March 25, 2005

Project Austin...................................

Drag racing is not the only passion for the NorthWest Hitter. Beside owning one of the largest Muffler Brakes and Radiator franchines in Washington State, he in a property manager and land developer, but his real love is race car and classic car restoration.

One of his most recent projects is the Eagle Electric Top Fuel dragster. Owned by John Mead and Dave Herensberger, of 'Pay N Pak' and Eagle Electric fame. Bucky has brought back this classic North West Top Fuel dragster to better than original specs. The chassis was a Woody Gilmore and the body was molded by Tom Hanna. Frank Rupert (Jason Rupert's father) was the driver of the car back in the mid to late 60's. Mead was the engine guru on the hard running digger, with Herensberger the bucks behind the unigue dragster that campaigned almost exclusiviely in the NW. ronically the most success the car had, was went it ran sans the tail section.

Bucky Austin acquired the original tail section, roll cage, rearend housing with axles and the front axle. Brad Hadman completed the rest of the chassis and the body parts.

Here is a few pictures of the car halfway through restoration to completion.

 

Below is another couple projects on Bucky's work bench