About this project
$35,957
282
Fuller’s grandson was eight years old when he dropped $400 on the dinner table. Greg had spent the summer washing cars for his neighbors; not to buy the bicycle he’d had his eye on, but to finish his granddad's streamliner. This unexpected move proved to be a rallying call—within a week, the story spread and matching contributions began pouring in from all across the racing community. Now it's our turn.
THE MAN:
Kent Fuller is one of the pioneers of the early days of drag racing. He is now building his last and most ambitious car, a streamliner designed to reach speeds over 300 mph, and set a new land speed record on the world famous Bonneville Salt Flats.
THE MACHINE:
A 25-foot long land speed car comprised of hand-rolled steel. It is a monocoque design, uniting the body with the frame to minimize drag. The driver will lie flat in this slender bullet, his only view of the road through the mirrors of a periscope.
THE GOAL:
Raise the funds to bring the nearly complete car up to SCTA specifications—rendering the streamliner eligible to race on the salt flats this coming August, in hopes of setting a new land speed record in the Streamliner XF engine class. The XF Fuel record time to beat at Bonneville is 280.023 mph.
OUR TEAM:
STEVEN FULLER, Owner - Kent’s son. Grew up in his dad’s shop, began welding at age 9, had his own fabrication business at age 21, and has always had a hand in racing.
ANDY DAVIS, Driver - Expert in vintage autos, Indy Lights, and motorcycle racing. Toured Japan, and VARA “Rookie of the Year” in 2003.
DON TUBBS, Technical Manager - Member of the SCTA (10 yrs), the sanctioning body for "Speed Week" at Bonneville. Also a longtime friend from the Navy, and groomsman at Kent's wedding in 1955. Engineered Navy control systems for 40 years and runs a competitive 1927 Model T Roadster.
MEDIA:
Hot Rod Magazine, "Would You Drive 300 mph in this Land Speed Car? Kent Fuller's Periscope Streamliner"
Jalopy Journal, "Kent Fuller's Quest"
Autoculture, "Fuller's Last Stand"
Autoweek, "Crowdfunding a Bonneville Salt Racer"
Hemmings, "Kent Fuller's Last, Fast, Crowdfunded Ride"
Follow our Facebook page for updates!
What people are saying:
"This is a project that really goes to the heart of hot rodding, and is a tribute to Kent Fuller...a legendary figure in our sport if there ever was one."
- Steve Gibbs, National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) Director of Competition
"One of hot rodding's heroes. Kent's contributions to the evolution and safety of drag racing are immeasurable."
Rodder's Journal
"Typical Kent Fuller, outside the box thinking"
www.landracing.com
"A true American icon"
"One of a handful of true hot rod legends"
"One of those folks I call Renaissance-worthy, they can imagine and build amazing things"
"His cars were head and shoulders the most beautiful dragsters, bar none"
www.jalopyjournal.com
HISTORY:
KENT FULLER is the quiet legend behind the beautiful and powerful race cars he built chassis for in the golden era of drag racing, 1955-1971. He has built over 300 cars in his career for some of the greatest drivers to grace the track, including Don "the Snake" Prudhomme, "TV" Tommy Ivo, Tom "the Mongoose" McEwen, and many more.
Fuller was featured in top auto magazines like Rod & Custom for famous designs like the the Greer-Black-Prudhomme car, one of the winningest dragsters in the history of the sport with 204 wins and only 7 losses.
His elegant and effective designs took racing to the next level and became the industry standard. He pioneered innovations such as the 3-point roll cage, a design that saved many lives at a time when drag racing was reaching new levels of speed and agility.
Rod & Custom recently profiled his contributions to racing in a 7-page retrospective.
Kent's biography at American Hot Rod Foundation.
History and archival photos of Kent's cars at Standard 1320.
We've put in over 10 years of work, $200,000, and all our heart. Now this project will be the world's first crowdfunded race car. Become part of the team, and let's KICKSTART HISTORY.
Photos used with permission from Evelyn Fuller, and Lee Schelin, www.standard1320.com.
Video shot and edited by Jay Dallen.
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Risks and challenges
The SCTA, the sanctioning body for Bonneville, will provide various recommendations that may require adjustments to the car's design or construction. However, we've planned for this variable and have budgeted accordingly, and are fortunate to have a talented team with a combined 180 years racing experience who are ready to meet these challenges.
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Funding period
- (60 days)