Tony Nancy Wedge

The Tony Nancy Wedge was two different streamliner dragsters.[1]

Wedge I
Overview
ManufacturerRCS
DesignerSteve Swaja (chassis), Emil Deidt and Wayne Ewing (body)
Body and chassis
ClassAA/Gas
Body styleMid-engined streamliner dragster
RelatedNone
Powertrain
EngineSupercharged 428 cu in (7,010 cc) Plymouth hemi
Chronology
PredecessorNone
SuccessorNone

Designed by Steve Swaja in 1963, they were built for Tony Nancy, to run in NHRA's AA/Gas (A/Gas supercharged) class. The aluminum body was built by Emil Deidt (formerly of Scarab, who came out of retirement for the job[2] ) and Wayne Ewing, on an RCS chassis, with a 145 in (3,700 mm) wheelbase (as insisted on by Nancy).[3] It had a narrow rear end (intended to help keep the car running in a straight line[4]) on a twin torsion bar rear suspension, and straight front axle with bicycle wheels (with a 60 in (1,500 mm) tread [5]), a pointed-nosed body covering both slicks, and mid-mounted engine, with exhaust pipes out the underside of the body ahead of the rear tires.

In theory, the wedge body offered an aerodynamic advantage, decreasing turbulent airflow over the rear wheels, as well as increasing downforce;[6] in practice, the extra weight exceeded any advantage.

In Wedge I trim, the car was powered by a supercharged 428 cu in (7,010 cc) Plymouth hemi.[1]

Wedge I, painted orange, first appeared at the 1964 Winternationals, to pass scrutineering, but only ran for the first time in March, and only ever ran in white livery.[7] Handling was problematic; at Sandusky, Ohio, in July 1964, Wedge I flipped on its way through the timing lights, at a speed of over 200 mph (320 km/h).[1] (This phenomenon, later common to rear-engine dragsters, would come to be known as "blowover".)

At the 1964 Hot Rod Magazine Championship Drag Races, Wedge I set low e.t. of the meet at 8.51 seconds.[8]

Wedge II was modified, with slots above the slicks to allow air trapped under the car to escape and rear suspension deleted,[9] while the wheelbase was also extended.[1] Nancy powered the car with a selection of blown engines: a Plymouth, then a Chrysler hemi, and finally an Olds.

Wedge II was later stored, while Nancy purchased a more conventional slingshot car, and subsequently restored.[1]

In Wedge II trim, the car was auctioned at Monterey, California, in 2007.[10]

Notes
  1. Taylor, Thom. "Tony Nancy Gas Dragster", in "Beauty Beyond the Twilight Zone", p. 34.
  2. Burgess, Phil, National Dragster editor. "From the mailbag", written 5 March 2008, at NHRA.com (retrieved 22 September 2018)
  3. Burgess, Phil, National Dragster editor. "From the mailbag", written 5 March 2008, at NHRA.com (retrieved 22 September 2018)
  4. Burgess, Phil, National Dragster editor. "From the mailbag", written 5 March 2008, at NHRA.com (retrieved 22 September 2018)
  5. Burgess, Phil, National Dragster editor. "From the mailbag", written 5 March 2008, at NHRA.com (retrieved 22 September 2018)
  6. Taylor, p. 37, "Leland Kolb 'Polish Wedge'".
  7. Burgess, Phil, National Dragster editor. "From the mailbag", written 5 March 2008, at NHRA.com (retrieved 22 September 2018)
  8. Burgess, Phil, National Dragster editor. "From the mailbag", written 5 March 2008, at NHRA.com (retrieved 22 September 2018)
  9. Burgess, Phil, National Dragster editor. "From the mailbag", written 5 March 2008, at NHRA.com (retrieved 22 September 2018)
  10. Burgess, Phil, National Dragster editor. "From the mailbag", written 5 March 2008, at NHRA.com (retrieved 22 September 2018)

Sources
  • Taylor, Thom. "Beauty Beyond the Twilight Zone" in Hot Rod, April 2017, pp. 30–43.


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