Images: Galpin Auto Sports

Back in the 1950s and 60s, gassers were the vehicles to beat on the track, and while technology has certainly expanded in the automotive market since then, vintage gassers still very much hold a place in all drag racers’ hearts. Thanks to Galpin Auto Sports, the vintage gasser is not dead, however. It is actually alive and well, and proving that the third time’s a charm when it comes to building a new-school vintage dragster from the ground up.

Know as the Galpin Gasser III, this immaculate creation pays homage to the late and great gassers of an era, but it also brings with it new-school technology into a more old-school world. How? Well, that’s an impressive feat accomplished by Galpin Auto Sports’ Steve Carpenter.

Behind these “gasser-style” wheels sits a pair of fender well headers in true gasser fashion.

With his third installation of the Galpin Auto Sports custom Gasser, Carpenter used the best of the best that Ford could offer to piece together the ultimate mix of nostalgia and modern performance. Starting out with a 1957 Ford post car body, Carpenter built the vehicle for superior performance using a Ford 302ci engine bored over to 331ci and fitted with tunnel ram dual carburetors. This engine is fitted with fender well Shostle exhaust headers and is strapped to a Borg-Warner 4-speed transmission, giving the car a whopping 502hp to play with.

Pushing the engine’s power to the rear gasser-style hoops is a Ford 9-inch Currie Posi Traction rearend with 4.11 gears, while a Moon tank keeps the engine properly fueled. The racer is also fitted with a chrome straight axle from a 50s Ford truck in front, as well as chrome shocks and steering rods. Planting the gasser to the pavement are M & H tires and Lakewood ladder bars.

While this old-school gasser is definitely built for track performance, it’s also built for aesthetic appeal. In the interior of the car you’ll find Pearl White diamond pattern on Cool White seats and door panels trimmed in Gold Foil piping. The carpeting is just as unique with a custom black and gold speckled blend. Topping off the driver quarters are a chrome roll bar, Hurst shifter and old-school Mooneyes gauges.

While vintage gassers can be greasy to work on, we’re hoping that no one with dirty work clothes on attempts to ride in this pristine white interior.

The gold theme carries through the interior and out to the gasser’s exterior, appearing in the custom Gold Perl paint that covers the length of the vintage racer. This unique paint job is then accentuated with custom hand-painted lettering laid in gold leaf.

Although this gasser is truly fit for any track or nostalgic drag racing appearance, it recently won top honors at the 2013 Ink-N-Iron Motorama. There, the vehicle received both the Best Interior and Best Motor awards.

Whether you’re into old-school rods or modern technology, there is definitely a place for you in the automotive community. And as Carpenter gloriously proved, it doesn’t always have to be a battle of eras either.