Pictures

Here are some of the photos from the G.A.S. 64 imperial buildup.  I've included a specifications list and price sheet following the photos.  The build-up took several months to complete, and the car originally ran on alcohol.  I have since converted it back to gas due to issues with officials and a nagging regulator problem that I have since figured out.   The entire interior is enclosed in removable polished aluminum sheeting.  If you have questions about the car, feel free to ask.

Drive Train:

G.A.S. 350CR (solid cam upgrade - Comp 270S, and             $2595 G.A.S. Chevy to imperial motor mounts)                                  

G.A.S. TH400 (BOP pattern, with Raptor Fab Midplate)             385

Custom Experimental Raptor 4.56 rear (does not go with car,      600 however, a replacement standard Raptor rear with 4.56 and full spool included and installed)

The following parts were brand new prior to installation on the car:

 Raptor Fabrication shifter (reverse pattern)                                  85

Accel Super Coil, Taylor Spiro pro wires                                      80

New Aluminum Radiator                                                             200

Moroso Electric Water Pump                                                      240

G.A.S. electric cooling fan                                                             60

22 gallon RCI fuel Cell with rollover valve                                    160

Holley Alcohol Carb (reworked for derby application) #9647       600

Edelbrock Alky pump (130gph)                                                     80

Alky Pressure Regulator (Holley/Edelbrock)                                   45

Complete Alky Plumbing (Aeroquip -8 lines, AN socketless        225 reuseable fittings, liquid-filled pressure guage, Hi-flow AN -8 canister filter with stainless reuseable element)

Twin OPTIMA batteries (Red Top 925 CCA) (car uses              250 remote solenoid for starter with 2/0 cables)

Moroso switch panel with fuses and running lights                           70

Hi-Torque Mini Starter                                                                 150

G.A.S. Transmission cooler with lines (polished aluminum              350 with optional engine cooler mount)

Brakes – No rears, converted to disc front (using stock upper       225 and lower A-frames and steering – most officials will not even notice)(Reman Master Cylinder, calipers, and new Rayspestos pads)

G.A.S. custom leaf spring packs (new .323 thick main with new    325 second spring, used remainder with custom lengths, clamps, shackles,  new bushings, etc.)

G.A.S. double tires (used on highway, not derbied yet) mounted   450    on Buick chrome rims with valve stem protectors

 TOTAL(parts                                                                           $7365 

Now for the car itself:

1964 Chrysler Imperial Crown 4 door.  Built to Nebraska Unified Rules, so all the things I discuss below are according to that set of rules.  Body off of frame (NO WELDING TO THE FRAME (except bumpers/brackets and leaf spring mounting tabs), NO ADDITIONAL IRON ANYWHERE ON FRAME) All mounts put back in except front radiator support.  Rubber mounts were used where I could, if a bolt held down the trans cooler, seat, battery, fuel cell, etc, and bigger ones were allowed for safety purposes, washers were placed between the body and the frame to match the thickness of the factory ones.  Front brakes converted to discs, and have 5x5 mounting pattern as does the Raptor rearend.  Six hood hold downs (not welded to frame), folded front tin and hood.  No structural crossmembers were cut under hood to clear headers.  Trunk was boxed, bolted, rear quarters folded and welded, and trunk wedged.  Car uses all 1964 Imperial factory bumper components.  They are re-arranged (in the front) and welded back to the frame and bracket mounts.  Nothing was added in any way.  In fact, I think I left a few pieces out.  The hours of work and design involved in this car are extensive.  No bolt was left unturned on this car.  It is an awesome machine.  If you have not driven a car running on “alternative fuels”, this thing will set you back in the seat.  There are many other “tricks” used building this car that I will not discuss except with the end purchaser, if there is one.   I figure the cost of a nice mostly rust free 64 Crown is about $600, plus you put in the labor of stripping, building, all misc items (interior mounting brackets for fuel cell, seat, trans cooler, dual batteries) wiring, new body bolts, hood bolts, dash and door bars, converting to disc brakes, re-configuring the bumpers, testing and tuning the engine, etc., is well over $2500.  Though it seems crazy, the cost to reproduce this car is approaching $10,000  

Here are some other previous derby cars and other miscellaneous rides: