Maxwell Sprint Car, 1974 Sprint Car | Conceptcarz.com - Pictures, Pricing, Information, Wallpaper, History

View more photos

The Al Hamilton Special was built in the fall of 1974 by Don Maxwell and welded by Doug Wolfgang in Lincoln Nebraska.

Jan Opperman won the 1975 Florida Nationals. The car has many wins with other drivers such as Mitch Smith, Kramer Williamson, Van May, Lynn Paxton, Smokey Snellbaker, Rich Eichelberger, Ralph Splithaler, and Smokey Snyder.

Jan Opperman began his racing career in the mid-1960s, on motorcycles and in midgets in the San Francisco Bay Area. He gained attention when, more than once, he drove an even-then-antique Ford V8/60-powered midget to victory at Ascot against nationally known drivers running brand-new equipment. But his long hair and counter-culture attitude made him an outsider among the generally more buttoned-down drivers of that time.

In 1968, car builder Bob Trossle offered Opperman his first ride in a competitive sprint car. By 1970 Opperman was known as one of the premier 'outlaw' sprinters in the Midwest; and the 'Flying Hippie' had become a marketable oddity. Promoter Jack Gunn lured Opperman to Pennsylvania, which was already known for the toughest outlaw sprint car racing int he country. In a winged car, Opperman could circle the half-mile at Selinsgrove without lifting. He ran as many as 99 events in a year, and once told journalist Brock Yates that he raced so regularly it had become 'like carrying a lunch bucket to work.'

Dom Maxwell, himself a respected driver, began building sprint cars with Opperman in Lincoln, Nebraska in 1972. This car was completed in the fall of 1974 by Maxwell and Doug Wolfgang and Al Hamilton. Its fuel-injected alcohol-fueled Chevrolet 383 cubic-inch stroker V8 produces 600 horsepower. With Opperman behind the wheel, it won its inaugural race, at the 1975 Florida Winternationals, and many other events back in Pennsylvania that spring. It was later driven by Mitch Smith, Kramer Williamson, Lynn Paxton, Van May, Smokey Snellbaker, Rich Eichelberger, Ralph Spithaler and Smokey Snyder.

Now owned by Gloria and Dale Holder of Holsopple, Pennsylvania, it is restored as it appeared at Opperman's victory in the 1975 Florida Winternationals. The symbol on its hood is called the Cross of Peace, which Opperman also wore on his helmet.

Source - AACA Museum

Sprint Car

Sprint cars have had a very long history and enjoyed much popularity in the United States, Australia, and New Zealand. They are generally considered high-powered race cars with the purpose of competing on short dirt or paved tracks.

sprint Car Racing really came into its form after World War I, when many enthusiasts and armatures raced 'specials' (commonly referred to as 'race cars' and 'dirt track cars') at various dirt tracks, such as at the county fair horse tracks. The Ford Model T was a popular favorite, as it had the speed and parts were readily available.

Within the decades to come, the cars evolved greatly. The Ford engine was still popular, but other custom builders, such as Miller and Offenhauser, offered a very competitive engine that often outclassed the rest of the field.

Up to this point in history, around the 1930s, the cars were still not called 'Sprint Cars'. Midget cars had come onto the scene, and were much smaller than the larger machines, now called 'big cars.'

The post-World War II era brought about many new improvements. Cars were professionally built and competition continued to escalate. Some cars were still using the four-cylinder engines of the pre-WWII era, but many had been fitted with larger units, such as the Ford or Mercury flathead V8. The Chevrolet V8 became popular in the 1960s and soon outclassed other engines.

The name 'Sprint Car' was coined around 1950. As the years progressed, the cars were improved with the addition of safety requirements such as cage roll bars. The engines began producing more and more horsepower, and wider tires were needed to help with traction. Wings began appearing on the tops of car to help with down forces.

In modern times, the Sprint Cars can reach speeds in excess of 140 mph. Many engines have been tuned to produce 750 horsepower and more. The cars have an excellent power-to-weight ratio and are very entertaining to watch or compete in. Famous drivers from well-known racing series, such as IndyCar and NASCAR, have competed in Sprint Car Racing.

1974 Maxwell Sprint Car
Year	1974
Make	Maxwell
Model	Sprint Car
Engine Location	Front
Drive Type	Rear Wheel
Combined MPG	0.00

Engine
Engine Configuration	V
	90-degree
Cylinders	8
Aspiration/Induction	Normal
Displacement	383.00 CU IN. \| 6277.4 cc. \| 6.3 L.
Valves	16 valves. 2 valves per cylinder.
Valvetrain	OHV
Horsepower	600.00 HP (441.6 KW)
HP / Liter	95.2 BHP / Liter
Fuel Feed	Fuel Injected
Block	Cast-iron
Head	Cast-iron

Standard Transmission
Transmission	Manual

Vehicle Spotlight

1974 Maxwell Sprint Car