Bronco Buster (Funny Car)
| Overview | |
|---|---|
| Designer | Doug Nash |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | A/FX, Top Fuel Funny Car |
| Body style | Wheelstander exhibition funny car |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | 289 cu in (4.7 L) Ford V8 |
| Transmission | Four-speed manual |
Bronco Buster is an American wheelstander exhibition funny car built by Doug Nash.[1]
Nash built Bronco Buster for NHRA's new A/FX (A/Factory Experimental) class, a precursor to Funny Car,[2] which debuted in 1965.[3] It was based on a 1966 Ford Bronco, with a reproduction two-piece body, fitted over an aluminum tube chassis; the cab, hood, and front fenders came off in one piece for easy maintenance.[1]
It was powered by the same 289 cu in (4.7 L) Ford V8 Nash used in his previous B/FX car.[1] (It is rumored Nash turned down a SOHC 427 “cammer” so he could keep the four-speed manual transmission, instead of switching to a C4 automatic.)[1] Published reports put Bronco Buster's weight at 1,700 lb (770 kg), but it may have been as little as 1,400 lb (640 kg); Nash's target was 1,200 lb (540 kg).[1] The 289 was kept mostly stock, beyond O-rings and a cast aluminum girdle, but it propelled the truck to passes in the high 8s; with a supercharger, later in 1966, Nash turned in passes in the 8.30 second range with speeds around 180 mph (290 km/h), and only difficulties with keeping the truck running in a straight line prevented even lower e.t.s.[1]
Bronco Buster was popular on the match racing circuit, until NHRA banned aluminum chassis (in favor of steel) and Jeep and pickup bodies,[1] following the success of Gene Conway in the hemi Jeep funny car Destroyer,[4] in 1967.[1]
Bronco Buster was the centerfold in Drag Strip's February 1967 issue, as well as appearing on the cover in an inset photo.[1]
Notes
[edit]Sources
[edit]- McClurg, Bob. "50 Years of Funny Cars: Part 2" in Drag Racer, November 2016, pp. 35–50.
- Wallace, Dave. "50 Years of Funny Cars: Part 1" in Drag Racer, November 2016, pp. 21–32.
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