Belly Tank Lakester (1940's) - Bill Burke

During World War 2, fighter planes used external fuel tanks to extend their rang so that they could protect fleets of bomber during their longer missions. The tanks were often jettisoned once they were empty.

In the mid 1940's, Bill Burke found a 154 gallon external fuel tank from a P-51 Mustang in a Los Angeles surplus store. He used the fuel tank to build his first land speed car. It was a crude car. Burke sat on a bicycle seat which was welded to the driveshaft. In 1946, he was able to hit 131 MPH at El Mirage Dry Lake.

Later in 1946, Burke built another Lakester from a 315 gallon external fuel taken from a P-38 Lightning. The tank was 13.6ft in length and 3.0ft in width. Burke mounted a Mercury V-8 motor in the rear with a gearbox which was bolted to the rear axle. The motor had a Wieland heads and manifolds, Weber cam, and a Spalding ignition. Burke sat in the front of the car with his exposed head poking out. He was able to set the Class C record at 139.21 MPH.

The car in these photos is a tribute car built to replica Burke's car. It is build from a 315 gallon fuel tank and is powered by a Ford V-8 motor with Edelbrock heads and intake with a gearbox bolted to a Ford rear end.