Petersen Top Fuel Dragster (1969) - Herm Petersen

Petersen Top Fuel Dragster (1969).

Sam Petersen purchased a 188 inch wheelbase Woody Gilmore chassis with a 1957 392 Hemi motor. He raced the car to a 2nd place finish in the 1969 NHRA Division 6 championship. In 1970, Sam Fitz approached Petersen about becoming partners. Petersen would build and race the cars while Fitz would take on the responsibility of lining up sponsorship. The team went on to become a force in West Coast drag racing.

In 1971, rear engine dragsters began to arrive at the drag strips. Petersen built rear engine cars and went on to win the NHRA Division 6 championship in 1971 and 1972. In 1973, he was badly burned in an accident at Orange International Raceway and came back to win the Division 6 title in 1974. Petersen retired from racing in 1976.

Thirty years later, after attending a California Hot Rod Reunion, Petersen's enthusiasm towards his old 1969 dragster was rekindled and he decided to track the car down. He located the car in Bonners Ferry Idaho. Other than now having a Chevy motor, the car was still in tact. Petersen was able to buy the car and built a 1957 392 Hemi for the car. He then had the car repainted in the original psychedelic paint scheme.