MAGWINDER The sidewinder dragster!! Project..

[Chris K. Hale]

A lot of interest is being shown in this car that was in our garage for some time, so since a couple of projects have been proposed I am starting this thread. with a link to my Fotki album Magwinder and other Sidewinder Dragsters. The other dragster have a significant place in the history of Drag Racing and go hand in hand with the thinking that built and developed the Magwinder. So for now until Mike and maybe Myself start building enjoy this Album link public.fotki.com/pmodwrks/magwinder-sidewinde/ Chris

[mickgee]

Chris, thanks for posting the link, lots of those photos of course, are new to me.  The front suspension heritage is hard to hide, some of the single axle cars appeal to me better though, at least from a modeling standpoint.  All brass chassis, tube and rod.

Also, for the large gears out back, I think a steampunk convolute from ebay would be perfect.  Chain links from a big motorcycle kit

Motor would be no problem, chassis plans would take a while to figure out, but all in all doable.  The Halibrand old style mags also a problem, I had some from "The Orange Crate" kit, but they were cooked and now fairly useless while being cast in a nickel alloy, they're rough as a cob.  I'd like the American 5 spokes for the rear.

I'd say the biggest problem would be the body, especially getting the beautiful roundness of the yellow car, and the red and white "Howard Cams" car.  I'd use brass for the body, not aluminum, which is too soft for all the hammering that would be needed. the cowl and body panels are no problem.

All in all, I'm nuts about this project and think to be able to pull it off in 1:25.  I would like to know the exact wheelbase and track, and height out back.

So, I'm unfortunately having quite a bout with aching joints in my hands, so nothing will be started for a few weeks, meantime lots of research can be accomplished.

I'd like to model this car as the next project.  Plus, a 3rd rail job in a row would be great and this car would just be sensational on the shelf.

Thanks for opening this topc

Mike..

[mickgee]

Update.

I found out today the extreme inflammation of my finger and wrist joints is only a surge, and with short term medication has already disappeared.

Life is normal again.

Yes, I wish to make this car my next project.

I have to do this car. 

Mike..

[mickgee]

@chris Hale,

Chris, I'm starting with getting a plan on paper for the chassis.  Then I'll print it out to the scale wheelbase and go from there. There are several very good photos to use for this on the Fotki link.

At the least, all I need is the correct wheelbase length.  Track would be good too, but not as necessary, as I think this can be deduced visually.  I would like to have the proper length though.

Would your friend Mr. Jones know this measurement?

By the way, my hands and wrists are back to normal, never had a scare like this one before.

Mike..

[mickgee]

UPDATE:  Just found the wheelbase specs. Courtesy HotRod Magazine,

www.hotrod.com/articles/crazy-world-sideways-sidewinder-dragsters/

1960.  Still chasing the perfect sidewinder, Chuck Jones ventured out to create the "Magwinder" with this Kent Fuller 113-inch magnesium chassis featuring a Wayne Ewing magnesium body. Total weight was 1443-pounds.

But I'm still confused, there's the Magwinder here from Chuck Jones.

The "Sidewinder", featured in Don Garlits museum, is it the same car?

Here the Magwinder;

Anyway, this is a very interesting car.

Mike..

[tatocorvette]

Cool cars

Thanks,
Ismael

[Chris K. Hale]

The 3rd pic down is the Sidewinder , you can tell because of the VW style dual beam front axle, the Magwinder used the drop axle/radius rod type front end , as seen in the other pics, for weight savings. Both chassis where very close in appearance with the main differences being material and wheel base 113 inch WB may be a stretch (LOL) as I had it as 108 inch WB depends on who the info came from. As far as width of the car/suspension I think if you use a 392cid with the appropriate clutch can and 2 huge gears ( I intended on getting some Watch gears because the r/c stuff was too big, that is a it will become immediately clear since you cant go narrower than that. I did see and write down the info but have since lost it. I will ask Chuck for info, any other questions let me know) The car in the Garlits museum is the Magwinder that was in our garage, Don Garlits used a lot of info I was able to remember to restore it.
We took the Magwinder to OCIR to do some tests , Traction is/was always a problem , during this period there was no such thing as wheelie bars, so the car had an inherited problem... WE got it to hook uo really well, too much actually, remember the so called trans was just an in and out clutch can , so either its engaged or not. the Problem was when it would launch with little or no wheel spin it would Flip Over Backwards. First time it scared the Heck out of my Dad, who was driving. He was 6 foot tall and even in that reclined position had to duck when it went over.. Chuck was not happy that day!
I found some rear engine dragster body work that, yes plastic, looked like splitting it, widening and wedging it would come out close to the Magwinder from the engine cover forward. The car never ran with a wing during its long life with us, it was a later addition and really looks better without. I repeatably asked Garlits not to put it back on and to consider the Peal White with Red Scallop paint job, it did win the 59 Winternationals in that livery, but he is a stubborn guy who likes flash so it is what it is! He is a great guy in my book though... Chris
The last pic has the Howards Cam Logo, that is more accurate , after the chassis/car design change from Sidewinder to Magwinder the body work still fit almost the same and the Sidewinder logo was left on until later. So many changes and modifications as time went on its so hard to remember it all.....

[mickgee]

Excellent information, thank you Chris.

I think too, the track can be figured out, I'm not too worried at this time with this.  I've also found out the height, due to the tilted motor, the car was only 30.5 " above the ground, which might become a problem, as this is even lower than the tires I have available. Maybe a small cheat here could solve this.  The tire wheel selection is actually the very first decision to be made, this is where it all starts.

Attached is a photo showing the fuel delivery and possibly also the steam release setup for quick maintenance after a run.  Great photo, also kind of a novelty, showing Kent Fuller at work flexing muscles.

Motor and rear end photos are rare, what would the tank be shown by a red arrow at the rear, left side be?  Can't figure this one out, this being a further question for Mr. Jones.  Perhaps due to the buttoned up nature of the design, a tank for a motor coolant?

The tank;

This is fun!

Thanks Chris,

Mike..

[mickgee]

Almost 2 weeks on now, I'm bailing out here.

A similar car is somewhat better documented.  Somewhat being the key word here. 

At least a few views of integral construction areas.

We have to realize, this was some 60 years ago.  

Thanks.

[Chris K. Hale]

The tank is an oil tank , the 392 engines were run sealed, as far I remember, no coolant tank, although some did try a coolant expansion tank like on the 53 to 59 Corvettes. Remember how long they run, 1 minute for warm up, no burn out back then and 10 seconds of full throttle acceleration so maybe a couple of minutes? In the Garlits book he talked about filling the coolant passages with concrete to prevent expansion, at least trying it for awhile no need for cooling. If you have not read "Big Daddy" the Garlits story , You Gotta, they go into why and how he did certain things. Why is a chrome engine impossible? because of the heat not being able to escape. Why does Garlits paint his engines all black, to evenly spread the temperatures into all the parts, and evenly accross the cylinders and heads. he proved it added several Horse Power to use the thermal energy more effectively, he had some great ideas that made him fast all the time. . I dont remember seeing those pics of that sidewinder rail you posted, its interesting... I am trying to remember but the Magwinder used two axle gears (the Big ones) on the left side of the car with none on the right. it used two chains on the left Siamesed tight with each other. Chris