Gasser Corvette Conversion

Power Plays

The ’33 Willys also contributed its impressive powerplant, built by racer Gary Dyer, who drove for the renowned Mr. Norm of Grand Spaulding Dodge. The engine is a 327ci Chevy, bored .60 over, and outfitted with a Milodon 4-bolt main, and Venolia 7:11 compression pistons. To handle the forced induction from the straight-up 6-71 GMC blower, the block has been O-ringed, and fitted with a studded 202 Fuelie heads, complete roller cam and kit, and topped with dual Holley carbs. While the engine has the appearance of a full-on Gasser mill, it starts right up without a hiccup, and emits a steady growl when Dave tools around town or on the show grounds.


The driveline has a four-speed trans and 488 gears in a Dana 60 rearend. The rubber came from the Willys as well, a set of M&H 31-inch meats on 13 x 15 American Racing rims. The car’s interior was customized by the original owner, and Dave did add a hardtop he had in stock to protect it, and give it the period look of Masmanian’s Gasser. Even so, Dave never loses sight of the inherent value of an older Corvette. “One of the best thing about the car is that the car could be put back to original if someone wanted to.”


Whether that will ever happen remains to be seen, but in the meantime, Dave and Mary are enjoy paying tribute in their own way to the era of the famed Gassers. “Everything is so high-tech now,” he notes. “People really appreciate us emulating the time when drag racing was drag racing.”

Resource
D&M Corvette Specialists, 1804 Ogden Ave., Downers Grove, IL, 866-968-0031, 630-968-0031, www.dmcorvette.com.

About the Author
Steve Temple is a photojournalist with nearly 30 years of experience as an editor of and contributor to over 25 different automotive titles.