Sept 11 thru Dec 16: Special Exhibit: Funny Car Fever

September 11-December 16 the Automobile Driving Museum in El Segundo will present an exhibit FUNNY CAR FEVER.

Originating in the 1960s California drag racing circuit, funny cars got their name precisely because they are so unusual looking. Several historical examples of these vehicles will be on view along with displays exploring the history, development and terminology of the funny car drag racer.

This 1971 Hot WHeels branded Funny Car will be on display at the Museum from Sept. 11-December 16.

With a shorter wheelbase and a carbon-fiber body that loosely resembles a production-based automobile, Funny Cars can run in the 3.8 second range and are capable of speeds in excess of 330 mph. Funny Cars are powered by the same supercharged and fuel-injected 500-inch engines as Top Fuel dragsters. Funny Cars are also similar to Top Fuel dragsters in that they do no use a transmission but rather transmit power to the huge Goodyear rear slicks through a multistage clutch assembly that is activated by timers. Funny Cars are Heads-Up racing drag racing – which is the easiest to understand because both cars leave the starting line at the same time and the first to cross the finish line wins.

Photos courtesy of Steve Reyes, author of “Funny Car Fever” and former Argus Publishing chief photographer. Steve has covered drag racing all over the world since the 1960’s.Check out his work at ReyesOnTour.com