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If you wanted to race a Gasser you had three options: Buy an old Willys and fix it up (like Ohio George did), buy one from someone who is already racing one (like Hill Bros did) or pay a guy like Chuck Finders to make you one. That’s what Jack "the Bear" Coonrod did and Chuck, also the man behind the performance tuning of the Hills Bros machine, didn’t let him down. Of all the models here, this model is probably the least important historically, but it might be the most impressive model replication of the bunch.
Start with amazing banana yellow paint with just a hint of metal flake. The model positively shimmers in the right light with no annoying glitter. The Jack the Bear logo on the front is just perfect for this gasser with a hot rod heart. This model is as much about show as it is go.
But go it can with a 430 cubic inch blown Chrysler hemi that clocked up to 165.15 mph. The engine block mimics the yellow body paint. Look at the detailed photo to get a feel for the metal, chrome and brass engine detail. As with all the engines, this is another jaw dropping execution, fully plumbed and wired, but this one offers up a bit more style with the personalized valve covers and the Bear Motor scoop.
The front suspension is coil over with the rear suspension having the only ladder based implementation of the group. The springs are so crisply replicated, it seems a bit odd that the suspension isn’t operable given how realistic it looks.
The interior is spare but stylish with a jet-age inspired butterfly steering wheel. The tinted yellow windows fit with the show car feel. This model features a more interesting (though anonymous) dual-chute configuration with a wide track standard steel and chrome wheelie bar. Overall this is one delicious dragster.
(12/03/2005)
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