Continuing the series by Jeff McClurg on the members of the Central West Car Club and their fantastic machines...
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Andre Johnson has previously featured here with his familiar red 1968 Camaro.
Some may even remember Andre’s trademark lowered matt black HQ one tonner with its big exhaust stacks, chev V8 and Indy Racer mags.
The one tonner caught fire and the Camaro’s race duties have passed so this is Andre’s latest racer.
It’s a bit of a bitzer, being an HJ chassis with a WB cab and an HZ grille, but this rough machine is a genuine budget racer.
Andre reckons that discounting the wheels and tyres, he had the “tonner” on the track two or three years ago for just $300.
It all started when the V8 in a friend’s ute caught fire.
“The carby, the manifold and all the electrics and hose work were melted, but I told him the motor would be fine,” said Andre.
“He wasn’t convinced and he insisted I take it off his hands,” so Andre had a motor to work with.
Meanwhile he was offered a cab and chassis in return for removing the tray on another one tonner.
With a motor and a cab and chassis, Andre had enough bits and pieces to part together his racer.
With thanks to his mates Purple, Rodney Larsen, Michael McLean, Warren Bagnall and Chris Cornelissen; Andre soon had the tonner ready for the track.
It sports a stock 253 V8 with an aftermarket cam and trimatic auto with a stall converter.
There’s a set of home made traction bars under the rear and a 4.44 ratio CIG locker diff.
T steer it down the track Andre has a set of skinny 3.5” mag wheels on FJ Holden tyres up front while the traction at the rear comes from drag slicks over 15” x 8” mags.
Andre is a dedicated drag racer having been racing since 1968 when he first ran an HR and having numerous cars since.
He usually gets to five or six meets a year – primarily at Bodangora Airstrip in Wellington.
The Wellington track is 1/8 mile and Andre has also run the car on the 1/4 mile at Cootamundra.
He recently won his class in bracket racing at Bodangora where you “dial your own” time and race to get consistently close to your set time without breaking it.
You don’t need the fastest car on the track, but just need to be consistent, which puts bracket racing within the reach of most car enthusiasts.
Next drag racing meeting at Bodangora Airstrip in Wellington, November 12. Call Jim Fife on 0427 843 588 for more information.
