Back in the day, if you really wanted to move quickly down a track in a car that resembled factory stock, the gasser, or A/ Gas Class, was the way to go. Today, these speed machines are hugely coveted by enthusiasts and collectors, and this 1952 Chevrolet seems to be the Gasser that everyone wishes they had back then. The roster of equipment and modifications is a laundry list of the best the industry has to offer. To build this from scratch would cost a King’s ransom. Its aluminum Merlin 572 tall deck big-block Chevrolet engine was built with a Manley forged crankshaft, Carrillo H-Beam rods with ARP bolts, Manley forged pistons at 10.0:1 compression ratio, Howard billet roller solid camshaft and roller lifters, Manley push rods, Scorpion rocker arms, Howard Poly locks, Milodon gear drive, BMP 360 heads with Manley severe duty valves and Howard valve springs. Further featuring a Dyers blower, Weiand polished manifold, Hilborn 4-port injection with Holley Terminator computer control, Joe Hunt magneto distributor with an MSD 6-control box, MSD Blaster coil, Tailor wires and a Holley crank trigger, the massive plant was dyno-tested at 681 HP and 853 lb-ft of torque on a street tune. The transmission is a Coan Pro Turbo 400 with reverse pattern valve body; there’s a transbrake with a 3500-stall converter, Johns Industries Ford 9-inch rear end, Moser axles and Strange modular housing, a Hurst Line-Loc, and Richmond 3.50 gears with Detroit Locker. The chassis of the Chevrolet is built on a custom-built factory perimeter frame with custom-built ladder traction bars, a Speedway front straight axle, QA1 rear coilover shocks with 190-pound springs, Wilwood front disc brakes covered with SOCAL Buick Drum Kit, Ford big drum rear brakes and a Wilwood power brake booster with electric vacuum pump. Mechanically, it goes on and on—but it’s also easy on the eyes, thanks to PPG Candy Apple Red paint, the right amount of chrome, Rocket wheels and Firestone tires, not to mention the red tinted windows, which are a huge throwback to Gassers of years past. Complete with power windows, power door openers, a power one-piece steel front end, a power trunk, Lizard Skin sound deadening and a custom interior of white leather, this Gasser astonishes anywhere it goes, with just enough civility to enjoy at cruise-ins and car shows. It really is the best of then and now.
