Drag Racing Gassers & Ohio George Montgomery: Drag Racing's Gasser King (2 Book Set)

One of drag racing's very popular classes formed was the Gassers. During the `50s, Model A and 1932-`34 Fords were considered the hot set-up for these gas classes. Using Ford V-8 "flatheads" and later overhead valve engines, Gas Coupe and Sedan classes had to maintain stock wheelbase, and the engine relocation was limited. By the mid-60s, it was rare to find an upper-class gasser with any other body make than Willys, Studebaker, Austin, or Anglia. They were the stoutest full-bodied cars on strips nationwide. Touring teams ran four to six times every week, often traveling several hundred miles day and night to make their next dates. This was old-school racing! However, interest waned as flip-top funny cars took over in popularity. The battles in A/GS (later AA/GS) ranks created many heroes and villains who etched their marks into drag racing history. Gassers shared with fans of the quarter mile one the most thrilling overall racecar types, and for an era that was all too short, they were literally the Kings of the Sport. Enjoy this photo book that takes you back to that time.

As a young man, George Montgomery lived for cars. He came of age in the classic era of the hot rod and fully immersed himself in the car culture. Montgomery took car building seriously and went on to become one of the pioneers of the sport of drag racing. From a little shop in a suburb of Dayton, Ohio, he built and raced cars that led the world in innovation and craftsmanship. Montgomery was a leading participant in the famous "Gasser Wars" match races of the 1960s where he earned the moniker "Ohio George," while driving his iconic 1933 Willys to victory after victory. The era of the Gasser Wars was one of the most colorful chapters in racing history and George was one of the most successful racers of the time. Always an innovator, Montgomery built the groundbreaking Malco Gasser Mustang in 1967 and followed it with the revolutionary Mr. Gasket turbocharged Mustang a few years later. After retiring from racing in 1985, Montgomery became one of the most successful engine builders in the country. He is the recipient of the National Hot Rod Assoc.'s most prestigious awards, including the Lifetime Achievement Award, and is listed as one of drag racing's top 50 all-time drivers.