your helmet and wedge yourself into the driver's bucket seat as we enter the world of gassers with the following ten hopped up rides that are listed for sale on Hemmings Marketplace.
1941 Willys Gasser
A list of cool gassers wouldn’t be complete without at least one Willys. Actually, we have another featured below, but we’ll start with this example. According to the seller, this 1941 Willys Gasser was a class winner at the 2014 Detroit Auto Show and has been kept in pristine condition since the build was completed. The engine, a 601 cubic-inch Chevrolet motor that puts 856-horsepower to the wheels, is a beast in itself. Check out the listing on Hemmings Marketplace for the lengthy list of specs and to see the custom Rat Fink mural on the rear.
1952 Henry J Corsair
With a name like “Blown Income,” you know this 1952 Henry J Corsair Gasser is built to the brim. The seller states, “everything down to the bolts were given special attention” and “you will be hard pressed to find a more detailed Henry J build.” The Dart 427 cubic-inch block was built by Kenny Dutwieler and packed with performance goodies to be a 690 horsepower pump gas screamer. The seller says nothing was left untouched, and the full specs and photo gallery reflect exactly that. Fine details are spotted throughout the build down to the shaved lettering on the front tires.
1940 Willys Gasser
This Willys Gasser sits on its fully boxed original frame with a Willys I-beam axle. The steel body is fitted with a fiberglass hood, doors, and decklid to minimize weight. Under the hood of this clean-cut hot rod is a blown vintage Chrysler 354 cubic-inch V8 topped with dual Kindig carburetors, a GMC 6-71 blower, and a vintage Mickey Thompson intake. What are you waiting for? Take a closer look.
1962 Chevrolet Nova AFX Gasser
Nicknamed ''Novacaine'', this 1962 Chevrolet Nova AFX Gasser will leave your competition feeling numb. Aside from its high stance and snarling silver headers hovering above chrome Cragar wheels, the muscle car’s original look has been mostly retained. The injector hats peeking out of the hood are a clue to what the beast is hiding within, a fresh 496 cubic-inch V8 fed by FAST fuel injection under the canted and polished Enderle stacks. Follow this link to the listing and get your go-fast kicks.
1957 Chevrolet 150
Aptly named Mr. Twister, the seller states that this “wild looker and cooker is beautifully done, and runs like, well a gasser!” Equipped with a 496 cubic-inch V8 built with performance parts and topped with a Quickfuel four-barrel carburetor, this 1957 Chevrolet 150 is capable of over 600 horsepower. Giving the gasser its killer stance is a leaf spring front suspension and a ladder bar rear suspension with coilovers. It’s clear from the detailed classified on Hemmings Marketplace that this hot rod is ready to hit the drag strip.
1962 Buick Skylark Gasser
According to the prior owner of this 1962 Buick Skylark Gasser, the car previously ran at Pomona as a C-Gasser. At that time, it was equipped with a big-block Buick engine which has since been swapped for a 350 cubic-inch V8 set back into the engine bay and paired with a TH400 automatic transmission. Inside, custom bucket seats are trimmed in metalflake-style quilted red upholstery to match the exterior’s accents. Find the complete list of modifications at this link.
1955 Ford Thunderbird Warbird Gasser Replica
Transformed into a Warbird Gasser replica, this 1955 Ford Thunderbird stands as a striking example of classic design fused with drag racing spirit. This full fiberglass car, a characteristic reminiscent of real gassers seeking to minimize weight, is painted in a sleek white, showcasing its dynamic and aggressive stance. While it is far from a typical Thunderbird, this replica retains a sense of luxury with leather seats and power windows, unusual for a dragstrip car, hinting at its dual purpose for both show and occasional cruising. Underneath the hood, the Thunderbird houses a formidable 406 cubic-inch V8, a bored-out version of the original 400 cubic-inch engine. The powerplant is matched with a 700R4 4-speed automatic transmission.
1963 Chevrolet Nova Gasser
This 1963 Chevrolet Chevy II / Nova Gasser is a testament to the golden age of American automotive design. Under the hood of its striking Adriatic Blue Metallic exterior is a 355 cubic-inch V8 mated to a M22 4-speed manual transmission with a close pattern Hurst shifter. This driveline also includes a Speedway straight front axle, a posi rear end, and rear air shocks. The current owner says this car is built for the street but could do some damage on the track.
1963 Chevrolet Nova Chevy II Gasser
This 1963 Chevrolet Nova Chevy II Gasser, described as a “true showstopper,” sports a striking white paint finish with custom decals. The machine’s heartbeat is provided by a potent 327 cubic-inch V8, enhanced with Edelbrock E-Street aluminum heads and a dual quad-style FiTech electronic fuel injection system and paired with a TH350 3-speed automatic transmission activated by a Hurst shifter. Disc brakes up front provide ample stopping power, and with Pete & Jake's shocks and traction bars on the rear leaf springs, you'll have no trouble keeping this Nova glued to the road.
1955 Chevrolet Bel Air Gasser
This stunning 1955 Chevrolet Bel Air gasser boasts a unique and vibrant red exterior that is sure to turn heads wherever it goes. Under the hood this 1955 Chevrolet Bel Air Gasser is powered by a formidable Merlin 540 cubic-inch V8 built by Reids High Performance Engines. Paired with a four-Speed Rockcrusher manual transmission, this race-ready hot rod pushed 766 horsepower on the dyno. The build is so positively insane that it was featured on the cover of HOT ROD magazine in December of 2011. Check it out on Hemmings Marketplace.
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