Legendary chassis fabricator KENT FULLER is building the last car of an illustrious career - a STREAMLINER to break land speed records
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.
Need a little help signing up for Kickstarter? Click here for step-by-step instructions.
Risks and challenges Learn about accountability on Kickstarter
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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Gain exclusive access to ALL of our BEHIND THE SCENES Q&A SERIES this summer (via Youtube private video) with the entire Fuller Racing Team and Kickstarter community. Submit your questions via Facebook or Twitter using hashtag #kickstarthistory to participate in a symposium with our team and fellow backers.
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Thank you, you’re now an OFFICIAL SPONSOR! We’ll print your name on our sponsor acknowledgement banners at shows, tours and races. We’ll also feature your name on our website and a mention on our Facebook page. Plus you'll get access to the Q&A SERIES listed above. Fun fact: The Bonneville race track is 10 miles long. Yes, 10 full miles. It takes a while to slow down after breaking the sound barrier.
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Thanks for the bid of confidence! We'll send you a beautiful NUMBERED, LIMITED EDITION POSTER of the Streamliner. Plus you'll receive access to our behind the scenes Q&A SERIES and be an OFFICIAL SPONSOR printed on our website.
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YOUR NAME will travel at record-breaking speeds because it will appear ON A CUSTOM T-SHIRT WORN BY OUR DRIVER on race days. You’ll also receive our official Streamliner t-shirt and all the rewards listed above.
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Join us May 4th for a LIVE BEHIND THE SCENES Q&A MINI SERIES via Google Hangout featuring the entire race team and family. You’ll get to speak face to face with us and ask questions about the Streamliner, Bonneville or anything else you want to know, plus catch some of the great old stories you won’t hear anywhere else! (Like that one time when Von Dutch came over…) These special 9 backers will also get 2 t-shirts and our poster, along with all the benefits of becoming an OFFICIAL SPONSOR described above.
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Join us August 24th for a LIVE BEHIND THE SCENES Q&A MINI SERIES via Google Hangout featuring the entire race team and family. You’ll get to speak face to face with us and ask questions about the Streamliner, Bonneville or anything else you want to know, plus catch some of the great old stories you won’t hear anywhere else! (Like how Kent spontaneously tested the driving reflexes of a young Don Prudhomme…) These special 9 backers will also get 2 t-shirts and our poster, along with all the benefits of becoming an OFFICIAL SPONSOR described above.
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You’re the proud new owner of one of only ten unique hand-drawn renditions of the Streamliner, created by the artist and longtime racing aficionado, Patrick Hoolihan. Includes Q&A access and all the OFFICIAL SPONSOR benefits described above. Fun fact: 183.123 mph is one of the land speed records we plan to beat at El Mirage this summer.
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280.023 mph is our top speed to beat. Pledging $280 earns you 2 tickets to our private event this summer at our Southern California body shop for the official UNVEILING of FULLER’S FINAL FINISHED STREAMLINER. You will get a chance to SIT INSIDE the vehicle and MEET THE RACE CREW! This event takes place August 24 in Chatsworth, CA, a hotbed of innovation since the early days of drag racing. (Travel/accommodations not included.) Also includes Q&A access, our poster, t-shirt and official sponsorship.
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Holy smokes, thank you! We want the world to know you're a huge part of this so we'll put YOUR NAME IN THE RED STRIPE on the side of the Streamliner. This reward is giftable—if you know someone this would be perfect for, let us know! You're also invited to MEET THE RACE TEAM at our private event on August 24, and will receive Q&A access, 2 posters, 2 t-shirts and official sponsorship.
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We'd like to honor you with YOUR NAME or COMPANY LOGO vinyl decal placed in a prominent location on the BODY OF THE STREAMLINER. This reward is transferrable--if you'd like to gift it to a loved one, let us know! You're also invited to our private event on August 24, and will receive Q&A access, our poster, t-shirt and official sponsorship. Fun fact: A drag racing track is 1320 feet, which is a quarter mile. A Top Fuel dragster can cover this distance in as little as 4 seconds at speeds over 300 mph.
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Ladies and gentlemen, start your engines! You and your friends/family are invited to join us at a racing event this season as a VIP SPONSOR/ASSOCIATE MEMBER OF THE RACING TEAM! Come to Bonneville or El Mirage and help us make history! You'll be outfitted with an OFFICIAL CREW SHIRT with your name on it, a POSTER PERSONALLY AUTOGRAPHED by Kent, and access to all our web and in-shop events this summer. This reward may also be gifted. (Travel and accommodations not included, but get in touch with us, because we'll try to help with those details.) The fun facts don't stop! 1912 was the first year of motor sports racing on the Bonneville Salt Flats.
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