Forum: HoseHeads Sprint Car General Forum (go)
Moderators: dirtonly  /  dmantx  /  hosehead

Hello all,

I have a 1989 reverse bar Gambler Down Tube chassis that we raced in 2009 that is sitting in a corner of the shop not being used. I have tried to sell it and it seems that it is worthless. In the sprint car world I guess, old chassis are worthless. My problem is that I have some good money in this chassis and the surrounding components. My question is, would I be better off to cut the front end off of it and use the cage as a fun time simulator for Playstation 2 World of Outlaws, or just cut it up and recycle it. I was suprised to find that I could not even donate it to a good cause. What are your thoughts?

Jim

Never hit stationary objects!

I guess that the question you need to ask yourself is, "What would you pay for a 20 year old chassis?"

If you're honest with yourself, the answer would be, "very little", especially since a new chassis can be had for about $3K and two/three year old cars for about half that.

Give the car to someone starting out as a 305/360 racer. Any racer with a very limited budget will appreciate your generosity and help in getting them started in our sport.

Chuck.....

In the past, Joe Darrah has organized training sessions for emergency personnel who work the local tracks on race night. He is usually looking for used/old chassis to use to cut apart in a simulated rescue. Not saying Joe wants/needs your chassis, but it's an idea for you in your area.

"The Outlaws have people out here that don’t know 
anything about racing. I don’t understand how they 
come up with some of the calls they do. It makes me 
think that they just might be that stupid. It’s 
scary."     -Steve Kinser

I would like to build a replica of Casey Luna's 89 Gambler some day. I don't know if it was a reverse bar car or not though. Can you tell by looking at a pic of the front of the car?

Luna's Ford engine style that won 2 WoO titles and 3 
Kings Royals before a weight rule against the best EVER
in their prime and now DOMINATES super dirt late model
racing is no longer allowed/wanted in a WoO sprint
car.... Was Luna a miracle worker?

You need to look at the rear of the car unless the front arms were reversed. Normally the rear was reversed. The longest arm is on the right rear on a reverse bar car vs. a standard car where the longest arm is on the left rear.

.

thanks

Luna's Ford engine style that won 2 WoO titles and 3 
Kings Royals before a weight rule against the best EVER
in their prime and now DOMINATES super dirt late model
racing is no longer allowed/wanted in a WoO sprint
car.... Was Luna a miracle worker?

I liked the idea of using it for a rescue training class. However, if it was my chassis, I would take it to a racers auction. I am always amazed at what sells at an auction.

I've got one like that (the one in my avatar) I'm going to paint it red and put #25 on it and put it out in the yard for a christmas yard ornament next Christmas season!

This is a great idea. There is a fellow around 28th ave. in Speedway Indiana that has an old Beast chassis and some misc. parts out in his front yard as a flower pot holder. I would do this to if my awesome city would not ticket me $75.00 a day because it would be considered an eyesore.

Never hit stationary objects!

E-mail me if you want it. We can work something out. I need the room.

[email protected]

Jim

PS: It was a full reverse bar car. I forgot when I posted this earlier today that we had it converted to standard bar in the spring of 2009. It is still a 29" bar car however.

Never hit stationary objects!

This is a really good point. I know from my experience that these cars are on the cheap when purchased used. I am just suprised that Sprinters are so throw away. I came from local Midget racing where there are guys in 20 year old Midgets winning championships. Although I never won anything with it, my midget was 22 years old and my fathers was 18 years old.

A $3000. chassis is a bit out of my range, but I am eyeing the XXX cars that are much less expensive.That may be our next car because they can be had for what some of the other cars are going for used out here.

Thanks for your input, Jim

Never hit stationary objects!

Bahaha Thank you for brighting my day!!!

Yep, that would be pretty cool. Unfortunately I am hooked into a newer Maxim and I don't think that I have the knowledge to put that older car up front. I am sure that there are those who could, but I know that it is not me. It was rather interesting seeing the car racing with the newer stuff. I was never dissapointed with it!

Jim

Never hit stationary objects!

Don't get rid of it. That is all you need at Burlington. I had an '06 Maxim and a really old Trostle, that Trostle ran every bit as good and handled well. Put your money in the Motor. At the drop of the green, that race car doesn't remember how old it is and that it "Shouldn't" win races. I ran up front with ours, and Krieger's was older than ours and he won with it. As long as it is an 86-87/40 with new bars and decent shocks and tires, Destiny can get her to the front. I can give you some set-ups if you need them, but basically KISS, nothing radical and top fives can consistently roll up for ya. If you already have a new car, throw it in the rafters as a spare.

Thanks for the encouragement. Actually the biggest reason that folks were telling me that I needed to get rid of it is that it is an 88/41. I still contend however that we were just as fast with it as we are with the Maxim, but the Maxim is in Destini's head now. She says that it turns better and makes her more comfortable. And that may be true, I don't know as I am not driving, and driver confidence is a large part of being faster. So we will stay with the Maxim. boo hoo hoo. LOL

Jim

But I may be looking you up in the future for set up tips. You can never fill up your brain, so I am always open to suggestions. You never know when you are going to find a diamond in the rough.

Never hit stationary objects!