Bronco Buster (Funny Car)

Bronco Buster is an American wheelstander exhibition funny car built by Doug Nash.[1]

Overview
DesignerDoug Nash
Body and chassis
ClassA/FX, Top Fuel Funny Car
Body styleWheelstander exhibition funny car
Powertrain
Engine289 cu in (4.7 L) Ford V8
TransmissionFour-speed manual

Nash built Bronco Buster for NHRA's new A/FX (A/Factory Experimental) class, a precursor to Funny Car,[2] which debuted in 1965.[3] It was based on a 1966 Ford Bronco, with a reproduction two-piece body, fitted over an aluminum tube chassis; the cab, hood, and front fenders came off in one piece for easy maintenance.[1]

It was powered by the same 289 cu in (4.7 L) Ford V8 Nash used in his previous B/FX car.[1] (It is rumored Nash turned down a SOHC 427 “cammer” so he could keep the four-speed manual transmission, instead of switching to a C4 automatic.)[1] Published reports put Bronco Buster's weight at 1,700 lb (770 kg), but it may have been as little as 1,400 lb (640 kg); Nash's target was 1,200 lb (540 kg).[1] The 289 was kept mostly stock, beyond O-rings and a cast aluminum girdle, but it propelled the truck to passes in the high 8s; with a supercharger, later in 1966, Nash turned in passes in the 8.30 second range with speeds around 180 mph (290 km/h), and only difficulties with keeping the truck running in a straight line prevented even lower e.t.s.[1]

Bronco Buster was popular on the match racing circuit, until NHRA banned aluminum chassis (in favor of steel) and Jeep and pickup bodies,[1] following the success of Gene Conway in the hemi Jeep funny car Destroyer,[4] in 1967.[1]

Bronco Buster was the centerfold in Drag Strip's February 1967 issue, as well as appearing on the cover in an inset photo.[1]

Notes

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i Burgess, Phil, NHRA National Dragster Editor. "Remembering Doug Nash", 24 July 2015. NHRA.com. Retrieved 22 May 2024.
  2. ^ McClurg, Bob. "50 Years of Funny Cars: Part 2" in Drag Racer, November 2016, pp. 35–50.
  3. ^ Wallace, p.32 caption.
  4. ^ McClurg, p.40 caption.

Sources

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  • McClurg, Bob. "50 Years of Funny Cars: Part 2" in Drag Racer, November 2016, pp. 35–50.
  • Wallace, Dave. "50 Years of Funny Cars: Part 1" in Drag Racer, November 2016, pp. 21–32.