The term "Gasser" refers to a style of drag race car that was prolific in the late 1950s through the 1960s that ran on gasoline as fuel, as opposed to race fuel. These cars typically competed in "heads up" drag races that were classed by engine size and car weight. If you went to a drag strip years ago, you would likely see a few cars set up like this '52 Chevy. In the faster classes the cars used a straight axle front suspension that produced the imitating stance that gassers are known for. Easily recognized by common features like the higher front-end stance that was developed as a means of weight transfer to the rear wheels for traction. This style became popular later as builders attempted to achieve a traditional or nostalgic race look.
Highlights: Freshly rebuilt 454 Big Block Rebuilt TH400 automatic transmission Front straight axle from Summit Racing Weiland aluminum intake Holley double-pumper carburetor Traction bars Recent suede finish black paint Bucket seats
The classic Gasser style is captured perfectly with this 1952 Chevrolet Styleline coupe. The straight axle setup, sourced from Summit Racing, gives this car the nostalgic look of a vintage drag car. It looks cool, but make no mistake, it is not a "No-Go show boat" like the Beach Boys song. Under the hood is a healthy rebuilt Chevy 454 cubic inch big block engine featuring a Weiland aluminum intake manifold topped with a Holley dual-feed "Double Pumper" carburetor, breathing through a Chevrolet Performance air cleaner. An aluminum radiator with electric fan keeps the big block running cool. The engine bay is all business with no extra chrome accessories or power-robbing power steering and power brakes. A set of wrapped exhaust headers exit pass the deleted front fender liners into rumbling old-school glasspacks mounted just under the rocker panels and dump halfway down. Rear traction bars help reduce wheel-hop when launching of the line. Both the big block engine and the TH400 automatic transmission were rebuilt in 2022 and have only 100 miles on them.
The interior is simple and clean, featuring bucket seats and a short console from a later model car, floor shifter and under-dash gauges. A large four-spoke steering wheel finishes off the vintage look of the interior. Recently repainted in a black suede finish, this nostalgic gasser rolls on period-correct chrome Crager SS mags to complete the look. With a fresh big block 454 engine and rebuilt TH400 transmission, this thundering time machine is ready for the next nostalgia drag event or Friday night cruise. Call today!
