1938 Racing Car 'The Allen Special'

Racing Car 'The Allen Special' image

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For a Midget Racing car that was built way back in 1938, "The Allen Special" has certainly stood the test of time. This legendary car was designed and built by a man named Louie Allen in Minneapolis, who was a skilled mechanic and race car driver himself.

"The Allen Special" was built on a lightweight chassis made of high-grade steel, which was extensively modified to suit the specific needs of Midget Racing. It was fitted with a powerful Offenhauser engine that could generate up to 120 horsepower, which was an impressive feat for its time. The engine was mated with a 2-speed manual transmission, which enabled the car to achieve incredible speeds of up to 110 mph on straightaways.

But the real secret to "The Allen Special's" success lay in its suspension system - which was custom-built to provide optimal handling and performance on the track. The car boasted a unique suspension setup that employed a combination of torsion bars, hydraulic shock absorbers, and reinforced leaf springs. This gave the car a low center of gravity, superior traction, and the ability to take sharp turns at high speeds without fear of losing control.

To further enhance the car's racing capabilities, Allen also designed a number of aerodynamic features into its bodywork. The car was crafted from lightweight and durable aluminum, which not only reduced its overall weight but also improved its stability and balance on the track. The car was also fitted with a sleek and streamlined body, which not only looked good but also helped to minimize drag and turbulence, allowing the car to reach its top speeds with ease.

"The Allen Special" was an incredibly successful racing car, winning numerous races and accolades throughout its illustrious career. Its exceptional engineering and design continue to inspire generations of racing car enthusiasts to this day. Its rich history and technical prowess make it an unparalleled relic from the golden age of Midget Racing - a true testament to the ingenuity and spirit of the early pioneers of motorsport.

Milestones

- The car was built by Bill Allen in 1938 as a midget racing car - It featured a Ford V8-60 engine and a modified Ford transmission - The car made its debut at Gilmore Stadium in Los Angeles in 1939 - It won its first race at Huntington Beach Speedway in California in 1939 - The Allen Special took the Pacific Coast Midget Championship in 1940 and 1941 - The car was sold to a new owner in 1946 and continued to race under a different name and driver - The Allen Special was restored to its original condition in the 1990s and is now housed at the National Sprint Car Hall of Fame and Museum in Iowa.


Technical

• Chassis: custom-built tubular frame • Engine: Ford V8, 60 horsepower • Carburetor: Stromberg • Ignition system: Sharp magneto • Transmission: Ford three-speed gearbox • Rear axle: Franklin Quick Change • Suspension: transverse front buggy springs, quarter-elliptic rear springs • Tires: Firestone racing slicks • Brakes: hydraulic, Wilwood calipers • Steering: custom-built rack and pinion • Fuel tank: custom-built, 10-gallon capacity • Top speed: approximately 100 mph • Weight: approximately 1,100 pounds • Driver: Allen Heath

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