My '49 Commander gasser

[tlap]

I found this '49 Commander a couple years ago here in my home town.
Turns out I am only the third owner. It was purchased new right here in Santa Maria, Ca. in 1949.
I wanted to build an as period correct, unique, early '60's gasser as I could. I didn't really know what I wanted to build yet.
After looking all over the internet for gasser ideas, this one basically came to me.
My buddy told me about a car that I really needed to see.
He wouldn't tell me what it was, only that it might fit the bill for what I wanted to build. When I saw it I knew that it would make a very cool, unique gasser.
When I brought it home, we (my twin 26 year old sons) proceeded to remove the engine, front sheet metal and front sub frame. We welded in a new box steel frame, straight axle, a narrowed and rebuilt 9" and built the tilt front end We re wired the whole car, installed a built "327"? small block with a Muncie 4 speed.
It has only been on the road for about the last month, so I am still breaking in the engine and rear gears.
It is an absolute blast to drive and it sure gets the looks.

[studegary]

Welcome to the SDC Forum.
I am glad that you built what you wanted and are enjoying it.

[(S)]

Very nice job! Welcome to the forum.

[52-fan]

Nice car. I especially like the fact that it has paint and looks finished. Any pictures of the interior?

[junior]

Bravo...awesome job of nailing the period-perfect look! Would look real nice in my garage. cheers, junio

[tsenecal]

Looks great. I have a 59, four door Lark, that is too rough to restore. My plans were to build a gasser, with minimal interior. Not to race, just a unique car to run around in the summer.

[62champ]

That does look great! Can someone enlighten me on the philosophy of the stance/drive train arrangement in these early cars?

[r1lark]

That does look great! Can someone enlighten me on the philosophie of the stance/drive train arrangement in these early cars?

These type of cars mimic the '60s drag strip "gassers" that raised the front ends to help weight transfer to the rear tires. As the decade continued, the rear tires (slicks) got better (ie, stickier, more grab on the pavement) and the front ends of the gassers started coming back down to make the cars more stable and improve aerodynamics.

[tlap]

Thanks for the compliments.

Nice car. I especially like the fact that it has paint and looks finished. Any pictures of the interior?

Here are a few pictures of the interior.

[willys54]

I have (2) SBC powered Gasser's, a '41 Stude Champion Coupe and a '54 Ford Customline Sedan and was wondering who made your fender well headers since they are not the more commonly seen Hooker Competition Series?

[52-fan]

Interior looks good. I especially like the steering wheel. I still have the one I ran on my 64 Plymouth when I was in college. The small diameter makes it harder to steer, but they look cool.

[Buzzard]

Tony,
Very nice period correct Gasser. It must be a blast to pull into the parking lot of any car show you attend. Thanks for the pics.
Cheers, Bill

[voxnut]

Nice! Are you going to eventually make any passes in it at Eagle Field, or Kingdon just for fun?

[RadioRoy]

For street driving, do the front wheels have brakes?

[junior]

For street driving, do the front wheels have brakes?

if you enlarge photo 1 in post #1 you should be able to see disc brake rotors...so I'm assuming the car has front brakes...at least I hope it does. cheers, junior