1939 Dreyer Big Car

This Dreyer frame 'Big Car' sports a 59-AB Full Race Flathead Motor with a 1939 Ford Gearbox.

During the evolution of automobile racing, there have been a wide variety of vehicle sizes, capabilities, racing styles, distances, speeds, and more. During the mid-1930s, the term 'Big Car' emerged as a way to distinguish race cars that were larger than Midget racers.

Pop Dreyer began his racing career on two wheels - motorcycles. An accident in 1923 convinced him to retire from the sport and focus on developing his mechanical, fabrication, and tuning abilities.

During the 1920's he moved to Indianapolis where he worked at Duesenberg with Herman Rigling. A short while later he went to work for Stutz where he worked closely with Myron Stevens. Dreyer's skills and abilities evolved and working with many of the industry's greatest mechanics and engineers quickly fine-tuned his potential. He worked with many Indiana independent teams and race car shops as a welder and fabricator, as well as working with aluminum. By 1928, he had completed his first complete customized body for Jack Gallivan. The work had been done in a small shed next to his house, and it was not long before many were contacting him requesting his skills. His business quickly gained momentum, especially with the AAA's announcement of a stock-engine-based 'formula' racing league for the 1930 season.
The early parts of the 1930s were busy for Dreyer. His high-quality metalwork was in much demand. As the Midget racing sport grew in popularity, so did Dreyer's work.
In modern times, the Dreyer/Ford Big Cars can often be found racing at historic races, mostly in the pre-war categories.

By Daniel Vaughan | Jul 2006