''Big Al II'' is a pioneering

funny car Funny Car is a type of drag racing vehicle and a specific racing class in organized drag racing. Funny cars are characterized by having tilt-up fiberglass or carbon fiber automotive bodies over a custom-fabricated chassis, giving them an appea ...

built in 1963 by Jim Lytle. It started the trend to flip-top fiberglass 'flopper' bodies. Lytle's

chopped Chopped can have the following meanings: * Chopped and screwed Chopped and screwed (also called screwed and chopped or slowed and throwed) is a music genre and technique of remixing music that involves slowing down the tempo and deejaying. It ...

'34 Tudor project cost US$2000, and was powered by an

Allison V-1710 The Allison V-1710 aircraft engine designed and produced by the Allison Engine Company was the only US-developed V-12 liquid-cooled engine to see service during World War II. Versions with a turbocharger gave excellent performance at high a ...

. The body was hand made. ''Big Al II'' ran three times, all in 1964 at Lion's Dragway, setting a record for full-bodied

drag racer Drag racing is a type of motor racing in which automobiles or motorcycles compete, usually two at a time, to be first to cross a set finish line. The race follows a short, straight course from a standing start over a measured distance, most c ...

s, before being retired. The idea was copied by Ford and Mercury for their

Mercury Comet The Mercury Comet is an automobile that was produced by Mercury from 1960–1969 and 1971–1977 — variously as either a compact or an intermediate car. In its first two years, it was marketed as the "Comet" and from 1962 as the "Mercury Comet" ...

Cyclones. It would inspire "every flopper body ever formed".

Notes

Sources

* Drag racing cars Cars introduced in 1963 Rear-wheel-drive vehicles {{motorsports-stub