Gassers

Gassers are a class of American drag racing cars built in the 1950s and 1960s to compete in gasoline-powered categories. The term derives from their primary fuel, gasoline, which distinguished them from nitromethane-powered competitors. Gassers were typically street- or showroom-based coupes and sedans from the 1930s–1950s, modified for drag racing with lightweight bodies and reinforced chassis, and fitted with engines ranging from small-block to big-block V8s, often enhanced with superchargers or carburetion upgrades. The design emphasized weight transfer to the rear axle for traction: cars frequently featured a high front end – a nose-up stance achieved with a raised front suspension or straight-front axle – and a relatively short wheelbase combined with large rear tires.

In competition, gassers rode in gas classes within sanctioned drag racing bodies such as NHRA, including A/Gas, B/Gas, C/Gas, and similar categories, which imposed weight and displacement limits. The aim was to maximize horsepower-to-weight while maintaining stability and the ability to launch off the line.

Gassers helped shape mid-century hot-rod culture and contributed to the visual style of drag racing, with prominent crews and drivers achieving national exposure. By the late 1960s, a shift toward nitro-methane-powered cars and changes in competition formats reduced their dominance, though the gasser aesthetic persists in nostalgia racing and car shows.