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April 12, 2008
Rocket Drag Axle
By Rob Einaudi
Editor-in-Chief
Last August I showed you a barn fresh Turbonique Cougar. Now here’s a fully restored ‘64 Galaxie equipped with the famous Turbonique Rocket Drag Axle.
Built by tobacco heir Zachary Reynolds of R.J. Reynolds Tobacco fame, the “Tobacco King” 1964 Ford Galaxie was as wild an example of a Rocket Drag Axle-equipped car as one could ask for, and certainly reflected Reynolds’ daredevil personality. Playboy, pilot, Ham Radio enthusiast and all-around enfant terrible, Reynolds specifically wanted a car that would terrorize everyone with its appearance alone, just before slamming their senses with a prodigious detonation of Rocket Axle power. The “Tobacco King” certainly fulfilled that mission.
Documented in the 1967 Turbonique product catalog, the Raven Black Galaxie’s original 390 V8 engine was replaced with a 425 horsepower 427 Ford big block fitted with a rare Latham axial flow supercharger fed by four Carter one-barrel sidedraft carburetors. That alone would have been enough for most street racers, but not for the young Reynolds, who took the whole project the extra distance by having the differential replaced with an 850 horsepower Turbonique turbine Rocket Drag Axle. The rest of the car had to be modified to handle the colossal acceleration and speeds of which it was then capable; the frame was reinforced and suspension beefed up to handle the enormous torque delivered through the rear axle housing, and ground clearance increased to accommodate the huge turbine housing that shot its rocket exhaust out from underneath the rear bumper.
It’s to be auctioned off in Indianapolis in May. Lots more pics after the jump, and you can get the full scoop at Mecum Auctions.
Comments
Steve
Apr 21, 2008 at 7:00 pm
Oops! 9:30’s!!!! In 1966!!!
Steve
Apr 21, 2008 at 6:58 pm
9:60’s @ 168 mph!! Not too shabby for a 4000lb car. Now I know what to do with my 64’s. I seen a go kart run in the 10’s back in the sixties with a little motor like that.
Anonymous
Apr 16, 2008 at 9:15 pm
they certianly don t build them like they use to..i m not really ford man …but really nice hot rod
Anonymous
Apr 16, 2008 at 4:51 pm
I am not a ford man by ANY means but this thing is sick I like it and that takes a lot for me to say, I like the rear axel that is just craxy looking
Anonymous
Apr 16, 2008 at 4:51 pm
I am not a ford man by ANY means but this thing is sick I like it and that takes a lot for me to say, I like the rear axel that is just craxy looking
NEXTWHIP.COM
Apr 16, 2008 at 1:25 pm
I like
Clay
Apr 16, 2008 at 10:39 am
FORD….
Because Driving
Chevies
Will Give You
Herpes!
Clay
Apr 16, 2008 at 10:36 am
FORD
Anonymous
Apr 16, 2008 at 4:45 am
fffuuuukkkk thats sick man
jason
Apr 16, 2008 at 3:32 am
holy hell, i want one. this thing is so crazy and obsurd that it actually makes it close to a life goal of mine to own one. amazing!
Justin
Apr 16, 2008 at 1:00 am
I would die happy owning something as rediculous and wild as this. Make people do the whole “wtf?…(jaw drops as you disappear into a cloud of smoke and hell fire)….WTF!!!!”
ford sux
Apr 16, 2008 at 12:36 am
that is one ugly ford. Chevy is way way better. heck id rather drive a toyota.
boob
Apr 15, 2008 at 5:22 pm
you won’t suck my dick
boob
Apr 15, 2008 at 5:22 pm
you won’t suck my dick
DeiWorn
Apr 15, 2008 at 12:08 pm
yeap yeap
cheap stuff i guess
ineed 1 of such how can i get it
mail me a reply on littleicp@yahoo.co.uk
Anonymous
Apr 15, 2008 at 2:31 am
This thing is sick! It looks mean
pushtruck1
Apr 15, 2008 at 1:51 am
It’s neat, and simple. It’s a Winters style Quick Change rear end, on thost the pinion gear is extended to the rear of the case where it meets a gear set (to determine ratio) and from that gear set it is then sent to the ring gear. My guess would be the turbine in the jet motor is hooked to the top gear in that rear end.
7urtle
Apr 13, 2008 at 8:13 pm
how does it work
Evan
Apr 13, 2008 at 2:50 pm
That’s awesome! I’d love to hear audio or see video of that monster!!!
-Evan
Ernie
Apr 12, 2008 at 9:59 pm
HAHAHAHAHA Good one Stewart
GTwildfire
Apr 12, 2008 at 5:33 pm
considering the time when all this was done, it was way out there.
Stewart
Apr 12, 2008 at 4:25 pm
Awesome car!
.
Think it’s ever been smoked in?
.
Stewart