History...

[Jack Gifford]

Since there's no HISTORY forum, I'm taking the liberty of asking a historical question here in the RULES forum:

In the earliest SCTA years (was that '37 or so?) was there a STREAMLINER class? If that came later, did the LAKESTER class begin at the same time? The little that I've read about it gave me the impression that the term 'lakester' was originally applied to any car built exclusively for lakes racing (not  a coupe, sedan, roadster, etc.) and included what are now classed as streamliners and lakesters. Comments?

[Tman]

When the wheels got covered the lakesters and the streamliners went on divergent paths. Robert Genats book THE BIRTH OF HOT RODDING is a great read for those of us that were not there in the early years. Page 126 discusses the development

[RichFox]

It's my understanding that what we now call Lakesters were once called streamliners. After the war when fully enclosed cars started making an appearance, the classed split into lakesters and streamliners. I also believe that the earilest 'liners were mostly narrowed roadsters made into one seaters. Something that would now be not class legal. Shame about that. 

[gearheadeh]

Turn back the clock and go over seas to 1935, if not for the rear wheel covers and the front fairings this would be at home today as a Lakester?




http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Auto_Union_racing_car

[Tman]

Turn back the clock and go over seas to 1935, if not for the rear wheel covers and the front fairings this would be at home today as a Lakester?




http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Auto_Union_racing_car

Yes.

[tortoise]

Today, if the streamliner record for a particular class is soft, you see lakesters with rear fenders tacked on running as streamliners at Elmo.

[Stan Back]

. . . and Bonneville.

[jimmy six]

The "Chrisman" early dragster as some now see it started on the lake bed as a streamliner. Sorry I can't remember who built it. Art lengthend it. Some of these single seat roadsters were also know as "gow jobs".....................JD 

[Tman]

The "Chrisman" early dragster as some now see it started on the lake bed as a streamliner. Sorry I can't remember who built it. Art lengthend it. Some of these single seat roadsters were also know as "gow jobs".....................JD 

Orville "Snuffy" Welchel in the 30s according to the above mentioned book.

[4-barrel Mike]

The "Chrisman" early dragster as some now see it started on the lake bed as a streamliner. Sorry I can't remember who built it. Art lengthend it. Some of these single seat roadsters were also know as "gow jobs".....................JD 

Orville "Snuffy" Welchel in the 30s according to the above mentioned book.

This car:

   

Best to check Batchlor, American Hot Rod, page 17 or even Street Rodder  http://www.streetrodderweb.com/milestones/0007sr_jack_art_chrisman_dragster/

I've found Genat to be less than reliable.

Mike

[Tman]

The "Chrisman" early dragster as some now see it started on the lake bed as a streamliner. Sorry I can't remember who built it. Art lengthend it. Some of these single seat roadsters were also know as "gow jobs".....................JD 

Orville "Snuffy" Welchel in the 30s according to the above mentioned book.

This car:

   

Best to check Batchlor, American Hot Rod, page 17 or even Street Rodder  http://www.streetrodderweb.com/milestones/0007sr_jack_art_chrisman_dragster/

I've found Genat to be less than reliable.

Mike

I should have ran Genats whole quote. He did not say Snuffy built it, only that he was one of many owners. Thanks for the extra write up!

[kiwi belly tank]

It's my understanding that what we now call Lakesters were once called streamliners. After the war when fully enclosed cars started making an appearance, the classed split into lakesters and streamliners. I also believe that the earilest 'liners were mostly narrowed roadsters made into one seaters. Something that would now be not class legal. Shame about that. 

I'm with Rich.
  Sid.

[Stan Back]

Don't pine too much -- we've got a narrowed Comp. Coupe coming up.

[RichFox]

I suspect that it is more of an art project and will run time only. If I ever get the RFTA up and running, I'll class it with the streamliners.

[4-barrel Mike]

For the sake of historical correctness, Snuffy Welchel's modified was a two-springer, not a three-springer:

http://www.rodandcustommagazine.com/thehistoryof/0905rc_dry_lakes_racing_history/photo_14.html

Genat was wrong in his identification.

Mike